<p>Hey all -
I'll be an incoming engineering grad student come fall. I had some questions for folks already living it up in madison.
Does anyone have suggestions for places or districts to check out as far as off campus living is concerned? Cool neighborhoods, reasonable prices, close to the amenities (ie within bike or walking distance from campus, bars, grocery, shopping, parks). I would prefer a house to an apartment.
This may not apply to some people here (<21), but what is the madison social scene like? I'm talking bars, off campus cafes, hangout spots. Is there an active live music scene?</p>
<p>For engineering I would look to the Vilas/Monroe area just south/southest of campus or the area along University Avenue just west of campus. There are rental houses and apartments throughout the area and as you get a few blocks away from campus it gets more quiet with fewer undergrads. I once rented a flat in a larger old house near Vilas and Monroe. It was wonderful. Monroe Street has some nice shops and restaurants and you can walk or ride/bus to campus in a few minutes. You also are close to Vilas Zoo and Park and the UW Arboretum. The west University area is similar but lacks the amenities. </p>
<p>The social scens focuses on bars, restaurants, coffee houses and some music clubs. The live music scene is down a little from the peak which was in the late 70’s/80’s. There are good live music venues featuring both touring bands and local acts. Probably about a dozen or so at present. Back in the day the number was closer to 25.</p>
<p>Great response, just the kind of info I was looking for. Thank you much!</p>
<p>One source is the off campus housing site found under “more” of the student life on the UW home page. Not all places list there- Smith Management has decent apts close to the end of campus you desire as well as many others. Try your dept for info as well.</p>
<p>thanks for the tip. These houses in madison look nice compared to what i’m forced to live in now! $400 a month here gets you four dry walls and a **** stained carpet.</p>
<p>There are a number of apartment complexes on Sheboygan Ave that house grad students, married and un-married, older, and retired folks. This is not party central. When I first came to Madison in 2004 I lived at the Monticello Apartments, [The</a> Monticello: Apartments in Madison, Wisconsin 1 and 2 Bedroom](<a href=“http://www.themonticello.com/]The”>http://www.themonticello.com/). The 15 bus came right up to the driveway. One block away there were four or five other buses that went right to campus and also passed in front of the COE. It was very quiet, and the newly redeveloped and increasingly high end Hilldale Shopping Center, [Hilldale</a> Shopping Center | Madison, Wisconsin](<a href=“http://www.hilldale.com/]Hilldale”>http://www.hilldale.com/), which includes the Sundance movie theaters, is only a few blocks away. You can walk there for shopping including food shopping at the recently redone and upgraded Metcalfe’s Sentry supermarket, [Metcalfe?s</a> Sentry](<a href=“Metcalfe's Market”>http://www.shopmetcalfes.com/). Lots of restaurants. You are also just one block off of University with all its stores including a Borders, another supermarket, Steve’s liquor store, UW Credit Union, and more.</p>
<p>Drawback: although not far away, it is not really walkable to campus. You can bike it, but I wouldn’t recommend that you ride on University Ave. or Campus Drive. Too many cars. There are parallel streets that are less dangerous.</p>