more information on the Cedarburg/Grafton area (Milwaukee, Wauwatosa: low crime, how much)

[#Littledog]

Does anyone live in these communities? Can you provide some insight into quality of life in this area?

[yeah!]

I don't live there but those are great, safe alternatives to more expensive city of Mequon. They feature diverse mix of white and blue collar residents. They got good schools and nice green parks too. It's boring but pretty good, quiet, safe, relatively affordable place for a family with kids. If that's what you looking for move without reservations, it's a very sure bet.

[#Littledog]

Thank you for your post and your input. I mentioned in another post that Cedarburg and Wauwatosa are the only suburbs my husband and I agree on and we're looking to move in the next year! I love Wauwatosa but Milwaukee county's property taxes are quite a bit higher than Ozuakee county's. We have very modest incomes and we have to consider how much we're paying in property taxes. Some of the houses we looked at in Tosa have property taxes that are $8,000! We just can't afford that if we want our house to have a little more space than what we have right now.

We've been to Cedarburg to visit, go to open houses but it's a bit far from where we live and we don't have close friends that live there so we don't know too much about the community. I like the neighborhoods with sidewalks, the downtown area, the parks but I would love to hear about the community feel. I'm such a city girl, I'm a little worried that Cedarburg will be all wicker and festivals! I'm kind of kidding-LOL. I've lived in the city of Milwaukee for almost 20 years so I'm wondering if Cedarburg will be a bit of a culture shock. We live right next to Wauwatosa so I'm quite familiar with that community. Of course, most importantly, I want to know if it will be a good environment for our kids, my needs are secondary to their's!

I'm glad to hear Cedarburg's a mix of blue and white collar working people. I don't want to move to a suburb like Mequon or Brookfield as our family can not afford (nor want to) "keep up with the Jones's".

Anyone have other comments?

[claudelle]

Either area is nice. My personal preference would be Cedarburg, but either would provide you with a community feeling, lower taxes, etc. The schools in Cedarburg are particularly excellent. There is a cultural center "downtown" that offers various concerts, plays for kids, etc. Of course there are lots of shops and restaurants. In some ways, Cedarburg has the feel of a small town, but it is so close to Milwaukee as to be considered a suburb.

There are things for the kids to do. There is a small, old-time movie theater on the main drag and there is a roller skate rink on the north side. Parents drop off their kids for a movie or skate session, and come back later to pick them up. Crime is low and parents look out for each others' kids. Much of this could be said about Grafton, too.

[claudelle]

Of the two towns, Grafton is now undergoing quite a bit of development. The zoning board recently decided to allow big box development along I-43.(Something that Mequon and Cedarburg will not allow.) As a result a number of larger shopping areas are going in along Highway 60 and Port Washington Road. There is a hospital going in as well. When you drive out there, you will see the big construction cranes.

The hospital was quite controversial and I did not realize it had finally won approval, but it is definitely under construction. This should bring in more office space and similar development that usually goes in along side a hospital.

All this development should have a positive effect on the tax base in Grafton.

Cedarburg has retained a small town, downtown. It maintains its historic appeal and as a result has more economic development coming from tourism. You're probably aware of the number of festivals that are held through the year, such as the Strawberry Festival, the Fall Harvest Festival, etc. These provide a variety of activities for the locals as well as for the many visitors that come from all over.

Both school systems maintain rec programs. Also, there is a nice bike trail that connects to a bike trail in Milwaukee. It runs through the downtown areas of Thiensville, Cedarburg, and Grafton and continues on to the north side of Port Washington.

[#Littledog]

Thank you for the useful information! I appreciate you taking the time to fill me in

[Topo]

I am from the area of Port, Saukville, Cedarburg, Grafton and the like, family kind of spread out. You can't go wrong in any of them. Yes, they don't have the amenities that you will find in Milwaukee but hey its a short drive, I myself can't afford to live in my hometown, which is a shame because I adore it, always have. I know lots of people commute in and out of Milwaukee to those areas to get out of the rat race. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with any of them. As far as the shock goes, Yeah I could see some as far as the shopping goes, malls and such. But I think I can surely say anything else you will find will be just as nice as Milwaukee. The other day as I was in the little mall where I live now, I thought of the Grand Ave Mall, and how long its been since I have seen it.

[claudelle]

I've been thinking more about your comment about being worried you'll miss city life -- and I wanted to make a couple more comments.

When you live in the city, it probably seems like a long drive out to Cedarburg or Grafton. But many people live in those communities and work in Milwaukee. Obviously if you locate on the far west side of either area, it is a longer drive than if you are closer to I-43. Either way, it isn't a long commute at all.

I can't think of too many things you do in Milwaukee that you won't be able to find in the Cedarburg,Grafton, Port area. When you want to see a play, sports event, eat at a restaurant, go to a festival etc., you're just a short car ride away. And now there is even a bus line that runs between parts of the communities into Milwaukee. I can't imagine how long it takes, but I see people riding it. Also, there are Park n Ride lots where you can leave the car for free and ride the express commuter bus into downtown.

Obviously there is a lack of "nightlife" but since you have children, I doubt that is a big priority at this stage of your life.

The library system is excellent. There is a wonderful Artists' Guild that conducts many events during the year. It is open to any local artists, offers classes and is a wonderful source for networking. I personally think Cedarburg is a very special place.

If you have more specific questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them.

[Milwaukee City]

As of the 2000 Census, Ozaukee County had the 2nd lowest poverty rate of any county in the United States, at 2.6%. In terms of per capita income, it is the 25th wealthiest county in the country. Bolstered by low crime rates and school districts with high graduation rates, Forbes Magazine ranked Ozaukee County #2 on its list of "America's Best Places To Raise A Family" in June, 2008.

In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Mequon 19th on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. It was ranked jointly with Thiensville, the small village that is completely surrounded by larger Mequon.

I know all of these facts to be true. This area of Milwaukee is beautiful and very clean and safe. One thing no one else brought up was for transit it is a great location. The Ozaukee County Express runs all the time downtown and later hours for all the festivals. With stops in Port Washington, Grafton, Cedarburg and Mequon, it's really convenient for going to summerfest or Brewers Games or just going downtown to work or play.

[EnjoyEP]

I think you've gotten some really excellent and in-depth responses thus far, and some outstanding info.

I will just give a quick couple of hits from my perspective though, too.

The one thing I noted was your "not wanting to keep up with the Joneses" type of attitude, and you cited as example Mequon or Brookfield.

To be honest, Cedarburg is just as pricey / exclusive in general terms as Mequon and Brookfield, if not more so.

Sure, like most towns, you could find I guess a bit of blue collar in Cedarburg. But you could in Mequon and Brookfield too. But in all three of these towns...not much. These are - in general terms - upper-middle to upper class towns. My uncle/aunt have resided in Cedarburg for decades, and when they originally bought there, I don't know that this was nearly quite the case. But like many of these communities, now the more middle class have been largely priced out. This isn't to say you (or I - another very, VERY middle class person) or I couldn't afford a place in Cedarburg...surely there are deals/homes available (I almost bought one in Thiensville before picking Greendale).

But in general terms, there will be a huge "keeping up with the Joneses" vibe there akin to Mequon.

Cedarburg is as quaint, safe, quiet, and burbish as they come. Quite aged and scenic and the like. The Downtown is obviously legendary around here - especially come Christmas time.

To me...even though I almost bought that house in Thiensville...(I sound kind of like you - more of a city/inner-ring-burb guy), I think Cedarburg would've been bad for me. Just too homogenized (spelling?)...to mundane and vanilla and bland...again, don't get me wrong, very nice community. But just wouldn't be my flavor ideally.

I would go Tosa over Cedarburg any day.

Grafton would be pretty similar to my Cedarburg comments. Not quite as affluent, but then again, not quite as unique and neat too. Beautiful lake setting with the Milwaukee River, but then again, freezing chilly most of the year because of it.

I would easily go Tosa out of these three. Not because Grafton / Cedarburg are "bad" communities - they surely aren't - the very informative posts before mine will explain this. But more based upon your likes and economic stature (which is probably not much different if much better than mine).