what is Greenfield like? (Milwaukee, West Allis: fit in, houses, neighborhoods)

[Angorlee]

I did drive through Greenfield a few times but a few drive throughs doesn't give a person much knowledge about the whole community. I picture Greenfield as another spread out suburb with strip malls here and there but no central area like a downtown or anything like that. But maybe I'm wrong. Is it just another suburb or is there more to Greenfield? The reason I am asking is because I plan on moving somewhere in the Milwaukee area in the future.

[mrkool]

The Greenfield city limits are very spread out, especially from east to west. If you look at a map you will see the weird shape of the city.
I would say it's best to live as far west in Greenfield as possible, primarily west of about 50th St. Too far east gets way too close to some questionable neighborhoods on the other side of 27th St. I know a girl who lives in far east Greenfield, around 33rd and Loomis. She says neighborhood is changing for the worse, and they get alot of riff-raff from east of 27th. And she says the Walmart near Loomis and 27th attracts some troublesome characters.
The west half of Greenfield is good, though of course pricier for housing.

[EnjoyEP]

I live in Greendale currently which borders Greenfield.

As the previous post correctly pointed out, Greenfield is kind of a spread out geographic suburb.

I have noticed that Greenfield is extremely diverse in terms of the mix of residential areas and commercial areas, etc., and types of neighborhoods and even the topography of the varying areas.

Overall, Greenfield has - to me - a bit more of a blue collar, gritty, feeling than I necessarily would like to live in. Much of Greenfield has a "vibe" similar to that of a West Allis or a Cudahy...not that is necessarily a "bad" thing...just whatever tastes are that you like.

I have noticed that parts of Greenfield are very upper class and and beautiful homes that would seem to fit in more in Pewaukee or Muskego than they would in other parts of Greenfield. There is a large, beautiful, newish (albeit classic suburban cookie cutter) home development on Loomis (east side of Loomis) in Greenfield between Layton and Grange. There are some beautiful homes in very nice wooded areas in Greenfield off of Layton east of 60th street and also in the Whitnall Park area. These are just a couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head...I am sure there are many others.

However, there are also very 76th and Becher-in-West Allis-esque portions of Greenfield too, meaning more of a corner tavern, NASCAR, very gritty feel too.

Of course, Greenfield houses the busy 84th St. to S. 76th Street / Layton Ave. commercial areas with lots of chain restaurants, other restaurants, stores, etc., which runs all the way right up to Southridge Mall (which is actually in Greendale right across the border).

Greenfield is really a mixed bag. Some parts I would live in in a second. Some areas I couldn't even afford to live in because they are upper middle class. Some / many parts are just more blue collar and corner tavern and West Allis in feel. Overall, it is far from my favorite Milwaukee suburb but many people really like it. Overall it is safe, and it is quite affordable compared to many of the suburbs here. I keep mentioning West Allis, but I would say Greenfield is a very similar 'burb to WA.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by Angorlee

I picture Greenfield as another spread out suburb with strip malls here and there but no central area like a downtown or anything like that.

I would say that is correct. It is very similar to a West Allis. If you are looking for a suburb with more of a downtown area, etc., in that general vicinity, you should check out Greendale, which is just to the south and west of Greenfield.

[kbleeke]

the other side of 27th street by greenfield is not rough at all