The soul of Madison lives in the Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood, an unassuming old blue-collar district re-imagined as a vibrant haven for many of the funkier and more enterprising elements of the city's creative class. Bounded on three sides by water and on the fourth by a bike bath and East Washington Avenue, this part of town is at the same time sedate and festive. It is walkable, rich in its appreciation of quirky gusto, and colors its politics deep blue.

Situated along the north shore of Lake Monona between the Yahara River and Starkweather Creek, this is a diverse yet cohesive neighborhood that invests in its quality of life. A little over 20 years ago, its residents rallied to transform what was then a seedy porn house into the Barrymore Theater, restoring it to its former glory and establishing it as the beating cultural heart of Madison's east side.

Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood has a historic feel. Single-family homes to three-flats are intertwined in the fabric of the neighborhood. As you stroll down the street, you will see the front porch style neighborhood: people sitting on their porches welcoming you to chat about life in the neighborhood and beyond. The diverse mix of residents: from the traditional professional to the creative musician, the family makeup that spans ages, races, incomes, and orientation, as well as the vast interest in local to worldly advocacy makes this neighborhood a highly desirable place to live.