Parenting magazine just released a list of the top places to raise a family and Madison Wisconsin snagged third.

According to Parenting magazine, Madison Wisconsin is the third best city in the country for families.

Here are the results of the cities that made it into the top 10:

1. Arlington, VA
2. Austin, TX
3. Madison, WI
4. Ann Arbor, MI
5. Lexington, KY
6. Portland, OR
7. Spokane, WA
8. Scottsdale, AZ
9. Omaha, NE
10. Raleigh, NC

How did Parenting magazine determine the top 10? They surveyed mothers nationwide to determine the factors Mom consider to be most important when deciding where to make a home. Then they compiled a list of the top 100 cities by population according to the U.S. Census. Over 5,000 data points were gathered in 52 different categories in order to devise rankings for categories such as economy, education, health, safety, and recreation. The findings were averaged and then weighted with the most weight being given to education, economy, and safety. The best overall scores were then determined.

California cities were at the bottom of the list, presumably due to the median price of a home which is still sky-high at almost $700K. Austin, Texas, a favorite comparison to Madison, came in second. Portland, Oregon ranked 6th with a median sales price of $252,600. Madison, Wisconsin ranked third with a median sale price at just $107,000. Yes, believe it or not, you can still buy a starter home in Madison Wisconsin for right around $100K. In fact, as of 6/18/10 there were 14 homes for sale in Madison priced under $100,000.


How do you feel about Madison's third place ranking? Which neighborhoods and nearby Madison communities do you think are best for kids?

Posted by Jolenta Averill on
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Well based on the picture that you have posted, I think that is so true! Hmm..I smell investors and buyers in there just now..Congrats!

Posted by real estate investing on Thursday, June 24th, 2010 at 10:39pm

Wow, what a great recognition, Jolenta. I'm sure it's well earned. And well, at a time when family values in our country seem to be slipping even further down, having more cities openly embrace family-oriented visions is refreshing.

Posted by Maui Realtor on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 3:35am

Congrats on being in the Top 3! This kind of thing will surely drum up some additional interest in the area. When this little coastal island gets some sort of award or recognition similar to what you mention the Hilton Head real estate market gets a nice little bump.

Posted by Hilton Head Real Estate on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 9:59am

I spent a summer in Madison back in 1977 or so. It was a nice town then too.

Posted by Wayne Pruner on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 11:43pm

Very nice place to live with based on the picture.Looks like very peaceful and relaxing place,no wonder it's in 3rd place for best city to live with familes.

Posted by Wells Loans on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 11:36pm

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