So, you’ve decided to lay down some roots in Madison while your fellow graduates are jet setting off to Chicago, New York, and L.A. No need to feel bad. Like thousands of others, you’ll find hundreds of things to love about Madison and soon enough you’ll understand why over and over, Madison rates as one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
Madison, as you know, is the capital of Wisconsin and boasts a population of approximately 221,000 people. The city center is located on an isthmus between lakes Monona and Mendota, and greater Madison grows out toward the east and west from this pinnacle of government, culture and education. Besides serving as the hub of Wisconsin politics, Madison is home to the world class University of Wisconsin-Madison campus as well as seven other colleges. Environmentally-minded citizens have assured the preservation of open spaces and access to recreation in spite of rapid commercial and residential growth. There are 249 city parks in Madison, and 5,619 acres of city parkland. Madison offers miles of bike trails as well as easy access to boating, swimming, ice fishing and cross-country skiing. The city’s increasingly diverse population guarantees a wide variety of ethnic cuisine ranging from fantastic Mexican food to Thai, Ethiopian, and Indian culinary choices. Of course, one can always find a satisfying fish fry on a Friday night, and need I mention a spectacular selection of Wisconsin brewed beers.
If you’re only in town for a few hours, be sure to make your way to the Memorial Union Terrace on the UW campus. Kick back with a copy of the Isthmus (the local arts and entertainment weekly) and soak in a wonderful view of Lake Mendota. This is a quick way to get a feel of why people love this place so much.
The bad news is, housing isn’t cheap. A modest 2 bedroom home in the city can easily sell for over $200,000 and new downtown condos with lake views start around $300K. (As of January, 2007, however, the market is slowing down and with patience, you might find prices coming down.). Apartments run the gamut. If you’re willing to share a dilapidated house on Mifflin Street with old kegs on the front porch, you can probably get by with a $500/month rent. If you’re looking for something a little quieter and a little larger, you might pay $750 for a 2 bedroom. The good news is there is a lot of rental housing and you can easily find something to fit your needs temporarily until you’re better prepared to settle in somewhere.
If you are planning to rent, be aware that August 15th is the traditional turn around date for a lease in the city, especially near the UW campus. There is an infamous 24 hour period when renters float between two apartments, their belongings packed in cars or trucks, when landlords scurry through properties to paint, throw out trash and check for damages. Street corners become flea markets, ripe with old couches, lazy boys and broken exercise equipment, strewn along the curb waiting for trash pickers or trash collectors. Fortunately, the city’s sanitation department is well prepared and things look clean within a few days.
Utilities
No choices here when it comes to power. Madison Gas and Electric serves the entire area. One interesting and exciting fact to note: Madison Gas and Electric has finally conceded to convert their old coal burning power plant on Blout Street to natural gas within the next 5 years. Neighborhood residents are relieved as the plant currently produces as much air pollution in one day as the company’s natural gas burning plant, on the other side of town, produces in ten years!
Check out the Isthmus Annual Manual for a comprehensive guide to the Madison dining scene or the dining section from Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau website. We will just mention a few of our favorites here.
Laredo’s Mexican Restaurant: With two locations in Madison and one in nearby Middleton, Laredo’s refers to itself as the “Embassy of Mexican Food”. The margaritas compare to none and menu items span from traditional tacos and burritos to the more exotic parilla and flautas. Just about all of the staff are from Mexico and very friendly making it a great place to practice your Spanish conversation.
Hong Kong Café: Located near the university, Hong Kong Café offers some of the best Chinese food in town. Check them out around Chinese New Year when a local dance troupe performs the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance through the restaurant while you eat. The staff here has a great sense of humor. Speaking once with the hostess we asked her what some Chinese calligraphy on the wall meant. She answered, “Hong Kong Café.” Naïve about the language, I asked, “Does each character actually spell out Hong Kong Café, or how does its work?” “Not exactly,” she replied. “Really, the translation would be ‘Good Place to Make Money.’”
Great Dane Brewery: With three locations, you’re never far from one of the best brew pubs in town. Each location provides a different atmosphere and the downtown spot seems to be a favorite. With ample dining room space, outdoor seating in good weather, two full bars and a pool hall, it’s easy to spend an evening relaxing at this favorite local spot. Great Dane brews all of its own beers and rotates its selection so you can always find something new to try. Fare ranges from prime rib and hamburgers to tortellini and Caesar salad.
Monty’s Blue Plate: This nouveau diner is sure to please everyone with homey dishes like meatloaf, casserole and great pie. The breakfasts are delicious and bountiful, too. This is a popular neighborhood spot and it’s not unusual to stand in line for a table on the weekend. Diners are seated in giant vinyl booths, or along a 1950‘s style counter. The walls are decorated with autographed photographs of national performers who have appeared at the Barrymore Theatre which is across the street. While you’re enjoying your bottomless cup of coffee, don’t be surprised if the chef stops by to see how well you liked your meal.
Whether it’s graduate school or a job that’s led you to Madison, you are certain to enjoy exploring the city’s inviting variety of things to do. To help you get started, check out The Isthmus, the city’s free weekly arts and entertainment paper. You can find a copy on a just about every street corner, or visit their website to see what’s happening. Try getting your hands on The Annual Manual, also published by The Isthmus. It’s a great reference for finding interest groups and activities of all kinds…musical, recreational, political, culinary, educational, social, and the list goes on.
Try a few of the following websites for activities and attractions that pique your curiosity:
For those yet to visit the capital city of Wisconsin, mention of Madison might bring to mind just another sleepy Midwestern locale, or images of a rowdy college town known for its infamous, drunken Halloween Party as featured in Sports Illustrated. A visit to Madison, however, will reveal much, much more. Madison truly represents a contemporary cross section of American life. Madison runs from the radical to the conservative. Liberal politicians, peace activists, and green party supporters walk the same streets as church-going folks, working class families, and soccer moms. Madisonians shop at big box super stores and community-owned cooperative green grocers. Fourth generation Wisconsin families of German background live in neighborhoods with Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican families. On the same day you might see a Hummer drive down your block, followed by a biodiesel, hybrid car. Downtown might be the site of a St. Patrick’s Day parade and an anti-war protest all in the same afternoon. Madisonians are prosperous and impoverished. Madison has beautiful lakes and parks, as well as bumper to bumper rush hour traffic. So, whatever your reasons for checking out Madison, you might be pleasantly surprised to find out just how cosmopolitan and diverse this place can be.
One Last Fun Fact: While just about anybody can tell you that the badger is University of Wisconsin’s mascot, you might be surprised to learn why. According to one neighborhood bartender, it wasn’t chosen because of a high local population of the critter. Instead, the story goes something like this: In an earlier century, a fair number of immigrants from Cornwall, England, settled in this part of Wisconsin. Many of them were miners. Each day and around noon time, the wives would appear on porches and on at the edge of the villages to wave white handkerchiefs indicating the lunch time meal was ready. The miners, anxious for lunch, would be seen at a distance poking their heads up over the hills, searching for the signal, and looking all the while like a bunch of badgers.
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