50 y/o Single Moving to Madison. What area do you recommend? (Monroe: leasing, neighborhoods)

[Jaydon13]

Like the title says, 50 y/o and single might be moving to Madison area for work. Don't want to be living with the undergrads, but don't want to have a lengthy commute to after work/weekend activities either. What areas would you recommend? I figure on leasing for the first year at least. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Megan1967]

Can you be a little more specific on what you are looking for other than a student free zone?

[Jaydon13]

A good walking neighborhood. Near restaurants, entertainment, etc.
I'd rather commute to work and be close to after work/weekend activities than be close to work and have nothing to do close by.

[Megan1967]

Monroe/Regent Street are walkable neighborhoods on the near west side. There are a couple of restaurants, loads of specialty shops and a Trader Joe's.

Williamson Street is on the east side and leans more toward the restaurant end of things. There are a ton of good places to eat in that neighborhood and some shopping/specialty stores as well. It's more Bohemian/artsy than Monroe Street which is an affluent area. Ironically, it costs an arm and a leg to buy a place in either neighborhood, but the vibe is very different.

Atwood Ave has some good restaurants, the Barrymore theater (indy music venue), some specialty shops. I would say it is more a place to live than to visit, however. The other two neighborhoods are destinations for people from other places. People love to comb the shops on Monroe Street and lots of people go out to Willy Street for dinner and drinks. While you're pretty much not a Madisonian until you've eaten at Monty's Blue Plate, I would say that the businesses along there cater mainly to people who live in the neighborhood.

[Jaydon13]

Great info Megan. Thanks for your input. I'll be in Madison tomorrow and Thursday and I will be sure to check out those areas.