Madison is Wisconsin’s capital, a scenic historical city on Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Although Madison is an urban area, it is also steeped in natural beauty. Let’s look at what makes Madison such a standout place to live.
Food, Drink, and Culture
Madison residents benefit from one of the best food and drink scenes in the U.S. Madison hosts many craft breweries that produce a variety of delicious beers, along with several major beer-based festivals throughout the year. Also, Madison’s food scene benefits from the area’s thriving agricultural industry, particularly the renowned cheese produced nearby.
Madison’s downtown is a busy hub with a thriving nightlife, which is partially due to the presence of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the state’s best-known flagship university. The downtown houses more than 1,500 businesses, including shops, bars, and restaurants.
Scenic Destinations
Madison’s four major lakes have areas for boating, fishing, and swimming. The city has an excellent parks system with plenty of public green spaces as well, including the famed Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which show off the region’s unique local flora and fauna, all for free.
Preserved natural areas near Madison are ideal for those who want to fully immerse themselves in outdoor settings. The Cherokee Marsh is a vast wetland near Madison with well-maintained hiking trails and areas for fishing or canoeing. Madison is also situated near the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which stretches 1,200 miles throughout Wisconsin with a landscape defined by glacier shifts from the Ice Age.
Strong Economy and Moderate Affordability
Madison is an economic powerhouse that is a vital component of Wisconsin’s economy. It has a strong job market that provides a diverse array of job opportunities, and several major industries thrive there. For starters, Madison is the state capital and the home of Wisconsin’s biggest university, therefore, government, research, and education opportunities are plentiful. Additionally, the city’s economy has developed significantly and includes huge technology, medical, insurance, and manufacturing industries. Zendesk, Alliant Energy, Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliances, and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals are just a few companies that have headquarters or major offices in the city.
While Madison’s economy is strong, the real estate market in the city hasn’t slipped into unaffordability yet. According to Redfin, the median sales price for a home in Madison was just over $370,000 in March 2023. While this is more than many areas in Wisconsin, it is less than the national average, and considering the city’s strong job market, Madison is a mostly affordable place to reside.
