suggestion for nice neighborhood near Greenfield (Milwaukee, Brookfield: lofts, condos, low crime)

[ohlott]

My family and I are re-locating to the Milwaukee area. My business is going to be in Greenfield so we are looking for a spot to live that is relatively close. We are moving from So. Orange County California, so we are spoiled rotten from a cultural standpoint. We are both originally from the mid-west so we know what the benefits of the trade-off can be. We are looking for a nice neighborhood with all the standards (good schools, low crime, nice people) but are also looking for good dining, gourmet grocery stores and a waterfront view. The latter could be a smaller lake or river. Does anyone have any suggestions for neighborhoods for us to look into and also make comment on commute times including variations with weather?

Also would someone please discuss the Greenfield area specifically as to the demographics/reputation?

Thank you,
June

[EnjoyEP]

Hi -

I think I alluded to alot of this in this thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/wisco...-franklin.html

If you are looking for any more info though, I would be happy to help.

I would say your best bets near Greenfield would be Franklin, Muskego, parts of New Berlin or Brookfield, or Greendale.

There are some parts of Greenfield that are okay, however, overall it is more working class and blue collar probably than what you seem to be looking for. I prefer the above mentioned towns.

[mjccom]

I agree with EnjoyEP's suggestions. I hear that Franklin has high impact fees, I believe. I was born in Milwaukee, raised in Greendale, lived for 5 years in Silicon Valley, and returned to live in South Milwaukee and now Muskego, so I know the area well. My number 1 vote would go to Greendale--can't get any closer to Greenfield than that!

[pollywannacracker]

do you have to have a water view? that is gonna be pretty tough to have all the amenities you are looking for. eastside on the river and third ward on the river there are condos that will have everything you are looking for. some of them are pretty nice. commute from these places in rush hour to greenfield will probably be about 25-35 minutes.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by ohlott

My family and I are re-locating to the Milwaukee area. My business is going to be in Greenfield so we are looking for a spot to live that is relatively close. We are moving from So. Orange County California, so we are spoiled rotten from a cultural standpoint. We are both originally from the mid-west so we know what the benefits of the trade-off can be. We are looking for a nice neighborhood with all the standards (good schools, low crime, nice people) but are also looking for good dining, gourmet grocery stores and a waterfront view. The latter could be a smaller lake or river. Does anyone have any suggestions for neighborhoods for us to look into and also make comment on commute times including variations with weather?

Also would someone please discuss the Greenfield area specifically as to the demographics/reputation?

Thank you,
June

My first thought was the city, as in Third Ward, Downtown(very urban but nice, mostly lofts and condos).....or North Shore burbs(mostly tree lined street older homes with parks, good schools, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, etc...) which run anywhere from a mile from downtown to 5 miles all along the shore area. You'll pay a big price for a Lake Michigan view, or being near it. ...but you'll have the other things mentioned where you are or in close proximity....

Milwaukee isn't a big metro and traffic is very minimal. You can go all around the metro area in 30 minutes or less.

if you seek a more far suburban and possibly rural lifestyle then stick to the far out burbs. There is also a "Lake Country," not next to your work, but not far either, located in Western burbs....and it comprises a gathering of burbs and small towns with lots of homes on a bunch of small lakes.

These would be my first thoughts for you. you mentioned a family....so I'd start North Shore burbs from the "East Side" of Milwaukee on up to the North and East. ......and I'd consider Lake Country too for a far Western burb area. Both of these areas will put you into some commute time but nothing more than 30 minutes....which really just gets you have a block in S Orange County.