Milwaukee area suburb recs (XP from thebump)

boxtonmom1014

We are looking to move from Boston to the Milwaukee area this fall. I don't really know anyone in this area (though DH is originally from Brookfield) and am nervous about it. I am looking for a town that is a little more diverse and has a bit more of a city feel.

Today, we went to look at houses in Whitefish Bay. We love the neighborhood and how "walkable" the town is, but are not sure we want to sacrifice the space... we have two large dogs and a baby on they way!

Does anyone have suggestions of a compromise? Somewhere where I could get out walking around town and meeting people, but where we'd also be able to have a yard and maximize our space?

Brewtowngrl

Wauwatosa is a nice area, but depending on the area of Wauwatosa the yards are not that much bigger.  It is a walkable city though. I loved everything about that area except the yards in our price range were pretty small. 

DH and I are from Brookfield as well. I didn't really look into the south side suburbs because neither DH or I are familiar with it.  Maybe someone else can shed some light there.  We ended up in Menomonee Falls because we could get a bit more for our money there and it is not too far from the city.  About 15 min drive.  It is not the city feel where we are since all the lots all at least 1/2 acre, but in the 3 years since we bought the house 4 new young families moved in with kids about the same age as ours.  It works for us.

brideymcbriderson

Brewtowngrl:

I didn't really look into the south side suburbs because neither DH or I are familiar with it.

Southsider checking in.  St. Francis has some houses with some decent sized yards, and it's so close to the Bayview neighborhood.  South Milwaukee has some gorgeous houses and a cute downtown; I imagine you can get more space there than on the north shore.  They're both on the blue collar side although I don't think either is as blue collar as Cudahy.  Cudahy also has some nice houses near the lake, but I'm not as big of a fan once you get away from the lake; it also doesn't seem to have a good reputation despite being perfectly pleasant.

I hate everything west of Miller Park because it's too sprawly and takes too long to get downtown. Personal preference.

OP, when you say that you are looking for some place that is "diverse," what do you mean?  Racially diverse?  Because Milwaukee is really segregated, and you're not going to find much racial diversity in the suburbs.

boxtonmom1014

brideymcbriderson:

OP, when you say that you are looking for some place that is "diverse," what do you mean?  Racially diverse?  Because Milwaukee is really segregated, and you're not going to find much racial diversity in the suburbs.

Not necessarily... just where everyone isn't the same. I grew up outside of Mpls as one of the only Jewish kids in my town and that was hard... which is part of why I was drawn to WB. But it doesn't have to necessarily be a Jewish area. 

Stepfanie

I live in Grafton and love it here... My first choice would be Cedarburg, Port Washington would be my 2nd choice and Grafton being my 3rd.... all 3 towns are only about 5 - 10 min north of milwaukee. Port and Cedarburg have awesome downtown areas, IMO. These are my personal choices... but you should check them out.... I don't know how close you want to stay to MIL or what you can afford but it sounds like you would really like Port Washington. 

brideymcbriderson

tinshee:

brideymcbriderson:

OP, when you say that you are looking for some place that is "diverse," what do you mean?  Racially diverse?  Because Milwaukee is really segregated, and you're not going to find much racial diversity in the suburbs.

Not necessarily... just where everyone isn't the same. I grew up outside of Mpls as one of the only Jewish kids in my town and that was hard... which is part of why I was drawn to WB. But it doesn't have to necessarily be a Jewish area. 

Good to know.  The North Shore 'burbs (Shorewood, WFB, Fox Point) are probably going to have more Jews than other parts of town, at least in my experience.  The south side's heritage is definitely more working class Catholic; the first year I lived on the south side, we had to drive to the North Shore to get Passover Coke.  Your kids are definitely more likely to be one of the only Jews on the south side, so if that's a consideration, I would maybe stick to the north shore and look for a place near a dog park to make up for the lack of yard?

Good luck.

T1andT2

I think Whitefish Bay does sound like an area you would like.  We have friends there who have their house on the market and I always thought they have a really nice yard for in the city.  They have 2 goldens, and 1.5 kids.    We walk quite a bit when we go hang out with them. 

We live in Grafton and I really like the Cedarburg/Grafton area.