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Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, moderates temperatures in the Milwaukee area, taking the sizzle out of the summer sun and warming winter winds.
About
Milwaukee: Living Your Best Life in MKE
“With an affordable cost of living, great employment opportunities, family-friendly activities and a dining scene ... it’s no wonder that Brew City is one of the best places to live in the U.S.”
- Extraspace.com
What makes Milwaukee shine?
There are a lot of factors that make the Milwaukee area such a special place to live and work. Following are some examples:
Space Abounds
Milwaukee is spread out. Despite having many big-city offerings, Milwaukee has a density of about half that of Chicago, and less than a fourth that of New York. And with miles of lakefront beach and one of the largest urban park systems in the country, there is plenty for you to do outside.
Easy & Accessible
Milwaukee is easy to get around. The metro area boasts one of the best commute times in the country – 22 minutes each way. And if you don’t feel like driving, the city is known for its walkable neighborhoods.
Affordable
If you’re looking to buy a home, you will likely be surprised at how far your money will go in southeastern Wisconsin. The region has affordable home prices. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised at your dining and entertainment costs.
A Booming Downtown
Known for its magnificent lakefront, bustling RiverWalk and Historic Third Ward, the city is getting a new shot of energy from the Deer District, an entertainment destination built around Fiserv Forum, the home of the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball team.
A Thriving Arts Scene
Milwaukee is among a handful of medium-size cities that features an opera company, ballet and a symphony. It also has a vibrant music scene with venues of all sizes and the world's largest rock-n-roll music festival.
Whatever reason brings you here, the region’s residents welcome you and trust that you will find it a great – and safe – place to live.
A Strong Economic Region
There are different definitions depending on who is measuring what, but when we talk about the Milwaukee Region, we are referring to five counties in southeastern Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Racine – that have a combined population of nearly 1.8 million people. Milwaukee is the largest city in the region with 573,020 people, followed by Racine (77,504), Waukesha (71,290) and West Allis (60,298). There are dozens of smaller communities in the region, as well as gorgeous, rural landscapes – including Waukesha County's lake country, the rolling glacial topography of the Kettle Moraine that spans Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties, and the stunning Lake Michigan vistas in Ozaukee and Racine counties. For detailed information about the region's counties and communities, please see the Communities section, which starts on page 73of the current edition of Discover Milwaukee. Click on the "Order Copy Now" button to receive your free copy, or read the digital edition.
View a data comparison to see how Milwaukee compares to other major cities in population, commute, living costs, home prices, and median rent.
What are the people like? For starters, we're very friendly. In fact, we were named one of America's friendliest cities in 2017 by Travel & Leisure magazine. We're down-to-earth, hard-working and like to have fun.
A region of many faiths, Milwaukee has often been referred to as a city of steeples and for good reason. The city's immigrant history created a melting pot of various cultures and faith traditions.
SAY WHAA? Here's a quick intro to Milwaukee slang! Like any metro area, Milwaukee has it's own terminology that may take some getting used to. Learn some of the terms you're likely to hear, followed by an explanation of what they mean.