Moving to Milwaukee: Riverwest Neighborhood Review
January 17, 2012
Whether it’s your first big move, or one of many in your life, moving to Milwaukee can be exciting. Moving is also a challenging time, with many important decisions that need to be made. One main decision is where to live. This affects so much of life including commute times, children’s schools, and more. Your Milwaukee mover will be ready to take you to your new community once you choose it. While searching, look into the Riverwest neighborhood. A diverse and artsy community with relatively lower property costs, it is worth your time to investigate.
Riverwest has the Milwaukee River to the east and north, Holton Street to the west and Capitol Drive to the south. The population is about 11,600 people with a median age of 32. Because of its proximity to the UW-Milwaukee campus, it attracts students and young families who are drawn in by the lower rents. There is a high proportion of renters, but still a strong base of home owners who maintain crime watches and neighborhood associations.
The 1850s brought wealthy German families to the area who built their summer homes on the west bank of the Milwaukee River. The 1880s brought a boom of Victorian houses and other fine houses along Humboldt Avenue. At the turn of the century, Riverwest was primarily Polish. These people did not have the same means as the Germans, and built smaller homes. You can see their influence in landmarks such as St. Mary of Czestochowa and the Polish Falcon Hall.
Locust, Center and Burleigh Streets are full of cafés, bars and shops which draw crowds on the weekends.
In Riverwest, there is a neighborhood association, a community newspaper, and a grocery co-op, all run by volunteers. There is even a co-op bar and investment co-op. They run festivals like Locust Street Days, Center Street Daze, and Rockerbox, a motorcycle and scooter rally. They are also known for their Riverwest Art Walk, a walking tour of artist’s homes, studios, and neighborhood galleries–the largest walking tour of its kind in the state.
With all there is to do and see in Riverwest, you won’t be able to stay home. If this type of community life is for you, consider calling your Milwaukee mover and settling down in Riverwest.
(Photo attributed to flickr member @Valerio Pirrera via the creative common license)
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