Progressive Madison is best of the Midwest
Occasionally called the "Berkeley of the Midwest", things change more quickly in Madison than they might in other parts of the state. And because UW-Madison is located in the state capital, there are a lot of cultural and social activities that don't occur elsewhere in Wisconsin.
Madison is known for its amazing location on an isthmus overlooking two lakes: Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. It's isolated in the strict sense that it's a small-to-medium-sized city of a quarter million surrounded by one ring of suburbs and then corn. However, Milwaukee and Chicago are just an hour and two hours away respectively. Despite that, Madison is quite diverse and tolerant considering its size and location.
Madison's unemployment rate lower than almost anywhere else in the US. With a full complement of government jobs as well as an expanding economy, plus university jobs, there are many well-paying positions.
Madison has a relatively high cost of living. A decent two-bedroom apartment can set you back $800+ per month. Housing costs are fairly high around the downtown/campus area, but drop off significantly the farther away you go.
Outdoor eating in Madison