Shorewood or Nakoma? Or somewhere else? (Madison, Monroe: countertops, houses, neighborhoods)

[iteachspeech]

Hi - I grew up outside of Madison and am returning "home" after 25 years. We're looking for homes in family-friendly neighborhoods with some sort of community-feel. Shorewood and Nakoma seem charming....which would you choose and why? Or is there another neighborhood you would suggest?

[Lookout Kid]

I like Dudgeon-Monroe. The houses are old and charming, and there are shops and restaurants within walking distance on Monroe Street. University Heights is also quite nice, as is the area north of Dudgeon-Monroe around Madison West High School.

[Stevewi6]

Let me tell you what old and charming in Madison means: no garage; 1 bathroom, 1.5 if you are lucky; tiny closets; kitchens from the 1930s. Lol.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Stevewi6

Let me tell you what old and charming in Madison means: no garage; 1 bathroom, 1.5 if you are lucky; tiny closets; kitchens from the 1930s. Lol.

Oh, come on. Many of those old houses have been rennovated and have sparkling new kitchens. And there are plenty of 2-bath homes in the area. If spacious closets and bathrooms or a three car garage are your priority, by all means move into the massive bland Madison sprawl path.

As far as garages, most have at least one stall--which is what you would probably find in Nakoma much of the time as well. Nakoma probably has nicer homes overall, but there is less to do. It's a trade off. Shorewood Hills is very woodsy and feels isolated to me, but some people love that. You might also look into Maple Bluff.

[rdking647]

i have one of those "old charming houses" in university heights. i have a new kitchen with granite countertops, 1 car garage,my closets are small but etra clothes i can store in the attic. im acroos from west high school so im not in the "historic" neighborhood.
unfortunatly im going to have to move because winter has finally gotten to us and we are heading south in the near future,maybe to austin

[mommyntheoc]

I like Shorewood...it's not so much community feel from what I've seen...but beautiful, spacey areas.