Madison Overview | An informative introduction to Madison, Wisconsin

[@Tchild2]

I love the fact that Madison has heighth restrictions. It still seems to have a dense urban feel, but without the towering soulless corporate glass highrises.

[@CityGeek]

Yeah even as a skyscraper fan, I appreciate the fact that Madison has those height restrictions. It helps give the city a little bit of a European feel

[@Mothmann.]

​@@CityGeekIt could lift restrictions in certain sections while still having a historic downtown like Wilmington

[@crietzsche]

@@Mothmann. Actually, not really. The east side of the capitol, the isthmus itself, has height restrictions for a different reason: the airport. The only area in the town that's going up higher is further west, near Hilldale.

[@justinking5964]

@@CityGeek Accidentally find you here. An informative introduction to Madison, Wisconsin.

[@laurabagley5]

Those lakes look like oceans 😍 what a neat city!!!

[@CityGeek]

Yeah it’s in a beautiful location!

[@birdscout566]

I went to college at UW love the lakes

[@panthro5703]

Except the algae blooms within a month of summer starting means rashes and possibly worse when going in the water.

[@jaredgenova2228]

@@panthro5703 Yup! Was looking for someone to mention how gross they are by the last half of summer 😅

[@crietzsche]

@@jaredgenova2228 Not really the last half, just a portion of the hottest part. The algae bloomed early this year then was gone in July.

[@Brentt777]

I grew up in Madison. My best memories with the friends I had are from there. Its also the nicest looking city with all the lakes around it. I miss Madison a lot.

[@ModouBarrow-jx3vr]

Nice

[@mehdiamiri295]

I came as an immigrant to Madison and i am loving it

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Lived here most my life and great vid! When I was younger, the building height regulation always bothered me because I thought tall buildings were cool. However as I've gotten older, I actually kind of like how it gives European city vibes. The road layout is very European too and can be confusing even to people that live here.

[@CityGeek]

Thank you! I agree that it has a European vibe!

[@nabi5864]

First half of my life I was born raised in Los Angeles ..... After getting married having kids, we moved Madison..... The best best truly the best decision ever... I love it, My wife love it, and it's been extremely wonderful for the kids ...... I haven't been back to my home city LA since we relocated nor do I miss it or plan to ever visit

[@yodorob]

I visited Madison almost ten years ago, and what a lovely little city! (Have never gone to Milwaukee, in case you're wondering, but I like that too, from what I've read, heard, and watched.) Madison is to Milwaukee for Wisconsin what Edinburgh is to Glasgow for Scotland.

[@francismarion-swampfox9452]

Wisconsinite here. The city of Madison is surrounded by gorgeous geological features.........That's all I got for you.

[@jimmyperullo947]

Such a strange history to have it planned before people lived there. Interesting!

[@jimmyperullo947]

They're gonna sink that isthmus with all that jump around though lol

[@CityGeek]

Yeah I thought aspect of its history was fascinating!

[@CityGeek]

Lol

[@kyleesgiftcottage4708]

Madison is a beautiful city with many local reasons to enjoy during a visit.

[@bdtravels5620]

This is my city!!!! It’s amazing!!! Great video but would love for your videos to be longer. I think that would help push you in the algorithm.

[@CityGeek]

Yeah I love Madison as well! Thank you! I’ll have to explore that. When I started the channel I wanted to fill the niche of short, compact city videos, but I’m sure you’re right in that the algorithm would help me out more if they were longer. Thanks for the feedback!

[@bwind92]

Interesting videos + channel! I passed through Madison a few years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised. Beautiful downtown + University campus!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!! Yeah Madison is a beautiful city!

[@MiguelDLewis]

I've been to a few interesting places all over the world. None have people as friendly and neighborly as those in Madison. There are a few rotten apples (mainly from Chicago) but the vast majority of the people I met while working and studying there were near saints.

[@sambrownsings]

I love Madison! I have fond memories of partying there in college. Great college town and lots to do

[@johnsontian2733]

I miss Madison, WI! Lived there for a year and half for grad school, one of the best experiences! 😢

[@pereiraplaza222]

Time to move back then! You can do it.

[@MuhammadAhmed-oc6ol]

This channel is great. I love learning about American cities, hopefully I can live in one one day

[@CityGeek]

Thank you! Hopefully you’re able to!

[@walimorris2406]

Reminds me ALOT of Seattle. Here in Seattle now, but would consider Madison because it's so beautiful.

[@CityGeek]

Yeah they are both beautiful cities!

[@onlinealias622]

When I lived in Madison for a bit, people really wanted to think Madison was like a mini Portland Oregon, but it just isn’t lol. Nice place, but I’m back on the west coast.

[@walimorris2406]

@@onlinealias622 Yeah, I think the surrounding Mid-West would ruin the atmosphere for me. I am from the Mid-West and I love it, but it's a different atmosphere for sure.

[@onlinealias622]

@@walimorris2406 It's a nice place to live for sure and easy to get where you need to go and way easier to find parking than in seattle especially, but you kind of have to have a good job offer to want to live there.

[@walimorris2406]

@@onlinealias622 Why do you say that? Expensive?

[@hadji828]

I love Madison and this is a great video! More Madison, please!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you! It’s a great city!

[@rahmahmalik]

Love your style of speaking - too often, videos with so much information can be dull to the ear, but you kept me engaged throughout. You also covered a lot of what I was looking for and made my UWM essay a lot easier. Cheers!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!! Glad I could help!

[@basimalshaalan3805]

My father used to study here, I am thinking about studying there same as my father, greetings from 🇸🇦

[@richarddevine8391]

Love Madison!

[@sniffableandirresistble]

You have friendly voice that makes the video more watchable I might even move to Madison

[@mohamadhashim9915]

Good write up. Short and concise

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!

[@Earth098]

Madison's building height regulations has certainly defined it's unique character, which is very rear in the US. I wonder what's the condition of the public transportation?

[@celestekim1382]

Hi there, Madison has really good public transport and you can pretty much go anywhere with the bus!! It’s awesome and pretty consistent, clean, and safe. It can definitely get crowded but it’s awesome having a consistent bus schedule.

[@ryandonnelly2661]

Yup, it’s bus system is vast. And it’s the only motor transportation that can go on state street making them have relatively fast cycles in certain areas

[@CharlesGervasi]

They're currently reworking the transit system to make traffic lights prioritize buses.

[@ArlosMorals]

Happy new year 🥳 city geek

[@CityGeek]

Thank you! Happy new year to you!

[@mohamadhashim9915]

simple but informative enough

[@blakebrockbank964]

Love the Laura sighting in the market! Haha another great video!

[@laurabagley5]

Good eye hahahah

[@CityGeek]

Lol. Thanks!

[@taylorhorne1046]

just graduated from tcu (fort worth, tx), im an oc ca native… looking for a place to start a new chapter of my life. madison is looking to be it. 💓

[@tonijames6081]

I'm from Madison still here is beautiful place to live.

[@LeveyHere]

Awesome!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!

[@zippygreff]

Great Job!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@coreycoyle9548]

Very Great Video!!!!!! Of My Hometown F+L, Corey

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@Matthewuanhoy]

Its a shame there arent more songs about Wisconsin.

[@michaelmitchell5380]

Very well done. Thanks from "Sconnie" Mike

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@melmoon8412]

Tons of people who come for business, I’m 30 minutes from there and work there. Used to work as a valet and tons of the people said they go to Madison often

[@theophano]

Aka "De Jope" the name given by the original inhabitants, the Ho-Chunk tribe, who were driven out.

[@goldranger2]

Nice Video! I'm not from Madison, but I do work there currently, and I'm from a tiny town about 25 minutes SE of it. I'm not a city girl, so I would never want to live there, but I generally don't mind spending time there.

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@robertpreston2220]

Its a small town not a city

[@aaronkamakaze2967]

Madison is a small town? It has a population of around 300,000.... That's a city ... Not a "small town" lol

[@Rubiey-gw5dv]

Well 300000 is definitely not a big population

[@LoogieYT]

Home of the late great Chris Farley

[@_enolauqsap_6670]

One stipulations while it is a building regulation prohibit any building being taller than the capitol there was one that was build taller on purpose however I do believe it was shortened.

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Yeah back in the 90's or so I think AT&T was going to build much higher but it wasn't approved.

[@jerrydavis3548]

City Geek nice video when gone do one Houston

[@CityGeek]

Thanks! Sometime later this year

[@ShaquilleOatmeal3354]

You could make me wanna move anywhere hahah

[@CityGeek]

Lol

[@05nursemeg]

Can you do a video on college station Texas

[@CityGeek]

I haven’t had that request yet but I’ll add it to the list 😊 Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Aristocles22]

1:38 thank God they put that statue back up.

[@drewhunkins7192]

I've lived in Madison for 24 years, it's great, I love Madison! I love it, but to just dwell on the few bad things about it for a moment: • the homeless beggars can be aggressive • Most mid-priced restaurants are of low quality • Lots of marijuana, lots, it’s everywhere • traffic is bad bc the lakes bottle things up • Housing and rents are too expensive • Good luck trying to find a dine-in coffee shop open after 8 p.m.

[@AngelRivera-gn4kn]

Can you please do Chicago

[@CityGeek]

Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the country so I’ll definitely do a video on it at some point. I’m waiting on doing major cities like Chicago, NYC, LA and DC until my channel is a little bigger so it may be awhile

[@tyroneshoes4631]

Totally regretted moving there. Place is rank with heroin and homeless. Can't go downtown without seeing someone using the restroom on the street or overdosing.

[@karmadog4565]

Just like any other left cesspool in the US.

[@deanchapman1824]

Beautiful city. REAL lakes. Unlike Texas cities.

[@eded4104]

Just moved here Monday. Lived in WI my whole life, travled and I just like this city the most. Since I am Scottish Irish, winter is ok for me. Sun makes me melt..lol

[@benvrakas6665]

I live on state street :D

[@robertpreston2220]

Moved there from Chicago when I was 10 in 1980. Moved back to Chicago in 1984. Have not been to Madison since. Been curious to see what it is like now. But after reading the comments it seems it is best not to go!

[@dbest4541]

You never mention where the first state capital was...

[@DirtyMac5151]

No more law prohibiting tall buildings.

[@Steve-318]

I was wondering about that, if they want to grow they have to build up.

[@ladesigner8764]

I found it incredibly dull….was checking out college towns and definitely preferred Bloomington. But, that’s me. Peace.

[@tammieh3201]

my name is maddison

[@aliyusuf4076]

Do a video on Whitewater WI

[@crietzsche]

🤣

[@FearTheStrafe]

fitness i love you

[@jimwellnitz1751]

I picked up a black women in Milwaukee from Madison in an Uber. Asked her how she liked Madison. She said they had a not in my backyard mentality with regards to black people.

[@karmadog4565]

If your far left, you’ll love it!

[@robertpreston2220]

No thanks then

[@jacktaylor9917]

You're *

[@pereiraplaza222]

Shut up Russian bot

[@chhinchhem3816]

I love it!❤

[@RJRobledo7]

Oh, that’s awesome! Can’t wait to visit this summer!!

[@OMHSega]

coverable

[@KnightBoat]

Downtown Madison is 100 percent gorgeous. But step two feet out of downtown and it's suburban hell. Love to visit. But I'd never live there.

[@BillyT886]

LoL! There is not a single place thats dangerous here in Madison…..been here my whole life

[@nesmith2621]

Suburban hell, lol. You have no idea what you're talking about.

[@KnightBoat]

@@nesmith2621 Last time I was in Madison, I stayed at a hotel that couldn't have been more than a mile from downtown and there was a six lane freeway between my room and the stores across the street in what should have been a walkable neighborhood. Something like that would never happen in Chicago or Milwaukee.

[@commanderboom2626]

@@KnightBoat I’m curious, were you staying in a hotel near the mall on East Washington or more towards the coliseum on the other side of the city? Because even though East Wash is 3 lanes on each side there are many bridges/tunnels for pedestrians to cross unimpeded, they are most often found along the bike paths but I know that some others also exist a bit farther off. The same goes for all of the larger roads especially when you get closer to downtown. If you were staying closer to the campus or the west side I must admit that I don’t go there as often on bike but when driving in the area I can say that there are pedestrian bridges along some of the larger roads there too. If you’re talking about the beltline, yeah I can see that but the same can be said there as was said for the other streets just slightly less so and it’s not exactly in the middle of the city either.

[@drakewatkins2624]

Is it Democrat or republican there

[@CityGeek]

Generally speaking, Madison is blue and Wisconsin is purple.

[@bigdsrip]

Dem candidates usually get +75% of the vote in Madison. One of the most solidly blue cities in the country.

[@karmadog4565]

It is very left…..yuck.

[@BethJehovah]

Madison is left but that doesn't mean they are cool. People here are uptight and wound up during and after the pandemic.

[@aaron___6014]

A city overrun by the university of Wisconsin. It owns and controls way too much of the land on and around the isthmus.

[@dark-ghost5455]

universities can control cities?

[@falcorthewonderdog2758]

Corrupt local politicians, dishonest police and lots of crime. Madison is a mess.

[@robertpreston2220]

Like all democratic places

[@petermueller7407]

blaaaahhhh

[@ShanReactsTV]

Segregation rate high but beautiful nice dangerous for trafficking Kings

[@joebonardi2650]

FLW did NOT design the convention center. It is a " homage" to his work, and it pales to his original design.

[@mkl_dvd]

He created the original design, which was updated- when the project was finally approved. The exterior is still mostly his, but the design for the interior was done by one of his apprentices.

[@willaedwards9055]

Makes me so sad that learning about anything in America starts with genocide . We have a very embarrassing history .wish they were more honest about it in school

[@pre-q8s]

Was there something in the video you were referring to?

[@willaedwards9055]

@@pre-q8s just the beginning when they were talking about the “origins” of madison

[@pre-q8s]

@@willaedwards9055 oh gotcha. Well there are certainly some dark moments in American history, but I wouldn’t say that everything started with genocide. There are far more things to be proud of America for than to be ashamed imo

[@willaedwards9055]

@@pre-q8s for sure but I can’t help but see it more negative sometimes.lots to be proud of but also so much to regret .I guess that’s everywhere in the world tho .I guess the only difference is how we learn about it all .everywhere is different

[@TaylorJohnson1]

@@willaedwards9055 It helps when one considers the ongoing genocides in other parts of the world today. I know it helps me feel a bit more grateful.

[@brianlewis1372]

Madtown got ghetto as hell. Didn’t see homeless camps 4 years ago… that place sucks now.

[@alanfoix9911]

Most the time the lake's are not safe to go in ! And it's getting a lot like Milwaukee !

[@BillyT886]

@@alanfoix9911 If you think Madison is anything close to dangerous, you need to get out more

[@alanfoix9911]

@@BillyT886 you sound like the best president ever. Ever thing is great 👍

[@robertpreston2220]

Yep I am hearing that a lot more and more. It was a matter of time before it went to hell

[@BethJehovah]

Madison had a cool vibe 10 years ago. Now it's very uptight.

[@Bbbbffu]

It’s at best, mediocre

[@joehernande-721]

It sad that the people of Madison which was the hotbed of the Vietnam Antiwar movement all it was that the Rich Jews coming down from NY with brand new cars from there while the working class kids from Madison got drafted just like the poor class in South Texas I had white and Hispanic roots my grandmother was born in San Antonio in 1851 and my great-great grandfather John Everett who was born. In WasWashington County near mobile Alabama in 1822 and my great-great-great -grandfather John Fagan Everett who was a mobile Judge and when he died the whole community came out to pay there respects but like usual the speech in Wisconsin Joe was using a teleprompter and how the😮 peopĺe could applaud tĥe litany of lies Biden was expounding on about President Trump let's be honest you didn't like the wall but look what Biden did as soon as he entered office he stopped construction on the wall and he opened the border wide open he stopped construction on the oil pipe line later he depleted our oil reserves which were full for emergencies and he sold it to China that is the truth Madison if you can prove me wrong I accept anyone to correct me as long as it is true.

[@n00n1n]

I was born and raised there I lived there the first 29 years of my life and I've spent the last one year of my life living in Phoenix arizona. Yes, I moved out of there partially because of the weather but I need to change my life. The thing I don't like about Madison Wisconsin is because it is basically communist Cuba as an enclave in the United States but it's a beautiful city, there's lots of job opportunities there and if you are a hardcore liberal and interested in making a decent wage it's a good place for you. Also I recommend getting yourself a bike.

[@crietzsche]

"Communist Cuba" Come on. It's a successful city and the citizens are engaged with each other and their government.

[@brandoblack3732]

One of the worst cities I have ever lived in!

[@Rubiey-gw5dv]

*Hows the heat humidity????*

[@RadicalTaxFraud]

I’ve moved 25+ times in my life, Madison is probably one of the worst places I have ever lived, I would rather move back to Livonia just outside of Detroit. Gunshots every.single.night, raising out rent by $500, and the constant smell of raw sewage throughout the city finally pushed us out. Sun prairie is almost worse though due to the rampant gang violence.

[@James-ev4bb]

What part of the city did you live in?

[@RadicalTaxFraud]

@@James-ev4bb I have lived in Middleton, DeForest, Stoughton, and the south side of Madison. It’s all the same, but it’s been getting way worse the past couple of years.

[@jaredgenova2228]

I can totally see where you're coming from. I grew up in the area and stayed for college, and I left after my last final exam and didn't even walk in my graduation ceremony so I could gtfo asap. Never looked back. Too many folks there have a utopia-like attitude towards the city that I think is misplaced. Sure, certain areas of downtown and certain parks are pretty, but it's just not a very big city, so the "cool" stuff gets stale within a few years. And once you've exhausted yourself on those places and things, you're left with being entirely reliant on driving and living in ares of town that are basically overpriced run of the mill strip-mall suburbs. It's not a very exciting place, coupled with kind of dirty tap water (especially downtown), overly inflated rent prices, poorly run public transportation, and a highly educated populace that can make the job market difficult for job seekers. I'm happy I left, and I rarely visit. I think it could be an easy place to live if you're more of a homebody and want to get home from work relatively quickly, with easy access to a grocery store or two along the way. Oh, and the lakes are effing gross. No one talks about that. You go in Mendota or Monona July-Sept and most years there is, like, flesh eating algae in the water. We used to go in when we were kids, and even as a seven year old I thought they stunk and were super gross.

[@robertpreston2220]

Yeah it has gone downhill I keep reading

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Lived here all my life and never smelled sewage "throughout the city". Maybe you were smelling algae from the lakes?

[@Gregatseasonalsteins]

For those who have lived here for a long time, Madison is going downhill fast. A certain culture is like a pestilence we now suffer. Homicides, shootings, unsafe neighborhoods, car theft thru the roof...

[@robertpreston2220]

Everyone keeps saying that. It wa sonly a matter of time

[@bdb7568]

Yeah everyone says this but it not dangerous. Yes this is crime but this no bad neighborhoods. I am pretty sure it just made a list recently for safest places to live

[@bethanys2025]

I live here and experience none of that.. the police force has always been exceptional

[@crietzsche]

No it isn't. You're just watching too much news.

[@crietzsche]

@@robertpreston2220 No, they literally are not. These opinions are coming from a few paranoid shut-ins and close-minded small-towners terrified of other people.

[@KingNubs1]

Born and raised here I have a love-hate relationship with Madison