Been meaning to ask this. Poverty rate is 7.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $69,685 in West Allis. The median home value here is around $191,700, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -West Allis sits at 355.8 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Caleb Lopez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Nashville it's hit or miss.
36 upvotes
Jean P.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Axel Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Luca Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
30 upvotes
Maya H.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
26 upvotes
Emma Ramirez
seconding this
20 upvotes
Gabriella W.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Nova Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Dallas about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Isaac P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are underrated. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
charlotte_evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
10 upvotes
Evan Brown
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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