Warm and welcoming, the village of DeForest is a growing community 15 miles north of Madison via U.S. Route 51. Promising big-city amenities with a small-town feel, this dynamic suburb boasts the best of both worlds. “We’re a tight-knit community where people get to know each other and come together regularly for public events,” says DeForest Community Ambassador Stacey Harmon. “But it’s really what you make of it because a lot of people keep to themselves, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” This vibrant little village attracts a wide demographic, according to Harmon, from young professionals and families to seniors looking to be closer to their grandkids.
The Midwest is known for its friendliness, and DeForest neighbors tend to be no exception.
DeForest has a suburban feel, while being less than 30 minutes from downtown Madison.
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More competition in the DeForest housing market
The housing market in DeForest has become increasingly more competitive as interest rates have risen due to a persistent lack of inventory – there were 13 homes sold in September 2023, compared to 27 the year prior. “You do have a wide range of listings here, different types of housing with a wide range of prices,” says Matt Deadman of Deadman Homes, who has sold over two dozen homes in the area. “This is a newer community with newer housing stock, though, so you don’t have as big an inventory of older homes as you’ll get closer to Madison.” On the low end of pricing, you can get a three-bedroom, two-bath split-level with about 1,800 square feet for $300,000, and on the high end, a four-bedroom, four-bath home on a generous lot with about 4,700 square feet for $700,000. “The Conservancy neighborhood has seen a lot of development,” Harmon says. “It has access to our trail system that runs through our community parks.”
DeForest has a huge selection of condominiums, both big and small.
Due to its terrain, DeForest also has a variety of split-level homes.
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DeForest High boasts a strong athletics department
Families with children are served by the DeForest Area School District, a solid district with a B grade from Niche. “Our schools are phenomenal, and our community is very much behind them,” Harmon says. “We’ve had a couple of referendums pass the few years, so most of our schools are either remodeled or brand new.” Kids can start their education at Eagle Point Elementary, a B-minus school with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, better than the national average of 17 to 1. With a B grade from Niche, DeForest Area Middle has a robust computer science program to tap into students’ interest in technology, helping them become technology innovators. DeForest High School is graded B by Niche, which ranks it as one of the better high schools for athletes in the state. The school has many career and technical education offerings, including agriculture, business, marketing and family and consumer science.
Parents of north Madison and DeForest students can send their kids to DeForest High School.
Eagle Point Elementary School in DeForest, WI scores an overall B- rating according to Niche.
The varsity football team for DeForest High School is the Norskies.
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Shopping for essentials on East Main Street
There’s no question that DeForest’s proximity to retail and dining destinations like Sun Prairie and Madison is one of its biggest selling points, but there are business districts closer to home. For stocking up on groceries and essentials, there is a Pick ‘n Save supermarket on East Main Street. Roasty Toasty is a quaint, brightly colored coffee shop that also serves up bakery items, smoothies and ice cream. The DeForest Family Restaurant is a family-friendly community staple with an expansive menu of comfort food. The modest interior is as rich and warm as their famous chicken dumpling soup. For the cheese lover in everyone, Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet offers the finest Wisconsin cheeses and summer sausages – their selection of candy in souvenirs is no joke. “We have a Pinseekers moving in, which is like a Topgolf,” Harmon says. “It’s a piece of development we’re pretty excited about.”
Target is one of the many big box stores available to Sun Prairie and DeForest residents.
Buck & Honey's in Sun Prairie is one of many dining options available to DeForest residents.
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Golf and walking trails
There are several parks in DeForest, a golf course and a community center, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor-minded residents. Set among the walking trails along the Yahara River, Conservancy Commons Park is a compact, family-friendly venue with a splash pad, a playground and a pavilion. The accompanying green space stretches north to the Upper Yahara River Trail Head. The trail itself is a paved path that offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscapes. Fireman’s Park is the village’s gathering place for community events that are hosted year-round. “We have a summer concert and movies in the park in the summer, we do a candlelight hike in the park, and in December, we have a holiday event with Santa Claus,” Harmon says. “The events are always free, so that everyone can enjoy regardless of their budget.”
Let your kids climb the playground equipment at Conservancy Commons Park in DeForest.
Residents of DeForest are often found out walking their pets and enjoying nature.
With over thirty-one years in direct sales and nine years in commercial real estate, Angi has branched out into the residential arena and is excited to team up with you to achieve your goals! In her free time, Angi enjoys traveling, entertaining, spending time with family/friends, and working on home improvement projects. She loves remodeling, design, staging, and helping clients picture what their home or space could be. Angi looks forward to helping you successfully buy and sell your home and have fun doing it!
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