In a 2012 study, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine named Madison, WI as the best city for young adults. Madison was ranked just ahead of southern rival and live music mecca, Austin, TX, for this honor. The study cited the extremely low unemployment rate, the availability of jobs, the burgeoning online startup scene, and the availability of so many free entertainment options as the reason for the city’s selection. In another study conducted in 2012, USA Today declared that Madison was “America’s Best College Football Town.” The University of Wisconsin Badgers football team has played at Camp Randall Stadium since 1895, making it the single oldest football stadium in the Big Ten conference. Over the decades, the Badgers have developed into a football power with a rich tradition to rival the best college football programs in the country - yet another reason why Madison is such a great place for young folks.
Madison is also Wisconsin’s capital city with a population just over 236,000, making it the second largest city in the state. Now just because it’s the capital doesn’t mean that living in Madison has to be expensive. There are lots of ways to save money and live well in “Mad City”. You can find free things in a few of the normal online spots like Craigslist and freecycle.org, or you can check out a locally-owned website, Madison Stuff Exchange, which encourages residents to give away items for free and/or sell at a cheap rate. If you want to get out and do things, there are low cost and free activities throughout the city such as visiting the James Watrous Gallery at the Overture Center for the Arts, walking through the Dane County Farmer’s Market on the Square, or taking in a lunchtime musical at Lunch Time Live.
Here are a few places to visit online for information on Madison, Wisconsin:
City of Madison, WI
Madison coupons
Madison Stuff Exchange