Moving to Madison. Where should I live, where should I avoid? (location, place)

[Chelito23]

The last two apartment locations are typical areas where there is higher crime and many of your neighbors would be former inner city residents from Chicago and Milwaukee or some local version of their relatives. Lots of fights, people that stare you down, robberies, car theft...basically rif raft in those areas.

I know it can be tempting by seeing the prices, but I would strongly advise against the later two. If price is so much of an issue, just look to Oregon or an outlying suburb and you will find very affordable and modest apartments no more than 20 minutes away.

[Megan1967]

I agree with the others, there is a reason those complexes have incentives.

I also agree that you might want to check out the suburbs.

Monona is quite reasonable, but don't rent in the Lakepointe/Broadway area.

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

many of your neighbors would be former inner city residents from Chicago and Milwaukee or some local version of their relatives. Lots of fights, people that stare you down, robberies, car theft...basically rif raft in those areas.

Not to drag this thread off topic but I believe Madison didn't get most or majority of it's bad apples from MKE or CHI. Milwaukee has also tried to blame some of it's problems on being close to Chicago just the same as Racine, Beloit, Rockford, Kenosha and now Madison.

I'm sure a lot of the bad apples have been born in Madison after all Madison just didn't spring up in the last 20 years. Madison has had over 100,000 people since 1950.

[Chelito23]

True Milwaukee!! We have plenty of homegrown thugs, but there is a large element that has relocated from Chicago and Milwaukee as well.

[igotthis24]

Hey guys, good looking out. I will definitely avoid those places. I received good financial news, so that has broadened my search. Hopefully, I can find some new places tonight. If you can recommend any buildings you know for around $800 1BR, that'd be great. But until tonight, how about:

Haase Towers
116 E. Gilman Street, Madison, WI 53703

Thanks again everyone!

[r_k]

I remember reading a few years back that something like 70% (I am not sure if I remember this number correctly, but it was over 50%) of the inmates in the Dane County jail were born in Illinois.

Re. Hasse Towers, I am not familiar with that exact building, but the area is generally OK, a mix of students and people working downtown. I don't think it's very lively at night or anything, but close to the lake and Capitol Square. You'll still have to drive most places, and parking is very tight, so make sure some parking is included.

[amysherman]

both places have crime problems. you can check with the police departments, but i'm pretty sure that both places have had some pretty bad problems lately. (Arbor Hills and Parkside).

[amysherman]

I lived in Haase towers twenty years ago when I was in college. It's in a great neighborhood, but I'm sure it's totally dated. If you can afford to live there it would be worth it for the proximity to bars, clubs, downtown, parks, etc. etc.

[igotthis24]

Thanks again everyone for the great feedback. I should be getting up there in the next couple days to view some places. While I'm still looking, could you give me an idea of downtown areas that are generally unsafe (crime, poverty), to help narrow my options?

[r_k]

Not sure where you're moving from, but compared to any bigger city there is no part of downtown Madison that will be be unsafe. The main problem with downtown will be the lack of activity and life esp after dark. The areas to the immediate wast of downtown have a student vibe and are more lively. To the immediate east it's a bit more mature crowd but also quieter. No area is unsafe in the big city sense. Some buildings are in better shape than others, so visiting and exploring first-hand is highly recommended. Street parking is a big nuisance esp in winter (which is about 6 months).