How's life in downtown MW for empty nesters? (Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay: apartments, rent)

[globalgypsy]

I've been offered a job in Milwaukee and would be relocating from Seattle. I've lived all over the world, and moving to MW seems a slower pace. I'd like to hear from singles or empty-nesters about lifestyles in downtown Milwaukee. My family is grown so schools aren't a concern, and I'm a single woman, working in industrial design and the arts. The loft or apartment lifestyle looks appealing in areas like Juneau Town or Third Ward, although a quaint village like Cedarburg had some great appeal as well (my two areas of focus when on a whirlwind tour after interview)...but the suburbs may be too slow a pace without a family.

I'd love to hear pros/cons about Third Ward, Juneau Town and other areas...which communities have good/bad reputations, lots of culture to experience, etc. Many thanks!

[quijote]

There are quite a few areas that you should check out. The areas you mention--the Third Ward and Juneautown--seem very appropriate for your circumstances; indeed, the whole East Side in general should be of interest to you. The Third Ward and Juneautown have heavy representation of young, professional singles, but many couples and single/coupled empty-nesters live there as well. These sections of the city are more "polished," and the housing price tag shows it. Many artists live in this area, but these artists tend to be pretty well established. The Brady Street and UWM areas have a greater college student influence, but are nevertheless popular with all sorts of urban dwellers. Housing is more expensive closer to the lake, and a bit less expensive on the southside of UWM. Choose your residence wisely, as sections can get very noisy. Riverwest also is popular with the college crowd, but also attracts many artsy folks in general who don't want to tangle with the higher housing prices closer to the lake. In Riverwest, the atmosphere is grittier and crime is a bit higher. Lots of "starving artists" here. Of course, Downtown itself (both sides of the river) has some very nice sections, but also has some pretty seedy areas.

The areas mentioned above (the East Side from UWM to the Third Ward) are the most densely populated and most walkable in the city itself. Shorewood, a suburb adjacent to Milwaukee (north of UWM), also is very walkable and is a very liberal, densely populated community. You might also like Whitefish Bay, just to the north of Shorewood, but perhaps it would feel a bit too suburban to you.

Other areas of the city of Milwaukee are worth looking into: the Fifth Ward (Walkers Point) is an up-and-coming area with lots of converted lofts, artist studios, new condos, etc. It is a bit less walkable than the East Side/Shorewood corridor, largely due to the industrial layout of the zone (bridges, railroad tracks, streets at odd angles), and also due to the lower population density. South of Walkers Point is Bay View, which is also a rather artsy neighborhood--really, a blue collar neighborhood that has been sort of (but not completely) gentrified over the past two decades.

West Milwaukee contains some nice areas such as Washington Heights, but they may seem a bit remote if you want a more walkable neighborhood such as those on the East Side.

Cedarburg is nice, but very suburban. There is an artsy presence there, but the residential profile is mostly moderate-conservative, families, house with yard. There are relatively few apartments and condos in that area, and you will be driving most of the time if you live there. It is not an "artsy urban" setting at all.

[globalgypsy]

Thanks quijote. I discovered websites yesterday touting the farmers market and the historic third ward and feel like this is the right fit. Has a number of similarities to our farmers market/downtown Seattle waterfront feel. I'll be moving in January. :-)

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by globalgypsy

I've been offered a job in Milwaukee and would be relocating from Seattle. I've lived all over the world, and moving to MW seems a slower pace. I'd like to hear from singles or empty-nesters about lifestyles in downtown Milwaukee. My family is grown so schools aren't a concern, and I'm a single woman, working in industrial design and the arts. The loft or apartment lifestyle looks appealing in areas like Juneau Town or Third Ward, although a quaint village like Cedarburg had some great appeal as well (my two areas of focus when on a whirlwind tour after interview)...but the suburbs may be too slow a pace without a family.

I'd love to hear pros/cons about Third Ward, Juneau Town and other areas...which communities have good/bad reputations, lots of culture to experience, etc. Many thanks!

Congratulations on the offer. There are many things that are great about Milwaukee. You'll find the most cosmopolitan crowd (my opinion) in an area from Shorewood (using the lakeshore as a border), south to the Third and Fifth ward neighborhoods, north and west into Downtown perhaps including Marquette University, then north along the Milwuakee River on the western boundary, including areas of Brewer's Hill and eastern areas of Riverwest. The line would meet Shorewood's western border, since going west of that is not interesting or particularly nice, in my opinion.

The areas I've just pointed out seem to contain the most worldly crowd. There are a lot of other great areas but they're less transient and attract people who have lived in the area their whole lives and don't seem to want to travel much. With the short snapshot you offered of your life and history, I'd say forget anything south of a line equivalent with I-94 with the exceptions of the Third and Fifth Ward areas (arts & lofts). And I mean, anything all the way to the state line. To the north, stick to the Milwaukee river or points east (again; a couple of exceptions exist) and you'll find many opportunities, and MANY very nice places to live. If you have a high income, you can live in a large loft, or a lake view unit in a high rise, all within walking distance of downtown. If you live north on the upper East Side or in Shorewood, you would be very close to the city center.

If you enjoy small towns, Cedarburg and Port Washington are quite nice. I would never be able to enjoy the lifestyle there, but they are nice nonetheless.

[Nuclear_Art]

I think third ward condos are probably more appropriate for the younger crowd or as vacation living. It gets crowded and loud during festival season (the entire summer). Street parking for guests will be almost nonexistent or expensive during that time. For an empty nester you may have better spots along Prospect Avenue which is a short walk to downtown and the lakefront.

Of course it depends on what appeals to you and what you don't want to deal with. What are your priorities? Do you want to live within walking distance to good restaurants and grocery stores? Groceries are not to be found in the third ward. Is the night life a bigger priority? Downtown has many good night spots. Is the wild life of festivals the bigger priority? The third ward is the place for festivals and fireworks. You will be able to walk to Summerfest or the ethnic fests every night.

[newtomke]

Globalgypsy,

If I can offer any guidance, I'd be happy to. I'm a single, professional empty-nester woman who just relocated to MKE in December. I made several visits to the area checking out job opportunities and housing/neighborhoods. In addition, I met a couple of people who are lifelong residents who were able to steer me right. I had decided (in my own mind) to live in the Third Ward for all of the reasons you mentioned. However, when I actually looked at places there, I found the quality of housing for the money was a little lacking. Also, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of amenities (per someone else's comments about groceries, etc.) there. There are some very fun little restaurants, boutiques, etc. there, but I ended up deciding that I can drive or walk to those when I want to. When I drove back thru there after finding a place elsewhere, I was glad I made the decision I did. It seemed more of a destination than a place for me to live.

I ended up renting temporarily on the East Side. I got a fabulous condo in a great building with a lake view. It's VERY walkable - coffee shops, restaurants, park, bike paths, groceries, banks, etc. I feel quite comfortable and safe there. I like the area a lot, and will look for a place to buy. I will still consider the Third Ward, but really like the settled feel of the East Side.

If I can help any more, please let me know. Good luck!

[Fishtacos]

You already have good information and these people have you covered as well. Stick to your locations and the one's mentioned before mine and you will do well.

[PAINTSHEETS]

If I may ask, where on the East Side do or did you rent or buy? We've been looking so long and your comment about a place being a destination rather than a place to live really struck me. Thanks

[Twoaday]

I do want to point out that although the Third Ward does not currently have a grocery store. It does have the Public Market and a grocery store will be opening across the street from the Public Market soon....

Also to clarify our Public Market is just not in the league of a Pike Place Market Globalgypsy so don't think it is the same...

[newtomke]

Paintsheets,

I rented on Prospect St, up near Brady and have really gotten spoiled. This location is absolutely terrific! Good luck!