Between Madison & Janesville: Milton or Evansville?? (Fitchburg, Stoughton: real estate, daycare)

[knp]

My husband has a job in Fitchburg and I'll be starting a job in Janesville in the fall-- we are looking for a small town with good schools to live in. Would you consider Evansville or Milton a better choice?

Things to consider-- neither of us wants a long daily commute. Good schools a plus for future children. We'll be buying a house. Hubby might also be opening a martial arts school in town or another town nearby...

What do YOU recommend?

[Megan1967]

I grew up in Janesville and have spent time in both Milton and Evansville. Both are *very* small towns. I would choose Evansville as there seems to be a little more to do there. Milton is very much a "farmer's town." Both towns have beautiful old houses (1920's-1930's) if you like that kind of architecture.

[GermanCaveGuy]

I think both Milton and Evansville offer about the same as far as small town charm goes. However, since one of your main concerns is travel time; Evansville is the way to go. You would each be driving about a half an hour each way. On the other hand, Milton would be over an hour for the commute to Fitchburg.

Another thing you may want to consider is to take some time and look at houses in Janesville. Personally, I think it is a good place to raise children. Many of the schools are good and have wonderful staff. Plus, you can find a park almost everywhere you look. The reason why I mention this is the fact that once you and your husband decide to have children, the hour long commute you each have may become a bit of a burden. With just driving each of my children to school and daycare in the morning, I have a little over a half hour commute myself, just in town.

Anyways, I wish you the best of luck in searching for a home. I hope you and your husband enjoy moving into the area.

[gold*dust1]

You might also want to consider Oregon if you're considering Evansville (itty-bitty). As a mother I think I would want to be closer to my kids, so I would lean more towards Janesville area.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by gold*dust1

You might also want to consider Oregon if you're considering Evansville (itty-bitty). As a mother I think I would want to be closer to my kids, so I would lean more towards Janesville area.

Oregon's not a bad choice. The schools are very good. Another thing to consider - the housing market is more stable in Oregon than in Janesville due to Oregon being closer to Madison. You may get more for your money in the Janesville area, but the demand has been a lot lower since the Janesville GM plant closed.

[Megan1967]

True, but if they plan to stay more than 5 years I would think things would have stabilized in Janesville by then...... Not saying I'd recommend Janesville, just thinking real estate-wise. I honestly don't like Janesville much. There is almost nothing to do there. One good restaurant (The Speak Easy) and now only one theater.

At least the small towns that have been mentioned have small town charm. Janesville has neither charm nor the advantages of a small city. It does have a killer library though.....

In all fairness there are some beautiful neighborhoods around the court house, but that's about it for charm.

[fattigmann]

Megan 1967 - For restaurants, how about The Metropolitan, The Bistro, The Armory, El Jardin, Time Out, H&S Hibachi, plus a dozen major corporate restaurants (Olive Garden, TX Roadhouse, etc.).

One theater? You mean Movies 10? Or the Armory Dinner Theater? Or are you referring to JPAC which hosts professional shows and several amateur community theater groups?

As for charming neighborhoods, did you know that Janesville boasts 20% of all Wisconsin's buildings listed on the National Register of Historic places?

As for new housing stock, I purchased a 2,900 sq. ft. house minutes from excellent parks, schools, and interstates, backing up to the green belt which runs throughout the city. Looking out my four seasons room, all I see are trees and hills -- and right in the city. And I paid 180,000 -- try finding a a better value for your housing dollar anywhere in Dane County.

Between the basic services offered in Janesville proper and the proximity of Rockford and Madison (35 min. either direction) I never say "there's nothing to do here."

People that dismiss a city of 60,000 in favor of towns under 5,000 people frankly don't know what they're talking about.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by fattigmann

Megan 1967 - For restaurants, how about The Metropolitan, The Bistro, The Armory, El Jardin, Time Out, H&S Hibachi, plus a dozen major corporate restaurants (Olive Garden, TX Roadhouse, etc.).

One theater? You mean Movies 10? Or the Armory Dinner Theater? Or are you referring to JPAC which hosts professional shows and several amateur community theater groups?

As for charming neighborhoods, did you know that Janesville boasts 20% of all Wisconsin's buildings listed on the National Register of Historic places?

As for new housing stock, I purchased a 2,900 sq. ft. house minutes from excellent parks, schools, and interstates, backing up to the green belt which runs throughout the city. Looking out my four seasons room, all I see are trees and hills -- and right in the city. And I paid 180,000 -- try finding a a better value for your housing dollar anywhere in Dane County.

Between the basic services offered in Janesville proper and the proximity of Rockford and Madison (35 min. either direction) I never say "there's nothing to do here."

People that dismiss a city of 60,000 in favor of towns under 5,000 people frankly don't know what they're talking about.

I didn't understand that comment about one restaurant either. I know we stopped into a mexican one there, non chain I believe, and it was better than most of Madisons offerings. I agree that you can find good house deals too, many with 3 car garages. Be proud of your city and don't let the bitter pill sway you.

[Megan1967]

I apologize. I was unduly negative about Janesville. I'm glad you are happy there, fattigmann.

I did forget the Mexican restaurant (can't remember the name) - it is good. It's the one in a strip mall, correct?

[fattigmann]

No worries, Megan1967. I just want to make sure the original poster's question was responsibly addressed. I didn't mean to get on a soap box. It's just that I moved here from Denver with an ex. 12 years ago (2 years in Stoughton) and while I truly love Madison, I am always amazed at the mixture of condescension emanating towards just regular Wisconsin cities like Janesville and the embrace of small -- essentially suburban--towns basking in Madison's reflected glow. Like anything, what people tout is not necessarily the underlying reality. For example, Madisonians tout the city but by and large LOVE the suburbs. That's a fact. Janesville is called a blue-collar town when in reality is a nice regular Midwestern city. I know it's default mode to try to elevate your own city at the expense of other cities being less cosmopolitan or whatever... I think Wisconsin is a great state and we must all stick together. Believe me, the loss of industries like GM impact Madison. Not every place can be Madison because IT'S THE STATE CAPITOL. Final food for thought: investing is ALWAYS a matter of seeing what's undervalued by the typical herd mentality and that is most definitely the case with housing in Janesville.

Okay. It's not the mexican in the strip mall. I'm talking about the one on Hwy 51 on the south side near Vera's house of bridal. A stand-alone restaurant and truly one of the better Mex. restaurants you will ever experience.