Kenosha area? (Milwaukee, Pleasant Prairie, Bristol: insurance, crime, home)

[seeweedog]

Can someone please give me advise on the Kenosha area? I saw a past post that stated it was not a good area, but it seems to be going through a revitalization.

I need to be close to both Milwaukee and Chicago because i have a special needs child. She will start school in a few years so the school system is a consideration as well. Our father-in-law lives in Antioch, Ill so Kenosha is only 30 min. from there.

I've had mixed input and would really like to understand better if that would not be a good spot or not. If not, what would be recommended? I also need a place where I can easily get my daughter to the water/beach/park areas for stimulation.

[montyc]

It looks to me like Pleasant Prairie would be a better fit for your needs. Kenosha is currenty going through a revitalization but just because you revitalize your home by putting a fresh coat of paint on, doesn't make it a good home. The area is still plagued with crime and the school district is not much better. To be in a smaller town like Pleasant Prairie would allow the school district to better concentrate on your child's needs. Also, the town is closer to I-94 which makes commuting much easier.

This is only my two cents on it. Good luck!

Monty

[lovemaine]

I agree that Pleasant Prairie would be a good choice. Another option may be Bristol, another small town about 10 minutes from Pleasant Prairie. Also close to I-94 and the schools are supposed to be good.

[seeweedog]

Thanks so much for your responses. Are either one of these locations near the water?

Thanks!

[rrah]

Some of my family lived in the same area. As it happens my special needs nephew was born there and lived there until about age 3. The services he received were excellent under the age of 3. Home visits from therapists, a case worker that did her job, no hassles with his insurance or SSI, etc. My sister's family lived just over the Wisconsin border north of Antioch. (Mom and Dad lived in Lake Villa) You didn't specifically ask about this, but I thought it might ease your mind about a move. All I know about Kenosha is that there are/was 2 outlet malls there.

[seeweedog]

Thanks so much again. Clarification...was your nephew in Kenosha or Illinois? Thanks!

[Carole T]

I just came across your post today. If you are still looking for information on the Kenosha area as a possible spot to relocate, I think you'd be quite happy here. I read the previous posts, suggesting Pleasant Prairie that would be fine, as we have a man made lake and park area called Lake Andrea that is just beautiful. In Pleasant Prairie you are still in the kenosha unified school district which is great many choices and options including 2 great charter schools for elementry level and 2 choice high schools besides the two main public high schools. We have a special needs child who is now in high school we did the private catholic school choice for elementry but he is adjusting well in public high school and does get great support that we did not have in the private school. Bristol was mentioned as a possible choice but they are not in the kenosha unified school district they have their own small district not as many choices for you there. The city of Kenosha is on Lake Michigan and there is alot of open beaches and lakefront museums and the like. The down town is really becoming an awesome destination. I've lived here most of my life and it's amazing what has happened here in the past 10 yrs. Be choosey about what area of town you look in for housing as we do have some areas that are not the best but for the most part there is a wide variety of neighborhoods. Its a great location between Chicago and Milwaukee and many folks live here because of our great schools and the housing market and work in the "big" city.
Hope this helps, we are probably going to have to move due to my husbands job transfer and I have been looking at other parts of Wisconsin as well as Michigan and I tell you I'm spoiled with the great choices we have here, other areas are not as progressive and diverse.
Good luck!

[sorensja]

kenosha is an awesome place to live. Its quiet, even if the people look ghetto someplaces it is a safe place to live. I am 20 and wouldn't be afraid to walk anywhere at anytime in the town, regardless of what other people say on this fourm. I am a young college student from kenosha going to school elsewhere in wisconsin and i lived my whole life in the city. It is a great place, great schools. I didn't get a grade-a education there, but I feel that I got a good enough start on education to get me started in college. The district is very diverse, especially at the high school level, i went to 1 school where there was rich and poor, black and white and hispanic. Sometimes that is more important than what you can get out of a book, and in antioch or some other white person suburb you cant get that experience. Kenosha is a very good place and the educational system prepares you for the real world.

[Sonnenwende]

Nevermind. Answered my own question.