Idyllic lakes, delicious dairy products, and stellar school systems are just a few of Madison’s attractions. Wisconsin’s capital is the second largest city in Wisconsin and the 84th largest in the country. Madison has a young demographic and a reputation for being one of the greenest cities in the United States. If you’re thinking about making the move to Madison, there are four things you should know before calling a moving company.

Delicious Dairy Products

Wisconsin is known for its stellar dairy farms. Land o’ Lakes, anyone? Local grocery stores carry a variety of Wisconsin cheeses, while local cheese artisans make string cheese, cheese curds, chocolate cheese, fried cheese, and more. When you get to town, add Fromagination, Carr Valley Cheese, and Babcock Ice Cream to your list of restaurants to try.

High-Quality Education

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the oldest and largest university in the state. With over 20 individual schools, the university educates more than 37,000 students each year. This land-grant institution is a tier-one research university, and its students are known for their involvement in politics and other social causes. If you’re not looking for education, you might consider looking for a job at UW. The university is one of the top two employers in Wisconsin, and areas near UW tend to have lower rates of unemployment.

Green Culture

Madison is known for being one of the greenest cities in the United States. The city has a high number of parks per capita and a high percentage of citizens who use alternative modes of transportation. In addition, Madison also has more than 15,000 acres of lakes and 200 miles of hiking and biking trails. This green culture is largely fueled by the progressive politics of Madison’s citizens and UW’s student body.

Winter Weather

Despite the benefits of moving to Wisconsin, there is one major drawback. Madison’s winter weather is formidable. During autumn, temperatures regularly fall into the 30s and 40s. In December and January, you can expect to experience subsequent days of sub-zero temperatures. By February, 20 degree weather will start to feel warm to you. Madison also receives twice as much snow as the average US city, so be sure to add winter clothes to your moving checklist.

Lots of Lakes

Madison is also known as The City of Four Lakes. Of the four lake, Lake Mendota is the largest and most famous. Lake Monona, Lake Kegonsa, and Lake Waubesa make up the other three lakes along the Yahara River. During the summer, you can boat, canoe, camp, kayak, fish, and picnic in and around the lakes. During the winter, the lakes freeze over and open up a slew of new entertainment options.