Forbes named Milwaukee to it's "Top 15 emerging Downtowns" and Our Town America identified it as the "5th Fastest Growing City in the Country" Milwaukee is filled with various different communities within the large city. Each community has it's own unique history, atmopshere, and viberance. Not to mention the unique food and entertainment scene in every different community. So many great options for finding a place to live, hopefully this makes your choice a bit easier and you find your perfect Milwaukee community.
East Town
At the heart of the city and in sync with its beat, East Town offers a fashionable, upscale vibe. Accessibility is a key feature of
this urban landscape, where the vitality of downtown and distinctive skyline structures are coupled with the amenities of lakeside living. At the nexus of major community events and natural beauty, a surge in exciting new developments will be enhanced by the capstone Lakefront Gateway Project and Park, the newest addition to Milwaukee’s “Grand Necklace of Parks.” Residents enjoy superb shopping, fine dining, open-air eateries, historic theaters, live music venues and, with construction of a new arena complex, expanded options in the future. Pere Marquette Park, along the Milwaukee River, and Cathedral Square, adjacent to the historic Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, host weekly concerts, farmers’ markets, a morning speaker series for professionals, festivals and other outdoor events.
DownTown
There’s nothing like apartment living in downtown Milwaukee.You’re close to the action and within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the theater and entertainment districts. This includes several popular areas for young people and empty nesters, including Milwaukee’s East Side, ThirdWard and FifthWard. It also includes new developments along the Milwaukee River in the Park East area. This atmosphere is always lively filled with events in the summer, and the winter.
Historic Third Ward
The Historic Third Ward offers urban living at the epicenter of Milwaukee’s art and fashion district. Sandwiched between the award-winning Riverwalk and Lakeshore State Park, the area appeals to those seeking an active, upscale lifestyle. Easy access to a full spectrum of businesses promotes work-life balance, whether one is heading to the famed public market, yoga, a salon, or finishing up a project at the state-of-the-art work center. Boutiques and specialty shops offer clothing and accessories, stationary, home furnishings and décor. The area is home to art galleries, gastropubs, craft cocktail establishments, coffeehouses, brew pubs, chocolatiers, and even purveyors of craft doughnuts and ice cream! Socializing options include an escape-room adventure, ping pong and painting bars, a pedal tavern, and many outdoor events. Rooftop venues and patios capitalize on seasonal beauty in this gem of a neighborhood!
Brady Street & Upper EastSide
The Brady Street neighborhood offers the chance to actively engage in the ongoing revitalization of this popular area. The neighborhood has transformed itself into a model for “New Urbanism,” while retaining its bohemian character and ethnic roots. Community prevails, strengthened by various events and festivals: Of note are the eponymous Brady Street Festival; annual Pet Parade; the Milwaukee Film Festival (held at the distinctive and historic Oriental Theatre); and the avant-garde street art gallery, Black Cat Alley. Specialty retailers, chicsalons, vintage and thrift stores, coffee shops, pubs, cutting-edge ethnic restaurants, and flourishing night clubs offer residents a variety of experiences. Abrew-your-own establishment, underground golf tavern, full-service alternative bakery, and boutique focusing on ephemera handmade by local artists, often from refurbished or recycled materials, prove that innovation is ubiquitous. Within walking distance of Lake Michigan via a network of trails, it is also the bike hub of the city.
Walkers Point/ Fifth Ward
Rooted in its storied history as a fur-trading post dating back to 1835, Walker’s Point nevertheless offers an up-and-coming environment that embraces a modern, urban lifestyle witha diverse demographic that celebrates its vibrant LGBTQ contingent. Its overarching Latino flavor is complemented by diversity in the local food cultureas well. Foodies appreciate the varietyoffered–from dimsum and sushi,to tapas and small plates, topairings featuring releases from the neighborhood’s craft distilleries and breweries. Likewise, locally sourced artisanal kitchens serve up innovation for discriminating palates. Social opportunities abound, from meeting up at local coffee roasters or a cigar bar, to participation inculinary arts programs or swing dance events, to entertainment options at Jazz or Blues clubs, art galleries, the atervenues, and comedy shows. Committed to green and sustainable development, it features repurposed architecture and a noteworthy collection of antiques dealers and vintage retailers.
Westown
Westown is defined by its history, significant architectural gems and monuments. OldWorld Third Street retains its ethnic German flavor and is a popular entertainment area. History is also reimagined here with repourposed buildings providing sustainable, modern vibrancy. It’s home to FiservForum, the new basketball arena for the MilwaukeeBucks professional basketball team.It also hosts one of the nation’s oldest St.Patrick’s Day Parades, and a popular farmers’ market at Zeidler Park. Pere Marquette Park is a prime meeting place, with weekly concerts, boat rentals and free, public WiFi. The Riverwalk features restaurants, gastropubs, beer halls, nightclubs, live-music venues, and theaters. Specialty purveyors of spices, fine ethnic sausages, gourmet cheeses and tobacco offer satisfying shopping experiences within walking distance from your home.
NORTH SHORE
Milwaukee’s North Shore stretches from Milwaukee’s East Side north to Ozaukee County. Choose from one of several charming villages situated along the lakefront, including Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point and Bayside, or follow the Milwaukee River farther north to the communities of Cedarburg, Grafton and Mequon. Each has its own distinct feel and community center. Shorewood is close to the always-vibrant University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the state’s second-largest university campus, where there is always something going on.
WAUWATOSA
Located just west of the city of Milwaukee, Wauwatosa is a vibrant, perfectly situated community that is close to shopping, cultural attractions, research facilities, business parks and hospitals. It is home to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, which includes Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin. It’s also home to Innovation Park, a research and business park being developed in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Mayfair Mall, one of the region’s premier shopping centers, as well as Mayfair Collection, a new shopping and restaurant area. Wauwatosa’s quaint downtown along State Street has a European ambience with restaurants featuring French, German, Italian and Belgian cuisines.
South
The south side covers the largest region of metropolitan Milwaukee – from just south of downtown Milwaukee to the southernmost reaches of Racine County, from Lake Michigan west to the Muskego Lake area in Waukesha County. It includes a variety of lifestyle options. Two south-side communities– Franklin and Oak Creek – are among the most rapidly growing communities in the metropolitan area. Oak Creek is developing a “city center,” a walkable neighborhood that includes offices, retail and apartment homes. Both communities are close to the southern campus of Northwestern Mutual. The region includes Racine, the second-largest city in the metropolitan area, which is 20 minutes south of Milwaukee and near the new Foxconn research and manufacturing campus.
NorthWest
Apartment homes in the northwestern metropolitan area are ideal for people who want to live near both downtown Milwaukee and the beautiful rolling terrain of Washington County. These homes are ideally located for outdoor and nature enthusiasts who want to be close to ski hills, state parks and some of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in southeastern Wisconsin. This is a popular and rapidly developing area, with much of the residential growth occurring in and around the suburban communities of Germantown and Menomonee Falls.
WEST
Waukesha and Washington Counties are among the fastest-growing areas in the region and offer lifestyle options for everyone. These counties are filled with young and growing families in the suburbs. West Allis and West Milwaukee in Milwaukee County offer short commute times to downtown Miwlaukee. There are also upscale communities in Brookfield, Elm Grove, and New Berlin in Eastern Waueksha County, as well as Oconomowoc and Pewaukee in Lake County of Western Waukesha County.