Madison, Wisconsin

State-Langdon is one of the hottest spots for the student crowd. You’re on the border of campus and incredibly cheap eats are always available at the food trucks outside Memorial Library. Plenty of bars for nighttime refreshments and tons of new apartment buildings along University Avenue offer “reasonable” pricing on close proximity housing.

• State-Langdon
• Campus (UW is integrated into the city so the actual Campus is a neighborhood)
• Vilas (if you’re looking for a quieter option)

There are several options for young professionals in Madison but Downtown should be your starting point in a search. First off, you are living on “the Isthmus” here and that gives you incredible views of the Capitol Dome, and Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. In addition to the view you get amazing restaurants and nightlife, and the center of the city’s arts scene – all within walking distance. Within your Downtown search check out the First Settlement neighborhood. It has an incredible concentration of arts, city greenery, community activities and cool boutique restaurants, bars and living options. https://stevebrownapts.com/2013/07/17/4-ideal-neighborhoods-for-young-professionals-moving-to-madison/

• Downtown
• First Settlement
• Marquette

Monroe-Dudgeon is a really interesting option for those who want a walkable social life but also are interested in a bit more of a chill vibe. Tons of groovy cafes, restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, and galleries keep the night and daylife active but there is more of a home and condo/grown-up residential scene that keeps the college and just-out-of-college crew at arm’s length. https://www.cityofmadison.com/neighborhoods/profile/19.html

• Dudgeon-Monroe
• Schenk-Atwood
• Tenney-Lapham

Madison has several hotspots for those looking for LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods. Middleton has the highest concentration of community residents in the city and a mix of commercial - restaurants, bars and shopping, greenery with great parks, and businesses - in case you are lucky enough to work in the neighborhood. East Side is another popular option with a big arts scene and tons of walkable social and shopping spots.

• Middleton
• East Side

If you’re a Downtown kind of family then look at Dudgeon-Monroe. It’s walkable to a big locally-owned social scene but filled with beautiful Mid-Century Modern homes and bungalows. You also have access to some of the best public schools in the city and incredible outdoor recreation opportunities with Lake Wingra on the edge of the neighborhood. If instead you’re ready for quieter, more “suburban” city options then look at Wexford. Located in West Madison, you’re in the heart of great public and private school options. It has tons of community activities, a great swim club (critical in the culture of Midwestern summers, a water park and plenty of interesting restaurants and shopping.

• Dudgeon-Monroe
• Wexford
• Westmorland
• Shorewood Hills