Signing a Lease For a New Apartment, Moving to Milwaukee, Questions (Juneau: crime rate, squatters)

[mkemove1111]

I am moving to Milwaukee in the Fall. I signed a lease on an apartment that is brand new. My family is giving me negative feedback on this move.

The zip code is 53202. A few blocks from the lake. I am uncertain of the area. A few people have told me lower east side, another few people called it Juneau town or Yankee Hill.

Is crime that bad for a female in this area?

Can I walk my dog at night?

Can I go out for dinner or drinks by myself?

Also, I kept hearing it was affordable, but I don't think $1615 plus parking fees of $174 for a one bedroom is affordable. The other options seemed awful. One man told me I had to bring my own refrigerator! The alternatives seemed older, worn, and lacked amenities. I live in AZ now, in a brand new complex, and pay $1200 a month. I took a new job, thinking it would be affordable in Milwaukee, but that seems pricey to me?

What are costs in general?

Again, my main questions are housing costs/area and safety crime.

I had a look at a crime map and it gave me anxiety. This zip was primarily car theft and break ins... I am high up and have underground parking so I am hoping to not worry about that; but I did see some murder, rape and assault- although lower than other areas of the city.

thank you in advance!

[SkyWriting]

Originally Posted by mkemove1111

I had a look at a crime map and it gave me anxiety. This zip was primarily car theft and break ins... I am high up and have underground parking so I am hoping to not worry about that; but I did see some murder, rape and assault- although lower than other areas of the city.

thank you in advance!

There are lower rent options in safer areas. Just plan to move after you get here if saving money is an issue. As for safety, you will feel warm and snug in the Yahkee Hill area. It's the best place to live for activities. In the summer there are free concerts where families spread out their blankets and relax with food and wine in picnic baskets. The city life is ideal in that area. You'll love it, though the rent is higher.

The assault rate against strangers is extremely low. You could say non-existent. I've lived in the worst part of the city, and you need to start arguments with strangers if you desire to be assaulted. People love to leave others alone here. Even the perps.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by SkyWriting

There are lower rent options in safer areas. Just plan to move after you get here if saving money is an issue. As for safety, you will feel warm and snug in the Yahkee Hill area. It's the best place to live for activities. In the summer there are free concerts where families spread out their blankets and relax with food and wine in picnic baskets. The city life is ideal in that area. You'll love it, though the rent is higher.

The assault rate against strangers is extremely low. You could say non-existent. I've lived in the worst part of the city, and you need to start arguments with strangers if you desire to be assaulted. People love to leave others alone here. Even the perps.

This.

Simply looking at crime rate data is horribly misleading.

Like any major city, there are spots you simply don't go to unless you're looking for trouble, and those are relatively few.

I lived in SE WI for 8 years, and never once did I feel threatened or unsafe in anyplace I went, and that includes a lot of time in the downtown area. The only part that was sketchy was west of Marquette around Harley-Davidson, and I simply didn't go there.

RM

[Empidonax]

The Yankee Hill area is a nice, upscale, urban area. Most of Milwaukee's East Side is a good bet, though places closer to the lake are more desirable.

You'll be very close to lots of restaurants, bars, arts and music venues, etc. You'll also have various public transportation options if you grow tired of driving and parking everywhere. Your neighbors will be a lot of different kinds of people, but there are a lot of professionals and students in that area, so your neighbors will probably skew in that direction.

Juneau Park is a pleasant but small park in Yankee Hill. There is also a lot of parkway along and near the lakefront. I'm not aware of specific safety data for Yankee Hill/Juneautown, but crime rates are probably lower compared to most other urban areas in the city. Nevertheless, it's still a city, so be aware. Most of the crime is petty theft, car break-ins, and stuff like that.

Milwaukee housing costs are a tad pricey, but not in the league of Chicago, NYC, SF, etc. Still, property tax rates are high here, and that generally manifests as high property taxes. If your rent seems high, it's partly due to having to offset the tax burden your landlord has to deal with.

Does your rent come with utilities? It isn't uncommon to find all- or mostly-inclusive rents around here.

Your rent may also seem pricey due to the underground parking. IMO, underground or some other kind of secure/covered parking is totally worth paying a bit more per month.

[SkyWriting]

Originally Posted by MortonR

This.
Simply looking at crime rate data is horribly misleading.
Like any major city, there are spots you simply don't go to unless you're looking for trouble, and those are relatively few.
I lived in SE WI for 8 years, and never once did I feel threatened or unsafe in anyplace I went, and that includes a lot of time in the downtown area. The only part that was sketchy was west of Marquette around Harley-Davidson, and I simply didn't go there.
RM

That's pretty much what I said.

[SkyWriting]

Mod cut: Quoted post deleted.

The statistics lie. It's one of the safest cities for visitors of any metro area. Possibly NY is safer due to the huge number of visitors. Most of the crime and assaults are on neighbors, family members, rival gangs and generally local-on-local assaults. Mostly people who have offended others. If your not seeking trouble in Milwaukee, odds are very good that IT won't find you. I make deliveries to every corner of the inner city (wearing street clothes) and have never been approached by strangers. One day I was stopped taking a call and I happened to stop near a liquor store and a street person tapped on my window. I ignored him. That's the only time I've been approached by a stranger in decades. Except for 20 years ago my wife and I were stopped where we lived on 10th and Atkinson. The guy stopped us on the street and asked us where we lived. He was happy to hear it was nearby and he handed us a card for his carpet cleaning business. The 5 years we lived on 10th and Atkinson we felt safe walking in the neighborhood. Even though it is about the worst place in town and nationally famous.

Milwaukee 53206 - Movie

[SkyWriting]

Originally Posted by yeah!

I'm assuming you're a street savvy black man driving some inexpensive vehicle while delivering things during the day hours without a uniform, so you don't stick out like a sore thumb and you blend in into the environment better thus keeping yourself safe. Simply speaking you are a fish in the water and people are less likely to mess with you because they know you are part of their own as in being around the block a few times, probably armed and able to protect yourself. Now imagine you were a well dressed white man/woman, driving a brand new luxury car. Would you venture out into the city late at night just as freely? I don't think so. You will be far more cautious and afraid and your guard will be way up. Guaranteed. A whole different story.No need to look far for an example. Just look up the murder of Greg Zyszkiewicz who was killed in a carjacking during the day while performing his work duties as a city inspector in Milwaukee in 2017. His problem? He drove a nice vintage car that appeared desirable to his assailants. So ask yourself a question. A man goes to work and ends up murdered simply because of his nice car. Is this really a safe place to be? I think the answer to this question is obvious - a resounding no. And don't tell me that crime doesn't spill over from "bad" areas of the city and that residents of Yankee Hill are immune to it. It's not true.

I work on the streets of the city daily and talks to score of people who live there. Strangers are very safe in this entire city. And none of your assumptions are correct. There are "nice" cars parked all over this city. The only ones to worry about are Hyundais. Theft on those are up by 17 times. Best get security for your Kia because it comes with none. Strangers are not assaulted in this city. Mind your business and people will leave you alone. On the other hand talking friendly to strangers in the wrong neighborhood will get you the same friendly attitude in return.

[sub]

Milwaukee is definitely a watch your back kind of place.
There's always the chance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Not going to sugarcoat it because every once in a while something happens to innocent bystanders.
Truth be told, that's probably a small fraction of the violent crime in the city.

That being said, most people don't want confrontation with complete strangers.
I once worked in the worst neighborhood of a city with a similar crime reputation and yeah, most people are good wherever you go.

We live a little ways outside of the metro, but don't avoid going to Milwaukee. It's nice to have that nearby. For the most part it's safe enough.
If I were to live directly in the area again, I'd stick with a suburb for better city services.

[SkyWriting]

Originally Posted by yeah!

Yeah, it's called an anecdotal evidence. Look it up.

Your news stories on individual crimes are anecdotal evidence. If you consider my wife and I and our pasty white daughters have lived in the city limits for a total of 150 years, I'd say we know as much about street safety as anyone. And a few of those years at 10th and Capitol. As a building manager I interfaced with drug dealers, prostitutes, apartment squatters and thieves as part of my job. I've never felt in danger. As for driving on the north side, your life in in your hands for sure. Stay awake.

[mkemove1111]

Seems like my very simple questions started some sort of city data squabble.

At any rate, I will research and make my decision.

Something else to chew on is what is the dating like for a 40 year old single woman in the city, or dating in general?