Moving to Madison (Fitchburg, Middleton, Shorewood: middle-class, to rent, houses)

[rpaulson]

My hubby and I are moving to Madison soon. He got a great job there and we would like to move to a very nice area. However, we have no idea where that might be. We are looking in the price range of between 4 & 800k. We want to be somewhere really nice if our price range will afford it, also, we might have kids... but only by accident.
We are coming from Minneapolis and it only took us 3 hours and 45 minutes to get there - however, I may have been driving a bit too fast.
I have heard that Maple Bluff is nice, I also like Westport. I want to live in an area that is considered "special". I don't mean to sound retarded, but this move is probably permanent, I don't want to make a big mistake. Thanks for any info!
Rachel

[tchemgrrl]

You might also want to look around the Shorewood Hills area too. It's very quiet, mostly professors and their families, and the houses are pretty upscale and unique, and it's a very distinct neighborhood. It's two pains in the butt to give directions because the streets are all winding (I *always* get lost when I visit my boss and feel like the cops are going to pick me up for not belonging), but that's part of the upscale neighborhood design, I think. Here's the village website: Village of Shorewood Hills Home Page

It's also a great location in town, a short walk to campus, close to downtown. You don't mention whereabouts your husband is working in town, but it's about as central an area as you can find.

[rpaulson]

You rock. Thank you so much! He will be working about 25 feet from the capitol building.
I'm really liking the Maple Bluff area, they have a country club there, and even though we don't golf, it's pretty cheap to be a member if you live in the village.
I would like to take some classes at the U though.
Thanks for the info

[rpaulson]

wow!! Shorewood Hills is REALLY expensive!! What are the perks of living there?

[LML]

Originally Posted by rpaulson

wow!! Shorewood Hills is REALLY expensive!! What are the perks of living there?

The neighborhood borders the lake but not all of the houses in the neighborhood are on the lake. What is its appeal? Well, poorly maintained, narrow, winding streets (to keep out the riffraff) and the snob appeal of saying you live there. Just keeping it real. Personally, I love the Nakoma neighborhood. It is near the Isthmus, beautiful homes, lovely streets, quiet and well maintained. If I were looking in your price range, that is where I would go.

[Chelito23]

Any home on any of the lakes will be "special". From Maple Bluff, to Shorewood Hills, and all the way around to Bishop's Bay in Westport...laekfront property is very expensive...but quite unique and in high demand. If you are interested in upscale subdivisions, you also might consider the Highlands which is established and in a forest area...

Nakoma is a nice, established older neighbohood with homes in your desired price range as well...

If you prefer more suburnan style country living, there are numerous upscale subdivisions on the south and west outskirts of the city...in Fitchburg and in Middleton.

Another great area if money is not object would be a beutifully restored home in the Monroe St. neighborhood, and you are close to downtown as well.

[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.

Honestly I was just guessing at a neighborhood which would be in the price range you mentioned, it's enough out of *my* price range that I don't even know what things cost there, but it's a neighborhood that comes to mind when I think of the more elite areas like Maple Bluff.

Maybe we could narrow things down a bit: how do you define as a neighborhood that's "really nice"? What do you like to have nearby? Do you like an urban atmosphere, something more country-like? A cohesive neighborhood or one where people aren't bothering you all the time? Do you want to be in an area that's considered to be a very elite region, or would a particularly beautiful house in a more middle-class neighborhood be your style? Are there any cultural or sporting activities you want REALLY close access to?

[rpaulson]

All good questions, however, I really don't have any good answers. We are moving there for a job relocation and I think we're going to rent for the first 6 months to decide where exactly we want to be. I like Maple Bluff because there is the lake, and we can park a boat there.
Also, the country club there has a pool and tennis courts and is pretty cheap to be a member. We're not really the country club type.. we're more like Buffalo Wild Wings & trivia type
However, thanks for all the info, some of the places mentioned look fanatastic - like the Highlands and Nakoma

[tchemgrrl]

Gotcha. I'm moving myself soon, I completely understand not knowing what you want until you see it.

Renting's a great idea, it'll give you the chance to see different areas at different times of year, and really get a feel for the neighborhoods.

Fortunately if you're interested in boating, you have a lot of options since there's lakes on all sides. I'm familiar with some of the areas near the water, since I like to take bike rides around the lakes.

I'm not sure if this area has a neighborhood name, but you might want to check out the Lakeside St., Shore Dr. area. A lot of the houses on Shore have a boat... thingy (launch? can you tell I'm not a boat person?) across the street. I'm guessing those houses are pretty expensive but it's a very quiet area (lots of cyclists and walkers, but very few cars) and the view is FABULOUS; right on the water, Capitol building just behind. I'd live here if I could magically pick any location in town, I think.

The town of Monona is a bit more down to earth (compared to what I've heard of Maple Bluff, that is; it's still a very nice area), and there are some houses along the water there with boats. Beautiful older neighborhood with mature trees, well-kept streets, some super-adorable tiny parks. A bit more out-of-the-way for commuting purposes since the fastest route downtown would go across the lake, but still pretty convenient. It takes me about an hour to bike the entire circle around the lake, so it'd certainly be less than 30 minutes to drive.

Good luck!

[L.K.]

Nakoma also has a nice country club/pool etc.Shorewood is very nice and has a great school.