Brookfield (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa: big home, catholic schools, subdivision)

[sunflower53072]

That first house has actually been for sale for while and I know her husband has already been working in Philadelphia. I bet it will go for less than they are asking.

We actually send our kids to private school. University Lake School and love it. It is a bit pricey thou, which is the only draw back. Arrowhead school district is supposed to be good. The high school is huge, but well regarded. For elementary we are in Hartland Lakeside district which is okay. I do know some of my neighbors open enroll at Lake Country elementary which has a bit smaller classes. The middle school(North Shore) is new and at the entry to our subdivision. I've heard good things about it.

There are some rental areas around Hartland(and that looks like the few sex offenders live there. Yikes. Very smart to check that site thou when moving)

The lakes are beautiful and it is easy to get to stores, kids' activities etc...

Let me know if you have any other questions. We have lived here for 2 years.

[Midwesterns45]

i love brookfield! my grandmother lives there and it is so magical around the holidays.

[bonefilmer]

I live in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County, which consists of Delafield, Wales, Genesee, Oconomowoc, Hartland, Dousman, Mukwonago. There are a few others on the fringes which do not have relatively easy highway access to major cities such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Waukesha. The above mentioned communities also have excellent school districts: Kettle Moraine, Arrowhead, Oconomowoc, and Mukwonago. It is a very diverse economic area which includes the very rich, middle income, and lower income. It is an area with lots of activities - lots of lakes, parks, trails,etc. We are between Madison and Milwaukee, and both cities have lots of culture, the arts, festivals and such. Chicago is about 1-1/2 hours away. All school districts are excellent. Hardly any crime. The area is still growing, so you can choose housing in a subdivision, or homes/lots with acreage. Stores and shopping is close, hospitals are excellent. Taxes are very good, probably more reasonable for your home value than Cedarburg, Mequon, or Brookfield, except if you own a home on one of the lakes, then your taxes will be outrageous.The schools and communities offer lots of programs for kids, adults, and families. Lots of people here work for GE Medical, because the main offices are located in the vicinity, and alot of them have moved here from other locations because of GE. My children attend Kettle Moraine School District schools. They consistently rank much higher than the national average on test scores - including SAT's. Arrowhead is probably the best school district, but they have LOTS of money (you just have to look in the High School parking lot to get an idea of the affluence of this district). For $500,000 to $600,000, you can buy a tremendous home! Judging from your post, I would say that this area is a better match than Cedarburg/Mequon/Brookfield, but you'll have to do some research. Good Luck!

[LV mom]

Menonmonee Falls is a great place. I was born and raised there now living on the outskirts of San Antonio, TX

[schools]

Highly recommend Arrowhead School District, particularly Swallow School. Look for homes feeding into this school. You'll find more home for your $$ and still be close enough to Brookfield's shopping.

[mom2ak]

Hello - My husband may be taking a new job in WI/Milwaukee area. I am currently researching the suburbs of Milwaukee region. Can anyone please describe to me and compare the towns of: Mequon, Brookfield and Oconomowoc? We have two children (ages 10 and 21 months). We are looking for an upper scale community, professional/executive style subdivision with large, new/newer homes, golf/swim country club. Looking for great schools, good shopping, need a Target, Caribou or Starbucks for sure, Chico's, Talbots, Baby Gap, Catholic church...would like to have access to newcomer's/mom's groups, good access to major routes, airport not too far away (within 45 minutes tops)...I have read so much on all of these areas - would love to get feedback from others who have the first hand experience of these towns/suburbs. Thanks for any input, we may be relocating as early as the end of this summer 2008.

[Softtail_Honey]

[quote=MayMove;443547

Did you ever check the National Sex Offerder Registry? [/quote]

Ha, big deal...........those are ONLY the people that have been caught!!!!!!! They're EVERWHERE! Take my 21 yo nephew for example. His crime happened when he was fourteen(not registered) and now at 21 his is doing 9 months for having sex with a 15yo girl...........and he's NOT registered STILL!!!!!!!!

[#Littledog]

You mentioned you want to avoid the snob factor....well, I've never lived in "Lake Country" (i.e., Hartland, Nashota, Delafield) but from what I hear it's more "neuvo rich" and very pretentious, probably more so than Brookfield....I personally would look into Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, or Cedarburg; very safe and beautiful but the people seem more open-minded and friendly (also more of an "old money" feel so people aren't flaunting it or flashy). Those areas are closer to downtown Milwaukee which has many fun things for a pre-teen to do (under parental supervision, of course!). I also love Wauwatosa but it borders Milwaukee so quite a few registered sex offenders might come up in your search. For some reason, Cedarburg does keep popping up as having a drug problem in the high schools...not sure what to make of that....maybe it'd be best to hear from someone who lives in Cedarburg. Greendale is also a nice community and has the best rated schools in the state.

[#Littledog]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

Hello - My husband may be taking a new job in WI/Milwaukee area. I am currently researching the suburbs of Milwaukee region. Can anyone please describe to me and compare the towns of: Mequon, Brookfield and Oconomowoc? We have two children (ages 10 and 21 months). We are looking for an upper scale community, professional/executive style subdivision with large, new/newer homes, golf/swim country club. Looking for great schools, good shopping, need a Target, Caribou or Starbucks for sure, Chico's, Talbots, Baby Gap, Catholic church...would like to have access to newcomer's/mom's groups, good access to major routes, airport not too far away (within 45 minutes tops)...I have read so much on all of these areas - would love to get feedback from others who have the first hand experience of these towns/suburbs. Thanks for any input, we may be relocating as early as the end of this summer 2008.

I haven't lived in any of those areas but I personally would choose Mequon. My in-laws live in Brookfield and I have to admit, it really doesn't turn me on....a great place to shop but I wouldn't want to live there.

[UW Badgers]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

Hello - My husband may be taking a new job in WI/Milwaukee area. I am currently researching the suburbs of Milwaukee region. Can anyone please describe to me and compare the towns of: Mequon, Brookfield and Oconomowoc? We have two children (ages 10 and 21 months). We are looking for an upper scale community, professional/executive style subdivision with large, new/newer homes, golf/swim country club. Looking for great schools, good shopping, need a Target, Caribou or Starbucks for sure, Chico's, Talbots, Baby Gap, Catholic church...would like to have access to newcomer's/mom's groups, good access to major routes, airport not too far away (within 45 minutes tops)...I have read so much on all of these areas - would love to get feedback from others who have the first hand experience of these towns/suburbs. Thanks for any input, we may be relocating as early as the end of this summer 2008.

Brookfield sounds right up your alley. There is a small strip mall with a Talbots and I believe Chicos is in it on Bluemound Road(main shopping drag through Brookfield). There is a baby gap in Brookfield Square and a Starbucks is in there as well. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I don't know if there is Starbucks by itself anywhere around Brookfield. I've seen them elsewhere around town(Wauwatosa, Hales Corners)and such. There is a Target in Waukesha(right next to Brookfield. Depending if you move to Brookfield and where in Brookfield, you probably wouldn't be more then 10 minutes from one. There is one in New Berlin too, not far away from Brookfield. Brookfield Square as I said is one of my favorite malls there. Mayfair in Wauwatosa is also pretty upscale. The upper level has a section that is for younger/teenage kids(clothes and stuff).

Housing in Brookfield is always growing. You will definetly find the the subdivision and new big home you are looking for. Be prepared to pay for that big home though...expensive..

I'm not Catholic, but I'm sure there are plenty of churches to look at for you in the area.

I'm sure if you go to Brookfield's website, you will get all the info you need. Good Luck.