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Windsor, Wisconsin

January 28, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Quiet: Windsor is a sleepy community with a population a little under 3,000. Commuters can travel 15 miles south to the bustling capital city of Madison, 1 mile to DeForest, or less than 2.5 miles to Sun Prairie and Waunakee. Windsor is surrounded by farmhouses, hills and wide open green spaces, yet it has convenient access to the highway and neighboring communities.
  •  Low Cost of Living: Compared to the rest of the nation, Windsor’s cost of living is about 0.30 percent lower than the average. Food, clothing, entertainment, restaurants, repairs and other services are cheaper in Windsor than the typical American community. Tax is a low 5.5 percent.
  • Education Caliber: When looking for a school for their children, parents often look at things like students per teacher, students per librarian and students per counselor. Windsor’s schools have better personnel / student ratios than the average American population center. There is also higher school spending, more high school grads and more students that complete a college education here.
  • High Pay Potential: Windsor has more management / business / finance jobs, more sales / office jobs, and less service sector jobs compared to the rest of the nation. Most households bring in $50,000 to $75,000 per year, but a great number of residents make between$100,000 and $150,000 too.
Filed Under: Communities, Windsor

DeForest, Wisconsin

January 28, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Mixed Work Force: Many communities in Wisconsin are either definitively white-collar or definitively blue collar, but Deforest is a welcome exception. Here you’ll find everything from consultants and sales professionals to line workers and customer service representatives. Some of the top employers in the area include: Walgreens Distribution Center, the DeForest Area School District, Evco Plastics, Clack Corporation, Ball Corporation, ABS Global and Pleasant Company (American Girl).
  • Family-Oriented: About 44.9% of the households in DeForest have children under 18 living there. The village’s noteworthy public school district and large number of college-educated individuals create an atmosphere of success. DeForest has a lower crime rate than the average American town and the small village vibe ensures friendly neighbors.
  • Quiet: Residents say you needn’t worry about your kids taking a ride on their bikes or your house getting broken into. Even though you’re just a 10 minute drive from thriving Madison, Wisconsin, you’ll feel tucked away in this quiet bedroom community.
  • High Math Scores: The math scores for the average DeForest student is nearly double the national average. It’s no surprise, then, that there are more people working in mathematics and computers here than 95 percent of America.
Filed Under: Communities, DeForest

Waunakee, WI

January 27, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • One of CNN’s “Best Small Towns”: In 2009, CNN named Waunakee one of America’s Top 100 Small Towns to live in. They cited its close proximity to the capitol city of Madison (5 miles), friendly neighbors and reasonable home prices as reasons to make the move.
  • Fun: Residents love the three-day Waunafest celebration of parades, beer tents, sporting events and petting zoos. Wauktoberfest is another fun annual event, featuring free admission, German music, German food, beer tasting, kids’ activities, and races. Garden tours, holiday craft fairs and village-wide garage sales are other highly-anticipated community activities taking place each year.  
  • Star Power: Lots of high profile people reside in Waunakee. NY Giants Running Back Ron Dayne, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Major League Baseball Player Cy Pieh, Aleutian Airways Founder Robert Campbell Reeve and VP of Campbell Soup Company Ernest J. Briskey could be your neighbors.
  • Planned Development: New Urbanism is all the rage these days and Waunakee understands this, which is why they built a local Village Center in 2006. This central nucleus contains housing, a senior center, fitness facilities, retail shops, meeting spaces, a gymnasium, a business park and outdoor communal space.
Filed Under: Communities, Waunakee

McFarland, Wisconsin

January 26, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Location: You’re situated near U.S. Highway 51 and the east shore of Lake Waubesa. In 17 minutes, you’ll be in downtown Madison. Get to the Dane County Regional Airport in 15 minutes or the University of Wisconsin in 12 minutes. Travelers for business or pleasure are just 90 miles west of Milwaukee, 150 miles north of Chicago, 100 miles east of Dubuque, and 250 miles south of Minneapolis.
  • Growing Community: The 7,336 residents of McFarland live in a thriving community, where total population, employment and development have been consistently growing over the years. McFarland prides itself on services, including medical clinics, churches, commerce parks, sports clubs, libraries and service organizations.
  •  Entertainment: For a small town, there is no shortage of things to do. Residents especially look forward to the annual McFarland Family Festival, which features a parade, carnival games, rides, trains, competitions, food vendors, shows and demonstrations. You’re also close to Madison concerts, art fairs, and theatrical performances.

Education: The McFarland School District is noted in Anne Conzemius and Jan O’Neil’s The Power of Smart Goals. According to the authors, “McFarland consistently ranks at the highest level of achievement in reading (96.4 percent proficiency) at third grade and have for four years running, outpaced the rest of the state from by anywhere from 8 to 12 percentage points in all content areas – despite increasing diversity and significant budget cuts.” 

Filed Under: Communities, McFarland

Verona, Wisconsin

January 25, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Celebrations: Hometown USA Days is a grand celebration each June that strives for the betterment of the community. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, street carnival, live music, beer tent, food vendors and fireworks.
  • Arts: Children and adults interested in the arts can learn everything from acting, songwriting, puppetry and juggling to bagpipes, guitar, sculpting and cartooning at the Rhapsody Arts Center on South Main Street. The Verona Area Community Theater is another creative outlet for local residents, with four theatrical productions presented each year.
  • Trails: Forty miles of the limestone Military Ridge State Trail are located in Verona, which is the ideal place for cycling, hiking, snowmobiling, motorized scooter riding, or cross-country skiing. Hardcore bikers can trek from Hometown USA Community Park to the Quarry Ridge Mountain Bike Trail, whereas more leisurely riders can peddle from Verona to Riley for a pancake breakfast. 
  • Sports Facilities: One thing about Verona residents is that they love their sports! Reddan Soccer Park is a 40-acre, 15-field complex for State Olympic Development programs, regional tournaments, camps and coach clinics. The Verona Little League Baseball-Softball Complex is a $1.7 million facility resembling Chicago’s Wrigley Field and hosting state championships. Golfers are lured to the 18-hole University Ridge Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Over the years, the course has won awards from Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golfweek and the Wisconsin State Journal as one of the best places to play in America.
Filed Under: Communities, Verona

Cross Plains, Wisconsin

January 24, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Rolling Farmland: The village of Cross Plains is nestled in a beautiful prairie blessed with fertile farmland, abundant wildlife and a bustling business sector in the Bourbon Road District. Why not settle down in a picturesque village?
  • Outdoor Gathering Space: Residents enjoy 25 acres of thoughtfully developed parks with swimming pools, skateboarding areas, playgrounds, baseball diamonds and picnic areas. At Baer Park, you’ll find ice skating rinks, lighted tennis courts, volleyball courts and park shelters. There are also 81 acres of conservation area to explore within Cross Plains, WI.
  • Hiking: The National Park Service National Scenic Trail System’s “Ice Age Trail” traces the 1,200 mile path of the mammoths 15,000 years ago. The key spots for hikers are the Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area, Indian Lake County Park, Table Bluff and Brooklyn State Wildlife Area. 
  • Fishing: Each year, Lion Trout Days celebrates the opening day of Trout Season, where people hold garage sales, eat brats, ride the Lion Train, and fish for prizes. Local fishermen appreciate the spring-fed Black Earth Creek known for having the area’s most high-quality trout, including browns, rainbows and brookies.
  • Education Opportunities: The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District is comprised of 10 schools. A Catholic grade school, St. Francis Xavier, is also available for Pre-K to 8th grade. More than 68,000 students are enrolled in 83 vocational programs at Madison Area Technical College and 70 percent of all high school students go on to universities.
Filed Under: Communities, Cross Plains

Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin

January 23, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Architecture: Whether you love French Country manors, Tudor Revivals, Prairie four-squares, or mansard-roof-topped mansions, Shorewood Hills has a great selection of stunning homes. You can also see the First Unitarian Society Meeting House, designed by Madison native Frank Lloyd Wright. Noteworthy architects Frank Riley, William Kaeser, Beatty and Strang, Edward Tough and John Flad also left their mark on the village. 
  • Country Club Atmosphere: The Blackhawk Country Club, located in the foothills of Mount Diablo, is a private village-owned facility offering a view of Lake Mendota and effigy mounds on the National Register of Historic Places. Shorewood Hills residents can enjoy tennis, golf, swimming, fitness center access, community events, fine dining and Independence Day fireworks. Blackhawk is also an ideal place to hold a wedding.
  • White-Collar Work: An impressive 94.79% of the Shorewood Hills workforce is employed in white-collar jobs, including professionals, managers, salespeople and office personnel; 28.08% of area residents are teachers, 14.36% are teachers; 10.55% are managers; and 7.70% are self-employed telecommuters who work from home. Also, more people work in computers and math professions than in 95 percent of America.
  • Character: Shorewood Hills boasts a large populace of creative artists, designers and media professionals, which gives Shorewood Hills a robust character of its own. There are a number of “young singles” and “urban sophisticates” located in this village, so you’ll find big-city amenities like bookstores, luxury travel outfitters, art institutions and high-quality boutiques amid the small town atmosphere. 
Filed Under: Communities, Shorewood Hills

Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

January 23, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • High Paying Jobs: Residents of Cottage Grove have quick commutes to Dane County government positions. Two-fifths of all residents hold managerial or professional jobs and nearly a third work in white collar sales or office careers. Many residents are self-employed or live in historic farmsteads.
  • Home Appreciation: Even though home values have been plummeting in other parts of the country, Cottage Grove homes have appreciated 10.38 percent each year, according to Neighborhood Scout data. Since 1990, this community’s housing values appreciated an impressive 197.27 percent. There are a number of modern well-planned communities here.
  • Midwest Entertainment: Whether you love monster trucks, WWE wrestling, comedian Jeff Dunham, horse fairs, mountain string bands, or state fairs, Cottage Grove is a town that really embodies the Midwest country spirit.
  • Solid Employment: The main industries for Cottage Grove employers are white collar professions like finance & insurance, health care, education services, and professional / scientific / technical fields. The average annual income for a Cottage Grove resident is $40,716. 
  • Family-Oriented: Cottage Grove is the ideal place to raise a family, with a plethora of families, excellent schools, community programs and academic values. There is a high percentage of owner-occupied single family homes and below-average crime rate, which indicates the stability of the neighborhood. 
Filed Under: Communities, Cottage Grove

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

January 22, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • Small City Life: Part of the allure of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin is its “Hometown America” reputation. You’ll thrive in a small town environment that is 10 minutes from the Dane County Regional Airport, shopping centers, medical facilities, farmer’s markets, business parks and old folks’ homes.
  • Development: Sun Prairie is home to a number of new urbanism neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, mixed-use facilities, planned communal green spaces, and playgrounds. This is the sort of community where you can live, work, play and walk comfortably.
  • Low Unemployment: The city’s big players include General Casualty Insurance (whose world headquarters is here), the Sun Prairie School District and Verizon. The area has seen an increase in business activity and a slowdown in labor force growth, so there are ample jobs for residents.
  • Fun: Attend the annual Groundhog Ball, Taste of the Arts Fair, the Georgia O’Keefe Celebration, the Flags of Freedom Field Show, or the Sweet Corn Festival. Golf at scenic Lake Geneva, experience exhilarating car races at the Angell Park Speedway, watch drama at the Civic Theatre, take a stroll along one of the many walking trails, or swim at the Dolphins Cove Water Park.
Filed Under: Communities, Sun Prairie

Middleton, Wisconsin

January 19, 2011 By

Why Live Here?

  • People: Middleton is dubbed “the Good Neighbor City” and with good reason. The people are friendly and love community events and activities.
  • Shopping: Shoppers will love the unique boutiques in historic downtown Middleton, as well as the fashion district of Greenway Station.
  • Food & Drink: Fans of German lager style micro-brews will love having the Capital Brewery so close by, while food aficionados can eat the freshest food from the Middleton Farmer’s Market.
  • Unique Attractions: Experience one-of-a-kind attractions right in your own backyard. Middleton is home to the National Mustard Museum, where you can shop over 400 varieties from all 50 states and 60 countries.
  • History: See historic architecture. Stop by the Blacksmith Shop that dates back to 1850 or the Club Tavern that dates back to 1860 and operated clandestinely all Prohibition long. Along this row, you’ll also discover old inns, opera houses, churches, galleries, homes, schools, and train depots.
  • Planned Communities: CNN Money Magazine rated Middleton, WI the 4th Best Place To Live in the United States (July, 2009) for its planned communities, mixed-use facilities and abundant outdoor spaces for biking, running, hiking and nature viewing.
  • Jobs: The top employer is the government, so you can’t get much more stable than that. Electronic Theatre Controls, the world’s largest theatrical lighting manufacturer, is located here. Other top employers include toymaker Mattel, medical research development firm PPD and the University of Wisconsin Foundation. 
Filed Under: Communities, Middleton
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