110, 114, 118, 120 S Blair St

We've been in one of the old First Settlement houses (a duplex) on S Blair from August 2022 through August 2025 (1L through the end of 3L). It's considered 2 bed/1 bath, but functionally, is 1 bed, plus den. The second bedroom is not large enough to comfortably fit a queen bed/big furniture, so we use it as an office space. We stay for the pet policy. These houses are a good option if you have a pet, need to be able to walk to campus or take a short bus ride, need parking, and can't splurge on one of the new complexes on the isthmus for $2000+.

Pros: Location is convenient to the Capitol and the new Metro BRT (bus stop at Blair & E. Wash.), with new drop-off at East Campus Mall. Close enough to walk to the law school, far enough to avoid the undergrad population. Nearest grocery is Festival Foods, with easy walking to Breese Stevens Field and Willy St. Access to a shared yard and very accepting pet policy (we have a big dog considered an aggressive breed); on-site paid parking lot for 10 cars, with free "overnight" parking (i.e. only if you live with someone who works M-F 8am-5pm and will move the car daily) across the street by MGE. Management has been easy to work with and responsive to maintenance requests. Cosmetic renovations in 2022 included new paint, cabinets, counters, appliances, and laminate flooring. Damp basement storage (i.e. at your own risk, great for seasonal storage, bikes, etc.).

Cons: Construction is set to begin next door fall 2024--tear down of the Essen House/Come Back Inn properties, to build a 7-story mid-rise apartment complex and hotel. 2025-2026 will be heavily impacted by construction noise. House was built in the late 1800s, and it shows via uneven floors, separating wall panels, and sticking door frames. Cat has caught the occasional mouse. While the kitchen and bathroom are "spacious", its mostly dead space that's hard to use. There is very limited closet space, so we use an open hanging rack. No dishwasher, A/C, or microwave. Laundry (1 W/D) is technically provided in a neighboring building, but we go to a laundromat. DIY winterizing since the windows are drafty. No outdoor water access (i.e. no garden hose). Very limited sunlight, which will likely be further limited by the new construction. There's also road noise and lights at night (streetlights, cars, emergency lights), and the house is a block from the Beacon, a day resource center for the homeless, so there is usually heavy foot traffic nearby.

The house itself is old (read: very drafty in winter), but the landlords recently updated it (cosmetically) in August 2022 - new appliances, cabinets, paint, laminate flooring. 1 bed/1 bath with small den/office, or second bedroom. No A/C, no dishwasher or microwave, no laundry; limited closet space in office, no closet in larger room more suitable as a bedroom. Great space in mudroom and bathroom. Small shared yard with 3 other houses, shared (paid) parking lot that fits 10 cars. Adjacent to the Essen House / Come Back Inn parking lot and train tracks, so noisy at all hours (including train horns between midnight and 5am, and Essen House dumpster pickup at 5:30am). Not suitable for those with noise sensitivity. Convenient location for grad students that want to live among young professionals rather than undergraduates. 30-35 minute walk to East Campus Mall, or bus pickup at East Wash/Blair or West Wilson/Blair. Less than 1/4 mile to Lake Monona and the city bike path; 10 minute walk to Willy St. No breed or weight restrictions for pets. Limited direct sunlight (helps keep the interior cool in summer, but houseplants are virtually impossible to keep alive except for in the office/den or bathroom).