Moving to the Midwest...Milwaukee or Chicago? (West Allis, York: apartment, renting)

[ShowYouChicago]

Hi everyone,

I love Lake Michigan! It is so beautiful. I currently live in North Carolina, 3 1/2 -4 hours from the Atlantic Ocean but prefer beaches along lake Michigan. Never been to Milwaukee but like Chicago very much. I had 2 adopted sons and am a single parent and am wondering if Milwaukee would be a better fit for us.

I'm going up in september to check things out. Any suggestions on must see places. How the 2 cities compare with regard to quality of life etc...

I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you.

[Milwaukee City]

We'll let's first start off with which ever city you chose the other city is only a hour train ride away. So for that reason Milwaukee is a great place to live without the Chicago price and pace. What ages are your kids? You have to decide if you want to be in a huge city or just a big city. Does traffic bother you? if it does then take away one point for Chicago. Milwaukee is a very diverse city that still holds on to it's ethnic culture with ethnic festivals every weekend. Milwaukee is called the city of festivals b/c their is a neighborhood festival or a church festival or music festival going on every weekend in the summer. Milwaukee is a lot cheaper than Chicago in terms of housing and cost of living. I would recommend renting for a year and deciding while you are here which one is best. Since you been to Chicago you kinda know what it's like. Milwaukee will be a great time for you as well. I boat on Lake Michigan twice a week and I love the fact that boat slips are reasonably and the Milwaukee River has a lot of bar/restaurants that you can pull your boat up to. What are you leaning towards? Chicago or a smaller version of Chicago. You can find just about the same things in Milwaukee that you can in Chicago in terms of quality of life, upscale parts of the city and suburbs and bad crime areas. Crime has gone down in Milwaukee dramatically since the 90's and now is a very safe city however just like any big city when your area has 2 million people you will have a few bad apples. If their younger kids you might be better off in Milwaukee but if their teens they might have more fun in Chicago. Overall both are great places to raise a family it just depends are you a Charlotte kind of guy or more of a new york city kind of guy?

[ShowYouChicago]

Thank you so much for replying so quickly. I am really getting excited about this. I use to think of my self as a New York/Chicago big city kind of guy. But recently, the size and slower pace of Charlotte has changed me a bit. We go down to Atlanta every couple of months and enjoy the "big city" so an hour train ride or even a 2 hour car ride is very doable. The ethnic festivals sound great. My boys are 6 and 7 and love doing things like that. We are a bi-racial family. My boys are 6 and 7, they are african american and I am white. It is very important to us that we experience as much culture as we can. Milwaukee sounds great. I will continue researching the area and check it out when I come up in september. The only downside to Milwaukee so far is that my parents live in Columbia Missouri which will be a bit farther, but not too bad. We are very far from them here in North Carolina.

Again, thank you so much. I think Milwaukee may be a great place for us.

[prairiestate]

As a native Chicagoan, go with Milwaukee. Housing is cheaper, traffic is far better. Taxes are a bit higher, but they're not that cheap in Illinois, and much of your tax dollars here go towards corruption. You get very little in return for what you pay. Milwaukee has great museums, festivals, gardens and zoo and top ranked performing arts. You get the full range of urban amenities there, without much of the hassle of Chicago. As noted, Chicago is less then two hours away for even more things to do. The city of Chicago itself is quite expensive, and it is a real hassle trying to get into the city from the 'burbs, especially with kids. You can live in a quiet suburb of Milwaukee and drive to the zoo or Milwaukee Public Museum in 20 minutes, with abundant and reasonably priced parking. You can't do that in Chicago.

[Milwaukee City]

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[43north87west]

Originally Posted by ShowYouChicago

Hi everyone,

I love Lake Michigan! It is so beautiful. I currently live in North Carolina, 3 1/2 -4 hours from the Atlantic Ocean but prefer beaches along lake Michigan. Never been to Milwaukee but like Chicago very much. I had 2 adopted sons and am a single parent and am wondering if Milwaukee would be a better fit for us.

I'm going up in september to check things out. Any suggestions on must see places. How the 2 cities compare with regard to quality of life etc...

I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you.

I've lived in both, so I'll give you my opinion(s). A lot of it depends on the environment that you want for you and your kids. What I've found is that a lot of people who have lived in both cities, are Milwaukeeans who move from Milwaukee, then turn around and rip on Milwaukee because it's not Chicago. (translation: they're embarrassed that they are from Milwaukee so they rip on it.) Not everyone, but this is common. I'm not going that route, I'm going to give you what I think the strong points of both are. I don't have much patience for people who say Milwaukee isn't Chicago (or Chicago isn't New York, or Phoenix isn't L.A., etc). We know these things already.

Obviously, Chicago is basically world-class. It's a destination for people from all over the world. I personally think it's the best of the biggest US cities, all things being considered.

My strongest reasons for going to Chicago (read: MY, not necessarily others) would be:

-Can do anything, anytime (the city really never sleeps)
-Excellent public transportation
-World class shopping options
-Entertainment and cultural events
-Tons of great city neighborhoods that you can live in
-Nice people, speaking in generalities. Comparatively few of the wackos that abound in Phoenix, LA, and other cities.
-Nonstop air travel to just about anywhere
-Wide variety of job opportunities
-Draws businesses and therefore jobs

Negatives to Chicago:
-Cost of living
-Traffic
-General congestion/parking
-Associated hassles resulting from the above
-Tax burden is high
-Weather sucks at least 6 months of the year
-Air traffic is too congested, airport delays are too frequent

Positives about Milwaukee
-No traffic
-Easy to get around
-Good city neighborhoods
-Ample entertainment and culture, better than a lot of cities its size
-Nice lakefront
-Chicago is easily accessible; you can go for dinner or shopping in Chicago, leave after work, and be home by 10:30.
-Great restaurants, bars, etc, not franchise heaven like elsewhere
-Airport is easy to get in and out of in a hurry and doesn't have disastrous delays like O'Hare


Negatives about Milwaukee
-A lot of people "don't get out much"
-Borderline impenetrable job market
-Can be difficult to break into social circles in certain areas, because nobody ever moves away
-It may just be a fashion thing(?), but a lot of people look like bums
-Taxes are no prize in WI either
-Exports good jobs to other states on a regular basis, city and state leadership is lacking in this regard
-Weather is 1-2 degrees cooler in Milwaukee, so it sucks just a tiny bit worse than Chicago
-Fewer opportunities for nonstop travel
-Public transportation is buses; trains are usually used for Chicago travel
-Milwaukee Public Schools are hit or miss (mostly miss)


Now, having said all of this, if you are moving to a suburb, it's a totally different story. IMO, suburbs are just about the same from coast to coast. Education is strong in many Milwaukee and Chicago suburbs, so I'd pick whatever makes sense to you.

I just got done playing tourist in Milwaukee for a long weekend. I stayed at a new boutique hotel, and spent the weekend going from event to event. There was literally something every single day, morning, noon, and evening. Anyone who says there's nothing to do in this city is crazy. We all know "it's not Chicago", but there are so many things going on, particularly in summer, that it's impossible to be bored. If someone is bored in summer, in Milwaukee, the problem is them. And if someone is bored in Chicago... the problem is definitely them!

[almost3am]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

I've lived in both, so I'll give you my opinion(s). A lot of it depends on the environment that you want for you and your kids. What I've found is that a lot of people who have lived in both cities, are Milwaukeeans who move from Milwaukee, then turn around and rip on Milwaukee because it's not Chicago. (translation: they're embarrassed that they are from Milwaukee so they rip on it.) Not everyone, but this is common. I'm not going that route, I'm going to give you what I think the strong points of both are. I don't have much patience for people who say Milwaukee isn't Chicago (or Chicago isn't New York, or Phoenix isn't L.A., etc). We know these things already.

Obviously, Chicago is basically world-class. It's a destination for people from all over the world. I personally think it's the best of the biggest US cities, all things being considered.

My strongest reasons for going to Chicago (read: MY, not necessarily others) would be:

-Can do anything, anytime (the city really never sleeps)
-Excellent public transportation
-World class shopping options
-Entertainment and cultural events
-Tons of great city neighborhoods that you can live in
-Nice people, speaking in generalities. Comparatively few of the wackos that abound in Phoenix, LA, and other cities.
-Nonstop air travel to just about anywhere
-Wide variety of job opportunities
-Draws businesses and therefore jobs

Negatives to Chicago:
-Cost of living
-Traffic
-General congestion/parking
-Associated hassles resulting from the above
-Tax burden is high
-Weather sucks at least 6 months of the year
-Air traffic is too congested, airport delays are too frequent

Positives about Milwaukee
-No traffic
-Easy to get around
-Good city neighborhoods
-Ample entertainment and culture, better than a lot of cities its size
-Nice lakefront
-Chicago is easily accessible; you can go for dinner or shopping in Chicago, leave after work, and be home by 10:30.
-Great restaurants, bars, etc, not franchise heaven like elsewhere
-Airport is easy to get in and out of in a hurry and doesn't have disastrous delays like O'Hare


Negatives about Milwaukee
-A lot of people "don't get out much"
-Borderline impenetrable job market
-Can be difficult to break into social circles in certain areas, because nobody ever moves away
-It may just be a fashion thing(?), but a lot of people look like bums
-Taxes are no prize in WI either
-Exports good jobs to other states on a regular basis, city and state leadership is lacking in this regard
-Weather is 1-2 degrees cooler in Milwaukee, so it sucks just a tiny bit worse than Chicago
-Fewer opportunities for nonstop travel
-Public transportation is buses; trains are usually used for Chicago travel
-Milwaukee Public Schools are hit or miss (mostly miss)


Now, having said all of this, if you are moving to a suburb, it's a totally different story. IMO, suburbs are just about the same from coast to coast. Education is strong in many Milwaukee and Chicago suburbs, so I'd pick whatever makes sense to you.

I just got done playing tourist in Milwaukee for a long weekend. I stayed at a new boutique hotel, and spent the weekend going from event to event. There was literally something every single day, morning, noon, and evening. Anyone who says there's nothing to do in this city is crazy. We all know "it's not Chicago", but there are so many things going on, particularly in summer, that it's impossible to be bored. If someone is bored in summer, in Milwaukee, the problem is them. And if someone is bored in Chicago... the problem is definitely them!

Great post. I will second the following points, as we have experienced them...
-MKE airport much easier to use, although has fewer options.
-MKE social circle comment is correct, although we are in a newer neighborhood so we made a lot of neighborhood friends.
-There is stuff going on ALL the time, you just need to look. You don't even need to look in summer, there is that much going on.
-Dress - I would agree people are a bit sloppier in MKE
-jobs - I would agree there are more opportuinities in Chicago.
-MKE has great restaurants, especially for its size

I will be moving to Chicago, but I don't have a whole lot bad to say about MKE.

[Milwaukee City]

MKE social circle comment is correct, although we are in a newer neighborhood so we made a lot of neighborhood friends.

I have always said if you live in Walker's Point/ East Side, BayView, Downtown, Avenues West, Brewers Hill, Beerline B or any revitalized neighborhood it's very easy to meet people. Most of the people who live in the new condo's, apartment buildings and lofts are a lot of yuppies from all over the country. Just my experience. If you just hang out on the southwest side of the city it is more difficult to meet new people but I think if you're a nice person and you visit the same gas station and deli or restaurant before you know it you will meet new people.

Dress - I would agree people are a bit sloppier in MKE

I would say the same applies to this statement as well, people in West Allis aren't too concerned with fashion but I gotta say I do enjoy the eye candy around downtown and Third Ward. Maybe my point of view is different b/c I mainly shop at the Metro market and shop in the Third Ward and dine and drink mainly east side-downtown-bayview and riverwest and BTW what the hell is going on in Riverwest?

[almost3am]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

I have always said if you live in Walker's Point/ East Side, BayView, Downtown, Avenues West, Brewers Hill, Beerline B or any revitalized neighborhood it's very easy to meet people. Most of the people who live in the new condo's, apartment buildings and lofts are a lot of yuppies from all over the country. Just my experience. If you just hang out on the southwest side of the city it is more difficult to meet new people but I think if you're a nice person and you visit the same gas station and deli or restaurant before you know it you will meet new people.



I would say the same applies to this statement as well, people in West Allis aren't too concerned with fashion but I gotta say I do enjoy the eye candy around downtown and Third Ward. Maybe my point of view is different b/c I mainly shop at the Metro market and shop in the Third Ward and dine and drink mainly east side-downtown-bayview and riverwest and BTW what the hell is going on in Riverwest?

Yeah, I would say that those areas will be a different experience from others. In an area with a younger or more transient population I believe the experience is different.

[ShowYouChicago]

At the moment, I am torn because I have not been to MKE. It sounds a lot like Charlotte and I will check it out in september.

Great points about both cities. A lot to consider.

What do you all like to do in downtown Milwaukee? Which beaches do you like? parks?