If biking, craft beers and festivals galore are your jam, make haste to Madison, proudly located in the southern section of The Badger State. Just be sure to pack a parka because those Wisconsin winters are no joke.
One of the most random, but coolest things about the surprisingly eclectic city of Madison, is that the city is on an isthmus. One of only two major cities in the U.S. to have this distinction, Madison is smack in between two lakes — Monona and Mendota. That, plus the fact that it’s also one of the best cities in the world for cycling, makes Madison an outdoorsy person’s literal paradise.
It’s also a hotbed for lovers of food, drink and entertainment. There are too many libation-laden festivals in the greater Madison area to count, but one that everyone knows about is Brat Fest, which dispenses bratwursts to the masses every Memorial Day weekend. And, oh, the music. There’s so very much music in Madison!
So, now you know that Madison is metaphorically cooler than you ever thought. The hard part is choosing which neighborhood to call home. Fortunately, there are a bunch of fab options.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,035
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,275
- Walk Score: 92/100
Downtown is but one of the bustling neighborhoods found on Madison’s legendary isthmus. It’s significantly more affordable than Near East, and the walk score of 92 makes it a pedestrian paradise! Thanks to its location, Downtown is not surprisingly home to a stacked setup of shopping, restaurants and nightlife options. Much of this is found on State Street, which features more than 135 brick-and-mortar retail options, as well as pop-up artists of all mediums. Live music is a nearly constant occurrence, and the Orpheum Theater, which is just blocks from the Wisconsin State Capitol building, still rocks on the regular.
Downtown is also very near to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, so there’s a heavy student presence. Although the school certainly lends a youthful vibrancy to the area, it also contributes to the noise, traffic and crowd levels. It doesn’t help that tourists to Wisconsin flock to Downtown, especially during the beautiful summer months. But nothing’s totally perfect, right?
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,482
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,965
- Walk Score: 87/100
Marquette, also known as Willy Street (because it’s on Williamson Street, get it?) has perhaps even more personality than neighboring Schenk-Atwood. Basically, if you’re at all bohemian, you want to live in Marquette. You also want to live there if exotic foods are your passion, as the neighborhood is chock full of all types of cuisine, like Laotian, Cajun, Mexican and much more.
Marquette is also the center of the Madison festival community, so leave the windows open during the milder months and enjoy the faint (or not so faint) strains of music all day long. The festival season kicks off every June thanks to Marquette’s two-day Waterfront Festival, held in Yahara Place Park.
Although there are plenty of new and progressive ideas in Marquette, they all happen in a historic neighborhood. Some of the homes and buildings date back to the 1800s and have been lovingly preserved, so a stroll through Marquette is an architectural festival for the eyes, as well.
Source: Rent.com/River’s Edge & Fordem Towers
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,567
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,047
- Walk Score: 64/100
The neighborhood name says it all — Near East is just east, and very near, to the lakes and isthmus that make Madison so unique. Indeed, this positioning is the prime reason that many renters choose to call the Near East neighborhood home, as it’s close to everything the area has to offer.
There are plenty of housing opportunities to choose from in the Near East neighborhood. No matter where you settle, you’re likely to end up with a festival nearly in your backyard at some point. Other events are far from standard, including the annual Madfest Juggling Convention, which draws jugglers from around the world. Locals also love to peruse the booths at the Dane County Farmers Market, located at Garver Feed Mill on Saturdays. Or, take in a show at The Sylvee, which hosts everything from RuPaul’s Drag Race to the rock legends, Primus.
Although many families choose to rent further out, Near East is actually a great option, as it boasts great schools, low crime and is super bike-friendly.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,189
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,629
- Walk Score: 64/100
Just to the — wait for it — west of the isthmus is the Near West neighborhood of Madison. This is less of an area for college students, probably better suited to young families who want to stay close to the action, but not too much so. Near West also boasts multiple hospital options, including American Family Children’s Hospital, UW Health University Hospital, Meriter Hospital and more.
Appropriately for those with little ones, the Near West neighborhood is where one can find the Henry Vilas Zoo, a 28-acre animal sanctuary that’s totally free to the public (parking included!) Although not on the isthmus itself, much of Near West’s property still lies on the banks of the two primary lakes, plus the smaller Lake Wingra to its southern border. Bring on the kayaks, sailboats and fishing rods!
Native American culture is never far from mind in Near West, as it (as much of Madison) is on the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation’s ancestral lands. The burial mounds not destroyed in the name of progress are must-visits for anyone interested in the storied history of American Indians in the area. The best-preserved is in Near West’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
- Median 1-BR rent: $990
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,230
- Walk Score: 39/100
Although North Madison is the most affordable neighborhood on our list so far, it’s also far less walkable than the neighborhoods on the isthmus. However, what it lacks in pedestrian access, it makes up for in natural beauty. On the northeast end of Lake Mendota, the North Madison neighborhood is more than half surrounded by the lake, as well as the Yahara River.
Located within its confines is the southern chunk of the Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, which has thousands of acres of prairie and wetlands. Visitors love to hike, ski and even snowshoe the preserved area to look for birds and generally enjoy Mother Nature.
Further out from the city than some of the other neighborhoods we’ve featured so far, North Madison is a decidedly quieter place to live. With excellent schools to its credit, North Madison is an ideal place to raise a family, especially one that likes to head outside for fun and games.
Source: Rent.com/Tree Lane Park Apartments
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,457
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,760
- Walk Score: 64/100
Up against the western border of Lake Mendota and stretching further west is the North West neighborhood of Madison. A mix of historic and new homes and buildings, North West Madison is the very best of Madison’s past and present. With excellent schools and plenty of property for breathing room, North West’s suburban atmosphere is still very diverse and inclusive.
Still fairly close to the university campus, there’s a fair amount of spillover residents, especially faculty and staff who want to live near, but not on, campus. Of particular interest is the presence of the West Madison Agricultural Research Station, used by many branches of the university that have to do with plant and animal breeding and welfare. The site also hosts free, public demonstrations on all types of topics, like perennial gardening, organic gardening, shrub pruning and so on. Of course, the pooches are always welcome for a friendly frolic at Walnut Grove Dog Park.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,567
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,070
- Walk Score: 87/100
On the southeastern section of the isthmus is the neighborhood of Schenk-Atwood, which is known for being a little bit funky. This diversely-populated section of Madison is legendary for its wide array of ethnic restaurants and eclectic, independently-owned shops.
Previously a blue-collar neighborhood, Schenk-Atwood’s colorful revitalization makes it a welcome spot for all types of artists, but it has a fair mix of professionals, as well. The central gem of the neighborhood is widely considered the Barrymore Theater, which locals revitalized after years as a porn-film theater.
Although not quite as walkable as Downtown, Schenk-Atwood’s score of 87 is nonetheless very impressive. This is great news, given the fact that outdoor time is a daily way of life in the neighborhood, as it’s surrounded on three out of four sides by water (Yahara River, Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona). It’s also necessary to get plenty of exercise if you live in this neighborhood because it’s home to one of the best chocolatiers in the world, Gail Ambrosius.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,237
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,525
- Walk Score: 64/100
On the southeastern end of Lake Monona is the sprawling neighborhood of South East Madison. Although less walkable than the neighborhoods on the isthmus, it has its own bevy of benefits. Among those is the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, which sits on the ancestral lands of the Ho-Chunk Nation. The non-profit organization uses programming for people of all ages to learn about ecosystems, sustainability and more environmental matters. It also has a selection of free trails to choose from!
South East’s slight distance from Downtown makes it a bit less expensive than other neighborhoods, a fact that its range of residents in all age groups appreciate. This distance from the city center also means that it has green space for days, with multiple parks in its bounds. Olbrich Park, in particular, is one of Madison’s largest lakefront offerings and features everything from ice rinks to softball fields. It’s also just next door to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 16 acres’ worth of totally free, plant-tended grounds. Pay a little extra to enter the site’s Bolz Conservatory, which boasts birds, plants, a waterfall and gorgeous orchids!
Source: Rent.com/Peloton Residences
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,459
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,092
- Walk Score: 51/100
Moving further south, the expansive neighborhood of South Madison stretches east to west and borders multiple lakes, including Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa and the small, but still mighty, Lake Wingra. The crown jewel of the neighborhood is the University of Wisconsin, Madison Arboretum, which is 1,200+ acres’ worth of native plants and animals, carefully brought back from neglected properties. The facility offers free guided nature walks, adult education programs and free family nature programs among their wide range of programming.
That’s not the only natural offering this neighborhood has, though. To its east is the Turville Point Conservation Park on Lake Monona, as well as the Lunney Lake Farm County Park on Lake Waubesa.
It’s also less expensive to call South Madison home than it is to live Downtown, but it’s only a 15-minute drive. Win-win, for sure! The neighborhood is a safe, clean place to live, and the vast majority of people feel safe walking around at night in South Madison.
- Median 1-BR rent: $977
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,240
- Walk Score: 64/100
Just west is the appropriately named South West neighborhood of Madison. This suburban gem is quiet, comfortable and affordable in the extreme. Despite its less than stellar walk score of 64, residents nonetheless report that there are plenty of places to stroll and cycle in the area. However, there aren’t many businesses, so if you need anything out of the ordinary you’ll probably have to hit an adjacent neighborhood.
The disc golf course at the 250-acre Elver Park is a fun place to get a little exercise. Incidentally, this is the largest public park in the Madison area! It’s considered a “winter destination,” in particular, as it offers cross-country skiing, lighted sledding, ice skating and more in the frigid winter months.
Much like South Madison, the South East neighborhood is but a hop, skip and a sled-ride into the city, so don’t fret too much about missing the festival action. It’s still very close by.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,012
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,380
- Walk Score: 94/100
Way on the other side of the isthmus near Downtown is the neighborhood of State Langdon, largely dominated by university-affiliated housing and education. So, expect to see residence halls and educational buildings liberally sprinkled throughout. The Chazen Museum of Art is also found in this section of campus and features the state’s second-largest art collection. The rotating exhibits, in particular, are must-see events!
Many of the area’s historic homes have morphed over the years into fraternity and sorority housing. So, if you choose to live here, expect the traffic and noise that are par for the course of Greek life. Lake Mendota makes the northern end of this neighborhood beautiful. Everyone, from coeds to families, takes advantage of the boating, fishing and beachy-type activities on the pristine property.
Source: Rent.com/Galaxie High Rise Apartments
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,519
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,179
- Walk Score: 87/100
On the northern side of the isthmus parallel to Marquette is Tenney-Lapham. Residents of this community not only enjoy views of Lake Mendota but also all of the green spaces that Tenney Park has to offer. Created in 1899, the beautifully maintained park is the perfect place to fish, swim, cycle and generally kick a ball around. It also has a lagoon that freezes in the winter, which ice skaters love to frequent.
The neighborhood is extremely walkable. Like its neighbors, it’s perfect for a stroll along the Sherman Avenue Historic District, which features historic homes of varying sizes and styles. Then, there’s the East Johnson Business District, which is the place locals go shopping for everything from antiques to regular old groceries.
Excellent schools, clean streets and a pet-friendly environment make Tenney-Lapham that much more desirable. Its diverse population of residents, who are known for being very forward-thinking.
Find the best Madison neighborhood for you
Madison’s go-with-the-flow, outdoorsy way of life simply speaks to plenty of people. This is why renters often relocate and stay longer than intended. So, when you’re ready to start looking at apartments for rent in Madison, re-read our helpful list of neighborhoods and make the best decision for your personal needs. Spoiler alert, though — it’s pretty tough to go wrong.
The rent information included in this article is based on a median calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Apartment Guide and Rent.com as of November 2021 and is for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com