Madison village life offers a peaceful atmosphere by the Grand River
Next to wineries in the Grand River Valley, Madison has long been a bedroom community for the Cleveland metropolitan area. "Most of the people who live in Madison have been in Madison all their lives," says real estate agent Laura Mokwa of McDowell Real Estate. The village's rural location and slower-paced lifestyle also attract new residents. Village Council Member Mark Vest says Madison reminds him of how his hometown was 40 years ago. “Less traffic, less congestion, less everything," he says. Neighborhoods are quiet, businesses are locally owned and recreation is close. Yet, quick highway access keeps people connected to major employers and destinations.
Forested subdivisions and spacious lots have room to build
Madison's neighborhoods cluster into distinctly named communities. Each subdivision is surrounded by dense forest, and homes follow wide roads lined with sidewalks and neatly trimmed lawns. Architectural styles range from New Traditional and colonial-inspired homes to ranch-style houses. Condo communities are also common. Prices range from $120,000 to $400,000, with a median price of roughly $210,000, less than the national median price of around $400,000. While no new subdivisions are in development, Madison's spacious landscape opens opportunities for new construction. "There's plenty of land for sale, and you can easily develop it to build your dream home," Vest says. While custom construction can be costly, most new homes hover around $300,000. "Anywhere else, you can't find new construction at that low a price," Mokwa says.
Local shops are downtown, while vineyards are within a short drive
The village has a small downtown district along its major intersection. Flagship Craft Cocktails & Eatery has a laid-back lunch and dinner menu with American and Italian dishes. Madison Brewing Company serves beer flights made in-house, while Osaka offers handmade sushi rolls and nigiri. Other locally owned businesses include Main Street Vintiques and Video Game Nirvana. Fast food chains and supermarkets are along Highway 20. Several farms, plant nurseries and Grand River Valley wineries are around the village's limits. Dizzy Doe's Goat Ranch & Farm Store lets patrons pet and feed the animals while browsing all-natural products. Debonné Vineyards and Laurentia Vineyard & Winery host upscale tastings and live music nights in summer.
People are near highways, commuter bus lines and major employers
State Routes 528 and 84 create the village's central intersection. SR-528 connects with Interstate 90 and Highway 20, which leads to Cleveland, about 55 miles away. People can also commute to downtown Cleveland via the Laketran Park-n-Ride stop. However, Mokwa says many people choose to work for nearby industrial employers, like ChemMasters and Perry Nuclear Power Plant. UH Madison Health Center is along Highway 20, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 56 miles away.
Two freight lines run east to west through the village. Passing trains periodically cause traffic stops along SR-528, and residents living near the tracks hear rumbling wheels throughout the day.
Outdoor options range from sledding hills to summer concerts
Madison Village Square Park is the community's central outdoor space. Historical monuments and flower beds surround a pavilion that hosts Thursday night concerts throughout the summer. Around the corner, Dana's Park has a small playground and picnic area. Powderhorn Golf Course offers a public fairway, while Lake County YMCA East End Branch has indoor fitness areas and all-age programming. Natural areas like Hidden Valley and Hogback Ridge are just south of Madison's limits. The parks offer wooded trails, sledding hills and Grand River access.
The local district offers four schools and Friday-night football
Students attend Madison Local School District, which has two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The district earns a C rating from Niche. Madison High School has a C-plus score and is known for its athletics. "There's always a Friday night football game to go to," Vest says.
Seasonal festivals fill Village Square Park with vendors and music
Two of the community's big events are hosted in Village Square Park. Oktoberfest returns every fall, inviting 21-plus attendees to enjoy ice-cold drinks, local vendors and live music. People also compete in Baum-Schlagen (which is log chopping) and Stein Holding competitions. In winter, the square is illuminated for Christmas in the Village Park. Outdoor vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses offer sales, while people enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, a parade and S'mores around firepits. Smaller village events include musicals by the Rabbit Run Community Arts Association and the bi-annual Madison Garden Club plant sale.
