Post by Kate Johansen

(Kate Johansen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 18:41:08 GMT

Thanks! I'm moving there in a week and a half for a job and have an apartment set up through the summer, but I wanted to start looking for next year since I'm going to school there. Thanks again for the primer--it really helped me navigate the online search. You're a Mad-town oracle!

Post by burn

(burn) — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 08:42:06 GMT

my email is in my profile if you need more specific stuff - this is but a primer. and off the top of my head.

Kate -

Not sure what your plans are.. are you sub-leasing, going to go back to school, getting a job, asking for someone else?

Madison housing is normally broken down into six or seven districts.

assuming you want to live downtown in a college local I will throw only three up:

Near West - this is everything just west of the isthmus. This is the area includes the University proper. It stretches from Lake Medota (north) down to Lake Wingra (south) and as far west as Midvale blvd. This area is a mix of students (majority), families, and professors (I lived in near west throughout my college years). If you are looking to live with a bunch of people (IE renting a house) everything west of Park st. (151) and south of Regent st. is classic college houses (big porches, 3 to 5 room houses, backyards, parking)... price ranges from 1500 - 2500 a month during the school year (normally breaks down to 450 - 650 per person - utilities not included). Near west is nice because it lacks the whole 'shit where you live' feeling. There are house parties but for the most part you walk (or take the bus) to state street and the neighborhood is generally quite. The neighborhood is safe. driveway parking is normally included in the rent and street parking is readaly available.

central - everything on the isthmus... this includes the capitol, east campus, and state street. This area is college kids, bars, coffee shops, frats, sororities, the Memorial Union Terrace, civic center, and arts/humanities... if you are hanging out in Madison for the summer I guarantee you will spend most evenings here. While there are a lot of houses in this area the majority are apartment buildings. Recently this has been getting more trendy (especially up by the capitol)- I have been told that King street (the state street on the other side of the capitol) has become very saturated with trendy bars and restaurants. Parking up here can be, for lack of a better term, 'a bitch'. Living in center will basically put you in the heart of everything especially if you live a block or two off state. Rent here is around 600 - 1300 for 1-2 bedroom apartment.

Near East - just east of the Isthmus. don't live past Tenny park or you are too far to walk... and then you get into east. The more hippie side of town (Williamson st mostly)... food co-ops, hippies, grad students.

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things in the summer

Farmers Market - One of, if not, the nations largest farmers market is held every Saturday morning around the capitol... the entire capitol; you cant miss it.

Madison Zoo - it is in Henry Villas Park (north end of Lake Wingra) - its free - and surprisingly good for a free zoo.

Memorial Union Terrace - beer, sun, and the lake - free music on the weekend -- everyone is here... so get there early and grab a few friends, tables, beers, and get a tan.

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moving stuff -

Everyone is homeless in Madison for 24 hours on noon August 14th to noon August 15th. Thats how the leases are written.

Madison has very strong tenant rights groups so you rarely hear of people getting screwed over by landlords.

if you are looking for a place to move into for the next school year start looking in Feb. By March most 'good' stuff is gone.

if you have specific questins about certain streets or companies I can tell you about them... if you need a person on the ground to give you some info i may be able to hook that up too.

theposse.org: how to live in Madison

Post by Kate Johansen

Post by burn