Please help, Moving to South Milwaukee (Racine, Oak Creek: apartment complex, for rent, low crime)

[cacrank]

I just got a job in Racine, but after researching the area, I think I'd prefer to live in South Milwaukee or Oak Creek, and commute into Racine. I'm having a very hard time finding places to live that seem reliable. I will only be able to travel up there to visit once before the move so I'd really appreciate any advice you all can give.

All I'm looking for is:

• 2br
• safe environment
• pets are allowed
• can spend up to $1100/month

I'm single and have no children, so I don't have much of any requirements outside of that. I'd prefer to rent out a small ranch/bungalow instead of an apartment complex, but I'm open to anything really. I just don't want to end up in a bad area (been there, done that).

Thanks for any help you all can provide!

[northbound74]

Any of the south shore suburbs are going to be pretty safe and within your price range. They also all have reasonably low crime rates.
Some areas will be a bit more industrial-looking, and there are a few neighborhoods that appear to be somewhat lower income, but none of them are anything remotely like a full-blown ghetto.
For nice little bungalows, I like St. Francis, Cudahy, or South Milwaukee. All three have plenty of options there. Also, the city of Milwaukee just north of the airport has lots of well-kept neighborhoods with nice modest older homes. Just to the north of that airport region and St. Francis is Bayview, a cool old section of Milwaukee that borders the lake. Any of these places will have quick access to the freeway down to Racine, and you'll be going against the flow of rush hour traffic assuming you'll be working normal hours.
Oak Creek is mostly going to be newer style suburbia and a bit spread out, but not a bad area at all.
Craigslist is an okay place to start, but I've found that driving around looking for "for rent" signs is much better.

[cacrank]

Thanks for your feedback! Yeah, I've been looking on Craigslist a lot, also Padmapper and Zillow, and I haven't found many houses. I found an apartment complex called Timber Ridge that seems to be affordable and offer the amenities that I'm looking for. It's always hard to tell what it'll be like until you move in though since every apartment is different based off who your neighbors are. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to drive around and look for the "For Rent" signs since I live so far away now and have to start my job soon. Thanks again!

[CowsAndBeer]

As a Bayview resident, I endorse northbound's post. You might want to try south side of Milwaukee proper for houses. It's no more "dangerous" than Cudahy.