Rent is about $1,007/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
3 Replies
milwaukeeliving2023
Moved here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to weather but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Aurora Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Brooklyn J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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