Moving to Milwaukee from Chicago, need advice (Wauwatosa, Greendale: houses, middle school)

[Milwaukee City]

1. Shorewood
2. Whitefish Bay
3. Wauwatosa
4. Fox Point
5. Greendale
6. Glendale
7. Bayside.

This would be my recommendation, I really love Shorewood. Upscale area however the prices aren't out of this world like River Hills. The thing I like most about it, it the city is 1sq mi so the kids can walk to elem. school, middle school, high school the library and the parks all within a mile at the most. I highly recommend Shorewood.

[landshark77]

If you want to avoid Milwaukee county taxes, try Racine county. Racine is very related culturally to the Milwaukee area and maybe close enough to your new job in Milwaukee. Caledonia, Mt. Pleasant, Sturtevant and Franksville are affordable areas. You might even get some land.

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by landshark77

If you want to avoid Milwaukee county taxes, try Racine county. Racine is very related culturally to the Milwaukee area and maybe close enough to your new job in Milwaukee. Caledonia, Mt. Pleasant, Sturtevant and Franksville are affordable areas. You might even get some land.

The cheapest county in the state in terms of taxes is Ozaukee county, likewise Racine,Kenosha, Washington County are cheaper than Milwaukee county, Waukesha county is higher in taxes than the counties I mentioned but still cheaper than Milwaukee county.

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

The cheapest county in the state in terms of taxes is Ozaukee county, likewise Racine,Kenosha, Washington County are cheaper than Milwaukee county, Waukesha county is higher in taxes than the counties I mentioned but still cheaper than Milwaukee county.

These counties have cheaper tax rates, but the average tax bill is higher in those counties.

[brian571]

Take a look at Glendale too. It's an easy commute downtown (I've done it for 5 years) - about 20 minutes even during rush hour. It has some of the lowest property taxes in Milwaukee County because of its industrial/retail base and housing is comparatively cheap to other communities close by. I love Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, and Fox Point but it's at least 10-20% more for a comparable house in those cities and the taxes are an absolute killer, esp. in Shorewood. If you're looking for something cheap, there are parts of Brown Deer that are OK as well but it's really hit or miss. Stay north of Brown Deer Rd. and east of 60th and you'll be OK. Stay away from the areas around 76th altogether - lots of crime and it's really run down.

Like others have said, Wauwatosa is nice as well. It's close to downtown and is definitely a good area for young professionals. A little more expensive than Glendale, but not bad. Hope I helped. I've been here my whole life, so feel free to ask other questions.

[Ron Burgundy]

Originally Posted by brian571

there are parts of Brown Deer that are OK as well but it's really hit or miss. Stay north of Brown Deer Rd. and east of 60th and you'll be OK. Stay away from the areas around 76th altogether - lots of crime and it's really run down.

Sorry Brian, Brown Deer doesn't extend west of 68th St, so your fears regarding the 76th St area are both overstated and irrelevant. Any concerns about the properties in Brown Deer in the 8 blocks west of 60th St would be unfounded as well, as those neighborhoods largely border industrial, retail, and here to now undeveloped parcels of the city of Milwaukee, with some elderly living complexes sprinkled in. Finally, properties in the village south of Brown Deer Road, while a bit older and a bit smaller than those north of Brown Deer Road, are no less safe.

Not sure how any of this is relevant to the thread as the OP probably desires to be close to downtown than Brown Deer, but I gotta defend the truth. Thanks for playing though. Better luck next time!

[brian571]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

Not sure how any of this is relevant to the thread as the OP probably desires to be close to downtown than Brown Deer, but I gotta defend the truth. Thanks for playing though. Better luck next time!

Thank you very much for your input Ron, and especially your condescending tone. I'll take it under advisement.

[Ron Burgundy]

Sorry, it just bugs the **** out of me when people say Brown Deer is "hit or miss" because of 76th/Northridge. That ain't Brown Deer.

[A-Shultz]

Hi there,

My husband and I are looking at possibly moving to the Milwaukee area in summer 2010. He is still interviewing at several places but the one in Brookfield/Wauwatosa is a strong contender.

We spent a weekend in the area and I really liked a lot of it. Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Shorewood were lovely...also Wauwatosa, which would be closer to work. Brookfield and Elm Grove were stunning but out of our league at this point. Wauwatosa seemed to be the most affordable, yet cute, place to live. I love the old houses, that's what I'm used to (we live in a bungalow in south St. Louis City now).

Could anyone define for me (using street borders) the "better" patches of Tosa? By better, I mean safe, reasonably quiet, nice for kids (could ride bikes in the neighborhood without getting squished), and a good purchase real estate-wise.

All in all I really liked Milwaukee a lot. I'm a native Chicagoan and it felt like home.

[Igor and sven]

Funny, I've never heard anyone from out of state who uses the nickname "Tosa". You seem quite at home already haha. Anyhoo, Chicago isn't an option for you?