Anyone else feel this way? Median household income is $120,918, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 27,775, Madison is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,798 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
20 upvotes
3 Replies
Roman Cook
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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