UWM Cambridge Commons - Thoughts Appreciated! (Milwaukee: dorms, neighborhood, university)

[ultravioletfly]

Hello all,

I'm going to attend UWM this fall as a freshman. I'm coming from St. Paul, MN and am moving in exactly forty days, so I'm really excited!

Unfortunately, I was very ill during New Freshman Orientation and couldn't handle sticking around for the Cambridge Commons tour. (I'm part of a Living Learning Community, meaning I live in Cambridge Commons by default.)

I'm getting mixed messages about the Riverwest neighborhood (is CC technically located in Riverwest?) when I browse this forum, so I'm just wondering if anybody can give me any advice/comments about the neighborhood and, if possible, the CC dorms themselves.

Thanks!

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by ultravioletfly

Hello all,

I'm going to attend UWM this fall as a freshman. I'm coming from St. Paul, MN and am moving in exactly forty days, so I'm really excited!

Unfortunately, I was very ill during New Freshman Orientation and couldn't handle sticking around for the Cambridge Commons tour. (I'm part of a Living Learning Community, meaning I live in Cambridge Commons by default.)

I'm getting mixed messages about the Riverwest neighborhood (is CC technically located in Riverwest?) when I browse this forum, so I'm just wondering if anybody can give me any advice/comments about the neighborhood and, if possible, the CC dorms themselves.

Thanks!

Hey, CC is across the river from Riverwest... the river is the neighborhood border but I'm sure you'll be back and forth all the time.

Riverwest has so many threads about it, but basically it's an urban neighborhood with alot to offer. You're in a city so use common sense like don't get drunk and wander around (use BOSS). Also, you have alot of transit options in the area, plus so much within walking distance... do yourself a favor and leave your car.

Is there anything specifically that you're looking for... or looking to avoid?

[ultravioletfly]

I don't plan on drinking at all (history of alcoholism in the family... not something I want to deal with), but that's just the thing--will the culture in Milwaukee have anything to offer me? I know I can't trust generalizations, but it seems like Milwaukee's all about the alcohol, and many of the incoming freshman post on the Facebook page things like "I can't wait to get wasted." urgh.

Things I'm specifically looking for are vegetarian restaurants (or restaurants with notable vegetarian options), coffee shops (Starbucks is fine as well as anything local/independent), book stores, and things of that nature. I'm guessing the east side is the best place to find all of these things, so that's cool.

[pete6032]

Riverwest is kind of like South Minneapolis - a working class area that is run-down and has lots of diversity and hipsters. I say none of those things in a negative way. But coming from St. Paul it might be a little different.

The things you seem to be looking for are on the east side. You can probably find it all in Riverwest too though.

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by ultravioletfly

I don't plan on drinking at all (history of alcoholism in the family... not something I want to deal with), but that's just the thing--will the culture in Milwaukee have anything to offer me? I know I can't trust generalizations, but it seems like Milwaukee's all about the alcohol, and many of the incoming freshman post on the Facebook page things like "I can't wait to get wasted." urgh.

Things I'm specifically looking for are vegetarian restaurants (or restaurants with notable vegetarian options), coffee shops (Starbucks is fine as well as anything local/independent), book stores, and things of that nature. I'm guessing the east side is the best place to find all of these things, so that's cool.

No worries, I just brought up the drinking because it happens on any university and thought worth mentioning. I can't really say if Milwaukee has a 'culture of drinking'... if you grow up near something it's normal... but I've heard it repeated.

Either way, there is alot for you to do and enjoy without alchohol, but it usually is present at most events. You should have no problem finding what you're looking for, especially with your dorm location.