6 Reasons You’ll Love Living in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI, is home to exciting culture, quality education, endless entertainment and a fantastically cheesy food scene. The city is located in Milwaukee County on the Western shore of Lake Michigan. It’s the 31^st largest city in the U.S. with 577,222 residents, and it covers 96.12 square miles. If you’re thinking about moving to this unique and fascinating city, you must first decide if Milwaukee is a good place to live.  

We’ve created this guide with six reasons why we think Milwaukee is a great place to call home. We’ll cover a brief history of the city and general information, then examine some things that make Milwaukee exceptional.  

History of Milwaukee  

Back in the late 1600s, French explorers first arrived in the Milwaukee area. In the following years, settlers came and started developing what is present-day Milwaukee. A wave of immigration from Germany headed to Wisconsin starting in the 1840s, and the German influence is still present in Milwaukee’s culture today.  

In 1846, the city of Milwaukee was incorporated with a population of about 10,000 residents. Beer and wheat were significant products early on, and the manufacturing industry continued to dominate the economy until 1970. Today, important industries include energy, power and controls, water technologies, food and beverage manufacturing, and finance and insurance. 

The city still specializes in brewing and cheesemaking (woo hoo!), and has grown to become a major metropolitan area with quality education, entertainment opportunities, outdoor recreation and more!  

Milwaukee at a Glance 

MILWAUKEE, WI	DATA*
Population (2010)	594,833
Population (2020)	577,222
Land Area (sq. mi.)	96.12
Time Zone	UTC-6 (CST)

*Data from Census.gov 

6 Reasons Why Milwaukee is a Good Place to Live 

Now that you’ve learned about Milwaukee’s history and some general statistics, check out our six reasons why Milwaukee is a good place to live: 

1. Low Cost of Living 

Overall, Milwaukee’s cost of living is less expensive than the national and state averages. Milwaukee is more expensive in the health, utilities and transportation categories, but the low housing costs greatly decrease the average cost of living in Milwaukee.  

According to Niche.com, the median home value in Milwaukee is $122,100 and the national average is $217,500. Rent is less expensive in Milwaukee as well, $858 compared to the national average of $1,062. More people rent rather than own their homes (59% to 41%).  

The table below compares Milwaukee’s cost of living to other metro areas nearby: 

City	Cost of Living*
Milwaukee, WI	84.9
Madison, WI	100.6
Chicago, IL	106.9
Grand Rapids, MI	87.8

*Based on an average of 100 from BestPlaces.net. 

2. Quality Education  

Milwaukee offers an abundance of primary and secondary education opportunities, including diverse public and private schools along with a few major universities. Some of the top public schools include Brookfield East High School, Whitefish Bay High School and Brookfield Central High School. Brookfield Academy, University School of Milwaukee and The Prairie School are a few of the best private schools in Milwaukee.  

Marquette University is ranked No. 83 of the top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, with  its top majors including business, marketing and biomedical sciences. Students interested in studying engineering can attend Milwaukee School of Engineering, which is ranked No. 8 on a list of the top regional universities in the Midwest. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is in the area as well, with 15 schools and colleges offering 206 academic programs.  

Milwaukee is also home to Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and more.  

3. German Heritage 

The city of Milwaukee celebrates its German heritage in a variety of ways. German Fest Milwaukee was established in 1981, as an annual summer event where residents and visitors embrace the German influence. The city also offers German Heritage Private Tours, a collection of German Expressionist artwork in the Milwaukee Art Museum, and an exhibit in the Milwaukee Public Museum. If you’re hungry, head over to Mader’s Restaurant for some traditional Bavarian food, or try some German cuisine at Milwaukee Brat House. Check out this list for even more ways to experience Milwaukee’s German heritage.  

4. Outdoor Adventure 

Milwaukee offers more than a hundred miles of trails, plenty of parks and outdoor areas to explore, and access to one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Parks in the Milwaukee area include Big Bay Park, Lakeshore State Park, Juneau Park, Lake Park and more. Run or hike on one of the numerous trails in Milwaukee, or visit Atwater Park and Beach, Bradford Beach or South Shore Beach for fun in the sand on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

Don’t forget to spend some time on the water! Sail Lake Michigan or take a boat tour of the city. You can also kayak or paddle down the Milwaukee River, check out Milwaukee’s surfing scene or take a stroll down the Milwaukee Riverwalk.  

5. Attractions for Everyone 

Whether you want to see some Harley-Davidson motorcycles in action or grab a brat and watch a game, everyone can find something to do in Milwaukee.  

The city offers a number of museums including the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum, Pabst Mansion and many more. To experience some performing arts, check out the Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Ballet Company or the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.  

The professional sports in Milwaukee are also a huge draw for potential residents. The MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers play at American Family Field, and NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks compete at Fiserv Forum Sports and Entertainment Complex. There is even a roller derby team if you’re looking for an intense and entertaining sport. Attend one of the jams (competitions) and cheer on the Brewcity Bruisers.  

6. Foodie’s Paradise 

Milwaukee is an epic spot for delicious food! This foodie’s paradise offers a few iconic foods that you just have to try. 

Grab a brat at American Family Field or take a food tour to find the best cheese curds in the city. Ardent offers an unforgettable dining experience with daily changing tasting menus, and Odd Duck uses fresh and new ingredients with seasonal menus. Stop by Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern for the perfect way to start your day or visit Red Lion Tavern for a tasty fish fry. There’s an awesome culinary experience waiting around every corner in Milwaukee. Check out 5 iconic Milwaukee foods where to find them for even more amazing options.  

What do You Think about Milwaukee? 

Hopefully this list has given you some insight about what makes Milwaukee a good place to live. Tell us what you think about Milwaukee in the comments below! For a full list of things to do and see, visit the official VisitMilwaukee site.

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