Tell me what you like/dislike about Milw/Madison

[pumpkingirl]

Hubby and I had a baby last year, and like many peeps, are considering moving closer to family. I grew up in Madison, he in Milwaukee. So...having not lived in either place for over 12 years or more (or as an adult), what do you like about those cities? Would you rank one over the other? Factors that influence us include: nice neighborhoods with kid friendly stuff and nice yards, good craft stores/scene (me), bike trails, nice restaurants, good schools, good beer selection (hubby), etc. Or should we just move somewhere warm and fuggedabahdit?

[kateiline]

I LIKE to think I know these two cities well.  I grew up in a Milwaukee suburb, and have lived in Madison for the last six years.  Madison will always feel like a small town.  No buildings can be taller than the capitol, so that will keep it always out of the league of the large cities.  But this keeps it a closer community.  Gayfeather is a great apparel fabric store, and Stitcher's Crossing has excellent quilting fabrics and wools.  A new store opened on State Street that I have only been in once, but it looks like it is a small crafting store.  They sell patterns and papers and have a table to work on in the store.
Milwaukee is, obviously, a much larger city, and the appeal differs depending on what part of the city or suburb you are in.  I haven't found any apparel fabric stores yet beyond JoAnn and Hancock, but there's a great quilting store in Elm Grove.  They've opened a market downtown for local crafters to sell their wares in (which I have not been to yet, so I can't tell you more than that).  Since Milwaukee is a larger city, it does draw more national acts than Madison, and has more playhouses and concert venues.

Please feel free to contact me if you want more specific info than I've provided...