With a population of 16,464, Madison is a small town. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. Household incomes average around $168,469 in Madison. The median home value here is around $882,900, which is pretty steep. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Jacob W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
David Gomez
This.
25 upvotes
luke_fan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Claire
This.
20 upvotes
cincy_allison
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
19 upvotes
Mason D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Jesse H.
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Everly M.
yep
17 upvotes
Leonardo Brooks
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Evan Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
11 upvotes
Jaxon Walker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
7 upvotes
Jerry A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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