Questions about Milwaukee (Mequon, Germantown, Richfield: how much, houses, employment)

[carlschmarl2]

Well, its official. we are off to Milwaukee. The fiancé is with the FBI and got placed in the lovely city. She is scheduled to move around the first of the year. We are both from Central New York (Rochester) and know nothing about the new area. I have a TON of questions. Mainly our concerns are: demographics, housing (where to start looking, good townships), Employment for me, taxes, hunting, and weather for snowmobiling. The only downside that I have seen so far are the CCW laws…or lack of. I carry almost all the time and that is going to be a weird feeling not to have a gun on my hip when we go out.

Housing. We do not want to live in the city itself. We would like something that is within a commuting distance to the Federal Building. If I had it my way we would have a nice piece of property outside city limits if at all possible. What is the housing market like? What are the taxes like? What areas should we avoid when looking for houses?

Employment. I would like to be in some sort of Law Enforcement, be it city, count, town, whatever. How do I go about doing this? What is the Wisconsin system like for public safety? Civil Service exams? Actually, I’m open to any job for the time being as long as it pays decent and has benefits. So if anyone has any “ins” please let me know.

How is the hunting? Mainly I am concerned about duck hunting in and around ponds and swamps…not so much out in the big waters of the lake. How are the public lands around the Milwaukee area to hunt? Are there any? What about deer? Do I have to do anything special to register my guns – both handguns and long guns?

How are the snowmobile trails around the area? How much snow does Milwaukee get? I checked the average weather and it is right on with Rochester NY but I can’t find the snow fall totals. I know the farther north you go the better, but I don’t want to drive 5+ hours from Milwaukee to find the good trails every weekend.

Please, if you have ANY input I’d love to hear it. Any help with jobs or housing, again, please share. Thanks!

Carl

[MILWCITY]

Richfield(along I-45) is great for snowmobiling its in a location where it hooks up with a lot of trails. Hunting is going to be tough in the Milw area due to restrictions find some land you want to hunt on and ask them for hunting rights. The Far Northwest suburbs would be your answer to hunting, fishing, duck hunting, and Richfield has a Cabelas.

[i4tas]

How are the snowmobile trails around the area? How much snow does Milwaukee get? I checked the average weather and it is right on with Rochester NY but I can’t find the snow fall totals. I know the farther north you go the better, but I don’t want to drive 5+ hours from Milwaukee to find the good trails every weekend.

tails suck in the milwaukee area (all SE WI)... they do not groom. only 2-3 hour drive to eagle river, wi the snowmobile capital of the world. the northwoods has snow dec1-aprl1 and is by far the best place in the lower 48 to ride. central wi (wis dells) is also good for ridding but trails can close due to rain/warm temps.

you can ride in washington, dodge, jefferson counties but trails are only in good condition 24 hours after snow due to traffic and usually warmer temps the next week.

the northwoods (north of wausau - greenbay) has lakes, snowmobiling bars, wide trails, trails that curve in the woods, one way trails, and no corn fields.

[ffknight918]

As far as jobs in public safety, the Milwaukee Police Department usually tests a few times a year from what I'm aware of. There are not TOO many applicants. I've heard that most cops like the new Chief. The suburbs may be a bit harder to get on.

The Milwaukee Fire Department just tested last month for the first time in over 4 years. About 10,000 applied, 5800 took the written test, and 300 moved on.(The MFD is top-rate in the country so there were a lot of applicants) I work in the suburbs as a firefighter, but took the written for MFD and passed. I'm exempt from the physical test(have a certificate for one I recently passed) and should have an interview in November.

Sorry, I don't know as much about the PD side of things as I do about the FD. However, getting on MPD might not be took hard if you don't mind working for them.

[carlschmarl2]

Is anyone a Koch Industries Employee or do you know of one/any? I am filling out an application and it is asking if I know anyone that is employed by Koch. I know this might be a leap of faith for someone to recommend someone whom they have never met before, but I assure you, it will NOT be a mistake. And the good turn will not go unnoticed!

Carl

[carlschmarl2]

Also,

What are some towns that are to the North of Milwaukee? We're looking for some quieter SAFE neighborhoods, larger yards/acreage, and still within 45 minutes to Milwaukee.

[i4tas]

u can get that only 25 minutes north: mequon, grafton.

northern burbs near lake are better commute on i43 to downtown than the northwest like richfield

[carlschmarl2]

Originally Posted by i4tas

u can get that only 25 minutes north: mequon, grafton.

northern burbs near lake are better commute on i43 to downtown than the northwest like richfield

How about some other neighborhoods?! Mequon and Grafton seem to be a bit pricey...people have some pretty bold asking prices for small worn out houses.

What are some good Realty websites to be looking at? Are there any that encompass a few different firms?

Carl

[quijote]

Originally Posted by carlschmarl2

How about some other neighborhoods?! Mequon and Grafton seem to be a bit pricey...people have some pretty bold asking prices for small worn out houses.

What are some good Realty websites to be looking at? Are there any that encompass a few different firms?

Carl

If you're willing to have a longer commute, look at the areas around Germantown, Saukville, Richfield, and Jackson. Lots in the center of these communities tend to be close-in, but you can find more acreage outside of the central areas, and in adjoining unicorporated areas.