Apartment hunting in Madison requires ruthless determination. To find that perfect rental, us Badgers have done horrible, awful things — like waiting outside of leasing offices in the wee hours of the morning, naively putting down outrageous security deposits we’ll never get back and, most notoriously, signing leases with a freshmen friend group that’s fated to dissolve before the semester’s up.
When the dust settles and the mad scramble for housing is over, many UW students experience post-lease-signing clarity. Does that Mifflin Street shack really have “good bones” like the landlord assured you it does? Is that windowless room in the posh new high-rise seriously worth $1,500 a month? Should you just become an RA and live in the dorms forever?
More likely than not, your future apartment will disappoint you. But your future neighborhood doesn’t have to. If you’re moving into a new neighborhood next year or if you’re still trying to decide which one is right for you, here’s a guide to the best (and worst) of Madison’s student enclaves.
Downtown
Your neighbors: Anyone smart enough to secure a downtown apartment in time.
Best food: The Globe on Henry Street — try the Indian tic-tac curry.
Best coffee: Fair Trade Coffee House has a cozy atmosphere, good espresso and its verdant back patio is the perfect urban escape.
Best bar: Everyone will tell you it’s Mondays, but unless you enjoy sucking down drinks that taste like jet fuel, you’re better off going to State Street Brats for its buzzy patio and wallet-friendly bottomless cup nights.
Hidden gem: This is downtown — nothing here is hidden.
Perk: There’s nothing like living in the heart of the city.
Downfall: If the noisy crowds filtering in and out of bars every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night don’t break you, the untalented street performers banging on drums at inopportune times DEFINITELY will. Also, prepare to resort to biological warfare tactics to deal with the centipedes and silverfish that live in the walls of most aging downtown apartments.
Greenbush
Your neighbors: Lovely families living in well-kept bungalows.
Best food: Fabiola’s Spaghetti House & Deli has a robust menu that pays homage to Greenbush’s rich Italian heritage.
Best coffee: Indie Coffee is a snug study spot for top-tier specialty drinks and waffles.
Best bar: Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè, which doubles as a coffee shop and a bookstore.
Hidden gem: Catch a jazz night at Zuzu Cafe, an adorable Mediterranean eatery nestled deep within Greenbush near Henry Vilas Zoo.
Perk: Greenbush’s vibrant gameday atmosphere is second only to the Camp Randall neighborhood.
Downfall: Unless you want to go to Sconnie’s for your entire college career, you’ll need to pair your going-out fit with some hiking boots. It’s a long trek to State Street.
Langdon
Your neighbors: Sophomores in Greek life. (Contrary to what you might have heard, they actually don’t bite.)
Best food: Nothing beats a sandwich from MacTaggart’s Market & Deli after a night out.
Best coffee: Poindexter Coffee in the Graduate flies under the radar.
Best bar: The KK, though to be fair, it’s really the only Langdon Street bar.
Hidden gem: Camp Trippalindee, an eclectic, summer camp-themed bar and restaurant perched atop the Graduate, mixes a killer Wisconsin old fashioned.
Perk: The views of Lake Mendota are absolutely unmatched.
Downfall: You’re going to have a lot of sleepless Saturday nights when freshmen flock to Langdon for frat parties. Usually, they’re kind enough to leave some gifts (empty beer cans and shooter bottles) in your front yard.
Mansion Hill
Your neighbors: Jaded graduate students seeking respite from the chaos of campus.
Best food: Try bibimbap or bulgogi from Sol’s on the Square.
Best coffee: Bradbury’s Coffee is fabulous — if only it had more seating.
Best bar: Mansion Hill is close enough to The Robin Room, a hospitable East Johnson Street cocktail bar.
Hidden gem: The Mansion Hill Inn hosts some very classy Jazz & Cocktails nights.
Perk: Mansion Hill borders Madison’s best sunset and reading spot, James Madison Park.
Downfall: A lot of those old houses, while undeniably beautiful, are decaying from the inside out. Just keep your fingers crossed your landlord won’t ghost your maintenance requests.
Mifflin
Your neighbors: Only students are crazy enough to live here.
Best food: Casetta Kitchen and Counter — if you can get there within its frustratingly short hours of operation.
Best coffee: Bandit Tacos and Coffee makes a mean dirty horchata.
Best bar: No bars, really, but it’s a short walk to downtown.
Hidden gem: Nitro Beverage Lounge, a sleek and sophisticated cocktail bar on West Washington Avenue.
Perk: Mifflin Street Block Party.
Downfall: Mifflin Street Block Party.
Monroe Street/Camp Randall
Your neighbors: Exhausted engineering majors.
Best food: Pizza Brutta remains uncontested.
Best coffee: Barriques, or if you’re up for a longer walk, Monroe Street Colectivo.
Best bar: There aren’t really any, but game day tailgates are more fun anyway.
Hidden gem: Join a bookclub at Mystery to Me, a cozy bookstore across the street from Trader Joe’s.
Perk: The neighborhood’s proximity to TJ’s almost makes those agonizingly long walks to class worth it.
Downfall: Every home game day, you’ll be treated to an exclusive performance by the marching band — at 8 a.m.
Sophomore Slums
Your neighbors: Sophomores who buckled under the pressure of the freshman year housing scramble and settled for overpriced, ‘90s-era apartments with ugly carpeting.
Best food (& bar): McDonald’s. Just kidding! Check out Greenbush Bar on Regent Street for some stellar pizza and craft cocktails.
Best coffee: Though its name evokes imagery of a dirty basement, Java Den makes a pretty good latte.
Hidden gem: The back patio of Sweet Home Wisconsin is a nice spot to camp out during game days. Beyond that, any other gems that may exist in the slums are hidden a little bit too well.
Perk: Soulless as this borough may be, there’s something sweet about the genuine feeling of camaraderie shared by its residents.
Downfall: Too much concrete and not enough trees.
