I am from there and visit family several times a year. Same sex couple will be fine anywhere in the city. I’m not sure about suburbs, probably fine as well but double check if there’s one you have your eye on. Middleton high school; it is a suburb but it’s basically an extension of the city, distance-wise. Just know that if you are hoping for UW-Madison for college, they were limiting the number of kids they take from Middleton and West a few years back (not sure if they are still doing this). The cons really depend on your personal tastes. For me, it’s the constant “stand up for this issue!” everywhere you turn. It gets old quickly and hinders my enjoyment of the city. Other people hate the cold; I’m used to it, but do not underestimate it. It stays below zero for days at a time in January. If your car is parked outside, it might not even start. The pros are endless: Friendly and helpful people, great restaurants, free access to lakes, always things to do in the nicer months.

we also live in milwaukee- and its been shockingly warm this november, but was puffer season into april last spring which is to be expected. I am "diverse" culturally and was surprised by how diverse Milwaukee is, i live on the east side, near the north shore villages. I don't think you should assume that there is a lack of diversity, cultural or religious. We moved from EOTP DC and i grew up in NW DC so while there might not be "fancy" BIPOC, there are tons of immigrants and people from all over.My kids can even take mandarin after school- when we had school and I'm sure the Madison schools are even better b/c of the University. We hear people speaking foreign languages walking around here as well , maybe a little more russian and polish and less french than DC but you'd be surprised. there are a lot of palestinians (yummy middle eastern food) lots of asians as there usually are in university towns (im asian). For some reason a lot of eastern europeans and Russians, like as many there used to be in Dc in the 80s in my childhood. Madison is super progressive and the farmers market is amazing. I didn't know you could cross country ski at the arboretum! so psyched to do that this winter since everything else is no go b/c of COVID.

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Madison, it’s awesome. Schools that feed to West or Memorial are generally considered best. Middleton is also very nice. If you can afford Shorewood Hills, I highly recommend it. Borders a lake, bikeable to the University along the Lake Mendota bike path, great pool, etc. One thing I like about Madison is that people aren’t all that judge-y about where you live.

The town has a ton of spirit, everyone loves the football games, summer and winter activities (cross country skiing in town in the arboretum!). I can’t think of many downsides, though it does suffer from the Midwest lack of diversity.

I’m also from Madison and love it and I would love to live there (even though I hate the cold) if my field allowed. Many public schools are excellent, housing is affordable, healthcare is exceptional, and the city is extremely progressive. It’s one of the first places I remember seeing same sex pda.

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Madison, it’s awesome. Schools that feed to West or Memorial are generally considered best. Middleton is also very nice. If you can afford Shorewood Hills, I highly recommend it. Borders a lake, bikeable to the University along the Lake Mendota bike path, great pool, etc. One thing I like about Madison is that people aren’t all that judge-y about where you live.

The town has a ton of spirit, everyone loves the football games, summer and winter activities (cross country skiing in town in the arboretum!). I can’t think of many downsides, though it does suffer from the Midwest lack of diversity.

OP here, West was also named in some other threads but was like 4/10 on the real estate sites. But thanks for your feedback!

Madison is NOT conservative. Very liberal, very progressive.
The farmers market on the Capitol Square, a drink at the UW-Union on the water, 4 lakes, great bike paths, a university town, good restaurants, great beer - Madison has a lot to offer. But yes, it is cold in winter.

Pro: It's not DC
Con: It's Madison, Wisconsin

1. Covid.
2. Conservative views.
3. Cold.

Cheese

Biggest con is that there’s covid everywhere. If you have any urgent health issues, you may have a long wait for medical attention due to folks being completely selfish and deliberately reckless

I’m from Madison, it’s awesome. Schools that feed to West or Memorial are generally considered best. Middleton is also very nice. If you can afford Shorewood Hills, I highly recommend it. Borders a lake, bikeable to the University along the Lake Mendota bike path, great pool, etc. One thing I like about Madison is that people aren’t all that judge-y about where you live.

The town has a ton of spirit, everyone loves the football games, summer and winter activities (cross country skiing in town in the arboretum!). I can’t think of many downsides, though it does suffer from the Midwest lack of diversity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a same sex couple (women) who love living in Madison. They don't have kids though. One bikes to work and likes that. They do say the winter can be tough.

The schools have been extremely progressive in implementing maximum equity, cooperative learning, inclusion, social promotion, and rolling grade systems.

Yes.
Even though Wisconsin has been a laboratory for conservative billionaires to influence politics with loads of money.

Bradley Foundation/GOP greedy billionaires have bought the WI Supreme Court and the legislature, harmed UW Madison, and try to starve the city of money.

It’s still a good place to live.

Anonymous wrote:I know a same sex couple (women) who love living in Madison. They don't have kids though. One bikes to work and likes that. They do say the winter can be tough.

The schools have been extremely progressive in implementing maximum equity, cooperative learning, inclusion, social promotion, and rolling grade systems.

I don’t know a lot about the schools there but have heard that public schools near the university tend to be good (hill farms and midvale heights are 2 areas that come to mind that I think have good schools). we live in Milwaukee and have friends in Madison so pre covid we went there pretty regularly to visit them as it’s only an hour 15 mins away. We really like Madison and it’s generally a very progressive, diverse city with a lot of same sex couples. Lots of nice parks, good restaurants, of course the university brings in a lot of smart, interesting people and there are always things going on there (concerts, art shows, sporting events, etc.)

Cons: really the weather. It’s so ridiculously cold for such a long stretch of time.

Otherwise, I think it’s a great place to live! Good luck

I know a same sex couple (women) who love living in Madison. They don't have kids though. One bikes to work and likes that. They do say the winter can be tough.

I was looking at old threads and some of the schools that were recommended are not great at this point. Any advice/info about living there now with a 12 and 9 year old. We are a same sex couple so that always factors into location as well.

Thanks!!!