Why the Best: As socially progressive as it gets, with as much arts, music, clubs, galleries, movies as almost any town west of NYC, centered on a beautiful lake (Mendota) with as many beach activities as the Jersey shore.

It's also the home of University of Wisconsin, one of the most intellectually and culturally progressive universities in the country.

More? Madison is not NYC. Not that we don't like NYC. It's just, Madison has all this great fun and culturally stimulating stuff, and it's small, like a really big town.

The people in Madison are friendly and tolerant and open. People, strangers, for no reason will ask if you need help. They'll help you load your kayaks and water skis onto your car for the one minute drive to the beach. And the university is loaded with folks -- kids, grad students, professors -- who know how to study, are intellectually curious and passionate, but who also know how to party.

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. And -- no surprise -- it was once the center of American populism. One of the earliest progressive-populist papers, The Progressive, launched by Sen. Robert La Fallette in 1909, is still going strong. Along with countless other local media voices -- in news, politics, the arts. There are probably more newspapers, magazines and e-zines per capita based in Madison than in any place in the country.

Madison is alive, dynamic. It embraces change. It welcomes all kinds of people, with all kinds of interests and perspectives. It's our kind of town, a definite Burbia Best Town. ...read about other towns