Thinking about living in Madison, Wisconsin? Mad City is not only one of the best places to live in the Midwest, but it’s also among the best cities to live in the U.S. overall, thanks to its incredible outdoor recreation, great food and brews, top-notch education, and more! If you’re considering moving to Madison, here are 13 things you should know.

Discover Affordable Living in the Midwest

If you’re looking for an affordable city in the Midwest to settle down in, living in Madison is a great choice! In fact, Madison has been ranked as one of the most affordable big cities in the country and is known for its high quality of life. Though real estate prices are slightly higher than similarly-sized Midwestern metros like Milwaukee, Madison boasts a higher median household income and lower unemployment rate to make up the difference. Residents also have their pick of inexpensive rentals and homes across several affordable neighborhoods in Madison. Plus, Madtown offers a variety of resources for homebuyers and property owners, including down payment assistance and tax breaks for seniors.

Find Top Jobs in Madison

Looking for jobs in Madison? As one of the top 20 cities for jobs in the U.S., Madison has an unemployment rate of just 2% and offers careers in industries like healthcare, government, bioscience, education, and more. The Berkeley of the Midwest also has plenty of opportunities and resources for entrepreneurs, including networking events and co-working spaces. Further your medical career as a doctor, nurse, lab tech, or one of the many other positions at the top hospital in the state, UW Health. Work in the insurance industry at the Madison headquarters office of American Family Insurance. Seek a job in the energy field as an engineer, technician, or financial analyst at Alliant Energy. Work on groundbreaking biomedical research to support the future of medicine at Promega Corporation. Or find positions in engineering, IT, and more at global medical technology company GE HealthCare.

Attend Top-Rated Madison Colleges & Universities

As one of the best college towns in the U.S. and one of the most educated cities in America, Madison is a great choice for anyone moving to Wisconsin to pursue higher education. Attend a Big Ten school, root for the Badgers (NCAA D-I), and choose from over 600 graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Earn a certificate or associate degree with over 190 program options, or get prerequisites for your four-year education with one of the 140+ transfer pathways at Madison Area Technical College. Pursue a master’s degree in bilingual education, art therapy, thanatology, and more at the faith-based Edgewood College. Or work on your nursing degree and take advantage of state-of-the-art labs at Herzing University – Madison Campus.

Take Madison Transit

Mad City is one of the best cities for bicycling and has received the Platinum Bicycle Designation for its cyclist-friendly infrastructure. Don’t have your own bike? You can rent an electric-assist bicycle from one of the Madison BCycle stations around the city! Certain areas of Mad Town—like Downtown Madison—are also very walkable, perfect for students and other residents who prefer to get around on foot. For faster commutes, Madisonians can take the Madison Metro Transit, which offers a variety of bus routes in Madison, WI. Or frequent flyers moving to Madison can hop on flights at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN).

Embrace the Outdoors in Madtown

Because this Wisconsin city is so close to the northern border, cold winters are a given. Fortunately, The City of Four Lakes has sunny summer days, too. During the warmer months, kayak, paddleboard, sail, fish, or enjoy other outdoor recreation in Madison on one of the many Madison lakes. Go swimming at the beach, head out on your canoe, or play volleyball at parks in Madison, like 37-acre Tenney Park. Marvel at beautiful plant life, locate specific species with the plant finder, and build your own bouquet at Allen Centennial Garden. Practice your slap shot or work on your triple axel once the weather gets chilly at the Elver Park Ice Rink. Ice fish for bass or musky at Lake Waubesa. Cozy up to a fire at Picnic Point after trekking along the Lakeshore Path in your snow shoes. Or celebrate all things winter—from an ice fishing derby to ice climbing and gingerbread house-making—at Winter Carnival.

Check Out Family Activities in Madison

Moving to Madison with kids? Madtown is considered one of the best cities to raise a family because of its many great neighborhoods for families, quality Madison schools, and kid-friendly things to do! Finger-paint in the Bakke Art Studio, rock “baby bears” to sleep in the Nice Age Trail, or sign the kiddos up for Camp Kindergarten at the Madison Children’s Museum. Stroll through the Sunken Garden, catch an all-ages summer concert at Olbrich After Hours, or enroll in family classes and workshops at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Explore over 17 miles of trails or participate in kid-friendly programs like Family Nature Walks at UW Arboretum. Go bowling in Madison, host your kid’s birthday party, or play over 30 arcade games at Bowl-A-Vard. Challenge the family to mini golf, hit up the batting cages, or go for a spin in remote control boats at Vitense Golfland. Or give your kids a taste of the arts with acting classes, age-appropriate performances like Annie, Jr. and Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr., and more at the Children’s Theater of Madison.

Get Wild at Henry Vilas Zoo

The Henry Vilas Zoo is one of the best admission-free zoos in the U.S., making it a popular and unique attraction for all ages. This Madison zoo is home to over 650 animals from continents including Africa, Asia, South America, and more! Take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the animals are cared for. Explore the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, which features birds, tropical plants, and fish. Bring a jacket to view polar bears, grizzly bears, and seals underwater in the Arctic Passage exhibit. Get a token to hop on the Zoo Train or snap a picture on the Conservation Carousel. Sign the kiddos up for zoo camps like Spring Break Zoo Camp or Winter Zoo Camp. Or check out exciting after-hours programs such as Pajama Jams and Breakfast with Animals!

Experience Capitol Square

Located in the heart of Downtown Madison, Capitol Square is a vibrant hub where people living in Madison can find everything from theaters and art galleries to fun bars and amazing cafes. Unfold blankets on the green space and listen to Concerts on the Square from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Tour one of the state’s most significant historical sites and see where local legislation happens at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Buy a bouquet of tulips or snag fresh produce from over 200 vendors at the largest “producers-only farmers’ market” in the nation, the Dane County Farmers’ Market. Or grab popular eats from food trucks in Madison like Pork Tacos from El Grito Taqueria, the Veggie Empanada from Caracas Empanadas, or spring rolls and smoothies from Thai-inspired Fresh Cool Drinks.

Be Part of Madison Festivals & Events

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Madison, attend a festival or event! Celebrate the LGBTQ community with a day of performances, games, parades, and more at the annual Magic Pride Festival. Enjoy free concerts, craft beers, and fried cheese curds or BBQ at Taste of Madison. Eat your fill at the world’s largest brat festival, featuring live music, a carnival, celebrity cashiers, and tasty bites at Brat Fest. Celebrate Irish culture with floats, music, and more at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Watch films in a variety of genres during the eight-day Wisconsin Film Festival in April. Jam out to concerts held at over 100 venues every June at Make Music Madison. Explore international cultures through food, art performances, and crafts at the International Festival. Or admire classic, vintage cars every year at the Cars on State Classic Car Show.

Immerse Yourself in Madison Art & Culture

The city of Madison has a rich arts and culture scene, including museums, art fairs, and more! In addition, famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several stunning buildings that can still be seen around the city. Browse over 500 local artists’ photographs, sculptures, jewelry, and other creations at Art Fair on the Square. View the permanent collection of paintings and sculptures from world-famous artists like Frida Kahlo at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Admire rotating exhibits like Petah Coyne: How Much the Heart Can Hold and view over 20,000 other works of art at the Chazen Museum of Art. Attend a writing workshop, literary performance, or film screening at the Arts + Literature Laboratory. Catch live performances from touring artists like Andy Grammer or Three Dog Night at The Orpheum Theater. Enjoy organ concerts or attend open rehearsals by the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Get tickets to musicals like Wicked or see the Madison Ballet dance The Nutcracker or Cinderella at the Overture Center.

Live in the Capital of America’s Dairyland

When living in Madison, be prepared to sample lots of cheese, chocolate, and other dairy products! Learn about Madison’s cheese history and stop for samples on the Wisconsin Cheese Tour. Shop for cheeses including Wisconsin Cow Cheese or Wisconsin Blue Cheese at top Madison cheese store, Fromagination. Take home the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Fudge or Aged Swiss Cheese from a great cheese shop just outside the city, Mousehouse Cheesehaus. Try another staple of the Madison food scene, Cheese Curds, or enjoy Poutine at The Old Fashioned. Order some of the best fried cheese curds in Madison from beloved local food truck Curd Girl. Dig into locally-sourced offerings like the Wisconsin Cheese Board, Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwich, or Hook’s Cheese Curds at Graze. Or watch from the observation deck as your favorite ice cream flavors like Cookies & Cream or Badger Blast are created at Babcock Dairy Store.

Try Delicious Madison Restaurants

Wisconsin may be known for its cheeses, but there are also plenty of great Madison restaurants that go beyond dairy. Share Truffle Fries with friends, or order the delicious Local Lamb Burger or Patty Melt for yourself at Tipsy Cow. Feast on Char Siu Heritage Pork Shoulder & Tuna and sip a Maple Bacon Manhattan or the 131 Bourbon Street cocktail at farm-to-table restaurant Heritage Tavern. Chow down on award-winning burgers like the Heart Throb, Gladiator, or Melting Pot at Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry. Make a reservation and settle in for a multi-course Tasting Menu featuring some of the best food in Madison—such as Alaskan Halibut and Spanish Octopus—at L’Etoile. Grab delicious soul food like the Sauced Up Fried Chicken Meal or the Catfish Meal with a side of Collard Greens or Sweet Potatoes from Marie’s Soul Food. Or find authentic Laotian dishes like Kang Gai, Khua Mee, or Curry Squash at Lao Laan-Xang.

Enjoy Madison Nightlife

Fun things to do in Madison don’t stop when the sun goes down—especially since Mad City is one of the best places to live for singles! Play trivia with friends while sipping cocktails like the Madison Bulldog, A Pear of Mules, or City Margarita at City Bar. Saddle up to the outdoor bar while listening to local bands at High Noon Saloon. Tailgate a Wisconsin Badgers game in the beer garden with fellow fans and chow down on Papas Fritas at Jordan’s Big 10 Pub, one of the best sports bars in Madison. Grab a seat at the courtyard beer garden and order a Lemonberry Mocktail, glass of Rose, or Wisco Cactus cocktail at Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Enjoy drinks like the Fly Me to the Moon while listening to live music in Madison at the vibrant Ivory Room Piano Bar. Or take part in karaoke nights on Wednesdays and see drag shows at a Madison gay bar, FIVE Nightclub.

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