Madison Real Estate | Relocation Info for Madison Homes in Wisconsin

Madison Living

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is located 80 miles west of Milwaukee and 142 miles northwest of Chicago. Built on an isthmus between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, Madison offers beautiful settings and an overall excellent quality of life. Healthcare is another of Madison's strengths with five general hospitals, more than 20 major medical clinics and the University of Wisconsin's medical, nursing and pharmacy schools. Madison also boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.

Education

The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest in the state of Wisconsin. There are 29 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, four high schools and one alternative high school. The district has received many awards and recognitions over the years. In 1997, Money magazine ranked Madison the best place for education out of 300 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. This school district is the only one in the country to have schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels rated as National Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The primary driving force behind these successes is the excellent teaching staff. Nearly half of the district's teachers have at least one master's degree and an uncommonly high number have doctorates.

For higher education -- there are several colleges and universities in Madison and in the surrounding areas. The largest -- the University of Wisconsin -- is located here as well as several smaller universities and colleges. The University of Wisconsin annually serves more than 42,000 college students. There are also several technical schools and adult learning education centers in the city.

Recreation

The year-round leisure and recreational opportunities in Madison are endless. The city is known as the bike capital of the Midwest. There are approximately 100 miles of scenic biking and hiking trails in and around the Madison area. Some hot spots include: Lake Monona -- an easy two hour ride around the lake which takes you through the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the UW Madison Campus -- a scenic route along the shores of Lake Mendota that runs past the Memorial Union to the Picnic Point area, and the Blue Mound View - a hilly ride offering a panoramic view from the top of Blue Mounds.

Sports

If you're looking for more active pursuits, Madison offers some of the best fishing and hunting in the nation as well as world-class golf courses. Water sports are in abundance during the summer and skiing, skating and snowmobiling take over during the winter months.

Shopping

Madison offers endless shopping opportunities. In addition to numerous small boutique shops and galleries, there are numerous larger shopping districts and malls. State Street features a pedestrian mall lined with eclectic specialty shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes. This area links the UW-Madison campus with the Capitol Square and also offers museums, theatres, concerts and much more. For larger shopping malls, there are several to choose from. East Towne, Hilldale, West Towne and Westgate malls all offer a selection of larger department and smaller retail stores. For bargain shoppers - the Johnson Creek Premium Outlet Mall is located approximately 30 miles east of Madison.

Area Attractions

There are numerous unique attractions in the area. To the west, the Spring Green area features Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Estate and the American Players Theatre. To the east is the village of Cambridge, known as the "Pottery Center of the Midwest." It is also home to Fort Atkinson, home of the famous Fireside Dinner Theatre. If you venture further by car - you will find a host of major attractions approximately an hour's drive away. For example, to the north you will find Wollersheim Winery, Circus World Museum and the nationally acclaimed waterparks and glacier etched bluffs of Wisconsin Dells.

History

The geography of Madison dates back some 13,000 years when glaciers formed the four lakes region when they retreated. The modern history of the city began when early settlers used the land to build camps near the lakes. James Duane Doty, a territorial judge and land speculator, traveled through the area in May 1829 and liked the surroundings so much that he bought 1,200 acres. In 1836, he persuaded the territorial legislature to designate the area as the site for the new state capital. He proceeded to name the city Madison after James Madison, the 4th President of the United States. City streets were named after the other signers of the U.S. Constitution. Madison became a city in 1856.

Today, progressive Madison, with its youthful vigor and vitality, is lovingly described as twenty five square miles surrounded by reality.

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