Finding Your Place in Madison: Neighborhoods Close to the City’s Biggest Jobs

Madison, Wisconsin, is three communities in one. It is a college town that is home to the flagship university in the University of Wisconsin system. It also is a capital city and home to the Wisconsin Capitol and state government, and it is a tech hub that employs many highly educated and trained professionals who work in a variety of technology hubs, as well as in other major industries. My name is Mike, and I am your ApartmentHomeLiving.com guide to finding quality Madison apartments near the city’s major employers for those who are looking to work there. The following are some good examples.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Madison

Exact Sciences Corp.

Madison is home to the Exact Sciences Corp. headquarters, where its scientists are tasked with finding ways to detect, treat, and, whenever possible, cure many types of cancer. The headquarters is located in western Madison and close to Route 14, which makes it very easy to travel to the Exact Science Laboratories that are situated about 5 miles east of the main headquarters and its offices. The laboratories are located on the south side of Route 18, which shares a stretch of road with Route 14, and due east of the route’s intersection with Route 151. Whether going north, south, east, or west, the commute is quick and easy from the Exact Sciences Laboratories. Here are some options for finding Madison apartments near Exact Sciences’ headquarters and laboratories.

Midvale Heights is Very Close to the Exact Sciences Headquarters

The Midvale Heights neighborhood is situated directly east of Exact Sciences’ headquarters and close to Lake Wingra and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. The neighborhood is one of the oldest in Madison and was founded in the 1850s. Local homes in Midvale Heights are a mix of Victorian and other prominent styles, and there are lots of modern apartments that offer relatively affordable rentals for Exact Sciences employees. A commuter path makes it very easy to ride bicycles along the Southwest Commuter Path to downtown Madison. Golfers will find the public Odana Hills Golf Course to be a pleasurable experience when hitting the ball well and sinking their putts. Plenty of great local shopping, dining, and local bars are nearby, too.

Orchard Ridge is Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts

The Orchard Ridge neighborhood is another great option for Madison apartments near Exact Sciences and is situated south of Route 14 and west of Route 18. It’s also another locale that is great for golfers with the Vitense Golfland situated very close by, along with Odana Hills Park and its terrific pond system that supports fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, and the public Odana Hills Golf Club. The Orchard Ridge neighborhood is beautiful, very friendly, and has a lot of terrific apartments from which to choose. When you want to spend some time away from home, it’s very easy to get around the Madison area thanks to its proximity to the local highway system.

Westmorland Offers Terrific Apartment Rentals

The Westmorland community is another that provides residents with quick access to all of the main points of interest in the greater Madison area. It is located about 2 miles north of the Exact Sciences Laboratories and about 5 miles east of the corporation’s headquarters, which makes it very easy and quick to commute to both from the Westmorland neighborhood by using surface streets. It is also very easy to leave the car at home and ride a bicycle to the laboratory's location. The nine-hole Glen Golf Park municipal course is situated northeast of the neighborhood, and Lake Wingra and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum are about a mile further to the east.

University of Wisconsin Main Campus Employs Many in Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison campus is among the best in the country. It is incredibly scenic and situated along the southern shore of Lake Mendota and abuts a terrific lakefront park. I’ve enjoyed many great outdoor lunches at Picnic Point and used my kayak to target panfish that taste great. The campus, park, and Lake Mendota make it very easy to find yourself close to work on the weekends, but for recreational purposes instead of occupational ones. Those who are working at the university have several great neighborhoods from which to choose for Madison apartments near the University of Wisconsin’s main campus.

Regent Supports Non-Vehicular Commuting to Campus

The Regent neighborhood is one of my favorites because it is directly south of the campus and equidistant to Lake Mendota to the north, Lake Wingra to the south, and Lake Monona to the east. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum surrounds most of Lake Wingra, which is ideal for enjoying the great trees and foliage that the arboretum contains – especially during the spring blossom and fall color seasons. The Regent neighborhood also makes it very easy to leave the car at home and walk or ride a bike to work on one of the best college campuses in the entire country.

Wingra Park Historic District Has Many Great Rentals

Wingra Park is another terrific neighborhood that is very close to the UW-Madison campus and offers a lot of great rentals for locals. The neighborhood is located within the Wingra Park Historic District and was founded in the late 1800s to support Madison’s growing population. A streetcar network made it an ideal location for commuting to and from the university and the Capitol, while its nearness to Lake Wingra and Lake Monona offers endless recreational opportunities throughout the year – including fantastic ice fishing. The view from Wingra Park is terrific, and so are the Wingra Park apartments near the university.

Shorewood Hills Offers Lake Mendota Access

I love kayaking, fishing, and relaxing on Lake Mendota and its expansive shoreline. Those who enjoy aquatic fun will appreciate the Shorewood Hills location, which is just west of the Frautschi Point park and nearly as close to the UW-Madison campus. University Avenue runs along the Shorewood Hills neighborhood’s southern boundary, which makes work commutes short and pleasurable. The largely upscale community fully reflects its university roots with many local streets named after many of the nation’s and world’s top universities, such as Harvard, Oxford, and Columbia. The neighborhood contains many smaller parks, and those who enjoy golf have the Blackhawk Country Club to the west for those who become members or know someone who is a member.

The Wisconsin State Government is Madison’s Top Employer

Like any state capital, Madison is home to many of the area’s top employers in various state agencies, plus an assortment of special-interest organizations that typically lobby at the Capitol. And, like other state capitals, many of those who work at the Wisconsin Capitol and in related positions are there for as long as they are needed and often at the whim of voters throughout the state. The Capitol is located on the isthmus separating Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, which ensures a great view from nearly any location within its grounds. When looking for Madison-area apartments near the Capitol, here are some good options to consider.

State-Langdon is Close to Everything

The State-Langdon neighborhood is perfect for those who work in or near the Capitol and might want to walk or bike to and from work during good weather. The neighborhood is situated west of the Capitol along the southeastern shore of Lake Mendota, which offers great views and plenty of aquatic fun. Several great museums are within walking distance, including the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Madison Children’s Museum, and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. James Madison Park is just a few blocks away to the northeast of the State-Langdon neighborhood, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus is about a mile west of the neighborhood.

Greenbush is Close to Great Family-Oriented Attractions

Another great option for Capitol workers is the Greenbush community, which is located southwest of the historic legislative building. The Greenbush neighborhood provides access to Lake Monona to the east and Lake Wingra to the west. Route 151 runs through the community’s eastern boundary, which makes it a short drive of about 10 minutes to the Capitol area. The Henry Vilas Zoo and Wisconsin Heritage Exhibit are situated right next to the Greenbush neighborhood’s southwestern boundary, and Olin Park is very close by, too. The neighborhood is great for residents of all ages, and there are a lot of terrific Greenbush apartments near the Wisconsin Capitol Building from which to choose the ideal residence.

Bay Creek is Nestled Along Monona Bay

Madison’s Bay Creek neighborhood is conveniently located on the south shore of Monona Bay, north of Goodman Park, and east of Olin Park. It also is near Quann Park and abuts the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum to the west, and residents have access to Lake Wingra. With neighborhood access to Lake Wingra and Lake Monona, those who enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, and other water sports will find Bay Creek to be an ideal location. John Nolan Drive and Route 151 make it very easy and fast to commute to the Capitol area, and there are lots of great apartment rentals from which to choose.

Choose the Ideal Madison Apartment Near the City’s Major Employers

Now that you have a much better idea of the many great Madison neighborhoods and their respective apartment rentals, it is just a matter of doing some online browsing and scheduling a visit to obtain your perfect rental near the city’s top employers. ApartmentHomeLiving.com streamlines the process so that you can stop apartment hunting and start enjoying all of the great activities that Madison has to offer.