Best Suburbs of Milwaukee

Written by Mike Beutler

Moving to the Milwaukee area? Cream City has many great suburbs that offer fantastic outdoor recreation, great breweries, affordable housing, and top-notch amenities. Here are some of the best Milwaukee suburbs to live in!

Brookfield

• Home Price: $331,500 median purchase price; $1,495 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Wisconsin cities
• Perfect For: Families, retirees

Moving to Milwaukee with your family? Live in Brookfield, one of the best MKE suburbs for retirees or for raising a family! Residents living in this affluent Milwaukee suburb can find housing options ranging from charming bungalows and brick ranches to condos or Neocolonial-style homes with large backyards. Parents can send their children to Dixon Elementary School, Pilgrim Park Middle School, Brookfield East High School, and more-all part of the Elmbrook School District, the top-ranking district in Wisconsin. And with a variety of unique shopping and dining options along W Bluemound Rd, as well as community events like the Brookfield Farmers Market and Town Food Truck Festival, there are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy!

Things to Do in Brookfield

Go shopping at national retailers like H&M, Express, and Barnes & Noble at Brookfield Square. Take bouldering and belay classes, or attend special events like Mandala Madness at Adventure Rock Brookfield. Enroll your kids in theater camps, attend the free Starry Nights outdoor concert series, or get tickets to Prelude to a Kiss: The Musical at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Explore the vast nature trails, practice your archery skills, and go canoeing on the Fox River at Mitchell Park. Enjoy breakfast all day, every day with options like the Strawberry Bruschetta, Mexican Omelet, and Irish Scrambler at Maxim's Restaurant. Savor the Kefta Kabab, Falafel, Beef Shawarma, and other Middle Eastern dishes at Shawarma House. Order fresh, scratch-made vegetarian meals like the Thai Peanut Cauliflower, Spicy Chile Noodles, and Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese at Cafe Manna. Or try the Braised Short Rib or Pretzel Crusted Veal with a side of Creamed Corn when you make reservations at Parkside 23.

Greenfield

• Home Price: $184,400 median purchase price; $975 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 19% of Wisconsin cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Located just 20 minutes from Downtown Milwaukee, Greenfield provides an urban-suburban atmosphere filled with shopping opportunities, great food, and plenty of fun things to do. Those looking to purchase a piece of Milwaukee real estate can find plenty of quaint and affordable ranches and Neocolonial-style homes to settle down in. Greenfield residents can also take part in a variety of family-friendly events like the Greenfield Farmers Market, the Brews and Bites Concert Series, and Bark After Dark. And with easy access to I-43 and I-41, you can quickly get around the city-or travel nationally and internationally by hopping on a flight just east of the neighborhood at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport!

Things to Do in Greenfield

Shop at department stores like Macy's and JCPenney while your kids enjoy the free Kid's Club activities at Southridge Mall. Take your furry friend for a walk, ride your bike, or play a game of softball at Konkel Park. Meet up with friends for drinks and play a cue game of pool or snooker at Romine's High Pockets. Stroll through the lush Peony Garden, Rain Garden, or Rock Garden while the flowers are in full bloom at Boerner Botanical Gardens nearby. Start your morning with a Local Honey Latte, Chagaccino, or The Green Beaver at Blüm Coffee Garden. Chow down the Italian Sausage Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Jalapeno Pizza, Bosco Sticks, and more while viewing a live pipe organ show at Organ Piper Pizza Palace. Fill up on Mexican cuisine like the Chicken Mole Poblano, Camarones Al Chipotle, and Carnitas Tacos at Mezcalero Restaurant and Bar. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with specialty sundaes like the Cashew Creation, Fudge Delight, Peanut Butter Log, and more at Kopp's Frozen Custard.

Waukesha

• Home Price: $223,600 median purchase price; $954 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Wisconsin cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Located 30 minutes west of Milwaukee, Waukesha is a great place to call home thanks to its safe streets and abundant green spaces. Residents can also find the perfect balance between urban and suburban living in this Milwaukee suburb, with housing options ranging from older Colonial-style homes to renovated Craftsman bungalows and ranches. When you want to find something to do, Downtown Waukesha is home to a number of shops, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. Plus, residents can attend annual Waukesha festivals like the Waukesha Janboree in the winter or the Waukesha County Fair -the oldest in Wisconsin-in the summer!

Things to Do in Waukesha

Enjoy indoor aquatic fun as you slide down the waterslides, float along the lazy river, and relax in the hot tub at the indoor Springs Water Park at The Ingleside Hotel. Explore mountain biking trails, have a fun day at the lake's beach, or go cross-country skiing at Minooka Park. Purchase tickets to locally produced plays and musicals like Kinky Boots, Finding Nemo Kids, and Legally Blonde: The Musical at Waukesha Civic Theatre. Practice your swing on the driving range or in the batting cages, and have a friendly match of mini golf filled with water features at Swing Time Golf & Baseball. Have the Butterscotch Blondie Latte for your morning cup of coffee, or stop in for lunch to try the Lemon Pepper Chicken Salad or Caprese Melt at The Steaming Cup. Attend the Friday Fish Fry, or enjoy Charleston Crab Cakes followed by the Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breast at People's Park. Order dishes like the Shrimp & Ravioli and Char Grilled Tenderloin, or try the Chef's Selection-a seven-course tasting menu-at Tofte's Table. Or catch up with friends to enjoy brews like the Blood Orange Sour, the White Fox Witbier, and the Blockade Baltic Porter on the outdoor patio at dog-friendly taproom Raised Grain Brewing Company.

Wauwatosa

• Home Price: $251,300 median purchase price; $1,121 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 16% of Wisconsin cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

In search of one of the best areas to live in Milwaukee? Consider Wauwatosa! Known as "Tosa" by locals, this MKE suburb is tucked along the Menomonee River and is just minutes from the Milwaukee city center. Those looking to rent or purchase a home can find every type of housing style imaginable, including charming Tudor Revivals, quaint Craftsman bungalows, large ranch and Colonial-style homes, and luxury apartments and condos. The Village-Tosa's extremely walkable downtown area-is filled with historic European architecture, bustling shops, local restaurants, amazing breweries, and so much more! Additionally, those living in Wauwatosa can attend fun community events throughout the year like TosaFest, HartFest, and the weekly Tosa Farmers Market. On top of all that, families can find high-quality healthcare for their children at Children's Wisconsin, which is nationally-ranked in four pediatric specialties.

Things to Do in Wauwatosa

Challenge yourself to a round of 18 holes, or relax in the clubhouse when you become a member at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club. Make a table reservation to choose from over 100 painting options or take an instructor-led class while sipping on drinks at Arté Wine and Painting Studio. Take a dip in the Tosa pool before heading to The Landing to enjoy live music, food, and more in the beer garden at Hoyt Park. Watch new films like IF and Inside Out 2 at the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, a cozy local theater which features only one screen and options for comfy loveseat or individual seating. Find the best brunch in Milwaukee at Blue's Egg and try the Monkey Bread, Goat Cheese Browns, Dubliner Benedict, and more. Get handcrafted burgers like the Peppercorn Horsey, You're My Boy Blue, and Fiery Jalapeno Popper at North Ave Grill. Order the Steak Au Poivre, Provencal Shrimp, and Moules Marniere at charming French bistro Le Reve Pâtisserie & Café. Or sip local craft beers in Brew City like the Firefly Hazy IPA, Reward Double IPA, and Risk American IPA at Good City Brewing.

West Allis

• Home Price: $148,400 median purchase price; $851 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 9% of Wisconsin cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Home to the Wisconsin State Fair< /a>-one of the largest state fairs in the country -West Allis is one of the most popular suburbs of Milwaukee. Residents of all ages can find just about everything they need here-and the amenities of Downtown Milwaukee are less than 15 minutes away! With tons of entertainment, restaurants, and shopping, as well as outdoor recreation at nearby West Allis Parks like McCarty Park, Greenfield Park, and West Allis Dog Park, you'll never run out of fun things to do. Plus, those working in the medical field have quick, convenient access to area hospitals like Aurora West Allis Medical Center and Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center.

Things to Do in West Allis

Watch the annual NTT Indycar Series as drivers race around the track at The Milwaukee Mile Speedwa y-the oldest operating motor speedway in the world. Head a little outside the neighborhood to watch the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) strike out their opponents at American Family Field. Spend a day seeing animals like red pandas and African lions, or soar 400 feet in the air in the Sky Adventure Zip Line and Ropes Course at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Go ice skating or curling, or start a pick-up ice hockey game at The Pettit National Ice Center. Order the Pork Belly Banh Mi, Garden Vegetable Hash, or Monte Cristo during Saturday brunch at Wild Roots. Try authentic Peruvian dishes like the Sauteed Lomo Steak, Inka Paella, and Cecina at Chef Paz Restaurant. Try the flavorful Alabama Wings or Hot Polish Sandwich with a side of Chorizo Chili at Camino West Allis. Or sink your teeth into some Baby Back Ribs, Sliced Brisket, and Smoked Pulled Chicken at Double B's BBQ.

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