What kind of place is Middleton Hills? (Madison, Shorewood: houses, neighborhoods)

[Harpoon]

First of all I'd like to say that I am new to the forum and considering a move to the Madison area. After doing some research online I have become interested in the Middleton Hills neighborhood within Middleton. What intrigues me about this neighborhood are the smaller lots, front porches, community open space, and the pedestrian nature of the neighborhood, as well as the narrow streets. Just wondering if anyone could give me any additional detail on the neighborhood. How expensive is the housing there? Are there nearby schools? What is the proximity to grocery stores or retail areas? How long of a commute is it to downtown Madison? Is this a kid-friendly neighborhood (I have two kids under age 3)? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[L.K.]

I lived in Middleton until last year,although not in Middleton Hills.It is all Craftsman/Frank Lloyd Wright style houses.I would say houses run from $500,000 and up.There is an excellent elementary school within walking distance,with the middle and high school a short distance away.Middleton school district is very good.Shopping is near by.It was all build to be very kid friendly,although right now I can't tell you that for sure.There is a park right in the developement[if not more than one].The commute would not be long,although traffic would be an issue at peak times as lots of commuters live in Middleton.

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

What intrigues me about this neighborhood are the smaller lots, front porches, community open space, and the pedestrian nature of the neighborhood, as well as the narrow streets.

Middleton Hills has some beautiful homes but, as someone who lives in a high density neighborhood I can tell you there are some definite pitfalls. The small lots mean you are right on top of your neighbors. Everything they do impacts you and vice versa. It's really hard to stay friendly with neighbors under these conditions unless everyone is hyper sensitive to the needs of others around them.

The narrow streets are a pain, too, if you ever intend on inviting more than one car full of people into your home. Again, if your neighbors do, then you have to try and navigate around all of the cars and deal with the possibility of kids darting out into the street who you can't see because of all of the cars. It's very nerve wrecking.

I'm a bit cynical about the whole thing. It's supposed to be so "cool," but I think in practice it just meant that the developer was able to stack really expensive homes one on top of each other thus being able to maximize profit per square foot in the development.

[Chelito23]

I think the project looked good on paper, but in practice, what Megan said happened. There isn't really any affordable working class housing, so it is a lot of upper class yuppy type people...which isn't bad, there just isn't the diversity withing the development as was pledged when it was being developed over 10 years ago.

Supermarket, yes, at the front of the development I believe.

It is a nice place, don't get me wrong, but it does have its pitfalls. It just boils down to, would you rather live with the pitfalls of a traditional sprawl suburb community or this urban one. Apples and Oranges.

[Harpoon]

Thanks for the input, I guess I didn't realize that these homes were in the $500K price range (definitely not my price range) since they were so small. Are there any neighborhoods between the University and Middleton that have homes in the $200's that aren't chock full of college kids?

[kemachs]

Originally Posted by L.K.

I lived in Middleton until last year,although not in Middleton Hills.It is all Craftsman/Frank Lloyd Wright style houses.I would say houses run from $500,000 and up.There is an excellent elementary school within walking distance,with the middle and high school a short distance away.Middleton school district is very good.Shopping is near by.It was all build to be very kid friendly,although right now I can't tell you that for sure.There is a park right in the developement[if not more than one].The commute would not be long,although traffic would be an issue at peak times as lots of commuters live in Middleton.

$500,000 and up is only the case for the new section of Middleton Hills, the older (maybe 10 years old) part has houses for less than that. I found one with a quick look at realtor.com for $335,000, but you could probably find lower prices if you looked.

Single Family Home - 6959 Apprentice Pl, Middleton, WI, 53562 - Realtor.com

If those are still too steep (Since you said around 200s), I'd suggest the Shorewood Hills area or around there. Between Madison and Middleton, it's still pretty close to the University, but seems to be separated from the crazy college students. I hear the near west side is family friendly as well.

Good Luck

[L.K.]

but have you looked at home prices in shorewood? also very expensive I believe.Maybe go right into the city of middleton to find more reasonably priced older homes and still have the benefit of good schools

[Megan1967]

I agree. Shorewood is one of the more expensive areas in Madison.

[rekuci]

Most neighborhoods between the university and Middleton (and south to Tokay) are in the $200s once you get ~2 miles west/southwest of the university, and have virtually no students, just a handful of grad students seeking quiet. The only neighborhoods to avoid pricewise are places with all the old mansions like Vilas, around Regent St, Shorewood Hills, a large part of Monroe St. corridor.

And depending on where you're from, I'd take any warnings on "traffic" here with a grain of salt...at least comparing to where I'm from (admittedly one of the biggest traffic hellholes in the country), I have yet to see anything that can be called traffic here. This is largely because virtually no one can park at the university, myself included.

[kemachs]

Originally Posted by L.K.

but have you looked at home prices in shorewood? also very expensive I believe.Maybe go right into the city of middleton to find more reasonably priced older homes and still have the benefit of good schools

My bad on that one! Just checked the prices in S.H., and you're definitely right. I suppose I'm not the best person to be giving advice, I don't even live in Madison yet, but I had just heard Shorewood was family friendly. Apparently, not so budget friendly...