What's your favorite Wisconsin city? (Milwaukee, Madison: college, live, restaurants)

[EnjoyEP]

I actually don't feel nearly as strong on the topic as Ronnie, and in NO WAY do I want to engage vitriolic responses from people who like Madison, but I actually had to chime in and say that I think there is a lot of truth in what Ronnie is saying.

Again - I like Madison! So I am not in any way bashing it. But people talk about Madison (or, as Ronnie points out Boulder, CO or Burlington, VT) like it is a virtual Heaven on earth, which just isn't the case; it is a really nice college town / state cap. It isn't better than Milwaukee - just different (like Boulder is different from Denver).

I just have to confess at laughing heartily at Ronnie's Madison rants - even some Madison lovers out there I think may get a chuckle here too.

I agree with your basic premise Ronnie - Madison is what it is...it is a very nice town, one I am glad is in WI, but the superiority complex is somewhat perplexing.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Fair enough, EP, but I actually do want to engage vitriolic responses from people who like/love Madison. I want to see a full-blown, Madison versus Milwaukee showdown, right here, right on this site. I want to see this because I think it's high time that Madison people stop believing every piece of hype churned out by their chamber of commerce and start thinking critically and, yes, globally, about what their town really is. I also think it's high time, long, long overdue, for Milwaukeeans to finally stand up and defend our position as Wisconsin's only true City, with a capital "C," a place with major problems but also a great city full of creative energy, commerce, the economic and cultural crossroads of Wisconsin.

As tired as I am of hearing the incessant Madison hoo-ha (I have family and friends out there so I'm exposed to it all the time) I'm actually MORE tired of Milwaukeeans beleiving the NEGATIVE hype about our city. On sites like this an elsewhere the name of our city gets dragged through the muck, the negatives are accentuated and positives are downplayed, and us Milwaukeeans usually just sit there and TAKE IT. It's time to STAND UP and say "enough." We're PROUD of our city, YES we have problems that no other place in Wisconsin has, in some ways we even have worse problems than other large cities. But what good does it do to wallow in the negativity, let's talk about the SOLUTIONS to WISCONSIN'S PROBLEMS (including Milwaukee's) and stop falling into this "Milwaukee bad" mindset that's prevasive throughout the state.

So bring 'em on. I'm ready. I'm ready to defend my city and to cut Madison down to size. I really have nothing against Green Bay, Eau Claire, Wausau, et al, but, whatever, BRING THEM ON TOO. When this is over, and the dust is settled, I hope WE ALL have a better understanding of what MILWAUKEE means to this state. BRING IT.

[Empidonax]

Well, over the years (even before coming to WI) I've also heard much Madison hype from Madison residents and visitors. And though it isn't exactly my preferred style of city, I can see how it appeals to people who like living in an academic bubble. I've also seen the same thing with other college towns such as Boulder and Ithaca.... Heck, I grew up in Palo Alto and went to Berkeley: I understand the pride that people have in such places, yet as a fan of more authentic cities, I see the weaknesses of such places, too.

Milwaukee does have its little bubbles, too--most notably, the North Shore/East Side bubble that some people live in. The only difference is that it's hard to have a truly enclosed bubble in a big metro such as Milwaukee; even Shorewood folks or Prospect Ave. condo dwellers need to leave the bubble once in a while in order to shop or do other things.

In many ways, Madison is sort of like a sampling and reconfiguration of certain elements of Milwaukee (Shorewood, the East Side, and a dash of Riverwest, etc.) with a larger university and the state government. (And ringed by suburbs, of course.) And though Madison's peers are other bubble-like college towns, I think it far surpasses most in that category. Within the college town category, Ithaca (for example) has a superiority complex which I think is undeserved; Madison, on the other hand, can make a claim to be one of the truly great college towns of the U.S.

And then there's beautiful yet diminutive Stevens Point, which has captured a part of my heart....

[Empidonax]

I also find it unfortunate that negative perceptions of Milwaukee sometimes shadow the more positive reality. It certainly doesn't help that the state government (and much of our state tax money) continues to promote Madison at the expense of Milwaukee. (For example, I like having UW-Madison as the flagship campus, but UWM is also chartered as a research university, yet is funded more like a comprehensive school.)

However, these perceptions dog pretty much all of the Great Lakes cities. Even Chicago is often seen by bicoastal folks either as a flyover city or, at best, a limited outpost of more cultured places such as SF and NYC.

And then there are the people who actually think that places such as Las Vegas and Phoenix are great, just because the economy there is booming (or was booming until recently).... I'm hoping that when the water runs out in the southwest, people will give the northern tier another chance and discover how great places like Milwaukee are. Milwaukee, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and other such cities are cultural and architectural gold mines, waiting to be rediscovered.

[magicaldj1]

I don't think either one is better than the other. I agree with EnjoyEP that they are 2 entirely different cities. I just like the fact Madison is a little smaller and quieter. I think Milwaukee is a wonderfull city as well. I go there quite a bit when I need a change of pace from here and because I am a big Brewers fan. I think each city has it's own unique things.

[Steve-o]

Madison or LaCrosse. Great cities!!! Milwaukee is right behind them...

[country pride]

I would have to lean towards the Madison area, since Ive been to assorted towns/cities near there. And the walk on Campus Blvd, on the university grounds is awesome, you can watch the 'soon-to-be-kayakers take lessons. Check out the pier, enjoy the surroundings while youre there. I would aim more towards the outskirts of Madison, of course, maybe Middleton or Oregon.

[Alt Dach]

MKE Ronnie told it like it Tizzzz,folks.
All the people that drink Madtown cool-aid are hallucinating,just a form of self-worship really.
But thats what yups and hippys do

[mad420]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

I actually don't feel nearly as strong on the topic as Ronnie, and in NO WAY do I want to engage vitriolic responses from people who like Madison, but I actually had to chime in and say that I think there is a lot of truth in what Ronnie is saying.

Again - I like Madison! So I am not in any way bashing it. But people talk about Madison (or, as Ronnie points out Boulder, CO or Burlington, VT) like it is a virtual Heaven on earth, which just isn't the case; it is a really nice college town / state cap. It isn't better than Milwaukee - just different (like Boulder is different from Denver).

I just have to confess at laughing heartily at Ronnie's Madison rants - even some Madison lovers out there I think may get a chuckle here too.

I agree with your basic premise Ronnie - Madison is what it is...it is a very nice town, one I am glad is in WI, but the superiority complex is somewhat perplexing.

I realize this is an older thread but since it has been dragged up again I have to say I agree 100% with you. I was born and raised here so I guess I have been drinking a different "kool aid" most of my life than some.

[JoshB]

I like Wausau and La crosse.

My Ranks
1. La Crosse
2. Wausau
3. Madison
4, Milwaukee
5. Green Bay