I was younger and childless when I lived in Madison. All of my friend's children went to St. Dennis on the east side. They were happy with the public school but the before and after care was just better at St. Denny.

The winters are cold but you just wear appropriate layers and get used to it. The roads are plowed well but the bike paths always seemed to be plowed first because so many people use them year round. Winter also doesn't stop outdoor activities like it seems to here.

I lived on the East Side in a working class neighborhood and I loved it. The West Side was where all the upper middle class/ rich people lived. I found traffic was worse and if you are commuting from the West to a job downtown or on the East Side then sun glare is an actual concern during rush hour. Sounds silly until you are blinded by the sun's position in the sky and the glare off the snow and wet roads.

I just adore Madison and would move back in a heartbeat if DH's job was so specific to this area.

Madison is really nice, my brother used to live there. If we had the opportunity to move there we would go in a heartbeat.

Anonymous wrote:Wisconsin is the home of Scott Walker and Paul Ryan. That can't be good for schools or any government services like nice parks, good police service, and getting on the voting rolls in liberal places like Madison.

Do you like the midwest or do you like college towns?

If you like the midwest, I would move to Minnesota.If you like college towns, there has to be something better than moving to a state that elects Walker/Ryan.

BTW, we have relatives in Wisconsin and I find it a depressing place, although I do like Madison.

Minnesota, the home of Michelle Bachmann?

If there's any place in Wisconsin where I'd even consider living it'd be Madison.

Wisconsin is the home of Scott Walker and Paul Ryan. That can't be good for schools or any government services like nice parks, good police service, and getting on the voting rolls in liberal places like Madison.

Do you like the midwest or do you like college towns?

If you like the midwest, I would move to Minnesota.
If you like college towns, there has to be something better than moving to a state that elects Walker/Ryan.

BTW, we have relatives in Wisconsin and I find it a depressing place, although I do like Madison.

OP here. Thanks for the great responses. I would still love to hear if anyone has firsthand experience with schools, but I think we are keeping WI on our shortlist of places to go if we ever leave MD. I'm sure the cold weather would be hard, but if it comes with great community, schools, and a lower cost of living, it's worth it to us.

Depends on what you want, big city or small city. Are you an east coaster through and through? If so, stay here. But if not, Madison is great. Sure, winter is freezing, but all three other seasons are great. Lots to do outdoors, people are really nice, food scene has become pretty good the past ten or so years, great connection to the university. I grew up there and spent my summers biking around town on paths, swimming in lakes, going to the pool (lots there); winters we did a lot of sledding, ice skating and x country skiing. It's pretty fun living in a place with an awesome in town arboretum where you can ski x country all winter. The schools are great too.

I felt much more pride in and connection to my community there, than I do here (and i have been here a while). It seems that practically the whole city heads downtown for Badger games even if you didn't go there for school. Madisonians really love their town.

I'd move back in a heartbeat, but my husband wants to be close to an ocean (not that we go much here, too crowded!)

We just moved here from Madison! Loved it. Great schools, affordable housing but so COLD! I hate cold weather so would find it hard to go back. Oh, also, the farmer's market is amazing!!

No question. We've lived in both the Midwest and D.C. Quality of life is MUCH better in Wisconsin.

Beautiful city but bitterly cold. Great college town. Lots of book stores, cafes. Midwesterners in general are far more polite and laid back than here

Just learned from another thread that there are a lot of former Wisconsinites on this thread. We have considered moving to WI, particularly Madison, from the SS area. Would love to hear how folks think they compare, especially with regard to schools. Thanks!