Relocating to Milwaukee from Indianapolis (Waukesha, Wauwatosa: best neighborhoods, crime, houses)

[then]

My husband is contemplating accepting a job offer in Waukesha. We have two children. We are looking for a nice area for our family either in Waukesha or Milwaukee. What are some of the best neighborhoods. We currently live in a northern suburb of Indy which I would describe as upper-middle class.

What are your thoughts on Brewers Hill?

[sunflower53072]

I don't know Brewer's Hill. I only moved here two years ago myself from Columbus, Ohio. My husband works in Waukesha and we live in Pewaukee which is actually right on the border of Hartland. Lots of families live out where we do, which is considered lake country. Delafield, Hartland,Oconomowoc, Sussex etc.. make up the area. The school districts are Arrowhead and Kettle Morraine and are considered pretty good(we do private school thou) It is a bit more rural than what we were used to in suburban Columbus. Brookfield is a bit more suburban, but the houses are a bit older and more $ for what you get. If you would like to live closer to the city I know Whitefish Bay and that area has good schools as well, but would be a farther commute. Good luck!

[mikki]

I have lived in Waukesha for 10 years and taught here in the public schools for 18 years. The Pewaukee-Hartland area is a little more rural and Waukesha is actually a small city unto itself. Kids can walk and ride bikes safely as there are sidewalks connecting almost the entire city and the park system is phenomonal. The schools are great as well. There are many upper middle class neighborhoods here as well. We live in one and are actually movign out of state as well due to my husband's job transfer....we will miss it here. Please feel free to PM me if you would like more info!

[ggaetti]

I will agree with the information in the above posts. My daughter and family live in Hartland.

[Iggyb2]

I agree with the above posts, we are selling our house in the Hartland School district, it's 4 bds, 2 1/2 baths, with a partially exposed unfinished basement that's already plumbed for a 3rd full bath. It's in a subdivision like yours, on 1/2 acre + lots. 3000 sq ft. You may have moved already, but if not, or if you know anyone else who may be interested, please let me know.

[Fishtacos]

Original poster, all of the above advice, good advice etc...are areas closest to or in Waukesha....which generally speaking are more rural in feel, small town in feel.

If your desire is to be close to the city, or close in city suburb, they would not be for you.

Brewers Hill is urban living, not suburban living. It is a very nice area, which borders a low socio-economic area to its North. It's in the city. The futher North and West you go, the worse it gets, for crime and safety, etc... and ...being new to Milwaukee, it may be a big edgy of an area for you or possibly too urban, possibly not, but very urban trendy, lots of developing going on there. Used to not be a good area.

First, Milwaukee metro is very small, and very driveable. You can go from far flung North suburbs to downtown in less than 20-30 minutes same for West and South. So you have many options. Not too different from Indy.

Upper-Middle class Milwaukee burbs(generally speaking) are considered to be Brookfield, Mequon, Fox Point, White Fish Bay, River Hills, for starters.

The closer you are to Lake Michigan, the more expensive the homes, starting on lower East Side of the city and moving North out to Mequon and Fox Point, passing through Shorewood and White Fish Bay.

Schools are very good in the above mentioned areas as well. Areas closer to the Lake are also much more densely populated.

In Milwaukee itself, the higher/highest crime areas, generally speaking are in the city, West and Northwest Side. ...nowhere near downtown which is a safe area. And suburbs are safe as well.

Based on what you are looking for I would look at:

Shorewood(this and White Fish bay are very close to city, 3 miles or less)
White Fish Bay
Fox Point
River Hills
Mequon
Brookfield

Close to Waukesha but closer to Milwaukee would be Brookfield area(20 minutes from Milwaukee) ....That would be considered upper middle class of inner closer Milwaukee suburbs West. Wauwatosa is also a nice area of older homes, character etc...which is still West suburb, close to Milwaukee 10 minutes or less.

The commute gets longer from those North suburbs. But doable in 30 minutes or so. Glendale would also be one other are not mentioned that is fine, more middle class than upper.

River Hills is very small and private and upper crust. Your commute would be helped and easier perhaps in White Fish Bay area.

Some of the above areas will get you big lots, etc...and others will be a lot more cramped for your buck based on where they are, but make up for it with the neighborhood, proximities, etc...

If it were me, based on yor interests.....what I would do is compare West with North suburbs if, you are going to want to be close to city of Milwaukee.

First thing you should do for fun is take a drive on N Lake Drive starting from lower East Side(Lafayette Hill area) and take Lake Drive from Lower East Side Milwaukee through Shorewood, through WhiteFish Bay, Fox Point etc....best drive you will take in Milwaukee for scenery along Lake Michigan, and you get to see the neighborhoods on that side too. It can be done in 15 miles out to Mequon. I would do this first, explore some areas. Some homes you might consider next to some of the mansions on the Lakefront.

I would also explore the Third Ward area next to downtown...more for pleasure than anything else, to see some of what the city has to offer, and festivals and downtown....which imo is what is best about Milwaukee, the city itself.

[Nuclear_Art]

Obviously with two kids the quality of schools may be a big factor. If you choose private schools then it probably doesn't matter where you live but if you want good public schools the city of Milwaukee may not be the best choice. Wauwatosa has very good public schools particularly on the west side of the city.

Commute times to Waukesha can vary but depending on the area of Waukesha, it can be high. The closer you live to where your husband may work, the better. Obviously if he will be working in the city of Waukesha, he may want to consider areas other then the metro Milwaukee area. If it is in Waukesha county but say, in New Berlin or Brookfield, then he may not mind commuting from Wauwatosa. New Berlin also isn't bad but it isn't too urban if that is what you are looking for.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by Nuclear_Art

Obviously with two kids the quality of schools may be a big factor. If you choose private schools then it probably doesn't matter where you live but if you want good public schools the city of Milwaukee may not be the best choice. Wauwatosa has very good public schools particularly on the west side of the city.

Commute times to Waukesha can vary but depending on the area of Waukesha, it can be high. The closer you live to where your husband may work, the better. Obviously if he will be working in the city of Waukesha, he may want to consider areas other then the metro Milwaukee area. If it is in Waukesha county but say, in New Berlin or Brookfield, then he may not mind commuting from Wauwatosa. New Berlin also isn't bad but it isn't too urban if that is what you are looking for.

I'll agree on Tosa, however I disagree that the closer you live to his work the better. Milwaukee is a small city. Many people commute from ...say...North burbs to West burbs. etc...I wouldn't go past Mequon to the North, but I would look at the other North burbs for example without any hesitation. ....sure it is always nice to be one town or burb over form work etc...but far from necessary in a metro like Milwaukee. Milwaukee doesn't get a lot of traffic compared to bigger cities.

[dkmisol]

Also please consider Elm Grove... much smaller that many of the big Waukesha Co. Suburbs, and closer to Waukesha, while still being close to the city.

Elm Grove is nice... small, and a more established community compared with the likes of Brookfield, Sussex, and New Berlin (which are much more widespread and busy).

[Nuclear_Art]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Milwaukee doesn't get a lot of traffic compared to bigger cities.

Freeway volume at rush hours everywhere in Milwaukee is above design capacity. If you are stuck commuting at rush hours you are stuck. Storms, accidents, and construction can double commute times. I prefer 5-10 minute commutes. Anything more than 20 minutes is a waste of time.