Brookfield Wauwatosa comparison (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Elm Grove: crime, affordable houses, neighborhoods)

[littlestudio]

We (family of 6 with kids ranging from 15 to 3) are going to be moving to one of these two communities later this year. Could you guys give me a run down of the differences in culture between these two communities?

[#Littledog]

Both are very nice communities to raise a family. It depends on what you are looking for. Wauwatosa has more character if you like neighborhoods with sidewalks, beautiful, old architecture viewed in houses, churches, and store fronts, easy access to downtown, and a little more of a mix in terms of young and old families, singles, ethnic groups. Brookfield is more of a suburban feel with larger lots, newer houses, lots of strip malls, mostly white families with young and school aged children. If you want to really get to know your neighbors, you will like Wauwatosa. If want a bigger yard, nice, but more distant neighbors, quieter suburban streets, you will like Brookfield. Wauwatosa has some more crime as it borders the city but mostly it's quite safe and the 'Tosa police are awesome. Both are good school districts, but I think Brookfield's scores are a bit higher overall (you can check on greatschools.com). Some people might say Brookfield has more of a snob appeal that you don't really find in Wauwatosa, even though there are definitely upper middle class parts in 'Tosa. Although you will find nice families in Brookfield, too. Brookfield is in Waukesha county which has lower taxes that 'Tosa (MIlwaukee County). Also, 'Tosa schools do not provide bussing-parents either drive their kids or they walk to school. As a parent who has a child in the 'Tosa schools, most parents like walking their kids and/or driving them to school because it helps them feel a more a part of the school community, helps you get to know the other parents better. Brookfield has bussing, which might be more of a plus depending on your situation/schedule but you might feel a little less connected to the school, other parents. Both areas have a large shopping mall, both areas have easy access to downtown (with 'Tosa being closer-but Brookfiled's not too bad, depending on how often you want to go into the city.)

I hope I provided an objective description of both neighborhoods! Please let us know if you have more questions.

[littlestudio]

Wow, great information . . . and fast! We've been to the area to check it out and definitely like the feel of Tosa; however, we didn't give much of a look at Brookfield on our visit. We definitely liked the feel of 'Tosa (the architecture, Village, neighborly feel), so when we began looking for houses, we looked exclusively at Tosa. After awhile of looking I came across something that pointed me at Brookfield, and it seemed like you could get more house for the money (and WAY lower taxes) there. On the other hand, we are the kind of people who love to get to know our neighbors and be a part of the community so I don't really want to live in a neighborhood with people who want to just go in their house and stay there.

I guess what I really want is a Brookfield-sized house and lot with Elmbrook schools with the urban-community feel and culture of Wauwatosa! Will someone please wake me when the perfect world arrives . . .

[#Littledog]

I like your post! ). My husband and I are in the same boat-we love the feel of 'Tosa but you do get more house for your money in Brookfield! Another area you can check out is Elm Grove. The houses are similar to Brookfield with the larger lots and Waukesha county property taxes but there is a cute, older downtown area. The lots are more wooded (hence the name!) and I feel that the landscape is prettier than Brookfield IMHO. The Elm Grove community center has a newly renovated beautiful park with a swimming pool, tennis courts, a pond where people can even go fishing, and walking trails. The neighborhoods don't have sidewalks but there is one long sidewalk that links from the house area to the park area. The downtown area is small but quaint; it has some boutiques, ice cream shop, family restaurant, pub, gourmet grocery store. The School Sisters Convent is also historic and very pretty. I think Elm Grove might be a nice combo of 'Tosa and Brookfield, although the feel/culture is more Brookfield than 'Tosa but it has a central community area and more character compared to Brookfield. Now don't get sticker shock because the houses in Elm Grove are quite expensive but there are some affordable houses. The more affordable houses typically are the ranches that need a lot of updating because an older widowed lady lived in it. The houses tend to have the original home owner because it is such a desirable place to live. The general population of Elm Grove is old money and physicians but younger families are starting to move in now that the older population is starting to pass away (I don't mean to be crass, but it's true-there are some really elderly people in Elm Grove). Elm Grove uses the Elmbrook schools and it's a very convenient location-right next to Wauwatosa. Elm Grove has the highest property taxes compared to the other suburbs in Waukesha county but the taxes are still lower than 'Tosa. Hope this helps!

[littlestudio]

Does Elm Grove carry the "snob" stigma? Like the first time I meet someone and tell them I live in Elm Grove, what assumptions are they going to make about me?

Do you live in Tosa yourself?

[#Littledog]

I live in Milwaukee, but right on the border of Wauwatosa so it feels like my hometown-especially because my son goes to school in 'Tosa and all of our friends, errands, things we do are in Tosa. I really want to move to 'Tosa essentially, 1/4-1/2 mile from where we currently live in Milwaukee so it wouldn't really feel like a big move! My husband, on the other hand, has the same reasoning as you (lower property taxes, more house/yard for your money, etc if we moved to Waukesha or Ozaukee county); he loves 'Tosa but he's more concerned with having more space (we're really cramped right now). So we're really trying to make the same decision you are right now! I personally don't care much for Brookfield; my husband grew up there and while he's not in love with it, he doesn't think it's that bad, either. I think I would miss everything about 'Tosa every day! Whenever we visit my in-laws in Brookfield, I feel like it's so stale, isolating, and boring. But there are sooooo many people that absolutely love Brookfield so please don't let my opinion influence you. Brookfield's also a very big suburb so maybe different neighborhoods have a different feel/culture to it?? The only Brookfield subdivision I'm familiar with is my in-laws' so maybe there are subdivisions in Brookfield that are vibrant, social, a strong sense of community??? Any Brookfield residents, we'd love to hear from you!

As far as Elm Grove, I think it's prettier than Brookfield with more character but it is definitely suburban. If you moved to Elm Grove and told people you were from there, the first thing they'd think is "wow, you must have a lot of money"; Elm Grove has always been a very affluent suburb. But my best friend and her husband live there and they acquired a ranch fixer-upper so there are people with more modest incomes that live there. As far as your question "would people think you were snobby if you told them you were from Elm Grove", I'm not really sure one way or the other. Brookfield has more of a new money, snobby, McMansion feel to it whereas Elm Grove is definitely more established and old money. It seems like the Elm Grove people don't feel like they have to prove anything so are more genuine???? But I'm not totally sure so don't quote me on that! Wauwatosa is definitely not snobby!!!

I do have to say, the Brookfield schools are supposed to be excellent and Brookfield also has a great Farmer's market. And there are some super nice and down to earth families in Brookfield as well! I want to highlight the postitives of Brookfield but I also hope I'm not confusing you!!

Another consideration is the mall in 'Tosa (Mayfair) has had issues in the past 2 years with some rough groups of teens causing problems. It pains me to say this but if you have a teenager, I would be wary of him/her hanging out at the mall without an adult on weekend nights. In fact, I think teenagers have to go to the mall with an adult in the evening or they are not allowed because Mayfair has had so many problems. Brookfield Square, on the other hand, is a safer mall for teens. Just something else to consider as you weigh the pros/cons.

[littlestudio]

You've been a lot of help. Thanks. I am actually taking a trip out there next week to look at some storefronts for our new Little Studio, and I'll be checking our some of these things as well. I will also be starting another thread with questions that are business related, so if you want to chime in there as well that would be great!

and any other Brookfield people . . . feel free to chime in here to present your perspective.

[mizzou65201]

I grew up in Brookfield. Believe it or not, I think there are some differences within the city itself. Geographically it's relatively large (compared to Elm Grove, the north shore suburbs of Milwaukee etc.) The McMansion-y type neighborhoods are mostly newer and in the western half of the city. The eastern half of the city has more of the 1950s/60s ranch style houses, still plenty big, but certainly not mansions. I think those areas have more of a neighborhood feel to them, although not the same as the urban (with sidewalks) feel of Tosa.

A couple other perhaps more minor points. Brookfield's public library is far better than Elm Grove's, though any county resident can borrow from either. Brookfield has more extensive public services--full-time fire department with paramedics vs. Elm Grove's volunteer fire department with EMT. At least when I lived there, Elm Grove police had a reputation for being somewhat over-aggressive compared to Brookfield.

[thrashee]

If you're looking for culture of any kind, Wauwatosa is the only answer. Brookfield has no culture. Zero. Zilch. None. Brookfield amounts to a gigantic strip mall along a ridiculously busy street (Bluemound), surrounded by scattered neighborhoods that tend to all fall in line with any typical subdivision. There are a few "classic" neighborhoods that are quite nice, but generally speaking, Brookfield is the epitome of the "white flight". I'm not understanding comments made about Brookfield being pretty in the slightest, unless storefronts is your idea of beauty.

[Olive2Bgeeky]

Originally Posted by thrashee

If you're looking for culture of any kind, Wauwatosa is the only answer. Brookfield has no culture. Zero. Zilch. None. Brookfield amounts to a gigantic strip mall along a ridiculously busy street (Bluemound), surrounded by scattered neighborhoods that tend to all fall in line with any typical subdivision. There are a few "classic" neighborhoods that are quite nice, but generally speaking, Brookfield is the epitome of the "white flight". I'm not understanding comments made about Brookfield being pretty in the slightest, unless storefronts is your idea of beauty.

Oh my...it sounds like you never turn right or left off of Bluemound Road! Brookfield is very pretty and the neighborhoods are well-kept and quiet. Wauwatosa is nice, yes, but I'll take Brookfield, their taxes, and their school system anyday. Stop judging Brookfield on it's business area. The suburb stretches far beyond Bluemound Road.