Author: Susan Stoehr

Fitchburg

The Fitchburg neighborhood is nestled between downtown Madison and the farmland of Wisconsin, so it has a mixture of suburban, commercial, industrial, and rural properties.

Within the Fitchburg area, there are several parks and recreational areas including Lake Waubesa, Mud Lake, Prarie Moraine Park, and Quarry Ridge.

Along with outdoor activities, there are a variety of places to wine, dine, and catch up with friends. Some recommended places include Quivey’s Grove, Great Dane Pub & Brewing, Bonfyre American Grille, and The Thirsty Goat.

On a more family friendly note, there are many daycares and schools in close proximity to or in the Fitchburg area including Pooh Bear Childcare, Savanna Oaks Middle School, and Hillcrest High School.

This community is unique because they want to rely on sustainable energy as much as possible. To do this, it is powered completely by solar panels and they encourage people to install solar on their homes.

Middleton

The Middleton community is a great place to be near the big city while still capturing the small-town feel. With a mixture of residential, commercial and recreational spaces, this vibrant area is a cultural hub.

The Middleton area is home to several recreations including Lakeview Hill Park, Middleton Hills Park, Stiker’s Pond, Pleasant View Golf Course, and Pheasant Hills Conservancy.

Residents also have access to dining, drinking, and exploring with being close to downtown Middleton. They have several attractions, restaurants, and boutiques. Some recommended places to try are Greenway Station, Villa Doce, Craftsman Table & Tap, The Village Green, and Capital Brewery.

Middleton is also close proximity to a variety of public schools including West Middleton Elementary, Olson Elementary, and Memorial High School.

What sets Middleton apart from other areas is that they host numerous annual events to bring the community together. They have the Wine Walk, Haunted Hustle Races, and the Good Neighbor Festival.

Westmorland

Westmorland is a family-friendly neighborhood that rests on the west side of Madison. It is primarily residential with a majority of the houses being single-family homes.

The architectural styles of the homes in this neighborhood vary from mid-century modern to colonial to ranch-style, showing it is a diverse area to live in.

Westmorland is known to be a safe and peaceful environment, allowing families to grow up in the suburban lifestyle while also being close to downtown Madison. Most families enjoy Westmorland Park, which is the hub for togetherness. It offers sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and space for other recreational activities.

The location of this neighborhood is convenient for families with it being near the West High School and the Midvale and Lincoln Elementary School. There is also access to a major transportation route that reaches UW Madison.

The community is brought together by the Westmorland Community Association during their various activities. They take pride in hosting these bigger events like Winter Play Day, Halloween Parade and Party, and Summer Garden Tour. They also sponsor different contests, like the Winter House Decorating, to keep the residents involved.

This friendly community offers several amenities for families to enjoy.

Shorewood Hills

Shorewood Hills neighborhood is located west of downtown Madison. With Lake Mendota bordering the northern part, there are many homes with an elegant waterfront view. A majority of the residences are single-family homes that showcase historic and classic architecture types.

This community is great for families with kids due to the numerous amenities and opportunities it offers. Nearby, there is Shorewood Hills Elementary School, UW Madison, and Shorewood Hills Park, which offers playgrounds, sports fields, walking trails, and other outdoor activities.

The Community Center livens up the neighborhood and creates an environment that allows the residents to come together by hosting different events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

With the convenience of this neighborhood being close to downtown Madison, residents can have access to cultural attractions, dining options, and entertainment.