Tell me about Madison, Wisconsin

[Cat_Whisperer]

{school marm ON}
Alright, all you Wisconsin Dopers, when we come back to Wisconsin some summer in the future for our cheese tour, I expect quite a few people to show up to the Dopefest.
{/SM}

[Lamia]

@fluiddruid

There was an awesome bookstore - the name escapes me - right near West Towne Mall. On the north/west side of the mall, I believe.

Well, there’s a very large Barnes & Noble in that general area, but maybe you’re thinking of Frugal Muse? Their West Side location is in the High Point Center near West Towne.

Madison is a surprisingly good city with regard to restaurants. I’ve heard it has the most per capita of any city in the US. You can find just about any kind of ethnic restaurant, and most places in town are fairly vegetarian friendly.

(I no longer live in Madison but did for several years.)

[Barrels]

@fluiddruid

Back to the Allied Drive thing for a sec. In college, some friends of mine lived a block from Allied Drive and it wasn’t so bad. I wouldn’t want to live on Allied Drive itself, but the neighborhoods get pretty nice within a pretty short stretch. It’s not like here in Des Moines where there are blocks and blocks of low-income housing; it’s pretty much just Allied Drive itself (at least circa 2000).

Allied has grown in the last 8 years and not in a good way. I would also avoid the Tree Ln area of the West side, at least the part closer to Memorial HS.

Brooklyn might be a good option as well. It’s a little further out than Oregon, but quick and easy in to Fish Hatchery.

[moonstarssun]

Another Madisonian checking in (add me to the DopeFest list!)…

I agree that Fitchburg is a good option to check into. It’s not the most thrilling suburb, but it’s affordable and kid-friendly. And it’s not like anywhere in the area is far from downtown, where the real action is.

And welcome to Madison! It’s a great city.

[SanibelMan]

Thanks again. Two more questions:

1. Does anyone know of a decent short-term rental hotel that’s not too expensive or too sleazy? My benefits won’t kick in until March 1, so my wife needs to stay here and work for the insurance. I just need a place to stay until March. Preferably a place that’s not too filled with prostitutes and meth cookers.

2. What’s the village of Waunakee like? My wife is falling in love with it over the internet.

[GameHat]

@Barrels

Allied has grown in the last 8 years and not in a good way. I would also avoid the Tree Ln area of the West side, at least the part closer to Memorial HS.

Yes to both of these.

I grew up in Madison and went to the University there. Sadly, I had to leave to take a job. I miss it.

Allied Drive is not a good area. My grandfather used to own some apartments there (maybe 15-20 years ago). He got out because the area was getting bad. He was a good landlord (One of my art teachers in middle school was a tenant, she told me so) but yeah there are a lot of bad ones.

I went to Memorial HS, and Jefferson MS which are right next to Tree Lane. Tree Lane isn’t a horrible place, at least when I left (2004). I had a friend that lived there. It had a lot of low-income housing though. Maybe it’s gotten worse.

Madison is absolutely fantastic. Hope you enjoy it. Having a few beers with some friends on the Memorial Terrace in the summer is wonderful.

[Barrels]

@SanibelMan

Thanks again. Two more questions:

1. Does anyone know of a decent short-term rental hotel that’s not too expensive or too sleazy? My benefits won’t kick in until March 1, so my wife needs to stay here and work for the insurance. I just need a place to stay until March. Preferably a place that’s not too filled with prostitutes and meth cookers.

2. What’s the village of Waunakee like? My wife is falling in love with it over the internet.

Not sure about #1. What’s your budget?

#2… Well it’s the only Waunakee in the world. That’s got to count for something. They have a Walgreens and…and… well they have a Walgreens. They must have a really good web page designer! In addition it’s most likely one of the most difficult suburbs to navigate to Fish Hatch from.
YMMV.

[SanibelMan]

We could probably afford around $500/month for the two months. There are efficiencies available at that rate, but not with month-to-month leases, that I can see.

[Barrels]

@SanibelMan

We could probably afford around $500/month for the two months. There are efficiencies available at that rate, but not with month-to-month leases, that I can see.

Try calling Veridin Homes, they often buy out leases for people that purchase one of their homes. Then they will try and rent them out for the time left on the lease.