Moving to Shorewood, should I? (Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay: apartment, rentals, lofts)

[ehanvey]

Have a fantastic job opportunity on East Keefe Avenue, close to Shorewood area. High crime is how close? I want to live 1-2 miles from work. Apartment/rental prices? 40 something single male, out of place? Night life? Or should I stay indoors at night? Do I need a car? Bulletproof? Have lived in New Hamshire, cold isn't an issue (though global warming is OK during January, Feb and March). My concern is quality of life, is that attainable in Shorewood?

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

I lived in a rental for two years in Shorewood and I loved it. It's a very nice community, walkable, and accessible to the many goings-on on Milwaukee's east side.

When I lived there I had no car and it worked fine. I bused downtown every morning in about 20 minutes. I walked for all of my daily neccessities on Oakland Avenue.

This was about five years ago, and our rent for a two-bedroom was about $600.

So, you could go without a car. And, no, you don't need a bulletproof vest. Unless you're planning to join a gang or deal drugs or something like that.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by ehanvey

Have a fantastic job opportunity on East Keefe Avenue, close to Shorewood area. High crime is how close? I want to live 1-2 miles from work. Apartment/rental prices? 40 something single male, out of place? Night life? Or should I stay indoors at night? Do I need a car? Bulletproof? Have lived in New Hamshire, cold isn't an issue (though global warming is OK during January, Feb and March). My concern is quality of life, is that attainable in Shorewood?

Many college professors and educators, young people, familes, etc....all live in Shorewood. I believe it is one of best places in Milwaukee for a single 40 year old male. It's right near the Lake for outdoor pursuits, diverse group of people. It is the first burb North of city on the shore...approx 1 mile from downtown depending on where in Shorewood, ...along side streets. It's very safe. There are many duplexes there, mixed in with nice homes on tree lined streets, and also some apts .....plenty of night life there and just South of Shorewood on Milwaukee's East Side....North of there is Whitefish Bay which looks similar to Shorewood, which also looks similar to Milwaukee's lower East Side,....they all blend in....however, Whitefish Bay is more families and not recommended only because you are single, and looking for night life...however, ...you can drive 1-5 miles down the Lakefront on side streets for your night life from there.....pretty close....

The areas of high crimer, or higher crime or the Northwest and Western parts of the city. You would be anywhere from downtown, up the East Side North to these North Shore areas.

Milwaukee is a compact city...especially on the North side....where you could be in the city, or several different burbs all within literally a few miles.

Shorewood is a great starting point for you. If that fails, try lower East Side, just South, it is a sizeable area for rentals, ...and also downtown, which is a safe area, ....and if that all still failed try the Third Ward too just South of downtown. It is a warehouse district along the riverfront and Lake Michigan, lots of lofts and condos for rent and sale....lots of red brick, urban feel there, boutiques, professional trendy.....Shorewood and the East Side are more tree lined streets, residential, parks etc...all of these would be very good choices to match your interests and proximity to your work...all are 5-10 commutes via side streets.

[Alexus]

I've lived all over the country and now live near beautiful San Francisco. Aside from San Francisco, Shorewood remains one of my favorite places. It's a nice community, close to the lake. Great place to be!

[trizkutt]

Shorewood is a very classy inner-ring suburb. It's a got a great urban vibe (as far a suburbs go), very walkable, lots of shops, close to the lake, great community feel, safe, etc. If I could live anywhere in WI, Shorewood would be near the top of the list. If you'd like to see some pictures of downtown and some residential streets in Shorewood, I have plentyy and I 'd be glad to show them to you.

On top of that, Shorewood High School, the public high school there, has graduated some very notable figures in government, business and the arts, including:

--US Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist
--Les Aspin, former US Secretary of Defense
--Walter Heller, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
--Tennis player Lief Shiras
---Actress Charlotte Rae
--Dickey Chappelle, famous photojournalist
--The Zucker brothers (movie directors, works include Ghost and Airplane!)

And many other luminaries...it's a pretty good public school.

[trizkutt]

As far as nightlife goes, it's not a bustling spot, but it's very close (<1 mile) away from some cool spots and only about 3 miles from the big clubs downtown.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by ehanvey

Have a fantastic job opportunity on East Keefe Avenue, close to Shorewood area. High crime is how close? I want to live 1-2 miles from work. Apartment/rental prices? 40 something single male, out of place? Night life? Or should I stay indoors at night? Do I need a car? Bulletproof? Have lived in New Hamshire, cold isn't an issue (though global warming is OK during January, Feb and March). My concern is quality of life, is that attainable in Shorewood?

Short on time, but Shorewood is upscale, safe, city-like (walkable) plus next to Lake Michigan and the university of WI-Milwaukee.

VERY nice homes, at least the majority of them.

No car necessary there. Check on parking if you're renting. Buses run frequently, shopping for daily things can be done on foot if you don't mind walking a bit (or not--depending on where you live it could be right down the street).

Crime is "close" but there is a river and a police department with a very trained eye keeping watch. I consider it an urban suburb, like most major cities crime is always close, but is only as close as the forces that keep it away (such as natural boundaries like rivers, and other boundaries like good police departments).

Shorewood and other suburbs that are "close" To crime, have made it abundantly clear, that they won't tolerate it in their communities. This has led to some strife but it always will, not just in Milwaukee, but everywhere.

[ehanvey]

Great info, thanks!

OK, how about the winters? How bad? You don't see anyone bad the mailman for 6 months? Bearable with a heavy jacket? Not that bad, periods of cold weather but overall OK?

Where would one browse rentals? Craigslist? Better source?

[SickOfTheSunbelt]

Originally Posted by ehanvey

Great info, thanks!

OK, how about the winters? How bad? You don't see anyone bad the mailman for 6 months? Bearable with a heavy jacket? Not that bad, periods of cold weather but overall OK?

Where would one browse rentals? Craigslist? Better source?

startrentingDOTcom

[trizkutt]

Shorewood:



The richest parts of town (don't worry, these are all on the Lake and there are much more affordable paces inland).









Lake view



Downtown











As you can see in this last photo, the housing stock varies quite a bit in shorewood, from very leafy, old-money neighborhoods to more urban, middle class areas, such as this one, which borders Milwaukee on Shorewood's far west side.



Hope that helps.