Madison, Wisconsin is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city and serves as the state capitol. Men's Journal rated it "Second Best Small City to Live" in June 2004. It is the second largest city in Wisconsin with an estimated population of 215,697 residents. It is located 80 miles west of Milwaukee and 142 miles northwest of Chicago. Madison is praised for its stunning scenery with four area lakes and an impressive 200 parks.

Before the first European settlers arrived in 1836, the Ho-Chunk Indians (formerly called the Winnebago) lived in the area where Madison is located today. The Ho-Chunk referred to the Madison area as "Taychopera" meaning "land of the four lakes." The lakes are Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Lakes Mendota and Monona are actually in Madison, but Waubesa and Kegonsa are just south of the city. In 1829 James Doty, a territorial judge who later became governor of Wisconsin Territory, traveled through the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. He liked the area so much that he purchased 1,200 acres of land for $1,500. He named this spot "Madison" in honor of the fourth president of the United States, James Madison.

Today, Madison is unfolding into one of the leading biotechnology areas in the country. Those in the tech industry have begun calling Madison and the state of Wisconsin the "Third Coast." Forbes magazine named Madison as the best place in the nation for business and careers, thanks to the city's booming biotechnology industry. Much of Madison's high-tech economy is connected to UW-Madison, which is among the top five college recipients of research dollars in the country.

These new high-tech businesses, whose services range from biomedical research to designing computer software and serve not only South-Central Wisconsin, but also a global marketplace, now employ at least 6 percent of the labor force in Greater Madison. Madison is also a leading center for the world dairy industry. Dane County is ranked among the top 10 counties in the nation in value of farm products including corn, alfalfa, hogs, cattle and, of course, dairy products. The median household income in Madison is $41,941 per year.

No other city has a landscape quite as unique as Madison's. The downtown is built on the half-mile-wide isthmus between the two glacial lakes, Monona and Mendota. A walk around the Capitol Square offers glimpses of both lakes. It is a city with four distinct seasons. Winter can be one of the most thrilling times of the year. White blankets cover miles of specially groomed trails winding through dense woodlands, rolling hills and open meadows. Spring reveals to nature lovers the wonders of new life uncovered from the melting blanket of white. Multi-colored blossoming buds and wildflowers, bright green leaf shoots poking up through wetland, woods and prairie floors, and the music of songbirds together with warming breezes and waters add to the total magic of springtime in Madison. Summer is the time when the real energy is felt. Madison parks provide areas for fast-paced volleyball, basketball, softball, horseshoes and tennis as well as quiet areas for picnics, crackling campfires, fishing and hiking. Fall means brilliant colors in the community's skies, waters, forests and fields.

The cost of living in Madison is lower than cities of comparable size. Home prices run the gamut, from under $100,000 for more modest accommodations to $600,000 and up for spacious luxury homes. You'll find plenty of older yet well-preserved homes, many of them Colonial or Cape Cod-style with full basements; and yet, at the same time, as Madison continues its economic climb, new-home construction continues. The city's condominium market is thriving. Madison's residential real estate market accommodates everyone, from students on budgets to successful entrepreneurs. The more expensive homes, offer commanding views of the surrounding lakes and rolling hills - the scenery for which Madison is revered. The median price for a single-family home is $146,900.

There's something for everyone in the Madison area. Big city action and small town charm, a rich cultural calendar, sensational shopping, and endless recreational opportunities amid stunning natural beauty are just a sampling of what this city offers. In downtown Madison alone you can indulge in cuisines from around the world, not to mention excellent continental cuisine and world-famous burgers! In addition, a host of pubs and other fun-loving establishments keep the good times rolling long into the evening. It is thought that Madison has more restaurants per capita than any other American city, including a rich variety of ethnic restaurants.

Between performances by the Madison Repertory Theater, Madison Opera and Madison Symphony, touring productions at the Madison Civic Center, and a full schedule of performances at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's many venues, there is world-class entertainment to be found just about any night. A host of major attractions are also located within an hour's drive to the north, including Wollersheim Winery, Circus World Museum, the International Crane Foundation, and the Wisconsin Dells.

With many first-rate educational institutions, such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Edgewood College, Madison Area Technical College, and the Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison is an intellectual center for Wisconsin. Thousands of students and the vibrant campus cultures contribute to the area's youthful spirit. The Madison Metropolitan School District is Wisconsin's second largest school district, with about 25,000 students in 45 schools. The district covers approximately 65 square miles. Much of this city's cosmopolitan attitude can be directly attributed to the UW-Madison. There are about 4,000 foreign students on campus representing 126 different countries. Extraordinary accomplishments of the University of Wisconsin-Madison include #1 in Research funds for a public U.S. educational institution with $550 million, #2 in research funds for all U.S. educational institutions, #1 in endowments for a public U.S. educational institution and #1 in intellectual property rights by a public U.S. educational institution.

Madison is fast becoming a world-class city. It is an ideal place to live, work, raise a family or even retire! It has a strong vibrant economy, low unemployment rates, a stellar education system, exciting recreational opportunities, low cost of living and a high quality of life! If you are considering moving to Madison, or would like more information, please feel free to request a free relocation package today!