University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW Madison) 2016

[biochemm]

On 4/22/2016 at 5:41 PM, mandark said:

Hi Everyone,

Does any current UW student have any experience with the "Harvey Street" apartments.

At $900 for a furnished 2 bedroom, this deal sounds too good to be true.

https://www.housing.wisc.edu/apartments-apply-rates.htm

I haven't been but the grad student housing (all three locations) are supposed to be quite nice.

[Denominator]

1 hour ago, biochemm said:

I haven't been but the grad student housing (all three locations) are supposed to be quite nice.

I was able to tour Eagle Heights and University Houses.  Eagle Heights were older, but very decent and appeared to be well maintained.  University Houses were/are being redone and are very, very nice. My impression is that the Harvey Street ones are about on par with Eagle Heights.  The price include all bills but electricity.  It is a pretty sweet deal.

[mandark]

2 hours ago, Denominator said:

I was able to tour Eagle Heights and University Houses.  Eagle Heights were older, but very decent and appeared to be well maintained.  University Houses were/are being redone and are very, very nice. My impression is that the Harvey Street ones are about on par with Eagle Heights.  The price include all bills but electricity.  It is a pretty sweet deal.

Yup, probably going to do that!

What program are you all starting?

Im going in for PhD in physics.

[biochemm]

18 hours ago, mandark said:

Yup, probably going to do that!

What program are you all starting?

Im going in for PhD in physics.

PhD Nutrition, in the Biochem/Molecular track. The program here is awesome, lot of the big discoveries in the field have come from here so I'm pretty excited.

[mandark]

Anybody have any tips for moving to Madison?

I'll be coming from California and never lived in snowy locations before.

 

Edited May 11, 2016 by mandark

[Denominator]

13 hours ago, mandark said:

Anybody have any tips for moving to Madison?

I'll be coming from California and never lived in snowy locations before.

 

I'm also very eager to hear any cold weather advice~

[currentphilgrad]

I'm currently living in California, but I'm from the midwest (about 2 hours from Madison). The number one tip I have for surviving cold weather is function over fashion. You'll need to get a nice pair of warm, waterproof boots to deal with the snow (I have Sorels). Given that you've never lived in the cold before, I recommend a long coat. A hat that covers your ears is a must. Also, (even though this is what I wear in winter), knit gloves don't really do much. Look for something more substantial. Finally, for those days when the temperature drops into the negatives, long underwear is a great way to keep warm. The wind just goes right through jeans.

Oh and, if you have a car, you'll need a snow scraper. Turn on your car and put on the defroster. Let that run for a while to get the ice melted off the car. Then use the scraper and brush to get rid of the excess snow and ice. Also related to cars, watch out for black ice!

Another thing to consider (though I don't know the temperatures in Berkeley or Texas) is that the fall will be colder than you're used to. During this transition time, if you don't want to wear a heavy coat, I recommend wearing a hoodie with a scarf and gloves (this is for the cold days in fall. Not just a typical day). 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If you have any other specific questions about the midwest I can answer them (I did spend 20 years there). In the meantime I'll ask my partner if he has any advice to add since he's also a midwesterner. 

[mandark]

17 hours ago, currentphilgrad said:

I'm currently living in California, but I'm from the midwest (about 2 hours from Madison). The number one tip I have for surviving cold weather is function over fashion. You'll need to get a nice pair of warm, waterproof boots to deal with the snow (I have Sorels). Given that you've never lived in the cold before, I recommend a long coat. A hat that covers your ears is a must. Also, (even though this is what I wear in winter), knit gloves don't really do much. Look for something more substantial. Finally, for those days when the temperature drops into the negatives, long underwear is a great way to keep warm. The wind just goes right through jeans.

Oh and, if you have a car, you'll need a snow scraper. Turn on your car and put on the defroster. Let that run for a while to get the ice melted off the car. Then use the scraper and brush to get rid of the excess snow and ice. Also related to cars, watch out for black ice!

Another thing to consider (though I don't know the temperatures in Berkeley or Texas) is that the fall will be colder than you're used to. During this transition time, if you don't want to wear a heavy coat, I recommend wearing a hoodie with a scarf and gloves (this is for the cold days in fall. Not just a typical day). 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If you have any other specific questions about the midwest I can answer them (I did spend 20 years there). In the meantime I'll ask my partner if he has any advice to add since he's also a midwesterner. 

Wow, didnt realize I would have to get a new wardrobe! Thanks for the advice!

I don't plan to drive but this is good to keep in mind just in case. =D

How about bags? It doesnt rain here much, but when is does my papers get soggy. Are there any specific bags to look into to keep the snow out?

 

[currentphilgrad]

On 5/12/2016 at 3:23 PM, mandark said:

Wow, didnt realize I would have to get a new wardrobe! Thanks for the advice!

I don't plan to drive but this is good to keep in mind just in case. =D

How about bags? It doesnt rain here much, but when is does my papers get soggy. Are there any specific bags to look into to keep the snow out?

 

Honestly, I've never had a special backpack for snow. I don't remember ever even looking into one that was waterproof or resistant, so I think you'll be fine with anything.

[Denominator]

On 5/12/2016 at 11:29 PM, currentphilgrad said:

I'm currently living in California, but I'm from the midwest (about 2 hours from Madison). The number one tip I have for surviving cold weather is function over fashion. You'll need to get a nice pair of warm, waterproof boots to deal with the snow (I have Sorels). Given that you've never lived in the cold before, I recommend a long coat. A hat that covers your ears is a must. Also, (even though this is what I wear in winter), knit gloves don't really do much. Look for something more substantial. Finally, for those days when the temperature drops into the negatives, long underwear is a great way to keep warm. The wind just goes right through jeans.

Oh and, if you have a car, you'll need a snow scraper. Turn on your car and put on the defroster. Let that run for a while to get the ice melted off the car. Then use the scraper and brush to get rid of the excess snow and ice. Also related to cars, watch out for black ice!

Another thing to consider (though I don't know the temperatures in Berkeley or Texas) is that the fall will be colder than you're used to. During this transition time, if you don't want to wear a heavy coat, I recommend wearing a hoodie with a scarf and gloves (this is for the cold days in fall. Not just a typical day). 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If you have any other specific questions about the midwest I can answer them (I did spend 20 years there). In the meantime I'll ask my partner if he has any advice to add since he's also a midwesterner. 

 

Thanks for the details!  I'll definitely be buying a new wardrobe.  I heard it's better to wait until I'm up north to buy the clothes.  Is that true? In Texas it'll be pushing 90 all the way until November.  We only had a few days below freezing this year.  It's definitely going to be a huge transition.    

[Denominator]

I signed a lease for an Eagle Heights 2 bedroom last week.  So they're getting that ball rolling.

[currentphilgrad]

On 5/16/2016 at 9:00 AM, Denominator said:

 

Thanks for the details!  I'll definitely be buying a new wardrobe.  I heard it's better to wait until I'm up north to buy the clothes.  Is that true? In Texas it'll be pushing 90 all the way until November.  We only had a few days below freezing this year.  It's definitely going to be a huge transition.    

I would guess the selection is much better up north. I mean I've seen Californians in winter coats before, but my first thought is always "where did they buy that?" (well, honestly my first thought is "this is not winter coat weather"). You could start doing some online research of which things are warmest; but, if you buy it now, that's just more stuff you'll have to bring with you when you move.

[mandark]

2 hours ago, Denominator said:

I signed a lease for an Eagle Heights 2 bedroom last week.  So they're getting that ball rolling.

Im jealous, I submitted my application to Eagle Heights about a week ago and no response yet! =0

Do you mind if I ask when you applied?

Edited May 17, 2016 by mandark

[mandark]

27 minutes ago, currentphilgrad said:

I would guess the selection is much better up north. I mean I've seen Californians in winter coats before, but my first thought is always "where did they buy that?" (well, honestly my first thought is "this is not winter coat weather"). You could start doing some online research of which things are warmest; but, if you buy it now, that's just more stuff you'll have to bring with you when you move.

Good to know! My only winter clothes are my snowboarding gear! haha

So far on the list are: good snow shows, warm hat, long underwear, and a thick warm coat.

Anything else to add?

[Denominator]

2 hours ago, mandark said:

Im jealous, I submitted my application to Eagle Heights about a week ago and no response yet! =0

Do you mind if I ask when you applied?

I applied back in December. I also have a family.  They told me they give priority to families.   You might try emailing Peggy (referenced earlier in this thread) she's super helpful and will hopefully be able to tell you where you stand.