Milwaukee, the largest city in
Wisconsin, has a rich cultural scene and affordability that is attracting young people from all over. From its unique restaurants and breweries to the astonishing beauty of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has a lot to offer its residents.
Cost of Living
Milwaukee provides its residents with all the perks of a big city, without the inflated costs. According to
AreaVibes, Milwaukee has a cost of living index that is 6.7 percent below the national average and 4.2 percent below Wisconsin’s average.
Unfortunately, this low cost of living makes for a low median household income. Milwaukee’s median household income is 32.5 percent less than the national average and 31.9 percent less than the Wisconsin average.
Housing
Milwaukee has plenty of diverse housing options, from waterfront condos to brownstones to Victorian homes. With a
median home price of $134,400, these striking homes are rather affordable.
For those interested in a rental, Milwaukee’s median rent of $768 is a bargain. The heart of the city has a variety of neighborhoods for people to choose from, such as the chic
Historic Third Ward or the eclectic area of
Westown.
Weather
Due to its location in the Great Lakes Region, Milwaukee typically has windy, snowy winters and very warm, humid summers. In fact, Milwaukee has the second coldest annual temperature out of the 50 largest U.S. cities.
For those cold winter months when lows are in the 20s, residents can find refuge in one of the many breweries the city has to offer. Once the summer months roll around with averages around 70 degrees, residents love to go outdoors and take in the gorgeous natural scenery of Lake Michigan.
Education
Milwaukee Public Schools is the largest school district in the state of Wisconsin. In 2014, two schools in the district earned gold medals from the U.S. News Best High School rankings.
With a student to teacher ratio of 21:1, a graduation rate of 76.5 percent and 251 public schools to choose from, Milwaukee’s public schools are an excellent option for parents. There are also 140 private schools to choose from.
Milwaukee offers great choices for higher education as well. Some of the most notable Milwaukee area universities and colleges include the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Alverno College and Marquette University.
Outdoor Recreation
The city is known for its wonderful Parks of Milwaukee system. This park system includes Lake Park, Riverside Park and Washington Park, all of which offer well-kept grounds and stunning views of the water and city.
Residents flock to Milwaukee’s parks for picnics, grilling, disc golf and ice skating. Lake Michigan also offers activities such as sailing and windsurfing.
In the fall, the Monarch Trail in Wauwatosa highlights the fall migration of the monarch butterflies.
Arts and Culture
Creativity flourishes in Milwaukee, the “City of Festivals.” The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of the city’s most visually prominent attractions, and along with the Grohmann Museum, it holds a huge collection of spectacular exhibits.
The city also has a rich history that is preserved in gems like the Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum or the Historical Society’s genealogical collection.
With over 2,000 live performances a year and 20 professional dance and theater companies, Milwaukeeans can be sure to find something to satisfy their creative side.
Restaurants
When most people think of Milwaukee, they think of beer, cheese and sausage. Residents can easily find these classic foods at places like the Old German Beer Hall. Or if you’re craving a delicious sub sandwich, try the famous Glorioso’s Italian Market.
There is no shortage of international cuisine in Milwaukee. During the summer months, Milwaukeeans celebrate various ethnic foods with events like Summerfest, German Fest and Festa Italiana.
Sports
Milwaukee is a great place to live for diehard sports fans. On most nights, Milwaukeeans can find a match-up, whether it’s baseball, basketball, hockey, indoor soccer or roller derby.
Fans of the Milwaukee Brewers love to go to Miller Park for a cold brew and good baseball. With its state-of-the-art convertible roof, fans can enjoy watching the Brewers in any type of weather.
Featured image source: Flickr user beigephotos
Know Milwaukee? Tell us what you like about living here in the comments below! 
