Off campus options

The school website links to a marketplace targeted towards students, and while the options there are good, they are either sold out or too expensive.

Would it be a good idea to search wider on sites like apartments.com and renter?

There seems to be a lot more options there, and they seem nice too. Maybe there are more concerns with searching more generally for apartments in madison.

Security is a major issue, of course. Ideally, no home breakins, and no car windows being smashed :).

Your suggestions? Any property or companies to avoid?