How is the Thurston Woods Area? (Milwaukee: apartment, to rent, crime)

[ministers]

I'm looking to buy a home, and I hear there are great deals in the Thurston Woods area. How is the area? Is it family friendly, and quiet? My husband and I are in our 30's and looking for a good neighborhood to raise our kids in. I look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks and God Bless!!!

[EnjoyEP]

Boy ministers, I wish I could give you a better endorsement of the Thurston Woods area, but I really can't.

This area is sort of around 39th through 43rd and Silver Spring. I grew up in the late 70s through early 90s living somewhat close...around 68th and Silver Spring, and while it was a decent enough area to grow up in, towards the end the neighborhoods were getting more and more sketchy and crime became a much bigger problem. Much bigger.

I really, really, really hate it on these forums when people just write places off totally because of crime and fear. However, I am also a person in my 30s with young children, and while I am certain there are many fine, upstanding, hard-working, loving people who live in the Thurston Woods area, I certainly just could not endorse anyone moving into that area because crime would just be too big of a daily part of consideration. Crime and safety obviously are strong concerns of any folks, but especially those with children.

Having said that, there are some nice, thick, wooded areas around this area, so it does have - perhaps - some long term morsel of an opportunity to bounce back. But for now, and this is of course only my opinion, I would surely not endorse anyone moving into that area.

*While I would be very negative - very negative - towards relocating into that area, I did find kind of a nice, cheery feature article on that area that was run in the local newspaper - the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - in 2002 (so it is a bit dated). I wouldn't say that the article is unfair, however, I would warn you that surely feature articles on neighborhoods like these will paint the positives of an area quite nicely; however, with me having said my strong opinion on the area, surely you can come to your own conclusions - good luck!!:

JS Online: Finding the right fit

[ministers]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

Boy ministers, I wish I could give you a better endorsement of the Thurston Woods area, but I really can't.

This area is sort of around 39th through 43rd and Silver Spring. I grew up in the late 70s through early 90s living somewhat close...around 68th and Silver Spring, and while it was a decent enough area to grow up in, towards the end the neighborhoods were getting more and more sketchy and crime became a much bigger problem. Much bigger.

I really, really, really hate it on these forums when people just write places off totally because of crime and fear. However, I am also a person in my 30s with young children, and while I am certain there are many fine, upstanding, hard-working, loving people who live in the Thurston Woods area, I certainly just could not endorse anyone moving into that area because crime would just be too big of a daily part of consideration. Crime and safety obviously are strong concerns of any folks, but especially those with children.

Having said that, there are some nice, thick, wooded areas around this area, so it does have - perhaps - some long term morsel of an opportunity to bounce back. But for now, and this is of course only my opinion, I would surely not endorse anyone moving into that area.

*While I would be very negative - very negative - towards relocating into that area, I did find kind of a nice, cheery feature article on that area that was run in the local newspaper - the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - in 2002 (so it is a bit dated). I wouldn't say that the article is unfair, however, I would warn you that surely feature articles on neighborhoods like these will paint the positives of an area quite nicely; however, with me having said my strong opinion on the area, surely you can come to your own conclusions - good luck!!:

JS Online: Finding the right fit

Thank you for your imput, I know that area is close to I think it is called berryland, and it seems pretty wild over there. Thank you, you have giving me alot to think about. I really appreciate it!!!

[EnjoyEP]

No problem, ministers, I wish you the best of success and hope you end up well suited and happy in the greater Milwaukee area, an area that certainly has many plus-sides!

I know in my youth and through not that long ago, my aunt and uncle lived around 35th and Silver Spring...really close to the area you are thinking of...as my aunt taught at a school near there and my uncle worked for years at WTMJ...we played and frolicked for years around there in the yards, etc. Now, I would never go there much less live there, sadly.

But there are I am sure still many great, upstanding folks that live there and it still has beauty, etc. I just wish that darn crime wasn't so high in that area.

Good luck to you!!!

[milwjake20]

Originally Posted by ministers

I'm looking to buy a home, and I hear there are great deals in the Thurston Woods area. How is the area? Is it family friendly, and quiet? My husband and I are in our 30's and looking for a good neighborhood to raise our kids in. I look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks and God Bless!!!

I have got to comment on this! I lived in the thurston woods neighborhood for the first 12 years of my life, from 87-99. We lived on 36th and florist. I am white. I walked to school with my sister every day to christ memorial on thurston and teutonia. We NEVER had any problems. Sure, we knew what areas to avoid. But, I had friends from school that lived in berryland and it was never an issue to go over there. We also loved going to havenwoods. Havenwoods is a huge wildlife preserve right in the middle of the city. Very nice to live so close to an awesome resource. Stay away from home run foods. Sadly, the neighborhood seems to be going downhill. We still go to church at Christ Memorial, but every time we ride down our old block, it is sad, because all our old neighbors have moved and our houses have fallen into disrepair.

[ministers]

Originally Posted by milwjake20

I have got to comment on this! I lived in the thurston woods neighborhood for the first 12 years of my life, from 87-99. We lived on 36th and florist. I am white. I walked to school with my sister every day to christ memorial on thurston and teutonia. We NEVER had any problems. Sure, we knew what areas to avoid. But, I had friends from school that lived in berryland and it was never an issue to go over there. We also loved going to havenwoods. Havenwoods is a huge wildlife preserve right in the middle of the city. Very nice to live so close to an awesome resource. Stay away from home run foods. Sadly, the neighborhood seems to be going downhill. We still go to church at Christ Memorial, but every time we ride down our old block, it is sad, because all our old neighbors have moved and our houses have fallen into disrepair.

Thank you, I thought the same thing about HomeRun Foods, I don't think I will buy a house there. The house is on one of the nices blocks in Thurston Woods, but sooner or later you have to leave your block you know. I am black, but I am a christian, reserved, and really don't want the headache of loud neighbors. It is ok if you are having a barbecue, but not all day and at 2:00AM when everyone else is sleeping.

[DOUBTNONE]

I recently moved into the Thurston Woods area exactly a year ago. It is a diverse area, pretty much quiet, mostly homeowners whom tend to their houses. There is always a bad seed in the bunch and crime is every where but just NOT broadcasted in some areas. I would not knock Thurston Woods but I surely would not mind a certain family being removed off the block. They have been nothing but trouble since they moved in, disrespectful, loud and just no common sense to others surrounding them. Other than that I love my house and the rest of my neighbors. I wish the landlord would get a clue

[KC3700]

I've never lived in Thurston Woods, but I really liked that area and used to walk around there a lot.I've always admired that neighborhood's green space and liked walking around it even though I'm from further south on the North Side (Center Street, North Avenue).

As much as I hate to say it: you shouldn't buy a home in that area. It's not a bad area, but it is indeed turning. The city seems to be oblivious to this, and I can't see why.

When you compare Thurston Woods with other parts of the city as far as crime and blight goes, it is still a good area. But I've seen a lot of homes and buildings in that area that are beginning to fall into disrepair. It doesn't take a crystal ball to see how that area might be in 10 years.

You may want to rent for awhile. Renting an apartment in that area sounds like a pretty good idea, but as far as buying a house, I wouldn't. Home values in that area are falling, so holding off might be a good idea.