Best neighborhoods around MCW (Milwaukee, Waukesha: apartment complex, renting, crime rate)

[andrea17]

Can someone please tell me which are the best neighborhoods close to Medical College of Wisconsin? I know Brookfield and Pewaukee, but anything else. Thanks in advance.

[stasia5454]

I lived in New Berlin WI for one year and Hales Corners for a year as well and loved both of them. Hales Corners has a wonderful park system there too (Whitnall park). Franklin and Oak Creek are a little further away, but also great areas. Brookfield (as you mentioned) is a really nice area too.

Is there anything in particular your looking for in a neighborhood? I'd be happy to recommend checking some places out if you want to post a little more about your ideal area

[andrea17]

I'm looking for a nice private pre-k, close to MCW, and safe community. Are these neighborhoods that you mentioned upper middle class or middle class?

Thanks again,

[stasia5454]

I don't know much about the schools around since I don't have kids yet, so I can't help you on the Pre-k, but as for the rest...

Brookfield and Pewaukee I would say are more upper class (of course some areas might be exceptions, but on the whole...). New Berlin is upper class too, but not quite as much as Brookfield. Hales Corners and Franklin are mostly middle class, although Franklin has some spots with some brand new HUGE houses! Oak Creek is a little farther from MCW, about 30 minutes, but has some really adorable neighborhoods that are nice for families (I used to work as a nanny for a family there) and is more on the middle class side. These areas are all on the S/SW side of MCW. If you look N, there are some areas like Glendale and Shorewood which have neighborhoods with some areas of all classes. They are neat areas (I prefer to visit rather than live there) with a more urban feel.

Of all these, I would have to say New Berlin is my favorite, although the homes here can be priced pretty high (but renting is more reasonable if you are going that route). It's about 15-20 minutes from MCW, has lots of stores and restaurants, easy highway access from almost anywhere, great parks and recreation, and is a very safe and clean place (I think the crime rate there is a 1 on the 1-10 scale actually). I can't think of anything that isn't there already that I would want to add.

All in all, there are some great areas within easy access to MCW. We recently moved away to be closer to our families in NH, and already I am wishing we could move back to that area!

[ffknight918]

Originally Posted by andrea17

I'm looking for a nice private pre-k, close to MCW, and safe community. Are these neighborhoods that you mentioned upper middle class or middle class?

Thanks again,

I'd say a little of both. It would depend on the areas. I live in Oak Creek so I'm a bit more familiar with the OC and Franklin area. There are definitely upper middle class areas. Then there are some that are just middle class.

Oak Creek also has a few lower class areas, but they are very segregated. There's on called Carrolville near the lake and another apartment complex off Drexal and Howell that isn't too great. I was actually just talking with an Oak Creek Firefighter the other day(I'm South Milw. and Hales Corners), and he mentioned how almost every fire is in one of those two areas.(There have been A LOT of fires this year)

I work as a firefighter in Hales Corners. I'm fairly new to the job since they finally upgraded the dept.(Used to be all paid-on-call that responded to the station from home. The call volume went up so they made a part-time position and hired some people that work there all day) Anyway, it's a pretty nice area. It's actually a village of only about 8-9,000 people. That's makes it sound small, but it's actually located right in the middle of everything. HWY 100 is the main street with EVERYTHING you would need on it. Then it's surrounded by Greenfield, Greendale, and Franklin. So even though the village itself is only about 3 square miles, there is a lot going on there.

I also worked at Pewaukee Fire Dept since last June. It's a pretty nice area as well. There is actually a village and a city.(Same goes for Brookfield-Town and City) There are definitely some more expensive areas on the lake. The area near that lake is really nice. There are shops, restaurants, and bars all located behind the beach. Nice city, but I prefer Milwaukee County over Waukesha.

Hope that helped a bit.

Edit: I forgot to talk about the schools.

Oak Creek has a great school system in my opinion. The main complaint that you might hear is about the sports. Some people say that Oak Creek takes their sports more seriously than their academics. This isn't true. I was an athlete in several sports, and they are definitely big, especially football. They always have good teams and are always supported. However, this has NO effect on the academics. You are never "stuck" with taking classes with your own grade if you are smarter than that. Many take advanced class starting their freshman year. Once students reach junior or senior year, there are plenty taking AP classes. Then if the school does not offer it, they will send you to a class or two at MATC or Marquette. They also pay for it.(free classes at Marquette University is definitely not something to complain about.) I had plenty of credits my senior year so I would go to school for four classes and leave at 11am. Then some days I would have classes at MATC for either computer drafting or firefighting. I definitely recommend it.

I also coach football and scout basketball at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle-High School. This is one of two schools(there's also New Berlin West) that has grades 7-12. I've only coached and scouted for the high school students. I don't know much about the academics, but the atmosphere at the school is great. Their sports are very competitive around the state. Their boys basketball team actually just won the state championship two days ago. However, many of the coaches(who are also teachers) kind of have that "let's just have fun" atitude. They all love their players and give them a great experience. The atmosphere at games is great. Many argue about them have the best student section in the conference and many also said that they had the best at state. So it's a great atmosphere like I said, but I can't get too in depth with the academics.

[argyle]

Definitely check out Elm Grove (very upper middle class) and Wauwatosa. Both much closer to MCW than some other cities mentioned.

[ffknight918]

Originally Posted by argyle

Definitely check out Elm Grove (very upper middle class) and Wauwatosa. Both much closer to MCW than some other cities mentioned.

I was gonna say that in my last post, but I forgot. Isn't it located in Tosa? I don't know too much about Tosa. I like how it's a suburb, but still has the urban feel.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by ffknight918

I was gonna say that in my last post, but I forgot. Isn't it located in Tosa? I don't know too much about Tosa. I like how it's a suburb, but still has the urban feel.

Elm Grove is connected with Brookfield, West of MCW. The Western end of Wauwatosa is at MCW.

Both are good areas close in proximity to MCW.

[argyle]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Elm Grove is connected with Brookfield, West of MCW. The Western end of Wauwatosa is at MCW.

Both are good areas close in proximity to MCW.

Right.... MCW is on 87th & Watertown Plank Road in Wauwatosa. If you head west from MCW on Watertown Plank Road to 124th, you'll enter Elm Grove... a beautiful community.

I live in Tosa... some areas you might want to take a look at:
- Washington Highlands neighborhood, on the east end of Tosa
- Olde Hillcrest neighborhood, just east of Tosa East High School
- Historic Heights neighborhood, just west of Tosa East

A few links...
The Washington Homes Association
Village of Wauwatosa - Business Improvement District

[DaBears]

Originally Posted by ffknight918

I also coach football and scout basketball at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle-High School. Many argue about them have the best student section in the conference and many also said that they had the best at state. So it's a great atmosphere like I said, but I can't get too in depth with the academics.

graduated eisenhower in 91 & it was like that 'back then' too... BUT i think new berlin is a little too far for mcw...my sister went there and was a hike for her...she/we had lived in an apt on wisconsin ave & 92nd...it's a nice area...