Life Looking likely that I'm moving to Madison, WI - Page 2

**RealSNR** · 09-04-2010, 01:01 AM

Yep, another "what do you think of this city" thread. Sorry.

I opted to not renew my contract for my professorship at the local university due to bad politics and all around misery when I'm at work. I made this decision with the blessing of my wife. We have barely any debt (outside of mortgage loan on a small house) and no kids, so we figured my happiness was more important than the extra 45K per year (her salary would more than keep us afloat). But we are planning on expanding our family at some point and we're gonna need more than that one job.

For the past three months (really more like 10 months since I thought about quitting my current job) she's been browsing the job market which is already in rough shape for something with better pay. She found one in Madison, interviewed, and just received an offer today.

Anybody ever lived there? Good areas to find a house/raise a family? I've heard nothing but good things about the town, so I'm not worried. Just curious if anybody has any hints/suggestions about living in Madtown.

**Buehler445** · 09-04-2010, 09:40 AM

Good for you SNR. I truely hope it works out for the best. I've just been in the madison airport, but I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin last summer.

I wasn't terribly impressed with the food. Maybe I made bad choices, but other than some fandamntastic cheese, I was unimpressed.

However, the people on the whole seemed like good, hardworking people.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Iowanian** · 09-04-2010, 09:42 AM

It's a nice, clean midwestern city with nice people.

I think I'll be there for 3 days in Feb if you're there then.

**jAZ** · 09-04-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Yep, another "what do you think of this city" thread. Sorry.

I opted to not renew my contract for my professorship at the local university due to bad politics and all around misery when I'm at work. I made this decision with the blessing of my wife. We have barely any debt (outside of mortgage loan on a small house) and no kids, so we figured my happiness was more important than the extra 45K per year (her salary would more than keep us afloat). But we are planning on expanding our family at some point and we're gonna need more than that one job.

For the past three months (really more like 10 months since I thought about quitting my current job) she's been browsing the job market which is already in rough shape for something with better pay. She found one in Madison, interviewed, and just received an offer today.

Anybody ever lived there? Good areas to find a house/raise a family? I've heard nothing but good things about the town, so I'm not worried. Just curious if anybody has any hints/suggestions about living in Madtown.

What's your field? Are you taking a position at Wisconsin?

**RealSNR** · 09-04-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

What's your field? Are you taking a position at Wisconsin?

I was an adjunct faculty at my previous job and taught a mixture of music theory, music history, and organ/harpsichord. I've got a DMA that I earned while teaching.

I've talked to some former colleagues who now are employed at UW-Madison. They say the current guy in the the field is ancient and might retire in a year or two. That would be so wonderful if I could have his job, but I would be competing with several other candidates.

My wife got a nice job at Epic Systems, the health care IT company. When we expand our family we would both be perfectly content if I did a few church musician jobs and played daddy. It wouldn't be a big deal if I didn't get that university position. Having a stay-at-home parent is pretty important to us in raising our child.

lazepoo · 09-04-2010, 02:32 PM

My sister in law just finished her undergrad there. Basically, she said the same thing others have said: cool indie businesses aimed towards students, pretty aesthetics, liberal vibe. It compares pretty favorably with other big ten campuses in smaller towns, and I've always had a good time when I visited. The lakes are really cool, and the snow isn't as bad as some people might believe. Once you get used to the fact that it doesn't melt off as quickly in the winter, the huge plow piles aren't as intimidating and they just become a part of life.

The Rick · 09-04-2010, 03:38 PM

I'm in the suburbs of Milwaukee, which is just an hour away from Madison. Moved here from Missouri 9 years ago.

Madison is a nice city. Like others have said, it's very liberal so I hope you're not a staunch Republican.

Like most other Democratic states, the taxes here in Wisconsin are fairly high.

Summers are nice. Temps in the 90s are rare. Winters do kind of suck, but the nice thing is that they're more prepared for it here. The roads are typically clean as a whistle shortly after the snow stops falling.

Other than the politics, the better weather in the summer, and worse weather in the winter, Wisconsin is a lot like Missouri in size, things to do, etc.

**Bowser** · 09-04-2010, 04:02 PM

Be sure and get a Favre Vikings jersey before you move.

googlegoogle · 09-04-2010, 04:09 PM

fudge packer

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-05-2010, 01:36 PM

Posted via Mobile Device

tyton75 · 09-05-2010, 01:51 PM

My brother and 2 sisters live there... so my 2 cents...

VERY liberal, Winter nearly requires a 4x4 to get around.. Nice town, great pizza.. a lot of lakes that are pretty much IN the city proper.

not sure about the job market though

Spicy McHaggis · 09-05-2010, 02:24 PM

I just spent 3+ years there. Overall, I loved the city. Absolutely amazing weather wise in the late spring to mid fall time period. The winters get a bit harsh (120+ inches of snow the first year I was there, but that was an irregularity of sorts) and the days are about 45 minutes shorter than you get in KC, but I adjusted fairly well. The S.O. not as much, but there it is.

Here's a basic list. I'll send you links to a lot of specific things I did if you're interested. Just shoot me a PM.

Pros - Great weather (in the aforementioned span), friendly people, very bike friendly, college town energy, surprising amount of things to do, great local restaurants, fantastic beer, beautiful scenery (it's on an isthmus), people that are football crazy, good fishing/hunting/outdoors activities, close proximity to Chicago if you want to hit the city for the weekend, university and state jobs, public transit actually quite decent for a city its size

Cons - Not so great winter weather (avoid the rear wheel drive), higher taxes and cost of housing compared to some other midwest cities.

Like I said, hit me with any questions you have.

**Gonzo** · 09-05-2010, 02:33 PM

The winters suck balls but hey, they have cheese so...
There ya go.
Posted via Mobile Device

Spicy McHaggis · 09-05-2010, 02:37 PM

If you're looking for a place to raise a family, I'd give Middleton a look. Literally right next to Madison and you can take University Drive right onto campus from it. Recently rated the best place to live by Money Magazine as well.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/..._100.moneymag/

**RealSNR** · 09-05-2010, 02:59 PM

I grew up in North Dakota, so these supposedly harsh winters are going to feel like saunas.

Thanks for the advice. Thanks for the heads up about Middleton, Spicy. We were looking for homes outside the city (in Sun Prairie, actually) but on the map that looks like a more complicated commute than necessary. I know it wouldn't be that bad, but I think we can do better.

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-05-2010, 04:55 PM

blue collar area, but remember this when asking for a cola it's "Sooooda" not pop

09-04-2010, 01:01 AM
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1304792	Looking likely that I'm moving to Madison, WI Yep, another "what do you think of this city" thread. Sorry. I opted to not renew my contract for my professorship at the local university due to bad politics and all around misery when I'm at work. I made this decision with the blessing of my wife. We have barely any debt (outside of mortgage loan on a small house) and no kids, so we figured my happiness was more important than the extra 45K per year (her salary would more than keep us afloat). But we are planning on expanding our family at some point and we're gonna need more than that one job. For the past three months (really more like 10 months since I thought about quitting my current job) she's been browsing the job market which is already in rough shape for something with better pay. She found one in Madison, interviewed, and just received an offer today. Anybody ever lived there? Good areas to find a house/raise a family? I've heard nothing but good things about the town, so I'm not worried. Just curious if anybody has any hints/suggestions about living in Madtown.
Posts: 93,272

09-04-2010, 09:40 AM	#16
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1365266	Good for you SNR. I truely hope it works out for the best. I've just been in the madison airport, but I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin last summer. I wasn't terribly impressed with the food. Maybe I made bad choices, but other than some fandamntastic cheese, I was unimpressed. However, the people on the whole seemed like good, hardworking people. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 59,929

09-04-2010, 09:42 AM	#17
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1818454	It's a nice, clean midwestern city with nice people. I think I'll be there for 3 days in Feb if you're there then.
Posts: 62,924

09-04-2010, 03:38 PM	#21
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $6811320	I'm in the suburbs of Milwaukee, which is just an hour away from Madison. Moved here from Missouri 9 years ago. Madison is a nice city. Like others have said, it's very liberal so I hope you're not a staunch Republican. Like most other Democratic states, the taxes here in Wisconsin are fairly high. Summers are nice. Temps in the 90s are rare. Winters do kind of suck, but the nice thing is that they're more prepared for it here. The roads are typically clean as a whistle shortly after the snow stops falling. Other than the politics, the better weather in the summer, and worse weather in the winter, Wisconsin is a lot like Missouri in size, things to do, etc.
Posts: 2,442

09-04-2010, 04:02 PM	#22
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-18384	Be sure and get a Favre Vikings jersey before you move.
Posts: 106,600

09-04-2010, 04:09 PM	#23
googlegoogle Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	fudge packer
Posts: 4,700

09-05-2010, 01:36 PM	#24
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 88,960

09-05-2010, 01:51 PM	#25
tyton75 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3868386	My brother and 2 sisters live there... so my 2 cents... VERY liberal, Winter nearly requires a 4x4 to get around.. Nice town, great pizza.. a lot of lakes that are pretty much IN the city proper. not sure about the job market though __________________
Posts: 3,326

09-05-2010, 02:24 PM	#26
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	I just spent 3+ years there. Overall, I loved the city. Absolutely amazing weather wise in the late spring to mid fall time period. The winters get a bit harsh (120+ inches of snow the first year I was there, but that was an irregularity of sorts) and the days are about 45 minutes shorter than you get in KC, but I adjusted fairly well. The S.O. not as much, but there it is. Here's a basic list. I'll send you links to a lot of specific things I did if you're interested. Just shoot me a PM. Pros - Great weather (in the aforementioned span), friendly people, very bike friendly, college town energy, surprising amount of things to do, great local restaurants, fantastic beer, beautiful scenery (it's on an isthmus), people that are football crazy, good fishing/hunting/outdoors activities, close proximity to Chicago if you want to hit the city for the weekend, university and state jobs, public transit actually quite decent for a city its size Cons - Not so great winter weather (avoid the rear wheel drive), higher taxes and cost of housing compared to some other midwest cities. Like I said, hit me with any questions you have. __________________ “We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.
Posts: 4,963

09-05-2010, 02:33 PM	#27
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	The winters suck balls but hey, they have cheese so... There ya go. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 21,498

09-05-2010, 02:37 PM	#28
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	If you're looking for a place to raise a family, I'd give Middleton a look. Literally right next to Madison and you can take University Drive right onto campus from it. Recently rated the best place to live by Money Magazine as well. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/..._100.moneymag/ __________________ “We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.
Posts: 4,963

09-05-2010, 02:59 PM	#29
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1304792	I grew up in North Dakota, so these supposedly harsh winters are going to feel like saunas. Thanks for the advice. Thanks for the heads up about Middleton, Spicy. We were looking for homes outside the city (in Sun Prairie, actually) but on the map that looks like a more complicated commute than necessary. I know it wouldn't be that bad, but I think we can do better.
Posts: 93,272

09-05-2010, 04:55 PM	#30
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2767187	blue collar area, but remember this when asking for a cola it's "Sooooda" not pop __________________
Posts: 43,419