do you consider Menomonie Falls to be a suburb of Milwaukee? (Appleton: fit in, high crime)

[Angorlee]

I think its almost close enough to fit into the definiton of a suburb but its still far enough out so maybe it doesn't. What do you think?

[Empidonax]

Originally Posted by Angorlee

I think its almost close enough to fit into the definiton of a suburb but its still far enough out so maybe it doesn't. What do you think?

Yes, it's definitely a suburb--and not just according to the U.S. Census Bureau definitions (MF lies in the Mke metro area, and commute patterns reveal a classic urb/suburb connection with the City of Milwaukee). Though the eastern border of MF abuts the border of the City of Milwaukee, it's pretty much a classic outer-ring suburb.

From a historical perspective, MF is very much a suburb. It does have a small town center, and at one time in the past it was a more-or-less independent community, but over the years--especially from the 1960s on--MF has, like other suburbs, been a refuge for middle class whites who have left a Milwaukee in the throes of integration, busing, etc.

From a cultural point of view, MF fits the definition: the little town center area has declined as big-box stores and chain restaurants have taken root in easily accessible malls around Appleton, County Line Rd., and other major roads. The low-density housing in MF is classic outer-ring suburban, with many subdivisions created over the past few decades. Someone I know who lives in MF nicknames it "Monotony Falls."

From a political point of view, MF fits the suburban mold. It's part of Sensenbrenner's congressional district, a gerrymandered swath of land that gobbles up a good chunk of mostly-Republican-leaning residential perimeter (from Waukesha County through Washington County and into Ozaukee County, and the North Shore) that hugs the City of Milwaukee to the northwest, north, and northeast. Politically, this district represents something of an ideological fortress against the urban issues (high crime, racial diversity, etc.) that beset the adjoining Milwaukee districts.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Meno. Falls is a suburb, no question about. Its nickname is "Monotony Falls."

[slamont61]

I would believe that the Falls are in Milwaukee County anyways.. The Bus lines go out that way the Menominee Flyer #79 and the Butler/Menomenee #9 Bus from Milwaukee.

To me it's a nice area, kind of self sustaining but is a part of Milwaukee.

[Ron Burgundy]

Originally Posted by slamont61

I would believe that the Falls are in Milwaukee County anyways..

That would be incorrect. Menomonee Falls is in the Northeastern-most corner of Waukesha County. Or so says its geography, racial demographics, and voting records.

I get a kick out of the original question though. How could an area that literally abuts the city of Milwaukee not be considered a suburb? There's no way a village that boring and drab can be considered it's own self-reliant entity. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but I've found the Falls to be a bit overly concrete-ridden for me.

[Lookout Kid]

Heck, the Census even calls places as distant as Hartford and Wales Milwaukee suburbs. Pretty much anything in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties is a suburb according to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Statistical Area. But if you drive to some of these places, the idea seems absurd.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

I would call places like Hartford and Wales Ex-Urbs. Hartford's population has exploded in the last ten years. This would not have happened if the town were not within driving distance of the Milwaukee metro area. So it is it's own self-contained little town, seperated from other suburbs by some miles of farmland, but it is economically connected to Milwaukee. Which makes it an Ex-Urb.

[OneSweetWorld]

Its part of the Milwaukee MSA so therefore for statistical purposes it is part of the Milwaukee Metro are which includes suburbs.

[#Littledog]

Definitely a suburb.

[karfar]

Menomonee Falls is in Waukesha County, I grew up there. Sorry some of you think of it as Monotony Falls. Growing up, it was a great place to be. Unfortunately, w/all the development going on & boring ass subdivisions, it's no longer the fun place it used to be. Bye bye all that great farmland & woods.