Milwaukee, WI Reviews

Specifics? - 1/8/2011
I tried posting this as a reply, but Sperling's seems to have a website problem. Regarding the two vociferously critical comments in Dec 2010: Two such hateful reviews make it very hard to take what you're saying to heart. In particular, could you give specific examples or links to stories to which you're referring when you mention the "child abuse" in public schools? We've lived in a fairly difficult city (Brooklyn, NY) for almost 20 years, and having been in Milwaukee twice in the past three years, I can't honestly say I've seen the things you talk about. I also know Madison pretty well, and it's always seemed, well, rather self-satisfied and overly idealistic. Bigots are everywhere--e.g., your comment about "insufferable yuppies"--but open minds may change the places they live. I appreciate other comments, however, that give specific feedback on specific issues--like the woman who talks about how difficult it was for her to meet an appropriate partner, or reasonable Read More

Milwaukee: Don't Even Think About It - 12/28/2010
Perhaps the happiest moment I had in Milwaukee was the day I left and realized I would never have to return. Yes, it's that bad, and since our new governor is the former County Executive of this hole, we can expect him to drag the rest of Wisconsin down to Milwaukee's level.

First of all, the taxes in Milwaukee are so high they're crippling, and you don't get anywhere near what you pay for: the streets are in awful condition, snow removal is so-so, police often don't respond to calls, and the schools aren't schools in any sense of the word;, they actually border on child abuse. As for things like sewers, during heavy rains Lake Michigan is used as a septic tank. In fact, about all your taxes get you in Milwaukee are an army of parking checkers that nickle and dime people handing out tickets for some of the most arcane parking regulations in the nation. I understand that taxes are the price we pay for civilization, but Milwaukee rips off its residents

As Read More

Don't Even Consider Milwaukee - 12/28/2010
As a former resident of Milwaukee, I cringed when I saw that my two choices for governor were two Milwaukee politicians becuase I fled that huge bucket of FAIL years ago.

Why am I so hard on Milwaukee? I think the question should be why am I not harder on the place? As the years went by, I pretty much discovered that even when I got a degree my job prospects would more or less consist of working as a temp for $11 an hour out in New Berlin. And even if I got a decent paying job that allowed me to utilize my skills, my housing choices would consist of a) enclaves on the far eastern end of the city populated by insufferable yuppies, b) dysfunctional crime ridden neighborhoods, or c) dull, overpriced suburbs full of bigots.

Making matters worse are the taxes. I understand that taxes are the price one pays for civilization, and though Milwaukee's are some of the highest in the nation you don't get anything approaching civilization. While the city is begging Read More

Going to church twice per week - 11/7/2010
I have four non-denom Christians in my household, all with different Read More

LIVING IN THE CITY! - 9/18/2010
Milwaukee is a not a wonderful place to live, the crime here is treacherous, dangerous and outstanding, racial profiling plays a lot of part to it, jobs are scarce, and every big company is leaving Milwaukee, even Harley Read More

The people - 9/13/2010
Midwestern, blue collar attitudes prevail here in Milwaukee. Hard to break in and get to know people if you are not from here. Milwaukee people definitely work hard and enjoy beer and cheese. The city has a lot of potential with many cultural opportunities. . . just think the city would benefit from a more welcoming attitude towards newcomers---it lacks energy and enthusiasm as a whole. Read More

PRICEY, DUMPY HOUSING, BEIRUT-LIKE STREETS; GORGEO - 8/23/2010
After 22 years of living in various parts of Milwaukee, last but not least, the ever-expensive village of Shorewood, I felt I had no other reasonable financial choice but to leave and move south. The downtown is gorgeous and happening; the city is situated idyllically on the gorgeous lake, BUT, this all comes at a huge price tag, in my opinion. Expect to easily be charged $1100 per month to live in a 2 bedroom run-down dump, not including heating costs. Should you be fortunate enough, or shall I say, ignorant enough, to pay $2,000 per month and up, you will then be one of the few privileged to live in a decent home. And no good and honest review would leave out the road and street conditions, and let me say from many years of personal experience and a very large dent in my bank account, not to mention my vehicle; BEWARE, and stash away loads of cash to shell out each year for the wear and tear that the Beirut-like street conditions will do to your vehicle, should you not be lucky Read More

cost of living - 8/9/2010
amazing cost of living in a city not far from chicago. easy access to chicago and madison. lots of safe areas. not much in the way of a singles nightlife compared to nyc or chicago, but plenty to do Read More

Milwaukee is just fine - 7/21/2010
I am an African-American who lived in Milwaukee and continues to visit family in Milwaukee.

In response to criticisms about the housing in Milwaukee:

There are many beautiful and decent homes throughout the entire city-you do not need to leave the city to find a beautiful or decent home. Milwaukee has a lot of homes with their own character and style. There is not a lot of cookie-cutter homes in Milwaukee.

In response to the complaints about violence in the community:

What mid-size or major city doesn't struggle with violence and crime? If you want to live in an urban area, that is a given no matter where you go in the U.S. To add, Milwaukee has many residential areas within city limits that are not crime ridden and violent. Do your homework and you will find out.

In response to the segregation commentary:

I have lived and visited many cities--I can say, with confidence, that absolutely no city is Read More

The pros and cons of Milwaukee - 7/8/2010
I moved to Milwaukee after graduating high school and lived in various areas of Milwaukee for 20 years. I most recently lived in Shorewood, an 8,600 per square mile village three miles north of downtown and situated along Lake Michigan. Whether you rent or purchase, housing and property taxes are extremely high for what you get. When I started visiting my friends from high school who had all relocated, one by one, to Georgia, and saw the high quality of living at a much lower cost, well, my eyes were opened. It was taking all of my wages just to 'get by' in Milwaukee, and I got a real awakening to see what my friends' lives were like elsewhere. Milwaukee is an extremely segregated city, and once you venture into the expansive African American areas, it is highly dangerous and dumpy. I was the victim of having my car window smashed in broad daylight and having some property removed. The police were called, and even though there were security cameras outside, the police could Read More