Downtown Milwaukee Living

[mudeltaforcegurl]

I’m curious if anyone here lives in downtown Milwaukee, what do you like and dislike about it? Being a single 28 yr old woman I feel like downtown living would be more enjoyable than Tosa where I currently rent. Ideally I’d like to live somewhere along the river downtown.

[MUBurrow]

Other scoopers might have more recent input, but I rented for a summer during graduate school near Grand Ave mall about 7 years ago. I was surprised that downtown really emptied out after about 6:00 each night and often never really picked up on the weekend. I assumed that downtown would always "feel busy" but that wasn't typically the case.  I get the impression that places like the 3rd/5th wards or a bit north of downtown in the brady st-prospect areas might have a little more intentional feel about them - there might seem like there are fewer options for things to do, but those things may be more aimed to a residential (rather than specifically 9-5) crowd.

[MUfan12]

I’m curious if anyone here lives in downtown Milwaukee, what do you like and dislike about it? Being a single 28 yr old woman I feel like downtown living would be more enjoyable than Tosa where I currently rent. Ideally I’d like to live somewhere along the river downtown.

We own a condo along the river and love it. Can't beat the short walk anywhere during the summer.

[jficke13]

I lived on Kenilworth near the intersection of Oakland and North for a couple years after law school. It was a good building (underground parking was a must), and the area was in walking distance of a bunch of restaurants and bars, though I went to more restaurants than bars.

It was a bit pricey, but was a lot of fun at the time. I'd recommend the area and it seems to be continually developing.

[MUBurrow]

I'd recommend the area and it seems to be continually developing.

I'd highlight this as a caveat to my post, too.  Even when I was there, there was a lot of redevelopment going on, so things probably look very different than when I was there (especially just to the north with the FF and that entire area really blowing up).

[Jay Bee]

Lower east side was great back in the day for kids your age. Dunno about now.

I recommend having both a house in the burbs and an apt in the city.

Minneapolis... downtown... while more vibrant than Milwaukee.. can also feel dead at night & certain weekends. Even the skyways aren’t super resident-friendly (eg, some don’t open until noon on Sundays... how can I get yo church or brunch?!?!)

[Galway Eagle]

When moving to the city the goal is alway to live as close to points east pub as possible

[jsglow]

So there's two areas you should consider deltagurl; along the Water Street area near Brady and the 3rd Ward.  Both are very 'urban cool'.  The Upper and Lower East Side are still good options if you don't want to be right downtown.  Anyone who hasn't touched downtown Milwaukee in 5 years really can't have an informed opinion at this juncture.

I will tell you that our daughter (almost exactly your age) did the reverse and went to 'in town' Tosa after 4 years on the east side and loves it.  Frankly, that's the beauty of MKE.  She's still 15 minutes from her old haunts anytime she wants to go.

[RideMyBuycks]

Lower east side was great back in the day for kids your age. Dunno about now.

I recommend having both a house in the burbs and an apt in the city.

Minneapolis... downtown... while more vibrant than Milwaukee.. can also feel dead at night & certain weekends. Even the skyways aren’t super resident-friendly (eg, some don’t open until noon on Sundays... how can I get yo church or brunch?!?!)

Agreed. I would check the hours of operation for the shops/fast-casual restaurants in the area you're looking. Most of the stuff in the Minneapolis skyway closes after the lunch hour on workdays and never opens on the weekends. Milwaukee feels a bit less focused on the 9-5 crowd though

[mudeltaforcegurl]

I’d love to have a house in the country and apartment in the city, but as a first year Resident the income isn’t quite there yet! 

[Chili]

Before I moved to Chicago 8 years ago I lived in Bay View and loved it. It's still my favorite neighborhood I have I have ever lived in. I've lived on the Upper East Side near Lake Park / Downer & Marquette in Milwaukee and Bucktown, Logan Square and now Avondale in Chicago.

If I were to ever live in back in Milwaukee again it's where I would live no doubt.

[Goose]

deltaforce

If looking to rent, I am big fan of the downtown Tosa area. My MIL lives in State Street Station and absolutely loves it. Done of folks from the medical complex living there. Great location and a ton of things within walking distance.

[jsglow]

I’d love to have a house in the country and apartment in the city, but as a first year Resident the income isn’t quite there yet! 

So you're charged with a new and important responsibility around here deltagurl given your profession.  All wild arse speculation regarding health issues surrounding the players is now YOUR responsibility.  Your first assignment:  full diagnosis and definitive return date for Greg.  You've seen updated photos.  That should be enough.  Get on it!  And prescribe some Arby's while you're at it because we know it speeds recovery.

[djvern414]

Live in the Third Ward

Likes:

Ageless, 18-80
Bars/restaurants
Brunch everywhere
2 blocks to summer fest/festivals
HOP to jazz in park/Milwaukee streer/pick n save, 20 min walk to Fiserv
Right off highway for commute
Riverwalk
Right by lake

Dislikes:

Nothing. It's pricy, I suppose.
If you're still in party mode, Brady Street. Bayview super cool, vastly more affordable, but you can find something close to 1,000 if you're creative anywhere in MKE.

[dgies9156]

Am a 60ish something Scooper and am beginning to think about what to do when we downsize our suburban Chicago home for something more intimate. The issue is Milwaukee or Chicago. As I see it for us, here's the relative benefits:

Milwaukee -- Lower East Side/Prospect Avenue/Lakefront high rise
1) Has an younger/older crowd
2) Affordable
3) Easy to get around
4) Close to Third Ward, lakefront
5) Comparatively modest crime
6) Still close to Chicago
7) Easy to get to see early season Warrior games.

Chicago
1) Vibrant
2) Everything nearby
3) Outstanding lakefront
4) If still working, easy commute
5) Close to ORD and ways out of town
But:
6) Astronomical costs
7) Unstable local government with massive pension issues
8) Uncertain crime problems

This is a discussion in our home now. Not sure where it's going but cost of living will be a factor.

[4everwarriors]

I’m curious if anyone here lives in downtown Milwaukee, what do you like and dislike about it? Being a single 28 yr old woman I feel like downtown living would be more enjoyable than Tosa where I currently rent. Ideally I’d like to live somewhere along the river downtown.

Furst of all, dis depends grately on yo specialty. Eye no sum peeple hoo no sum peeple. Nex, suprised PGY1 has any tyme ta fart around postin' on a cite like dis, hey?

[MUfan12]

So there's two areas you should consider deltagurl; along the Water Street area near Brady and the 3rd Ward.

Second this. On Water, you're close enough to Brady and North to enjoy the area but far enough away to not have to deal with bartime nonsense.

[warriorchick]

Am a 60ish something Scooper and am beginning to think about what to do when we downsize our suburban Chicago home for something more intimate. The issue is Milwaukee or Chicago. As I see it for us, here's the relative benefits:

Milwaukee -- Lower East Side/Prospect Avenue/Lakefront high rise
1) Has an younger/older crowd
2) Affordable
3) Easy to get around
4) Close to Third Ward, lakefront
5) Comparatively modest crime
6) Still close to Chicago
7) Easy to get to see early season Warrior games.

Chicago
1) Vibrant
2) Everything nearby
3) Outstanding lakefront
4) If still working, easy commute
5) Close to ORD and ways out of town
But:
6) Astronomical costs
7) Unstable local government with massive pension issues
8) Uncertain crime problems

This is a discussion in our home now. Not sure where it's going but cost of living will be a factor.

You don't think Milwaukee has the first 3 pluses you have for Chicago?

Run the numbers.  I am not sure that Milwaukee is more expensive to fly out of than O'Hare, but it is way less of a hassle.  And for the money you would save by living in Wisconsin, you could take a limo down to O'Hare when you needed to and still come out money ahead.

[Galway Eagle]

Am a 60ish something Scooper and am beginning to think about what to do when we downsize our suburban Chicago home for something more intimate. The issue is Milwaukee or Chicago. As I see it for us, here's the relative benefits:

Milwaukee -- Lower East Side/Prospect Avenue/Lakefront high rise
1) Has an younger/older crowd
2) Affordable
3) Easy to get around
4) Close to Third Ward, lakefront
5) Comparatively modest crime
6) Still close to Chicago
7) Easy to get to see early season Warrior games.

Chicago
1) Vibrant
2) Everything nearby
3) Outstanding lakefront
4) If still working, easy commute
5) Close to ORD and ways out of town
But:
6) Astronomical costs
7) Unstable local government with massive pension issues
8) Uncertain crime problems

This is a discussion in our home now. Not sure where it's going but cost of living will be a factor.

You realize Milwaukee has more crime per capita right?

[Benny B]

You realize Milwaukee has more crime per capita right?

More reported crime, perhaps.

[mu03eng]

You realize Milwaukee has more crime per capita right?

Yeah, but it's highly segregated.....literally and figuratively.

[MU82]

Am a 60ish something Scooper and am beginning to think about what to do when we downsize our suburban Chicago home for something more intimate. The issue is Milwaukee or Chicago.

This is a discussion in our home now. Not sure where it's going but cost of living will be a factor.

Milwaukee is so much less expensive than Chicago that it would seem to trump just about everything else for a person who insists that "cost of living will be a factor."

Furst of all, dis depends grately on yo specialty. Eye no sum peeple hoo no sum peeple. Nex, suprised PGY1 has any tyme ta fart around postin' on a cite like dis, hey?

Huh?

[mu03eng]

You don't think Milwaukee has the first 3 pluses you have for Chicago?

Run the numbers.  I am not sure that Milwaukee is more expensive to fly out of than O'Hare, but it is way less of a hassle.  And for the money you would save by living in Wisconsin, you could take a limo down to O'Hare when you needed to and still come out money ahead.

MKE is way less hassle from airport navigation standpoint but in terms of total transit experience its a wash at best....very view direct flights out of MKE to go anywhere interesting and a lot of traffic goes through O'Hare anyway and that flight gets cancelled all the time. When I travel, half the time I drive down to O'Hare (90 minutes door to security line) because I'd be going through O'Hare anyway. I love that I can get to my house to the gate at MKE in less than an hour(including security which is like 15 minutes these days) but the logistics our of MKE are a nightmare unless I'm going to a hub (Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, etc).

[mu03eng]

Milwaukee is so much less expensive than Chicago that it would seem to trump just about everything else for a person who insists that "cost of living will be a factor."

MKE is way cheaper than Chicago and the convenience factor of lakefront and other fun stuff in Chicago is while not as varied or voluminous certainly as convenient in MKE.

[UWW2MU]

Yeah, but it's highly segregated.....literally and figuratively.

While true, that fact is also misleading when compared to many other metro's.  The way it is measured is affected more by where municipal and census borders are, rather than a true measurement.

Take a look here:   https://demographics.virginia.edu/DotMap/

[UWW2MU]

While true, that fact is also misleading when compared to many other metro's.  The way it is measured is affected more by where municipal and census borders are, rather than a true measurement when comparing one metro to another.

Take a look here:   https://demographics.virginia.edu/DotMap/

[Galway Eagle]

Yeah, but it's highly segregated.....literally and figuratively.

 I can't imagine it's considerably more segregated than Chicago when it comes to crime.

[mu03eng]

I can't imagine it's considerably more segregated than Chicago when it comes to crime.

Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the US, not for nothing.

[Galway Eagle]

Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the US, not for nothing.

Learn something new every day.

[nyg]

The young resident doctor asks for assistance in living in Milwaukee and the typical scoop trend of hijacking the thread leads to Chicago, airplane flights, census and segregation.  Maybe those who are familiar, that have not yet responded, can help her out. 

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Maybe she's studying abnormal psychology.   This place is a petri dish of lunatics.

[4everwarriors]

Still mainetain PGY-1 don't have the tyme ta waist on a cite like dis. Any truth ta da taught dat dis chick is really Chicos, hey?

[GB Warrior]

Before I moved to Chicago 8 years ago I lived in Bay View and loved it. It's still my favorite neighborhood I have I have ever lived in. I've lived on the Upper East Side near Lake Park / Downer & Marquette in Milwaukee and Bucktown, Logan Square and now Avondale in Chicago.

If I were to ever live in back in Milwaukee again it's where I would live no doubt.

+1

I'm upper 20s and rented in Bayview when I graduated. Wife and I bought cheap in the burbs to build equity, but always wanted to get back. After we had our first kid, finally found the place to buy back in Bayview. If schooling works out (Montessori) we may never leave

[mu03eng]

Maybe she's studying abnormal psychology.   This place is a petri dish of lunatics.

This place is the internet version of MASH(movie not TV show).....and Chicos is 100% Frank Burns

[theBabyDavid]

This place is the internet version of MASH(movie not TV show).....and Chicos is 100% Frank Burns

I think I resemble Painless in that most crucial way for which he was justifiably renowned around the camp and what was the source of his agony.

[mudeltaforcegurl]

The young resident doctor asks for assistance in living in Milwaukee and the typical scoop trend of hijacking the thread leads to Chicago, airplane flights, census and segregation.  Maybe those who are familiar, that have not yet responded, can help her out.

Thanks, the thread seems to be a little off track!

I’m leaning towards renting at least for the next or two.

[mu03eng]

Thanks, the thread seems to be a little off track!

I’m leaning towards renting at least for the next or two.

If you are going downtown or at least that area I'd recommend renting for sure. Lot of inventory in the area that makes buying unattractive short term (unless you think you'll be ther 10-15 years or something).

[Herman Cain]

I’m curious if anyone here lives in downtown Milwaukee, what do you like and dislike about it? Being a single 28 yr old woman I feel like downtown living would be more enjoyable than Tosa where I currently rent. Ideally I’d like to live somewhere along the river downtown.

Take a careful look at the East side area Prospect Avenue Lake front High rise etc .  Lots of good places to live at an economical price and you will have easy access to everything.   

[MU82]

Still mainetain PGY-1 don't have the tyme ta waist on a cite like dis. Any truth ta da taught dat dis chick is really Chicos, hey?

Huh?

[Cheeks]

Still mainetain PGY-1 don't have the tyme ta waist on a cite like dis. Any truth ta da taught dat dis chick is really Chicos, hey?

Chicas

[Cheeks]

This place is the internet version of MASH(movie not TV show).....and Chicos is 100% Frank Burns

Jamie Farr

[dgies9156]

Maybe she's studying abnormal psychology.   This place is a petri dish of lunatics.

+1000000

[Oldgym]

+1000000

And one.

[Oldgym]

Thanks, the thread seems to be a little off track!

Never fails...

There is a near-downtown neighborhood that puts you squarely in the middle of Brady Street, Fiserv Forum, the East Side, and Riverwest.  Mine.  It's the neighborhood along Commerce St near Lakefront Brewery, and I love it.  I'll park the car on Friday and not use it again until Monday.  It's a long walk, but MU games are reachable on foot.  A river runs through it.  Great neighbors of all ages; two new apartment buildings have brought in the younger generation (I'm 50). 

It's the city.  It can be noisy sometimes, you don't leave valuables in your car, if you walk at night, walk with a purpose.  But I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the Mil.

[Galway Eagle]

Never fails...

There is a near-downtown neighborhood that puts you squarely in the middle of Brady Street, Fiserv Forum, the East Side, and Riverwest.  Mine.  It's the neighborhood along Commerce St near Lakefront Brewery, and I love it.  I'll park the car on Friday and not use it again until Monday.  It's a long walk, but MU games are reachable on foot.  A river runs through it.  Great neighbors of all ages; two new apartment buildings have brought in the younger generation (I'm 50). 

It's the city.  It can be noisy sometimes, you don't leave valuables in your car, if you walk at night, walk with a purpose.  But I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the Mil.

Aka the neighborhood that brings you as close as possible to points east pub.

[Oldgym]

Well yeah, goes without saying.

[Eldon]

Walker's Point (fifth ward) is heavily gentrified, and yet closer to downtown than Bay View.

[mudeltaforcegurl]

I’m leaning towards the area near Commerce Street and Lakefront Brewery. It’s really been built up since I last lived in Milwaukee.

[BM1090]

When moving to the city the goal is alway to live as close to points east pub as possible

Live near Milwaukee and Juneau. East Town area. Love it. Stadium, bars, restaurants all walkable. Points East included.

[Oldgym]

I’m leaning towards the area near Commerce Street and Lakefront Brewery. It’s really been built up since I last lived in Milwaukee.

+1000

PM me if you'd like add'l info.

[GooooMarquette]

Minneapolis... downtown... while more vibrant than Milwaukee.. can also feel dead at night & certain weekends. Even the skyways aren’t super resident-friendly (eg, some don’t open until noon on Sundays... how can I get yo church or brunch?!?!)

Love MPLS, but I'm not a fan of the skyways. I get why they have them, but IMHO they killed street level activity and have the downsides you mentioned about hours of operation. If I ever move there (a possibility w/in a few years), I would probably look in the Calhoun Isles, Whittier and Lyndale areas, or possibly the North Loop.

Regarding Milwaukee, the Third Ward is nice.

[mudeltaforcegurl]

A friend of mine was telling me I should try and buy a condo in foreclosure near the river. Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a forclosed property?

I only know of one coworker that did it, and it took a very long time to complete the sale. I believe there was a sheriff’s sale or auction, and the previous owner wouldn’t vacate the property. I thought by the time of a sherrif’s sale the house had to be vacant. Needless to say it was a headache, but if the property is vacant, like it should be, it seems like you can get a good deal as long as the property is in good condition.

[Jay Bee]

Love MPLS, but I'm not a fan of the skyways. I get why they have them, but IMHO they killed street level activity and have the downsides you mentioned about hours of operation. If I ever move there (a possibility w/in a few years), I would probably look in the Calhoun Isles, Whittier and Lyndale areas, or possibly the North Loop.

Regarding Milwaukee, the Third Ward is nice.

I think downtown would still feel dead a lot of the time and I’m the summer, many steer clear of the skyways.

This morning I walked from my place to Target Center for morning b-ball... then strolled back, all in the skyway wearing shorts - love that! Can order via app to pick up food on the walk home, no coat required.

But, lots of buildings aren’t connected or connections require you to walk way more than just going outside.

Good and bad... but outside in the warm weather, you get plenty of street level traffic in Nicollet, etc. Join us!

[Chili]

A friend of mine was telling me I should try and buy a condo in foreclosure near the river. Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a forclosed property?

I only know of one coworker that did it, and it took a very long time to complete the sale. I believe there was a sheriff’s sale or auction, and the previous owner wouldn’t vacate the property. I thought by the time of a sherrif’s sale the house had to be vacant. Needless to say it was a headache, but if the property is vacant, like it should be, it seems like you can get a good deal as long as the property is in good condition.

If you don't know how to do it or don't have a good real estate attorney who will work cheaply I would stay away. You have to deal liens, court costs, banks, etc. Also, no inspection and is as is. Just cause it's new doesn't mean it wasn't built with shiit materials and craftsmanship. You're better off buying a property that is either 1) in an about to be very hot area or 2) something that needs renovation - hopefully that you can do with some sweat. That's your best plan to build equity vs. foreclosure.

[MU82]

Milwaukee sure is a lot cooler place since I went to MU and worked in the dreary Grand Theater. I didn't love stepping out of that dump into the night and waiting for a bus.

[jsglow]

A friend of mine was telling me I should try and buy a condo in foreclosure near the river. Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a forclosed property?

I only know of one coworker that did it, and it took a very long time to complete the sale. I believe there was a sheriff’s sale or auction, and the previous owner wouldn’t vacate the property. I thought by the time of a sherrif’s sale the house had to be vacant. Needless to say it was a headache, but if the property is vacant, like it should be, it seems like you can get a good deal as long as the property is in good condition.

IM me if you'd like to discuss the process.

[MUfan12]

Milwaukee sure is a lot cooler place since I went to MU and worked in the dreary Grand Theater. I didn't love stepping out of that dump into the night and waiting for a bus.

Speaking of, you may enjoy this- https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2018/12/19/msos-warner-grand-theatre-renovation-reveals-long.html

Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Benny B]

Love MPLS, but I'm not a fan of the skyways. I get why they have them, but IMHO they killed street level activity and have the downsides you mentioned about hours of operation. If I ever move there (a possibility w/in a few years), I would probably look in the Calhoun Isles, Whittier and Lyndale areas, or possibly the North Loop.

Regarding Milwaukee, the Third Ward is nice.

Still pissed that they shut down the Uptown Arby's, ain-a?

[Benny B]

If you don't know how to do it or don't have a good real estate attorney who will work cheaply I would stay away. You have to deal liens, court costs, banks, etc. Also, no inspection and is as is. Just cause it's new doesn't mean it wasn't built with shiit materials and craftsmanship. You're better off buying a property that is either 1) in an about to be very hot area or 2) something that needs renovation - hopefully that you can do with some sweat. That's your best plan to build equity vs. foreclosure.

This.  ZOMG, this. 

And Chili didn't even get into redemption... foreclosures are sources of (potential) income, not primary residences.  Unless you like living in purgatory for 12-18 months.

[MU82]

Speaking of, you may enjoy this- https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2018/12/19/msos-warner-grand-theatre-renovation-reveals-long.html

Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks a ton for that, MUfan. Very interesting, and like you I am very curious to see what the finished product will be.

This gives me a jumping point to one of my favorite (and true) MU stories ...

I worked as an usher at the Grand as a freshman. Got paid something like $2.50 an hour; given how lazy I was, that's was probably too much - ha!

Anyhoo, one of our perks was that we could take home some popcorn at the end of the night. I'd get one of the long, rectangular boxes in which the popcorn cups were shipped, and I'd fill it with popcorn. It was a shyte-ton of popcorn! I very meticulously would put in a layer of popcorn and then drizzle on some of the fake-butter crapola (probably toxic chemicals), and then more popcorn, and then more toxic crap, etc.

I'd carry that bad boy on the bus with me, take it back to McCormick and give it to my floor-mates. A couple of the guys who got high pretty much every day would memorize my work schedule and would meet me at the elevator when I was arriving with the popcorn.

It was like a pavlov's dog thing -- elevator would "ding" and the salivating would start!

[4everwarriors]

Milwaukee sure is a lot cooler place since I went to MU and worked in the dreary Grand Theater. I didn't love stepping out of that dump into the night and waiting for a bus.

Sure dat wuzant da Princess Theatre, hey?

[MU82]

Sure dat wuzant da Princess Theatre, hey?

Yes. Sure. Hey.