Moving to Madison (Shorewood, Shorewood Hills, Johnson: hair salon, rent, new home)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by tchemgrrl

Price in Shorewood Hills: I think it's mostly the central location, the fact that it really feels like a separate tiny village plopped in the middle of the city. The people I know who live there are very happy with it.

Well, it kind of is a separate tiny village plopped in the middle of the city, isn't it? It is a municipal village separate from Madison . . .

[kg1701d]

I'd take a look at Middleton Hills (I think its called) its a new urbanist neighborhood in Middleton. It was supposed to be a mishmash of incomes, but did they really think a new neighborhood in Middleton Wi would have low income housing? Come on. But anyhow. AMAZINGLY well designed neighborhood that tries to integrate all aspects of life into the area. And commuting to work won't really be a problem cause its Madison. And the west side of Madison has a lot to offer in general.

[rpaulson]

Huge help everyone, thank you so much!

[Wellstone]

Middleton out toward cross plains has some really nice upscale places. also for the big money there is bishop's bay on the north side of lake mendota.

What city in minnesota are you moving from.

You will find it kind of funny the way people from madison talk about "traffic". I don't think they know what it really is.

[buddy4]

I'm interviewing for what looks like a fabulous job in Madison in a few weeks and need to get some sense of the town for my family. Any insights?

We are an interracial (African American and white) Lesbian couple, raising our now 5-year-old African American son, my partners biological grandson. The lack of resident diversity in Madison (as opposed to the transient student population) gives pause. I read the post on east vs. west side, but didn't get much sense of the racial diversity (or lack thereof) or the cultural range of the arts in the area. My partner is very involved in African drumming (djembe and djun djun--musician, drum building and repair, teacher, collaborator), jewelry maker, poet, and so much more. The job holds great promise for me, but can my family come with me and thrive?

[Drover]

I don't see why not. If your unique demographic situation is going to cause any problem, it will be that people will be falling all over themselves to to prove how accepting they are to the point that could be irritating. As for your partner's artistic ambitions, Madison sounds like just the kind of place for her. Independent artisan shops are pretty numerous. UW's music department is pretty strong and draws a lot of musically inclined people from around the country. When the weather starts getting nice, you'll occasionally even see 60s-style hippie drum circles. There are at least two independent musical-instrument stores that carry somewhat eclectic instruments, one on State Street right on campus, the other on the East side (I can't remember if it's on Gorham or Johnson). Maybe they'd carry her drums if she builds them?

You two definitely sound like an East Side couple, particularly your partner; a lot of the arts-and-crafts type of places are found along the Williamson Street corridor, and that's where most of the artistic "vibe" of the city is found.

[buddy4]

Thanks for the input, Drover. Most helpful. I'm pleased to read your missive. The job promises much creative output and input for me. Eager to create place of balance for her and our son as well.

All thoughts welcome.
Lisa.

[Mad Taoist]

Buddy4-
You seem to be the quintessential Willy Street Neighborhood type. I have lived all over the world and all over this nation, and that area in the near east side of Madison is the most open-minded, enlightened place I've ever seen. Think natural foods co-op, Tibetan prayer flags, drum circles at every Willy St. fair and Orton Park Festival, naked kids running through sprinklers, folk music and local beer. I believe that this little pocket of the city is the only place in town that has permanent, integrated ethnic diversity. Unfortunately Wooden Voices on Willy St. just closed, as did the drum store on State Street, but there's Spruce Tree on Johnson that Drover mentioned. The challenge is that each area is super specific. People will tell you that you may like the near east side, but that is too broad. Maple Bluff is very rich and very white, East Johnson/Dayton/Mifflin is cool but mostly students, I think that Spaight St. and Jenifer St. are your target areas. Pull up a map of the city and here is the ballpark:
Livingston St. to the West, Thornton St. to the East
Lake Monona to the South, and Williamson to the North.
This area has reasonable rentals but expensive homes if you're purchasing. I've been here 30 years and this is the only area of town that I've seen women holding hands in public. If you're looking for a real estate agent that does sales and rentals, and is a "friend of Dorothy's" (do people still say that?), try Liz Lauer or Nina Lebwohl that work with Restaino Bunbury.

[Mad Taoist]

rpaulson-
I'd shy away from Maple Bluff- very expensive, beautiful homes, but in my opinion it's isolated and a bit, shall we say "exclusive"?
The aforementioned areas of Shorewood, Monroe Street neighborhood, and the NorthEastern parts of Nakoma would be very "special". Also look at University Heights. It's a safe bet to live almost anywhere in the West High School district.

[buddy4]

Thanks again for great advice. I have a message in to the realtors you mention. It's good to have the chance to work with girls in the club--who may also be friends of Dorothy!!