Two-mom family w kids - which Milwaukee suburb? (West Allis, Wauwatosa: home, neighborhoods)

[Elizabeth BL]

We have three school aged children (middle school, high school). Looking for a "good fit" - we have lived in San Francisco and a suburb of New York (loved both) and our kids had no problem making friends or fitting in. Is there a suburb of Milwaukee that would have a liberal, diverse, educated vibe where our kids won't "stand out." And a good high school! Would especially love to hear from non-traditional families.

[MortonR]

You probably want to focus on the north shore communities, although parts of them can be somewhat conservative.

Where will work be? That could also affect your choice. There are a number of really nice outlying suburban areas, too.

RM

[Elizabeth BL]

Thank you for your response. We need to be within 30 minutes (preferably closer) to the Pettit National Ice Center. The biggest consideration would be a welcoming community - suburban on the more urban side would be perfect and a good high school.

[zoomkay]

Glendale is a good community, but it's not as "urban" if you are looking to be in walking distance to amenities or other activities. It is suburban, diverse and a mix of conservative, moderates and liberals. Nicolet is a very good high school.



Shorewood may fit your criteria, as it is urban and walkable to amenities, near UW-Milwaukee and has a very diverse population (mix of professionals, families, internationals, etc.). Shorewood High is a very good high school as well.



Neither are far from the Pettit Center when taking the highway, but commute times will change in the winter if the roads are not cleared.

Originally Posted by Elizabeth BL

Thank you for your response. We need to be within 30 minutes (preferably closer) to the Pettit National Ice Center. The biggest consideration would be a welcoming community - suburban on the more urban side would be perfect and a good high school.

[Empidonax]

Shorewood seems like the best fit: It's a well-educated, progressive urban suburb. It's home to a high concentration of teachers, college professors, graduate students, etc.

Glendale is good, too, though less urban and more of an affordable "mainstream professional" suburb.

Whitefish Bay would probably work--it's well-educated and mostly left-leaning, and has a nice downtown.

The eastern section of Wauwatosa (East 'Tosa) would also probably be a good fit.

[Elizabeth BL]

Thank you Empidonax and Zoomkay for those responses. I like the walkable feel of Shorewood and Whitefish Bay - I'll also look at East Wauwatosa and Glenwood. I didn't think of the issue of snow - but no commutes can be worse than the NYC area. Thanks again for the responses.

[jdashn]

You should consider living in the city and forgoing the suburbs.
If you're really looking for diversity you won't really find it in the suburbs. There are some neighborhoods IN Milwaukee that fit your request a bit better though, like downtown, east side, riverwest, bayview, enderis park, and many others. Though really, milwaukee isn't very diverse; it's still one of the most (if not The most) segregated cities in the united states.

If by the phrases "Good Fit" and making sure your Kids won't "Stand out" really means you're looking for a mostly white community... There are still plenty of non-diverse suburbs and Milwaukee neighborhoods to choose from. I'm sorry if i'm jumping to conclusions here, it's just typically when i hear those phrases it's exactly what folks mean.

[Empidonax]

Originally Posted by jdashn

You should consider living in the city and forgoing the suburbs.
If you're really looking for diversity you won't really find it in the suburbs. There are some neighborhoods IN Milwaukee that fit your request a bit better though, like downtown, east side, riverwest, bayview, enderis park, and many others. Though really, milwaukee isn't very diverse; it's still one of the most (if not The most) segregated cities in the united states.

If by the phrases "Good Fit" and making sure your Kids won't "Stand out" really means you're looking for a mostly white community... There are still plenty of non-diverse suburbs and Milwaukee neighborhoods to choose from. I'm sorry if i'm jumping to conclusions here, it's just typically when i hear those phrases it's exactly what folks mean.

She said she especially wanted to hear from "non-traditional families," so I figured "good fit" and "stand out" had more to do with communities that would welcome a "two mommies" household or an interracial family.

[Ariadne22]

Born and raised in Milwaukee. Currently living in Wauwatosa (60 years) which can be provincial. Worked for premier law firm in the downtown Milwaukee for over 25 years. Majority of its attys and partners lived near downtown, or along the Lake or in the North Shore suburbs. These highly educated people had high expectations for the schools in those areas and still do.

Stick with Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, certain parts of Glendale or Milwaukee area surrounding UW-M. Lots of energy on the North Shore. The word egalitarian comes to mind. You should find easy acceptance in those areas as the residents tend to be very highly educated. Lots of cultural activities, high standards in its schools. Even as far north as Fox Point. You can get to Pettit Ice Center - easy drive on I-43/I-94 - in 20 minutes or less.

Although West Allis and Wauwatosa are nearby, if you want "liberal, diverse, educated vibe where our kids won't "stand out"" - the North Shore suburbs are absolutely where you should be focusing your search.

I grew up on the South Side of Milwaukee. Both my sister and I have said our lives today would have been so much different/more expansive if we'd grown up in Shorewood or similar.

[Dibis03]

I was born and raised in Milwaukee and have lived on W. Vilter Ln for 46 years. You couldn't find a more diverse block. We have Latino, white, African American, Native American, Hmong, Puerto Rican, LBGQT all living here. Maybe were not "Educated" just blue collar working folk, but we all look out for each other and throw great block parties in the summer. Come check the block out, find a nice Polish flat and enjoy a real diverse neighborhood IMO.