Suburbs of Milwaukee (Madison, West Allis, Wauwatosa: relocating, budget, apartment)

[mcmover]

I am considering relocating to the Milwaukee area. My two daughters will be going to Marquette. I want to be close but not too close. I have been looking at the West Allis area. Is this a good place to live? I am looking for an area that isn't all families, some single night life.

[EnjoyEP]

First off, if you could provide some additional / more details in terms of what you are looking for in terms of a community, buying or renting (and a rough budget if buying), what you prefer (more ruralish or more urbanish), etc. - stuff like that - it might help us better advise you.

There are probably 40 different suburban communities that make up metropolitan Milwaukee, so without more detail, we are kind of shooting fish in a barrel.

Having said that...

Originally Posted by mcmover

I have been looking at the West Allis area. Is this a good place to live?

Depends upon by what you mean "good".

I would live in some parts of West Allis and there is nothing in the world *wrong* with WA, however, having said that, it wouldn't be my top choice or near it for the metro area. Why? A matter of personal taste / preference.

West Allis is an inner ring suburb directly bordering to Milwaukee. That makes access quite good and a positive of WA.

It is a more "urban" suburb in that for the most part, one cannot tell much of a difference for most of WA between it and bordering portions of Milwaukee (this is similar to other suburbs Wauwatosa and Shorewood - albeit in different ways bordering different areas of MKE).

One virtuous quality of WA is that it is one of the more affordable suburbs in all of metro Milwaukee housing and apartment rental wise. One can buy more house in WA than in many other suburban communities.

WA is an old, established, fairly large Milwaukee suburb. There is no growth really there, but it will keep plugging along at its size.

Overall, WA has a reputation of being a more blue collar, corner pub, NASCAR-loving, Pabst Blue Ribbon-drinking working man's community. Not anything wrong with that, and surely that is a huge, broad generalization. But much of WA will feel very much like that. That might make WA great to some and horrible to others - just depends upon what you like and what you are looking for.

Lots of families in WA for sure. "Single life" would be more akin to the corner sports pub on the block rather than a swanky, hip new trendy bar - again, for better or worse.

Western West Allis (say, west of 100th Street through 124th street) in many ways feels a bit different from the rest of West Allis. That portion feels a hare more like a New Berlin (more classically suburban and a bit more un-blue-collarish). Probably if I lived in 'Stallis, this would be the part I would prefer.

Anyway, it is fairly reliably safe and affordable. The rest is just a matter of personal preference or taste.

Other communities you may wish to consider would be Milwaukee itself (Bay View and Washington Heights areas are really nice among others), Greendale, Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Franklin, Greenfield...but there are so many others too.

[mcmover]

I am not really sure if I am looking for house or townhome. I do like the older homes that I have seen on line. My price range is around $175,000 at the high end. I will definitely look into the other 'burbs you suggested.

Basically, I am just looking for a place that I can walk to get a cup of coffee in the morning or a corner store to get a loaf of bread, without having to drive for 20 minutes. Nothing fancy just good people in a good town.

[EnjoyEP]

I would strongly encourage you to consider Greendale. In my opinion, a much nicer community (I am biased because I have lived here now for about a year) - smaller, much more community oriented and much more walkable (which you like)...

Greendale is awesome because it is a walkable, wooded / scenic village but is literally only a couple minute's drive to major shopping / restaurants, etc., and only a 15 minute drive or so down to Marquette. Plus, you could get something in that $175K range.

Some of the other communities I mentioned might be tough at $175K (would be tough for me too).

Check out sites like:

http://www.greendale.org/

www.discovergreendale.com

www.greendaleoriginals.com

www.greendalelife.com

www.greendaleshops.com

http://www.greendalechamber.com/

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by mcmover

I am considering relocating to the Milwaukee area. My two daughters will be going to Marquette. I want to be close but not too close. I have been looking at the West Allis area. Is this a good place to live? I am looking for an area that isn't all families, some single night life.

Anything in the Milwaukee area will be "close" in my opinion. Chicago or Madison would be close but not too close. However, if you are set on Milwaukee, and considering what you have mentioned, look into Bayview, Wauwtosa and Shorewood, and the city.

I don't think West Allis is what you are seeking, and despite the recommendation, I'm gonna respectfully disagree with EP on that suggestion, only based on your stated interests as opposed to a place to live. His suggested area is families with kids as opposed to some single nightlife as well, or at least close access to it.

Otherwise, you can pretty much live anywhere in Metro Milwaukee and be within 20-30 minutes or less of anywhere else.

[radraja]

Wait a second! Are you sure your daughters want you moving to their college town with them? Milwaukee is a relatively small metro. Anything in the area will likely feel "too close".

I mean, most kids go away to school for the sake of, well...GOING AWAY.

[mcmover]

My daughters actually suggested me moving to Milwaukee. They don't want me in Milwaukee. A suburb would do just fine. Close but not too close.

[mcmover]

How is New Berlin? It looks affordable but how is it for a single life and jobs?

[Fishtacos]

New Berlin is a nice burb, newer construction, about 15-20 minutes to downtown. You have to drive everywhere, not a walking town. It's not a singles area, a family with kids area/couples etc....not a singles scene. There's nothing wrong with it, and it has close proximity driving into the city and other areas of your interests. Drawbacks are ...it's not a singles area and have to drive to get everywhere....everything else about it is fine as an area to live.

[Nuclear_Art]

Single night life probably limits you to downtown Milwaukee or the east side. Granted, if you have daughters going to Marquette you are not into the club scene but options are much better for you there. The suburbs are sleepy here unless your idea of a night out is dining at Perkins. Shorewood is probably the nicest, nearby suburb that will put you within easy reach of downtown.