5 Things to Know Before Moving to Milwaukee

January 3, 2012

Tom the Cheesehead

Before you call a Milwaukee mover and have them pack up and haul away your household, there are a few things you should know about Milwaukee before moving.

1. Vehicles in the Milwaukee metropolitan area must pass emission tests. All vehicles 1968 and newer, except diesel and electric must be inspected biennially. There are 12 facilities in the Milwaukee area that will do the inspection for you. This must be completed before you can register your car. For additional details call “Vehicle Emissions Testing Information” at 1-(800)-242-7510.
2. Consider property taxes. Under Wisconsin law, properties must be assessed every four years to determine the amount of property taxes to be paid. Know that tax rates vary greatly within the four-county metropolitan area. The highest tax rate is found in West Milwaukee, being $27.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. The lowest tax rate is found in the Town of Genesee in Waukesha County. Their rate is $11.94 per $1,000 of assessed value. It is good to understand that the city of Milwaukee has lowered its tax rate requirements for the last nine years. Also, the state of Wisconsin reduces property tax bills by using revenues from the lottery and state income taxes.
3. Know your Milwaukee slang. A water fountain is referred to as a “bubbler”, from the type that has a stream of water in the middle that bubbles up. if you are asking for a pop, you will want to use the word “soda” instead. You might find yourself invited out to one of 30 frozen custard stands. This treat is not often found outside Milwaukee, but is exceedingly popular here. You might be called a “cheesehead” which is really a term of endearment taken as a badge of pride by Milwaukee dwellers. And you’ll quickly hear “eh?” used at the end of every sentence. You might as well join in!
4. You’ll need to visit George Webb’s restaurants. These are unique to Milwaukee, with more than three-dozen diners across the area. It’s always breakfast-time at George Webb’s. The rest of the menu consists of burgers and sandwiches and the “Who You Calling a Shrimp” platter.
5. You’ll need to know the prospects for finding a job before calling a Milwaukee mover. Milwaukee is home to many well-known companies such as Harley-Davidson, Kohl’s, GE Healthcare, Johnson Controls, and more. There are a variety of manufacturing, service, financial and public-sector jobs. Healthcare is a fast growing occupation in the metro area. You can search for jobs on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s website, www.dwd.state.wi.us or contact them at (608) 266-3131.

(Photo attributed to flickr member @bjornhanson via the creative common license)

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