Sunday, May 31, 2009

Please see my new Blog

www.susiemovesmadison.wordpress.com

Friday, May 29, 2009

Madison- Voted Top City to Live in

Once again, Madison comes out on top. Kiplinger voted Madison Number 7 as one of the best cities to live in in 2009.

It is so nice to have the rest of the country see what we recognize as a great place to live. The Kiplinger Letter slide show featured some of the hot spots and things to do in Madison. Of course, it showed our beautiful Capital and Lady Forward, the Memorial Union, Campus, the fantastic and colorful Farmers Market, Taste of Madison, and biking to work.

Kiplinger mentioned the remarkable stem cell research done by the university that is bringing new business and research to Madison. It also mentioned that both Google and Microsoft have offices here making us a center of technology. And yes, while we may enjoy a beer and music on Memorial Terrace, dreaming on our lake fronts, and the MOOVING Experience of the Cows on the Concourse at the Farmers Market, the residents of Madison are not backwards. Just like Lady Forward points out, Madison is a very forward looking city.

Of course the weather was not mentioned in the article. Not to worry, as I type this, the sun is about to shine once again and the temperatures are rising. Spring is really here and summer is around the corner. Even the state bird has hatched!

Not only do we have a wonderful place to live because of the university, economy, and our beautiful natural surroundings, it is extremely affordable. Just ask the many first time home buyers who are plunging into today's real estate market. Madison is a very affordable place to buy a home. Given that we never really experienced a housing bubble, therefore we did not experience a true bust, the market is relatively stable. Interest rates are good, prices are affordable, and NOW is the time to buy a house in Madison before too many outsiders jump on Kiplinger's news and move to Madison.

Enjoy,living in one of the top cities in the country- you deserve it!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Madison- One of 25 Unique Places to Live

Yes, Madison rated in the polls again. It was voted one of the top 25 unique places to live. Most of that refers to the wonderful international restaurants that are all over the city. And most of them are so affordable that is is an easy meal out. Just last week we went to a Jamacian Restaurant and today a little French cafe for lunch.

Once again, I spent the last couple of days playing tour guide to some out of town relatives. Usually when they come it is so cold and rainy that we do not get to enjoy much of Madison. This week, we were really able to take in the sights. First, I took them to the Capital to view the phenomenal tulip display. It was still in full bloom although the end is near. Between the stark white of our beautiful Capital , the blue sky, and the colorful tulips it was an enjoyable sight. Then we drove through the University, enjoying the lake,( my father wishing he still had his sailboat), the flowers and the trees. We stopped by Allen Gardens to take in the ever changing gardens and colors. Our last stop of the day was at the Arboretum and Longnecker Gardens. Be sure to stop by in the next few days and enjoy the lilacs and flowering trees. We drove down Arboretum Drive stopping along the way to ogle the different flowering trees and express delight at the unusual yellow magnolia trees. What a beautiful sight!

Today, we went to Olbrich Gardens. There we tiptoed through the tulips, enjoyed all of the up and coming perennials, the flowering trees, and the natural plantings. Of course, the winding paths and the glimpses of the lake made it even more enjoyable.

All of these sights that we took in the past few days were totally free to the public to enjoy. They are definately a way to welcome spring and summer to Wisconsin. No wonder so many people decide to settle in Madison. It is always amazing how many people move away and then return. so many older people choose to retire in our unique and beautiful community.

Madison- One of 25