Moving back to Milwaukee (West Allis, Sharon: appointed, crime, safe neighborhoods)

[gofigure]

Hi. After being away for 7+ years, I've decided to move back "home." I lived in the burbs of Milwaukee for over 25 years prior to moving to where I'm at now, Morgantown, West Virginia. I'm a little concerned about experiencing culture shock, since Motown isn't a very happening place and is somewhat "southern" in their slow-motion mode.

I'm not sure where to live, the best area to work, it's been a long time and don't want to throw myself to the lions and be disappointed. I'm a mid-30's recently divorced professional and am scared to death of another failure.

I'm not 20-something anymore, but I'm not dead. Any suggestions on safe neighborhoods that are somewhat quiet but close to civilization without paying thru the nose? My last place was in Tosa (off Center St.), but last time I visited, it's changed dramastically ... not very safe anymore.

As far as work, I worked downtown for several years and liked that, but I'm older now and not sure that I'm up for that pace right out of the gate. Are there still good paying jobs in the burbs or is that just a myth? I'm not necessarily looking for a career off the bat, just a really good job ... big difference! Gotta take some time to warm up.

I sincerely appreciate your input, I'm experiencing a crossroads in my life right now and need all the help I can get.

Thanks much!
Sharon

[FranWi]

With the arterial freeway along the lake, you could move to the south side of Milwaukee near the airport and still have quick access to downtown. I wish you luck on the relocation!

[thinboy]

tosa is fine, i know where you talking about off center (asuming) its safe. pretty much live where there isnt alot of blacks by you and you be fine.

[mrkool]

Basically avoid north side, northwest side, and near south side.
I like West Allis alot for its affordability, central location, and pretty good schools. 3 malls within about a 6 mile radius. I have 2 young daughters, so if West Allis wasn't safe.. trust me.. I wouldn't live here.

[BrewCityChamp]

I think it's all pretty safe. It's a great place.
Live in Los Angeles for 5 years, like I have.

You will realize Milwaukee is a jewel of the Midwest and like a resort town.

I am not ignorant to the epidemic of inner city violence and the agressive change we all will need to amend that part of MKE's culture.

A lot of the actual "horrible" social problems or "dangerous" areas you here about on this board are a psychological attitude.

MKE is super nice across the board.

Hit up LA, Philly, DC, or any other place emerging in growth and adapting to racial cultural tolerance and MKE is on a pretty even keel, a nice place with a great general attitude and very little danger at all.

There are only pockets of insecure or ignorant suburbanites and attitudes that perpetuate evening news alarmism on how crazy and out of control "dangerous" bigcity MKE is.

MKE is great. People need to think positive.

[Drover]

The idea that Milwaukee is "super-nice across the board" or that the very real dangers present in Milwaukee are "evening news alarmism" or perpetuated by ingorant suburbanites (many of whom, by the way, used to live in Milwaukee themselves and had very good reason to get out), and that there is "very little danger at all," is stupidly utopian. Milwaukee's crime and murder rate is substantially higher than L.A.'s and about on par with Philadelphia's, to name a couple of the supposed counter-examples supplied here. There are very legitimate problems in Milwaukee, there are very dangerous areas that sane people ought to avoid. Great care should be taken when deciding where in Milwaukee to live. It is NOT a "resort town." It's a real city that has very real urban issues.