However there won't be as many social events planned, of course. Please contact Lorene Webber to setup an alternate visit time. Please do remember that if you are hosted by a graduate student, you will likely end up sleeping on a sofa, mattress, or floor. There are hotels which can accomodate for you at a special discounted rate. A hotel room may be a better choice if you would like some peace, quiet and privacy during your stay at Madison.
Graduate students live all over the place, and have a wide range of living expenses.
Living close to campus has the advantage that you're at the center of life, and the disadvantage that the houses are not as nice and the rents are high. If you are willing to live further from campus and commute you can pay much less for a nicer place. There's almost no parking close to the department, but there are very good bus connections to many areas away from campus. So it all depends what is important to you. You should also be sure to look at the Campus Assistance Center especially their Most Frequently Asked Question About Finding Housing in Madison .