Looking for affordable, family-friendly areas in Madison. (Sun Prairie, Monona: apartment complex, to rent)

[champ]

Hi folks,

We're a young family of four thinking of relocating from the Boston area to Madison in hopes of finding a similiar quality-of-life situation in a more affordable package. We've heard many great things about the city and are anxious to learn more about it.

We'd appreciate some suggestions for areas that offer a healthy mix of affordability, good schools and clean neighborhoods. We're pretty open to living options, but would like to avoid the "box-like" confines of an apartment complex and instead find a place with a yard or some nearby play areas.

Ideally, we would find a modest home or duplex to either buy or rent. Our price limits will be fairly limited to start, though, probably in the range of 150K to buy or 1,000/month to rent.

Close proximity to the university or public transportation would also be a plus.

Would also appreciate any info on children's recreational activities in the area (i.e. little league, etc.) or any information related to special education.

Thank you kindly in advance!

--John

[Chelito23]

Well, a lot of people come to Madison for the same reasons and experience sticker shock. Since many major cities are so outrageously expensive, people know that rural areas and smaller cities, especially in the midwest, are dirt cheap. Well, Madison is the exception. While not a mini Boston or NYC price wise, a 150K house in Madison is not going to be easy to find. If you did come across something that cheap for a single family house, there would have to be some major drawbacks such as upkeep, maintence, location...in short, it would not provide or hace reasonable access to all of the reasons that would make you want to live here.

I would recommend raising your price limit by 50K...and you would greatly increase your options. If that is not possible, consider older housing on the east, northeast and south sides. Some of these areas are sketchy, but it is on a block by block basis and you could find a nice fixer upper or diamond in the rough in your price range. Fortunately, even in Madison's less than perfect areas, most homes are well kept and there is a general feeling of cleanliness and community support. No real urban ghettos to speak of...just a couple of scattered bad blocks and apartment complexes that give the neighborhoods a bad name.

The suburbs also offer more affordable housing, if that would be a consideration. Monona comes to mind...

[msnjen23]

Actually there are alot of great choices out there right now around 150 to 170,000. Being in the business I can tell you that the East side of town has alot more to choose from. I was looking for a client last week and came up with 75 homes between East and Sun Prairie. Chelito23 is giving you the perception of what our housing market has been like over the last 5 to 10 years but it is really changing! The suburbs such as Sun Prairie have so much on the market right now that there are some fabulous choices. The market is flooded with listings and prices have come down, or at least have not risen at the same rate as they have in recent years. Smart buyers are getting in now when the rates are low and the prices are reasonable. The economy in this area will always remain strong because of the University and the government base and I don't forsee prices declining, just rising on a slower rate...which is GOOD for a market! Monona will run slightly more than a comparable home a few blocks away in the Madison school district. As far as special education...what age group? I am familiar with the special education program at East High School and it is really great. I work with their community workskills program and the kids are wonderful.