.jpg)
A couple of weeks ago we discussed ways to remain in Madison after you retire and, as promised, this week we’re going to help you find a neighborhood in Madison.
While experts are quick to designate cities as ideal retirement havens, narrowing down your choice of neighborhood will be a bit more challenging. Thankfully, we have you covered here, and we’ve categorized them according to what our older clients say they’re looking for.
I don’t want to live around old folks
“I’m retired, not dead,” is a common refrain we hear and we get it. The last thing most 60-somethings want is to be put out to pasture, doing arts and crafts in a community room at a senior center. So, ok, check out Sunset Village. Yes, there is a senior center in the area (Madison West Senior Center), but there’s a whole lot more to like as well.
When you buy a home in Sunset Village you’ll find that 39 percent of your neighbors have obtained a graduate degree, 73 percent of them own their homes and the average age here is 39 -- old enough to relate to and young enough to challenge you to remain competitive on the area walking and hiking trails.
Speaking of which, if the outdoors is someplace you plan on spending a lot of time, you’ll love that there are three parks in close proximity to Sunset Village. Lucia Crest Park (514 N Owen Dr.) offers more than 4 acres with basketball courts, open fields and lovely picnic areas.
A little more active? Quarry Park, with nearly 17 acres, has some amazing trails on which to hike and marvel at the native plants and animals. And, if you want to bring your dog, it’s ok – there’s an on-leash dog park right here (3006 Stevens St.). Finally, Hoyt Park, at nearly 23 acres, is ideal for nature lovers, with a series of both paved and unpaved paths and lots of recreational opportunities.
Sunset Village is convenient to shops and restaurants as well. There’s a Whole Foods Market near its northern border and the University Station Shopping Mall, just northeast of there. Medical facilities are just a tad north of the mall, and include the VA and UW hospitals.
The cost of living in Sunset Village is a bit higher than that of many other Madison neighborhoods and home prices are higher here as well, so it’s probably best suited to the boomer with a nest egg.
Homes in Sunset Village are currently listed from $132,900 to $464,900. You can view them here.
I want to fill my days with good walks wasted
All those days of having to squeeze in a few holes on executive courses so you could rush back to work are over. And, if you plan on spending as much time as possible on the local greens and fairways, have we got a neighborhood for you!
It’s Midvale, a west-side neighborhood that’s home to the popular Odana Hills Golf Course (it garners nearly five stars at TripAdvisor.com). A muni track, it offers 18 holes with a par of 72, a pro shop, clubhouse, putting green and driving range. Best of all, if you don’t plan on becoming a snowbird, you can spend the winter working on your swing on the simulators in the clubhouse. By the way, the course is open to skiers in the winter as well.
When you’re done golfing, hit nearby Hilldale Shopping Mall or lace on the skates or mount your bike and take to the Southwest Bike Trail.
Homes here date back to 1947 (when you were just a twinkle in someone’s eye, right?) and development continued, off and on, throughout the 1970s, according to the Wisconsin State Journal’s Ed Treleven. Many of the area’s current residents have lived in their homes since they were built, but you’ll also find “a great mix of younger couples with children and empty nesters,” according to Treleven. In fact, of the 3,479 residents who call Midvale home, 18 percent are age 65 and older. Current home prices in Midvale range from $267,000 to $330,000. Take a look at what’s available, here.
Get me as far away from “the pasture” as possible
The Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association bills itself as one of Madison’s most “trendy and hip places to live.” Yeah, I hear you chuckling. Not only did your generation invent hip and trendy, boomers are more than happy to leave such shallow nonsense in the dust. But, there are a couple of other reasons we decided to include this Madison neighborhood on the list of best in which to retire, that may just appeal to you.
First, it’s the absolutely pedestrian-friendly way the neighborhood was put together. The Monroe Street corridor, where you’ll find some adorable coffee shops and various ethnic cuisines, fine art galleries and the home of the Jazz in the Park series, are all a lovely stroll away from many of the area’s homes.
Then, there’s the fact that Dudgeon-Monroe is located on Lake Wingra and what stands between you and the lake’s gorgeous shores is Wingra Park and Boat Livery. The park offers numerous recreational opportunities, from play equipment for those days when you have the grandkids to basketball courts, fishing and an on-leash dog area. Then, when you finally find your way to the waters of the 336-acre Lake Wingra, you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle boat to enjoy a day of fishing or lazing on the water.
We also think you’ll like the fact that Dudgeon-Monroe has a nifty bike path (the Southwest Bike Path) that will take you right to the State Capitol and the near west side.
Most of all, though, you will LOVE the homes for sale in Dudgeon-Monroe. Right now, for instance, you can choose from among several bungalows, colonials, a Tudor, Cape Cod and more. Or, perhaps a low-maintenance lifestyle is your aim. If so, check out the condos for sale at Monroe Commons. Current prices of homes for sale in Dudgeon-Monroe range from $299,900 to just under $1.7 million. View all of the homes for sale in Dudgeon-Monroe here.
And do contact us if you’d like a tour – we LOVE looking at homes!
Posted by Jolenta Averill on