Hi all, Been living here since 2018. Household incomes average around $126,286 in Waukesha. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
7 Replies
Valentina Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
Chloe Mendoza
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Naomi Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Isabelle Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Xavier Howard
same here
15 upvotes
Piper
This.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah Bailey
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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