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Axel King best-worst

Unpopular opinion about West Allis

Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,588 people. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,012/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $191,700, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $69,685, which feels about average for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.

Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
- Strong sense of community
- Good airport connections

Cons:
- Hot summers
- Sprawl everywhere
- Mosquitoes and humidity
What would you do? Appreciate any input. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
7 upvotes

3 Replies

Harper Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Greenfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
19 upvotes
Axel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Reagan Cook
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
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