During the 1940s construction workers in Monona, Wisconsin accidentally cut into an old Indian burial mound! Inside the mound, which they believe to have been built by the Hopewell Indians about 1,500 years ago, they found human skeletons that were once buried ceremonially there. The area where this mound was discovered was originally named Indian Mounds Park.
Monona, Wisconsin is technically a suburb of Madison, considered to be a part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical area. However, that doesn't mean that it's just some neighborhood where people that spend their time in Madison go to sleep when they're not at work or play. In fact, Monona has strong ties to its culture and history, and has a number of things to do, whether you're an outdoorsman, history buff, or someone who just likes having a good time. Monona started out as a village in the 1940s and 1950s, which eventually grew in population and geographical size, and by the 1970s, Monona became the place we know it today. Monona has about 7,500 residents, all of which enjoy calling this small Wisconsin town home.
Moving to Monona
The first step to moving is thinking about what you want in a house rental in Monona. Do you want it to be somewhere big? Do you want it to be in a specific location? Do you want to have an easy and convenient commute from your one bedroom apartment? Do you want to have amenities like a pool or washing machine? Decide what you must have in your new home, then use that info to find potential new apts for rent. Browse an apartments locator, then narrow your list of homes down. Once you have a group of homes you like, make an appointment to see each of them with a realtor or potential landlord. You're going to want to be ready to apply for an apartment in case you see something you like. If you don't, someone might snatch it right out from under you! To apply, gather things like your bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, a letter of employment, and any other proof of income. You're going to want to prove to your potential landlord that you're an awesome person and renter who pays rent on time. To do this, you can also gather letters of reference from friends and former landlords. Who better to attest to the fact that you're a great tenant?
Neighborhoods in Monona
Monona is small enough that many people consider it to be a neighborhood of Madison, but in reality, Monona is its own place with smaller neighborhoods inside of it. If you want to know what the best place for you in Monona is, check out the helpful neighborhood information below. After all, why would you want to end up in a house that you like if you hate the neighborhood around it and never want to leave? Do a little research, and you'll like both your home and your hometown.
Belle Isle: Belle Isle and the surrounding areas make up the western portion of the city. They touch Lake Monona, so it's a great place to be if you like waterfront views. Also, Belle Isle and the surrounding areas are perfect if you like sports or spending time outside. That's because the area is packed with parks; you can find Oneida Park, Winnequah Park, Firemen's Park, and Maywood Park just nearby.
Frost Woods: This neighborhood makes up the eastern part of town, and it has more residential streets than parks, although it is on Squaw Bay, so you can still have waterfront views. Choose this neighborhood if you want more commercial and bustling activity; it has great restaurants like Cranberry Creek Restaurant and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.
Living in Monona
Monona was a town on its own before it became surrounded by Madison, so it has its own distinctive culture and pride about its history. Indian Mounds Park plays a big part in that, as direct evidence of the long native American history that exists in this region.
People here like spending time outside, mostly in the summer, when the weather isn't biting cold. You can take part in water sports on Lake Monona, Squaw Bay and the Yahara River, or you can participate in sports at the plethora of parks that are in town, like Woodland Park, Ahuska Park, Edna Taylor Conservation Park, Thut Park, Waunona Park. This list just goes on and on!
If you like eating and shopping, this is a great place for you to live. It has a great mall, called South Towne Mall, and it also has a bounty of great restaurants, including Happy Wok, Bourbon Street Grille, Pizza Oven, Angelo's, David's Jamaican Cuisine and Fat Jack's Barbecue.
If you're interested in wandering into the heart of Madison, just hop in your car! The drive is about 10 minutes. You don't even have to have your own set of wheels to get there, since there are several bus options that will get you right into town. Once you're into town, there is no shortage of ways to learn, engage or be entertained. Some of the most popular spots in town include the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Henry Vilas zoo, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and the Madison Children's Museum.