Hey folks, Household incomes average around $126,286 in Waukesha. The weather takes some getting used to. Is this normal for Waukesha? Appreciate any input. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Julian James
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Ethan King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Ariana Cox
following this thread
26 upvotes
Mia Gomez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Cooper Wood
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Grace Thomas
100%
18 upvotes
Gerald G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Emilia P.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Asian places. it exceeded my expectations.
10 upvotes
Olivia C.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
8 upvotes
Oliver Jones
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Sofia Brooks
wish I knew this sooner
4 upvotes
Bella Peterson
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Bruce L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
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