What's it like in Milwaukee? (Pewaukee: loft, places to live, professionals)

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

Hey guys, I thought I would just ask some sort of broad questions here.
I live in the Detroit suburbs, and I've sort of always been curious about Milwaukee. I noticed some pretty cool area, specifically Brady Street, and while I have said I'd never want to move from Michigan, Milwaukee looks pretty interesting. Honestly Chicago has always seemed a little too big and a little too clean for me. I like cities to have a little bit of grit to them, not necessarily a mess, but just more middle class, and be a little smaller, which Milwaukee seems to be compared to Chicago, even though it seems like their metro areas are sort of one. Is there a lot of culture in Milwaukee? Different ethnic neighborhoods, any gay areas/friendly business areas? I think all of these speak for a well rounded neighborhood. I mentioned Brady Street, but are there others that are sort of interesting like that, and how is Brady Street?

Thanks!

And PS, as a side note, whats with all the similar names in Northern Illinois and the Milwaukee area? Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukegan, Waukesha, Wauwatosa. I'm assuming they are from Indian words, but do they have a similar meaning?

Milwaukee is very close to Chicago in proximity. The sizes, economies and several other things are very different. However, there are many similarities between the two places imo.

Milwaukee is gay friendly. That won't be an issue for you. Culture too.

The biggest difference really is that in Milwaukee you have to sometimes search for the place or thing you want and need but often times it's there. In Chicago for example, let's say you want to go to a play or something, there are 50 to choose from instead of a few on a given night.

And, as many others have mentioned, cost of living is much less in Milwaukee, easy access for day trips to Chicago, weekends, etc...

Milwaukee compares favorably to metros of similar size. Milwaukee won't have the same quantity of upper middle class areas as medium or large metros, but they have their share, and that's how it is w other topics too.

[#Littledog]

Hello, native Detroiter! I grew up in a Detroit suburb (Birmingham) and I came to Milwaukee for college. I'm now 38 years old and I never looked back! I miss my family in Detroit but there are so many things I love about Milwaukee, it would take too long to list! The biggest difference I noticed (and still notice when we visit Detroit) is Milwaukee people are probably the nicest people you'd ever meet! People in Detroit suburbs (and I'm hoping this doesn't offend you-I'm from there so I think it's ok to say) tend to be mean, pretentious, snobby, competitive.....in Milwaukee, you get the feeling like everyone is your best friend-no matter if you're from West Allis (more of a blue collar area) or Bayside (think Gross Pointe) you get the feeling that it's one big party and everyone's invited!

Milwaukee is also a much more walkable, centrally located city. It's great for going out at night-all of the hot spots are just a quick cab ride or walk away. Now, I know the actual city of Detroit is A LOT better for compared to when I was younger. But Milwaukee's just easier to get around.

Another big difference is the huge public access to beautiful lake Michigan! I felt like in Detroit, unless you had private lake property, you could hardly get to the lake with the exception of some of the man made lakes (that you have to drive to). You can't really swim in Lake Michigan (well, I guess you can but the water's pretty mucky, yucky) but the stretch of walking and bike trails along the great lake are breath-taking.

Although the crime in Milwaukee has gotten worse since I've lived here, it's a safer city than Detroit.

The winters are just as cold as Detroit. It's a bit windier but really about the same.

I hope that helps! Come for a visit in the summer and you will see why so many people love it here!

[wanderlusting]

You could be right in some aspects, but I think Chicago has always been more attractive than us, it's always been a bit of a competition that we'll never win. I think alot of people are moving up here from Chicago because shockingly enough, they get a better deal on their condos here & they can still commute to work. But who knows, I still think Milwaukee is great.

Yeah, and the commute isn't that bad. I've taken the Amtrak a number of times and it goes pretty fast. I wouldn't want to do it everyday though.

Milwaukee is gay friendly. That won't be an issue for you. Culture too

As far as being gay friendly, don't know, maybe in some areas. Milwaukee is no San Francisco or even a Seattle or Portland. However, Milwaukee was rated the #1 city for lesbians by some magazine a year or so ago.

The biggest difference really is that in Milwaukee you have to sometimes search for the place or thing you want and need but often times it's there. In Chicago for example, let's say you want to go to a play or something, there are 50 to choose from instead of a few on a given night.

That's one of the things that always made me mad. In the past, a lot of bands or solo artists would bypass stopping in Milwaukee because it was too close to Chicago, even if we had a venue big enough for the artist. In the 80s, U2 never played here or did Springsteen. I think both have been here since though. Led Zeppelin never played here in the 70s and neither did the Stones. Other artists bypassed Milwaukee a lot.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by wanderlusting

Yeah, and the commute isn't that bad. I've taken the Amtrak a number of times and it goes pretty fast. I wouldn't want to do it everyday though.



As far as being gay friendly, don't know, maybe in some areas. Milwaukee is no San Francisco or even a Seattle or Portland. However, Milwaukee was rated the #1 city for lesbians by some magazine a year or so ago.



That's one of the things that always made me mad. In the past, a lot of bands or solo artists would bypass stopping in Milwaukee because it was too close to Chicago, even if we had a venue big enough for the artist. In the 80s, U2 never played here or did Springsteen. I think both have been here since though. Led Zeppelin never played here in the 70s and neither did the Stones. Other artists bypassed Milwaukee a lot.

Yeah, I agree about bands, but I did see U2 in Madison, back in 91 I think & I believe they were here in Milwaukee just a few years ago. That is frustrating though, isn't it? I've only gone to Chicago I think once or twice to see a band, too much of a hassle just for a couple hours. And what really sucks is Summerfest has gotten just so old & staid w/their headliners...I don't know about you, but I don't think there's one band I would see this year. It's been like that for a while now, especially when the new director took over.

[wanderlusting]

Originally Posted by karfar

Yeah, I agree about bands, but I did see U2 in Madison, back in 91 I think & I believe they were here in Milwaukee just a few years ago. That is frustrating though, isn't it? I've only gone to Chicago I think once or twice to see a band, too much of a hassle just for a couple hours. And what really sucks is Summerfest has gotten just so old & staid w/their headliners...I don't know about you, but I don't think there's one band I would see this year. It's been like that for a while now, especially when the new director took over.

Yep I totally agree about Summerfest! It's becoming predictable. Is Tom Petty going to be there this year? Cheap Trick is there a lot too. I was really into Cheap Trick in the late 70s and 80s. Haven't seen them lately though. I saw them at County Stadium with Heart and Nugent and once headlining at the arena. Maybe I better just keep my memories.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by wanderlusting

Yep I totally agree about Summerfest! It's becoming predictable. Is Tom Petty going to be there this year? Cheap Trick is there a lot too. I was really into Cheap Trick in the late 70s and 80s. Haven't seen them lately though. I saw them at County Stadium with Heart and Nugent and once headlining at the arena. Maybe I better just keep my memories.

Ok, so far at the Amphitheatre, we've got: Stevie Wonder, Rush, Steve Miller, Rascal Flatts w/Taylor Swift, Alicia Keyes w/Steve Marley, John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty (there you go), & Jonas Brothers....hmmmm, I would perhaps go see Stone Temple Pilots & that is it. Do you see a pattern going on here?

[karfar]

Oh yeah, I saw Cheap Trick open for INXS back in, god I don't know when, it was when the Rock Stage faced the other way....but I never saw INXS because the storm from hell came in & I thought the end of the world was coming.

[wanderlusting]

Originally Posted by karfar

Ok, so far at the Amphitheatre, we've got: Stevie Wonder, Rush, Steve Miller, Rascal Flatts w/Taylor Swift, Alicia Keyes w/Steve Marley, John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty (there you go), & Jonas Brothers....hmmmm, I would perhaps go see Stone Temple Pilots & that is it. Do you see a pattern going on here?

Yep, the pattern is like the last few years. Several boomer acts along with a country act, an R&B act, and an alternative rock act. I'm kind of surprised to see Stevie Wonder on the bill though. Also surprised to see Steve Miller. He's a boomer act and was born here but never spent much time here, living or performing. Good to see he's coming "home."

[wanderlusting]

Originally Posted by karfar

Oh yeah, I saw Cheap Trick open for INXS back in, god I don't know when, it was when the Rock Stage faced the other way....but I never saw INXS because the storm from hell came in & I thought the end of the world was coming.

Oh yeah, the weather factor. You plan and wait to see someone and then the storms come out of nowhere and wash it all away. Sometimes it's kinda fun though if it comes early in the day and doesn't rain too hard or too long.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by wanderlusting

Oh yeah, the weather factor. You plan and wait to see someone and then the storms come out of nowhere and wash it all away. Sometimes it's kinda fun though if it comes early in the day and doesn't rain too hard or too long.

I actually wish I would've been at Summerfest in the good ole days....the days of people bring in kegs & wallowing around in mud. So much less sophisticated!