The city of Madison has many scenic neighborhoods in particular because of the four lakes that make part of its limits. The city has won " Best Place to Live" by Money Magazine among many other awards, so you can expect to find...great places to live here!

 Adjacent to the city of Madison's west side, the village of  Shorewood Hills is a prestigious neighborhood located close to the University, and many UW employees call it home. The beautiful old homes sit atop a hill overlooking some of the best views the city can offer. Just outside this village's limits, however, are more affordable options. The location is prime for restaurants, downtown access, and upscale shopping.  

 Another prestigious neighborhood, as is evident by its name, is the Mansion Hill neighborhood. Located just north of capital square, this up-scale neighborhood shows off beautiful Victorian architecture as well as the look of German Romanesque revival.

 On the east side, the wealthy village of Maple Bluff, located between the eastern shore of Lake Mendota and Sherman Avenue, also stands out for its older, large homes. It is home to the Governor's Mansion and the Maple Bluff Country Club.  A larger east side suburb is Monona, located on the east shore of Lake Monona and to the west of Monona Drive. Neighborhoods within the city on the East Side include Marquette and Fair Oaks. 

One of the west side's most famous neighborhoods is Nakoma, which was developed in the early 20th century.  It features many attractive homes and is close to the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. Nearly all of the street names there are the names of American Indian tribes or people.  Some streets in this area include Nakoma Road, the eastern portion of Odana Road and Seminole Highway. The Illinois Central railroad tracks that once formed much of its northern border have been removed and replaced by a paved trail. The Westmorland neighborhood lies to the north, and is known for Westmorland Park and the stone Westmorland gate at the intersection of Mineral Point Road and Westmorland Boulevard. Westmorland's eastern border is Glenway Street, along which is the attractive municipal nine-hole Glenway Golf Course. To the northwest of Nakoma and Westmorland is the Hill Farms area, developed in the 1950s from land which once had been a University farm. The upscale Hilldale Mall, just south of Shorewood Hills,  is in this area along Midvale Boulevard. Many of the streets in this area are named for Wisconsin counties, such as Sheboygan Avenue (home to some state offices and large apartment complexes) and Marathon Drive. 

But for more of the "Americana" feel that Madison encompasses so well, neighborhoods such as Fitchburg's Glacier Ridge are a great place for families. This area has more of a suburban feel with newer homes and big yards. The large suburb of Middleton has many charming areas to call home and was actually named " 7th Best Place to live" in 2005 by  Money Magazine. One of its neighborhoods, Middleton Hills, is nationally acclaimed. The suburb even has an annual "Good Neighbor Fest" in late August.

It's not hard to find a great place to live in a city that wins so many national awards!