college student to work in waterloo. where to live? (Madison: to rent, houses)

[elbell44]

I have accepted an offer to intern for Trek Bike in Waterloo and will be moving to WI in January. I am an outgoing college student who would like to have things to do when I am not working. I would also like to be able to commute by bike, as much as possible. I will have a car, but prefer to bike...when the weather permits

My question is:
where should i live (madison, sun prairie, waterloo?)? i would like to be in a friendly, funky, safe neighborhood where there are things to do/people to meet for a 22 y.o. female engineering student. i like to see movies, visit the bookstore, try new restaurants, listen to live music, jog, cycle, play tennis

any suggestions?
thanks!

[Drover]

If you want a bikable commute to work, your options are as follows:

1) Live in a dinky-ass town in the middle of Bumblesnot and suffer boredom and isolation that will have you contemplating serial murder;
2) That's about it.

If you want to live in a friendly, funky, safe neighborhood where there are things to do/people to meet, Madison is your only hope nearby. I specifically suggest the Williamson Street area on the east side of town. That has a lot of what you're looking for (funky shops and coffee houses and all that stuff), plus it will put you close to East Washington Avenue/Highway 151, which is your first street to take out of town on your way toward Waterloo.

Unfortunately, you may find parking a little cramped. And depending on how close you live to downtown, you may have to rent an off-street space; the closer you are to downtown, the more likely that street parking is zoned by permit only, and you won't get a permit as a temporary resident.

[arangoa79]

Yea, downtown Madison is your best bet, though you may have to pay a little more for a parking spot ($150). You can always go a few minutes away and get a nice place with a parking spot for under $900 mo. Check out the Landmark At Hatchery Hill. I live there for two years before I got a house. About a 10 min. drive from downtown and nice bike paths.