11/10/21

Around Town

6 Reasons We’re Thankful to Live in Madison

Halloween is in the rearview mirror which means one exciting thing! The holidays are here! And while we have mixed feelings about the fact Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is already on the radio… it’s undeniable that the holiday cheer is in the air. This is the time of year when we take a beat and reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for. Even on the worst days, the days that seem to be a series of misfortune, there are plenty of things to be thankful for. Even if it’s a small as a ray of sunshine through the window or a cup of hot coffee on a chilly November morning. This time of year makes you think and reflect. One thing we’re so grateful for is that we get to call Madison home. Here are just a few of the reasons why:

The Amazing Madison Beer and Cheese

Beer and cheese are two of the world’s greatest treats. And we just happen to live in the national capital for both of these things! I celebrate the Germanic influence that is seeped into our gastro culture. It’s something we’re thankful for all the time. Madison celebrates all its 14 amazing local breweries. Each one is more well-balanced than the last. Marry great local brew with a plate of cheese curds, and that’s a perfect Saturday! We’re thankful to live somewhere where these treats aren’t a guilty pleasure, but rather a cultural staple.  

The UW School Spirit

The gorgeous capital building shines down onto the lakes like a sentinel to the rest of the state. Madison is the state capital— it’s not a small college town. But even still, the rampant support for UW Madison is palpable. But It’s rare to find a city that has such rampant university love… but also isn’t solely a college town. The city comes alive on game days. For this reason, football season is the best time of the year. The city becomes a sea of red. Sports pubs are packed out. And when the Badgers see a win? There’s nothing like the good cheer and camaraderie that abounds throughout Madison. It’s a tie that brings our city together. The university brings an international scene to the city. Arts, theatre, music, and culture are richer because of what the university gives us. We’re thankful to live in a place that has such a strong school spirit.  

The Reasonable Cost of Living

Madison isn’t immune to the housing price inflation that’s sweeping the nation. But, compared to other large-scale cities, it’s still a reasonably priced place to live. Homes in suburbs like Monona have a median home price of around $365,000. Job opportunities abound at the tech companies like Epic. This means a high quality of life for locals and a relatively laid-back lifestyle. The cost of living gives us more opportunities for things like curating our dream home or taking amazing vacations.

Lake Life

Ice fishing on a Sunday morning. Summer days at the beach. Sunset cookouts. Kayaking and paddleboarding. Waterside restaurants.  Lake life is just better! Lake Mendota and Monona are the shimmering lifeblood of our city. They bring so much beauty (and so many fun activities!) that other cities don’t have. Every time I see a glittering sunset on the lakes, I say a few words of thanks.

We’re So Close to Chicago!

If you’re ever craving a weekend getaway… it’s only a 2.5-hour drive to one of the biggest cities in the country. There’s nothing like a quick weekend adventure in Chicago. Catching a comedy show or a concert. Fine dining and city light views from the top of a skyscraper. The opportunity for adventure is endless.  We’re so lucky to have a world hub of culture at our doorstep. I’m so thankful for Madison’s proximity to this amazing place.

Ski Season

Slipping and sliding down a hill after a big snowfall is gives a surge of adrenaline and dopamine that’s needed quite often during cold winter months. Ski season is here! And there are so many amazing ski resorts within an hour’s drive of downtown.

Here’s a shortlist of a few more things I’m thankful for:

• Getting to work with my family on a daily basis
• Having two happy healthy kids
• A crackling fire at the end of a long day
• Fuzzy socks
• Anticipation of building the first snowman of the year with our sons
• Hot apple cider
• All the pumpkin pie I’m going to eat on Thanksgiving
• Our amazing clients (Seriously- you guys are the best!)

Madison truly feels like home

You may have heard us say this before… but a hard day in Madison is better than a good day anywhere else. Madison just feels like home. We’re so thankful for the life we’ve built in this city.

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