Owning Property In Chicago Vs Milwaukee (Madison, Waukesha: HOA fees, condo, crime)

[MidwestCoast714]

Hey there - So I currently live in the Edgewater Neighborhood in Chicago -

I have been looking to buy a modest condo in the next year or two and I've visited Milwaukee a number of times. I enjoy the surrounding areas a lot too. The Driftless, Door County, and being relatively closer to Marquette and by extension Pictured Rocks and it's a little closer to Duluth/Superior Trail region.

I like being near Lake Michigan and I enjoy the preferrable topography Milwaukee has to Chicago, although it's still not a super hilly city or anything. And it's nice to still be in reasonable distance to Chicago with the Amtrak right near downtown as well.

I like the presence of various chicago franchises like Lou Malnatis, Pizanos, and Taqueria Comales. And I feel Milwaukee is a very nice middle sized city.

Originally from Johannesburg ZA so definitely feel comfortable with the crime in Milwaukee.

I feel Milwaukee is one of the nicest midsized cities I've spent time in

- I do envy St Louis's low property taxes, but Milwaukee has better urban planning at present, is on the lake, and is closer to nature I enjoy (not to discount the nice hilly terrain in many of St Louis's suburbs though) -

Also in Milwaukee I'd be purchasing a house, rather than a condo. Condo's in Milwaukee seem closer to Chicago's rates, at least when being compared to second and third-tier Chicago neighborhoods -

Something that does occur to me is I wonder about the incidences of break-ins.
I'm looking to live some place where I can have a strong work/life balance and not have to constantly worry about a massive property tax hike or the pension crisis or anything like that - Looking to likely learn a trade before I move as well.

But going off topic. Wondering if I was to be away from Milwaukee for a while (a few months here and there maybe, like doing work in Africa or something) would there be any solid preventative measures to prevent a break-in or at least protect my valuables? Or is that sort of crime not be a huge concern or would have a good work around?

So that's my general take away.
I love Chicago, but I can't really relax thinking about all these costs that could arise and I just don't see my income keeping up perpetually with the costs of political/economic turmoil -

And with a condo I'd be paying HOA fees forever. Yes, houses are expensive for repairs and the like but there's a fair bit you can do to fix things yourself if you're willing to learn and be handy, HOA fees are not negotiable.

[brrabbit]

Buy a house in Milwaukee suburbs, Ozaukee or Waukesha counties, not the Milwaukee itself and you'd enjoy lower tax rate and lower criminal rates, 2 in 1.

[MidwestCoast714]

Are there good old urban walkable areas in those burbs?

Not huge on New Urbanism. Definitely know Milwaukee is somewhat car dependent, but like to be able to walk around or take transit if I want as well.

Thanks!

[brrabbit]

Originally Posted by MidwestCoast714

Are there good old urban walkable areas in those burbs?

Not huge on New Urbanism. Definitely know Milwaukee is somewhat car dependent, but like to be able to walk around or take transit if I want as well.

Thanks!

A person can live in Milwaukee without a car. We have bus system to travel anywhere in Milwaukee county, and there's Uber if you want something extra

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by MidwestCoast714

Are there good old urban walkable areas in those burbs?

Not huge on New Urbanism. Definitely know Milwaukee is somewhat car dependent, but like to be able to walk around or take transit if I want as well.

Thanks!

I don't know Ozaukee. I did a fair amount of work in the 90s in Waukesha. Unless something is drastically changed, I'd never live there without a car. Not really feasible. Of course, I wouldn't live there with a car.

Just stick to Milwaukee. It's a great medium sized city. Just did another Madison / Milwaukee visit last month. One of my good friends bought a condo in Walkers Point several years ago. Loves it. There is a ton to do for a city its size, and we never got in our cars when getting around during my visit. It's not the easiest city of its size to be car free, but if you just want to walk, bike, bus, uber most of the time and have a car for weekends or just commuting to work, its very doable.

[brrabbit]

I knew a guy who lived in Milwaukee for several years without a car at all. I traveled by bus here and there when car was left at a shop for repairs and it's not a problem at all. I was able to ride a bike through the trail system from North to Center and then across in about 1 hour. And I knew a guy (another one, not the one who has no car) who biked to and from work all seasons, spring, fall and winter included (this dude did it mostly for health reasons).



So, it's totally doable when you live in Milwaukee county, not in the suburbs.

[MidwestCoast714]

Ah I see thanks! Yeah I really like Milwaukee. It reminds me in places of San Francisco and Oakland. Not just Chicago. It’s a very well built and scaled city that has done a really good job, despite crime, in keeping a continuous swath of its city feeling very nice and prosperous.

Milwaukee literally feels like a much richer city than it is because of these smart urban planning choices!

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I don't know Ozaukee. I did a fair amount of work in the 90s in Waukesha. Unless something is drastically changed, I'd never live there without a car. Not really feasible. Of course, I wouldn't live there with a car.

Just stick to Milwaukee. It's a great medium sized city. Just did another Madison / Milwaukee visit last month. One of my good friends bought a condo in Walkers Point several years ago. Loves it. There is a ton to do for a city its size, and we never got in our cars when getting around during my visit. It's not the easiest city of its size to be car free, but if you just want to walk, bike, bus, uber most of the time and have a car for weekends or just commuting to work, its very doable.

I lived in Port Washington, and while the city is definitely walkable, Ozaukee County is not.

RM

[timberline742]

I loved fishing off the piers in Port Washington, nice place.

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I loved fishing off the piers in Port Washington, nice place.

Cool memory- your comment reminded me of being in college in MKE area. I fished piers all up and down the SE WI coast. It was a way to be outside in the fresh air. Watching sun come up over Lake Michigan was awe inspiring. Sometimes actually caught fish!



Many a morning I forced myself out of bed after 3-4 hrs sleep and somewhat hungover. Being outside on the pier helped get rid of the hangover