Lack of Garages with Houses I'm Interested In... (Milwaukee, Madison: neighborhood, to live in)

[declawed]

Hi all,

I've been reading through the many discussions you all have here and am really heartened by the helpfulness of people on this site. It reflects well on Madison, which I guess is why I'm thinking of heading your way...

So here's my specific question: I'm looking for houses in the Spaight-Atwood-Jenifer kind of area and one thing I've noticed is that the houses that are in my price range and that I'm attracted to, frequently lack garages. Now I am a WI native (from a suburb of Milwaukee) and from what I remember of winters there, it seems like a garage is kind of a necessary item unless I want to spend a heck of a lot of time unburying my car during the frigid winter months. Am I missing something? Are people parking somewhere else or is it really just that some people don't mind not having a garage? Is there any chance that I could build one on any of these properties, or do you think it's likely that they don't have one because space prohibits?

As I will be newly divorced and starting my life anew again in a new city at the ripe old age of 37, I feel like I really need to be somewhere where it will be easy for me to walk out my door and walk to places or get on the bike path and take a ride, and this area is one that friends who used to live in Madison think will be one that will fit me well. But it's tough finding one with all the things I'm looking for...which is OK for now, as my soon to be ex-husband and I have to sell our current house first in Iowa and who knows how long that could take, but I'm just trying to focus on my future for now, so thanks for helping me with any thoughts you might have!

[tchemgrrl]

I think the trick is that the lots in that neighborhood are quite small, so generally there's simply not space for a garage, and in many cases, not space for off-street parking period. This higher population density is part of what makes the area so walkable and therefore desirable, so it's a tricky balance, really. Fortunately as you say, the area is very walkable and has decent bus service, so we only rarely needed to clear off the car when we lived there because we hardly ever used it. Good luck!

[RemiJP]

Not sure where you plan to work, but this neighborhood is well-serviced by the bus system. Last winter, I rarely used my car to get around. If we needed to use it, we parked it at the end of the driveway so we didn't have much shoveling to do. Unless you are relying on your car to get to and from work each day, a garage is not necessary, in my opinion. I moved here from Boston (lots of snow, not quite as cold) and we survived without one. For what it's worth, I think don't think it's too difficult to find properties where building a garage is possible. My next door neighbor is building one now!

[declawed]

Thanks for those replies! I actually do the majority of my work from home, and will only have to travel by car for work a few times each month, so it's true that it will not be a daily need. However, I was thinking for groceries, visiting my mom (who is getting up in years and shouldn't be driving herself), etc. Still, it may not be necessary (or I may be able to find space to build one at some point if I feel like it is!). I appreciate the input!