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Madison is a great city, it is beautiful during the warm months, but winter sucks!!! We just got 5in. of snow dumped on us...on March 16th.
As far as costs go, it's not, say, New York, but things are definitely getting pricier than they were a few years ago. You can get a studio for about $500, one BR from $600. There are a lot of newer apartment buildings (but they are generally populated by drunk undergrads) but there are many apartment buildings off of campus (a 10-minute bus ride away) that mainly house grad students. Lots of cute neighborhoods and local shops, restaurants, etc. You can get by without a car (but it's better if you have one) and the bus is free for students.
On the down side, there *are* a lot of drunk students out at night which is more annoying than anything else. It starts to feel like a small town after a year or so.
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Madison, WI
Started by enoksrd, Mar 09 2006 08:10 AM
189 replies to this topic
#21
jennesy
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Posted 19 March 2006 - 01:10 AM
#22
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Posted 19 March 2006 - 01:47 AM
I would have to disagree with jennesy about the car. Its really tough without one. Cant even touch public trans in cjicago/new york. Campus is huge and city is spread out. And, unfortunately, Id have to say there is only one street to hang out. Its pretty boring actually unless your a drunk undergrad.
#23
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Posted 19 March 2006 - 06:58 PM
I'm a current grad student at UW in poli sci, and I wanted to throw in a few thoughts. First, Madison can be tough without a car, particularly since there are not a lot of grocery stores around campus. But, it's do-able, and there's a relatively new car sharing company (Community Car) that a lot of people I know use and is reasonable on the wallet. There are many people in my department who don't have cars and survive just fine. (The campus isn't that spread out, especially the parts where most grad students spend their time.)
I'm paying a little over $300 a month for a large group house. If you're looking into coming here, keep in mind that the heating in the winter can be outrageous, so factor that into your expenses if it's not covered by the rent.
I definitely haven't been bothered by the undergrads' partying. Yes, they do it a lot, but it doesn't interfere with my academic or social lives. There's lots of social and academic options that attract primarily grad students. I came here from Washington, DC, and am really happy with the experience so far. I'd be happy to answer more questions if anyone's got them.
I'm paying a little over $300 a month for a large group house. If you're looking into coming here, keep in mind that the heating in the winter can be outrageous, so factor that into your expenses if it's not covered by the rent.
I definitely haven't been bothered by the undergrads' partying. Yes, they do it a lot, but it doesn't interfere with my academic or social lives. There's lots of social and academic options that attract primarily grad students. I came here from Washington, DC, and am really happy with the experience so far. I'd be happy to answer more questions if anyone's got them.
#24
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Posted 19 March 2006 - 07:11 PM
Oh yeah, it's definitely better if you have a car. I didn't mean to imply that Madison is completely manageable without a car - it's not. If you don't have one you can get by, but you'll need to find a friend with a car if you want to do major grocery shopping, go to Target, etc. There aren't any real grocery stores downtown, but you can take the bus (which sucks, but is possible). The busses are infrequent on weekends and at night, and don't always go where you need to go. Community Car is great, it's a car-sharing service. There are also (pricey) cabs and the Women's Transit Authority in Madison which provides free rides for doctor's appts., late night, etc.
But if you have a car and are coming to Madison - bring it. It's not Chicago or New York.
I'm starting my 6th year here in Madison and haven't had a car, but really wish I did. I can (try) to answer any other questions you have about Madison!
But if you have a car and are coming to Madison - bring it. It's not Chicago or New York.
I'm starting my 6th year here in Madison and haven't had a car, but really wish I did. I can (try) to answer any other questions you have about Madison!
#25
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Posted 20 March 2006 - 06:37 AM
biggest problem with Madison. The people here think they are in Berkeley, and resent the fact that they aren't. I don't like it.
#26
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Posted 25 March 2006 - 03:24 PM
this may be a personal taste, but are any small cafes and 'sit and study' type establisments near campus?
#27
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Posted 25 March 2006 - 03:27 PM
yeah, there are lots of coffee shops near campus where you can spread out and sit for hours.
#28
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 09:03 AM
I've decided to go to Wisconsin-Madision for my Ph.D. studies. Can anyone tell me something about which part is a better place to live for grad students (not too loud; not too many parties; cheap rent). how much does a three-bedroom apt usually cost? That's what I'm thinking, sharing a three-bedroom apt, coz i suppose that would help save money. (if anyone would like to start up a group now, that would be great) plus, i'm going to the school of journalism and mass comm. if anyone knows about this school, i'm definitely interested in learning more about it. thanks.
#29
pistolwink
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 09:28 AM
I just replied on the other thread, too...I'm not sure what a three-bedroom costs. The person I stayed with was paying something like $550 for a one-bedroom.
#30
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 04:22 PM
For a 3 bedroom expect to pay about $1000. For quieter areas of campus, look towards the near east side (Jenifer St/Willy St area) or University Heights/Old University Ave. area. Both of these areas are quieter than the undergrad areas downtown (which are generally noisier). Both areas are a short (10 min.) bus ride to campus, you can also bike to campus from these areas pretty easily.
#31
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Posted 04 April 2006 - 04:29 AM
hi. i'll be a phd student in econ at wisconsin. i came straight from ug, but i'm not used to 1) noise; 2) partying; 3) public drunkeness. is there any place on or near (Walking distance) from campus for grad students only? i'm looking for a 1 bedroom apartment costing about 600 per month (heat included) - and AC would also be nice.
#32
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Posted 04 April 2006 - 03:14 PM
Try the Old University Ave/University Heights area. It's on the near west side of town (west side of campus) near the med school. Lots of grad students, profs, and older undergrads live there. Lots of student apt buildings there, populated with older students. The near east side is good too, quieter, but a bit farther away from campus.
The campus' CIVC website has a good apartment-hunting website, http://housing.civc.....edu/search.asp
Good luck!
The campus' CIVC website has a good apartment-hunting website, http://housing.civc.....edu/search.asp
Good luck!
#33
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Posted 05 April 2006 - 04:51 AM
is the east side near the William H. Sewell Social Science Building? I don't think I'll bring a car, so being in walking distance is important. When is everyone going to move in?
#34
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Posted 05 April 2006 - 12:47 PM
i've checked out the CIVC site. but the ones i'm looking for are so expensive to me, and a lot of are looking for women roomies :-( right now, i'm living in a three-bedroom apt and the three of us pay 700 per month totally for the rent (excluding utilities and all). so i was expecting to find below $300 per person rent in a 2-to-4-bedroom apt. is it possible? i'm thinking of moving in around mid-august. i could move in earlier in june or july if there are good deals avaiable. jennesy, do you know where the Vilas Hall (821 University Avenue) is. is to on the east or west side of the campus?
#35
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Posted 05 April 2006 - 04:07 PM
I'm currently looking for an apartment on the East Side of Madison with my fiance...
We have some requirements such as needing W/D or W/D hookups, need two parking spaces, looking for a nice one or possibly two bedroom place.
I've found the Trafalgar Apartments, its near the airport and very close to the East Side Park and Ride. Does anyone know anything positive or negative about this complex or how noise complaints are about living close to the airport?
Thanks!
We have some requirements such as needing W/D or W/D hookups, need two parking spaces, looking for a nice one or possibly two bedroom place.
I've found the Trafalgar Apartments, its near the airport and very close to the East Side Park and Ride. Does anyone know anything positive or negative about this complex or how noise complaints are about living close to the airport?
Thanks!
#36
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Posted 05 April 2006 - 06:43 PM
There is an article about animal abuse in UW laboratories (http://www.stopanima...orstlabs_01.asp) that begins "It’s tempting to call the University of Wisconsin-Madison the nexus of evil in the world, but we’ll simply call it the worst animal-abusing university in the country."
some people in the uni are, but there stomped down nowadays by the corrupt conservative money-grubbing administration and the town is definately not liberal.
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#37
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Posted 05 April 2006 - 07:42 PM
Most people move in/out around Aug. 14-16, that's when the leases generally end and start up again. Most leases in Madison run for one year, starting around Aug. 14-16.
I doubt you'll be able to find a 3-bedroom close to campus for $700/mo. A one bedroom near campus is $550-600. Expect to pay at least $900-1000/mo for a 3-bedroom.
The Social Sciences building and Vilas hall are both in the "middle" of campus, but closer to the east side than west (where the med school/engineering buildings are). Both of these buildings are accessible by bus and bike from the near east side (the airport is a bit far from campus, you'll need to drive or bus in every day).
I doubt you'll be able to find a 3-bedroom close to campus for $700/mo. A one bedroom near campus is $550-600. Expect to pay at least $900-1000/mo for a 3-bedroom.
The Social Sciences building and Vilas hall are both in the "middle" of campus, but closer to the east side than west (where the med school/engineering buildings are). Both of these buildings are accessible by bus and bike from the near east side (the airport is a bit far from campus, you'll need to drive or bus in every day).
#38
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 07:24 PM
Please post Apt Building names that have great management - andare for grad only. I'm looking for anything 15 minutes walk from east campus.
#39
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Posted 14 April 2006 - 08:58 PM
I have some brochures that my department gave me when I visited - things like "Housing in Madison" etc. I keep seeing suggestions for "Where to stay in Madison while you're looking for housing" lists, which kind of worry me - is it impossible to find a place to live WITHOUT visiting?! I'm coming from CA and flights there are kinda pricey...I know it's not the BEST method of finding housing (it would be nice to see where I'd be living....ehhh) but I don't really know if it's feasible.
Also, how late is too late to secure a lease? Are there still apts available as late as June-July? There must be some, right? :shock:
Also, how late is too late to secure a lease? Are there still apts available as late as June-July? There must be some, right? :shock:
#40
pistolwink
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Posted 14 April 2006 - 10:01 PM
Guest, you're not in Comm Arts, by any chance, are you?
And the website said that lots of people don't sign leases until the summer, so it sounds like we don't need to be worried about waiting a while longer. Can any Madisonites (Madisonians?) confirm that?
As for finding a place without visiting, though...I know people who have done that and had to move out within the first couple of weeks because of rats, etc. Not in Madison, but still...
And the website said that lots of people don't sign leases until the summer, so it sounds like we don't need to be worried about waiting a while longer. Can any Madisonites (Madisonians?) confirm that?
As for finding a place without visiting, though...I know people who have done that and had to move out within the first couple of weeks because of rats, etc. Not in Madison, but still...
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