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Madison, Wisconsin is the state capital and a true college town, built on a narrow isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The University of Wisconsin-Madison anchors a huge student presence, with Edgewood College adding to the mix, so the city tilts young, smart, and a little restless. Students cluster around the State-Langdon corridor, downtown, and the Near East and Near West sides. The white-domed State Capitol presides over Capitol Square, where the Dane County Farmers' Market takes over every Saturday. State Street runs a car-free mile from the dome to campus, the Memorial Union Terrace looks out over Lake Mendota, and the lakes invite swimming, kayaking, and long walks year-round.
Sits right on Lake Mendota steps from the heart of campus, packed with high-rises and older homes where underclassmen and Greek life land. It is the densest student turf.
Puts you between the university and the dome, walkable to State Street and the lakes. It blends city energy with campus access.
Around the Williamson (Willy) Street district, this area draws students who want a quieter, artsy vibe with quick bus access. It suits those wanting character and calm.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Madison.
Metro Transit runs citywide buses, including the new Rapid Route A bus rapid transit line that comes every 15 minutes on weekdays. UW campus routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 are fare-free for students and run late into the night. The system covers the whole city and connects campus to the neighborhoods. You don't need a car to live well in Madison.
The isthmus is genuinely walkable, with State Street linking campus to the Capitol on foot in about 20 minutes. Madison is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, with lakeside paths and the State Street pedestrian mall. BCycle electric-assist bikes sit at stations all over town. Most students walk and bike for daily trips.
A car helps for big grocery runs or weekend trips, but most students skip it. Parking near campus is a headache, so factor that into where you live. Between free campus routes and bikes, a vehicle is rarely essential. Weigh the parking hassle before deciding to drive.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
It depends on how close to campus you want to be and how many roommates you split with. Studios in Madison average around $791 and one-bedrooms around $937, while a room in a shared State-Langdon apartment often runs $500-800. Newer high-rise units near campus push higher, so adding a roommate or two is the easiest way to keep your share down.
Madison is home to 3 universities, each with its own student housing market.
Edgewood College tucks about 2,000 students onto a wooded campus on the shore of Lake Wingra, right inside Madison's leafy Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood. The lakeside boardwalk runs the length of campus, the 1,200-acre UW Arboretum sits just across the water, and Monroe Street, a walkable strip of shops, cafes, and the…
View housing near Edgewood CollegeMadison Area Technical College, commonly known as Madison College, is a large public two-year institution serving approximately 11,000 credit students across multiple campuses in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The college offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificate programs in fields including…
View housing near Madison Area Technical CollegeThe University of Wisconsin-Madison sits on a narrow isthmus between two lakes, which gives 48,000 Badgers one of the prettiest campuses in the country and an excuse to be on the water constantly. The Memorial Union Terrace, with its sunburst chairs right on Lake Mendota, is the unofficial student living room from the…
View housing near UW-MadisonBrowse student housing near each Madison-area university.