Young Professionals in Central Madison (Monroe, Eagle: section 8, sublet, apartments)

[coolcol_doc]

Match Day was yesterday and my future doctor (May 10!) wife and I will be moving to Madison in early June where she'll start her residency at the UW Hospital. We're both in our mid/late twenties and would like to live anywhere on the isthmus or within a two mile radius of the UW Hospital. We like to bike or walk most places and we'd love to be somewhere downtown or near lots of amenities, but not in a building full of students. We're looking for apartments or townhouses in the $1500 range, but could go higher if we find something great. Are there certain neighborhoods near the hospital or on the isthmus that anyone can recommend or areas near the university that are too student-dominated?

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by coolcol_doc

Match Day was yesterday and my future doctor (May 10!) wife and I will be moving to Madison in early June where she'll start her residency at the UW Hospital. We're both in our mid/late twenties and would like to live anywhere on the isthmus or within a two mile radius of the UW Hospital. We like to bike or walk most places and we'd love to be somewhere downtown or near lots of amenities, but not in a building full of students. We're looking for apartments or townhouses in the $1500 range, but could go higher if we find something great. Are there certain neighborhoods near the hospital or on the isthmus that anyone can recommend or areas near the university that are too student-dominated?

I like the Willy Street neighborhood. It is close to everything with great neighborhood restaurants and shops, cooperative market, and also bike friendly/walkable to everything on the isthmus itself. It tends to have a demographic that has fewer students, but a solid percentage. Lots of hipsters, professionals, artists, and yuppies.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I like the Willy Street neighborhood. It is close to everything with great neighborhood restaurants and shops, cooperative market, and also bike friendly/walkable to everything on the isthmus itself. It tends to have a demographic that has fewer students, but a solid percentage. Lots of hipsters, professionals, artists, and yuppies.

Yes, but Williamson St. is on the east part of the Isthmus, meaning you need to cross through the congested capitol area every day to get to work and back.

The Sunset Village / Hilldale area may make a decent place for you to live as well, just to the near West of the hospital up University Ave. A very easy commute with bus service a viable option. A lot of medical professionals and graduate students live in these areas too.

[milt14]

Originally Posted by coolcol_doc

wife and I will be moving to Madison in early June where she'll start her residency at the UW Hospital. We're both in our mid/late twenties and would like to live anywhere on the isthmus or within a two mile radius of the UW Hospital.

the downtown IS the university. I'd look s and sw of the hospital. williamson street is called 'willy street' and it's a granola area on the other side of the isthmus. the west side/middleton area is more professional.
whereever you go, check out crime statistics for the neighborhood as some areas have section 8 housing and they usually are crime magnets.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by coolcol_doc

Match Day was yesterday and my future doctor (May 10!) wife and I will be moving to Madison in early June where she'll start her residency at the UW Hospital. We're both in our mid/late twenties and would like to live anywhere on the isthmus or within a two mile radius of the UW Hospital. We like to bike or walk most places and we'd love to be somewhere downtown or near lots of amenities, but not in a building full of students. We're looking for apartments or townhouses in the $1500 range, but could go higher if we find something great. Are there certain neighborhoods near the hospital or on the isthmus that anyone can recommend or areas near the university that are too student-dominated?

Also look further west on University Ave or perhaps a bit closer in like the Greenbush/Vilas neighborhood. Not nearly as many rentals there, though.

[LiveitLoveit]

Congrats on your match!

There are new apartments on University Bay across the street from the hopsital (near the VA) but maybe that is too close? The area around Farley, between University (main university and "old university" that parallenls Campus dr) and the large cemetary, from Whole Foods to Breese Terr, is often popular with residents. Vilas, Greenbush-Regent and Monroe street area are also close to the hospital, restaurants and Trader Joes. Near Hilldale is nice too, but a bit farther from downtown.

The downtown area itself is either really expensive (near the government buildings and lakes) or has students (closer to campus. I love with Willy st area, but as someone mentioned, you'd have to go through the crowded isthmus and that can slow travel considerably at peak hours. For a new resident at the hospital who also wants to live in a bikable area, I would focus on living between Hilldale mall and The vilas Zoo. Stay away from the area between campus and Regent street and breese terrace- that is very undergrad. This keeps you off the isthmus, eccept when you want to visit.

I would also avoid Eagle Heights. It is nice, but always described as "quiet". It is secluded and that can be nice, but it doesn't go with the lifestyle you describe (downtown, bike to things, etc).

Also, in Madison, many near campus leases start Aug 15th. On the west side of Campus near the hospital and farther west you'll likely get less of that. One option is to look for a place with a summer sublet (prob starting June 1) that you can also renew for the next year.

These people might be able to help you more: University of Wisconsin Hospital House Staff Association (UWHA)

Most of Madison is fantastic - if rent seesm really low compared to other places, be suspicious. but otherwise, most areas are nice, friendly, clean and safe.

I hope you'll love it here! (I am a fellow and live on the far west side. But my hours are much better than when I was a resident so I am ok with a 10-20 min commute!)