The Milwaukee Metropolitan Area is the third-largest metropolitan area in the Midwest, with a population of nearly 1.6M people. Located on the western banks of Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee Metro Area has also been dubbed the 20-Minute City because you can get almost anywhere in about 20 minutes. Niche.com has also ranked Milwaukee as one of the best places to live for young professionals because of its festivals, energetic nightlife, sports atmosphere, and its mark on the brewing industry. Milwaukee isn’t only for young adults, though. If you’re interested in looking at homes for sale in Milwaukee, keep reading to find out if one of these suburbs could be right for you.
Brookfield
Best For: Professionals + Families
Brookfield is located just west of Milwaukee’s urban area, with a population of about 38,000 people. Brookfield real estate attracts professionals in the commercial and industrial industries but also provides convenient access to the freeway for a smooth commute to downtown Milwaukee. Families are also drawn to Brookfield because of its slower pace atmosphere away from Milwaukee’s core, allowing for big yards, mature tree-lined streets, and great schools. Locals don’t have to go far from home for amenities as Bluemont Road, one of the main thoroughfares in Brookfield, provides access to shopping and dining as well as other businesses.
The vast majority of Brookfield real estate is single-family detached homes (76%), with 3 to 4 bedrooms on average, and were built primarily from the ‘40s to the ‘90s, though there is still some new construction in Brookfield. Nearly 64% of the homes for sale in Brookfield range from $257K to $524k, though you can find some as low as $170K all the way up to $6M. There’s also a few low-rise condos for sale in Brookfield ranging from $200K to $550K. About 84% of residents own their homes, and the real estate market in Brookfield is hot with listings lasting about 45 days and properties usually selling for about 5% over asking price.
Elm Grove
Best For: Business Professionals + Families
Named as one of “America’s Best Suburbs” by Business Insider, Elm Grove is located just west of urban Milwaukee and is hugged by Brookfield on the north, west, and south sides. Elm Grove is a sought-after affluent city of about 6,000 people who are attracted to it for its well-kept housing, excellent schools (which feed into Brookfield schools), and secluded atmosphere with mature, tree-lined streets and yards, while only being minutes from downtown Milwaukee.
Over 81% of real estate in Elm Grove is single-family detached homes with primarily four bedrooms, though three bedrooms are common too. A large portion of Elm Grove homes for sale were built from the ‘40s to the ‘60s, though over 20% of homes have been constructed since. There are a few two and three-story condos for sale in Elm Grove, which range from about $155K to $400K. Because Elm Grove is like a hidden gem in Milwaukee, it’s in a hot seller’s market with homes lasting about 21 days on the market, with about 70% of homes selling at 4.6% over list price.
Shorewood
Best For: Young Professionals + Families + Walkability
Situated north of Milwaukee and hugged between the shores of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River is the long-established village of Shorewood, with a population of over 13,000 people. Shorewood real estate is highly sought-after with a mix of urban and suburban atmospheres and has high ratings on Niche.com. With great schools, a vibrant nightlife, a short commute to downtown Milwaukee, a plethora of outdoor activities, and safe streets, it’s no wonder people from different seasons of life are drawn to Shorewood.
Oakland Avenue is a main thoroughfare in Shorewood, which is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and businesses. There are three main parks in Shorewood that residents enjoy for getting outdoors and is also where a lot of activities for the village are located.
- Estabrook Park – Located along the Milwaukee River, Estabrook not only has soccer fields, a playground, and trails, but is also a popular spot of salmon fishing and also has a beer garden.
- Atwater Park – Situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Atwater is a place to reflect, cool off, and watch beautiful sunrises. Given the park’s position, this is also an ideal place for incline walking opportunities.
- Hubbard Park – Located along the Milwaukee River, this landmark status park is an ideal place for hosting events as there is a lodge and restaurant. The Oak Leaf Trail also travels through the park.
About 39% of Shorewood real estate is detached single-family homes, while there are some condos, and several apartments. Most of the Shorewood homes for sale have one to three bedrooms and nearly 54% of them were built pre-1940s. Home prices range from $400K to $535K. Only about 47% of Shorewood residents own their homes, while the rest rent. The real estate market in Shorewood moves fast, as there aren’t many properties for sale, and are on the market about 21 days before they sell.
Mequon & Thiensville
Best For: Families + Rural Life
Located on the far northern outskirts of the Milwaukee Metropolitan area, Mequon and Thiensville are a city and a village most liked by families or those simply wanting to live a quieter lifestyle surrounded by outdoor spaces. Mequon completely surrounds Thiensville with a population of over 24,000 people, while Thiensville has just over 3,000 people. What draws families to this area is the school district, as it is regarded as one of the best in the state.
These affluent areas vary in properties types and styles throughout. The southeast side is easily the busiest and most urban area as it’s where the bulk of shopping, dining, and other businesses are primarily located. It’s also an ideal area for those commuting to downtown Milwaukee. Eastern Mequon offers properties with extra elbow room, with large homes and oversized yards. It’s also one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the Milwaukee Metro, as well as an economic hub for the area.
Thiensville real estate is more like a small quaint village with a lot of original charm and is only about 15 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. You’ll find a lot of new construction homes here, typically with two stories and on large lots.
The vast majority of Mequon real estate is single-family detached homes, though there are some condos and townhomes too. Over half of the homes in Mequon were built between the ‘70s and ‘90s, but you’ll also find some that were constructed pre-1970s and new construction near Thiensville. You’ll find homes on smaller lots near the southeast corner of the city but the further north and west you go, you’ll find homes on larger tracts of land. Because of this, home prices have a wide range of anywhere from $250K to $950K. It’s a seller’s market in Mequon, with homes listed for about 35 days and typically selling at 1.2% over the asking price.
Wauwatosa
Best For: Young Professionals + Young Families + Active Lifestyles
Wauwatosa is a popular place to live in the Milwaukee area for its central location, walkability, and unique urban feel, but also for being a successful city of its own. Wauwatosa, or Tosa, attracts young professionals and families as the city is home to the region’s largest medical facility which provides a plethora of education, research, and tech jobs. The Menomonee River also flows through Tosa, providing ample green spaces and lush, mature trees.
Wauwatosa is one of the more affordable cities in the entire Milwaukee Metro area with most home prices ranging from about $265K to $395K. About 59% of Wauwatosa real estate is single family homes with two to three bedrooms, though multi-family homes in Wauwatosa like condos and apartments are common too, and about 62% of residents own their homes. The vast majority of homes for sale in Wauwatosa were built pre-1970, with over 30% of them dating back from before the 1940s. Wauwatosa is in a strong seller’s market with homes listed for about 26 days and selling at 7.08% over list price.
If you’re still unsure about the Milwaukee Metro area, you might consider checking out some of the best suburbs of Baltimore, as the city offers suburbs and neighborhoods for people in all stages of life. Be sure to contact your local real estate agent to help you on your home search.
