What is it like in West Bend? (Milwaukee, Wauwatosa: crime, find a job)

[Red Square]

I am curious. Especially about the schools and neighborhoods. Any information would be appreciated.

[EnjoyEP]

West Bend is a small town of about 35,000 that feels like a city untoitself, although it is more and more starting to become regarded as a part of Metro Milwaukee, the more people are migrating out from the inner ring of Milwaukee suburbs and Milwaukee itself to the outer suburbs.

Thus, West Bend is growing fairly rapidly.

Housing tends to be cheaper, new housing construction also tends to be cheaper, and larger lots more available still in WB.

Taxes are fairly low for this area in WB, although a huge tax increase to fund new school construction is currently up for election in WB and if it goes through, taxes won't be as low there any more.

WB is about 30-to-45 minutes from most parts of the inner portion of Milwaukee (eg: Downtown, parts of Wauwatosa, Shorewood, etc.). Its nearest co-suburbs are places like Jackson and Hartford and Menomonee Falls.

It is very quiet in general. Crime is extremely low. The schools have always been well regarded in WB (2 high schools - WB West and WB East). Neighborhoods are very safe and walkable.

Ideologically - if that is important to you at all - WB trends to be quite conservative politically, although with all of the influx of new residents, I am sure there are many liberals too.

WB - to me - still feels fairly rural and farmlike in many places - especially surrounding West Bend. You'll still see plenty of wooded areas and farmland and corn fields and will still definitely feel the rural, farmlike vibe in the area. However, as it grows, for better or worse, that vibe is changing.

To me, it is a little too far "out there" and away from the bigger metro area to be ideal for me (that, and its still somewhat present rural roots). However, other people love those aspects of WB. It is growing quite fast, and overall has a good, positive impression in this area.

Whether you'd live there or not, crime is very low and the schools are well regarded.

[berries]

i hear they have a meth problem there

[Red Square]

Thanks a bunch for the info. That really helped. West Bend sounds lovely. Does anyone know about the "meth problem"? That is a pretty big red flag.

[zz4guy]

Originally Posted by Red Square

Thanks a bunch for the info. That really helped. West Bend sounds lovely. Does anyone know about the "meth problem"? That is a pretty big red flag.

Name a small town in the midwest w/o meth lol. I wouldnt worry too much about it. I'm there a lot visiting relatives and haven't heard about it.

I like west bend. It has a lot of the bigger stores you'd find in a city twice its size. And you can easily find a job in the Milwaukee area and commute if you have to. About 50 minutes to downtown Milwaukee. Much less to the suburbs. There are also jobs in WB and sourrounding towns.

You're also only 20 min. to lake Michigan.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by Red Square

Thanks a bunch for the info. That really helped. West Bend sounds lovely. Does anyone know about the "meth problem"? That is a pretty big red flag.

Yeah, I really wouldn't worry about that. I have two young kids and West Bend is about as benign a place as you could imagine moving with kids.