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Your Guide to Moving to Madison

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Welcome to the bustling, beautiful city of Madison! Whether you recently moved due to a job transfer or for life changes, we want to extend our warmest welcome. With beautiful lakeside views, amazing food and entertainment options, and rich historical sites, Madison has everything you need to make your transition smooth and successful. We know that adjusting to life in a new place can be overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’ve put together this guide for you so that as you begin exploring your surroundings and settling into your new home, you can do so with ease and confidence. So let’s get started!

Helpful Resources

  • USPS Change of Address – One of the first things you must do when you move is change your mailing address. USPS makes it simple – all you need to do is fill out the Change-of-Address form on their website and you’ll be all set!
  • City of Madison website – From voting information and waste collection to job opportunities and parks to take your kids, this robust resource will be your go-to site for any information you need to get settled into Madison.
  • Downtown Madison website – This site is a great resource for staying up to date on events in downtown Madison and for information about restaurants, stores, and other businesses in the area.
  • Destination Madison – For information on events, things to do, restaurants, and more in Madison, this website is a wonderful resource to keep you from ever being bored.

Top 5 Things To Do in Madison

Once you’re all settled into your new home, it’s time to get out and explore the city. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Madison, WI

  1. Dane County Farmers Market

Located on the square in the heart of downtown Madison, this farmers’ market is the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. Check it out every Saturday from 6:15 am – 1:45 pm. The market generally runs from April through mid-November. 

  1. Henry Vilas Zoo

This free, local zoo is a fun, family-friendly activity that supports a great cause. Henry Vilas Zoo is one of ten remaining free zoos in North America and is dedicated to conserving and protecting the wonders of the natural living world.

  1. Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Known for its beautiful conservatory and outdoor gardens, Olbrich is a must-visit in Madison. With free admission to the outdoor gardens and low-cost tickets to view the indoor conservatory, this is a great weekday or weekend activity for the whole family.

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

If you enjoy spending time outside in nature, the Arboretum is a great place to walk around and see a variety of plants and flowers. With more than 17 miles of trails, you can spend all day exploring this beautiful area. 

  1. Memorial Union Terrace

Located right on Lake Mendota, the Terrace is a great spot to spend summer evenings. With beautiful views, delicious food, and a wide variety of summer events, this is a fan favorite spot for Madison residents.

For more resources, checklists, or information about working with Mad City Moving, check out our local resources page! 

Moving to Madison? Let Mad City Moving Handle the Heavy Lifting

Mad City Moving has been helping families, students, and businesses settle into Madison since 1983. Because we’re locally owned and family operated, we know the narrow downtown streets, the isthmus apartment buildings, and the mid-August lease turnover rush. That way your move-in day runs on a plan instead of guesswork.

Not sure where to start? Our free moving checklist walks you through every step from eight weeks out to moving day.

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If you find a price lower then ours, we will match a legitimate competitor’s hourly rate with a few stipulations:

  1. Must be licensed, insured and a verifiable business within Wisconsin
  2. A copy of a written estimate provided to us to verify rate
  3. Price match valid on Monday-Friday only