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2019 Best Suburbs to Live in the Milwaukee AreaAbout this List

Explore the best suburbs to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 79
Best Places to Live
79 results

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  1. Elm Grove

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 20 reviews
    #1 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Elm Grove is a unique place. It has everything you would expect and more. The community is kind, generous, and caring. The neighborhoods are safe and welcoming. The school systems are diverse as well as the members of the community. It is a very safe and kid-friendly town. Also, it is a relaxing place with a park and fun cafes around every corner. Although many people view it as a wealthier community, which is true many people are wealthy in Elm Grove, it also has layers. Like the rings inside of a tree, Elm Grove has many different people in it. I think I enjoy living here not just because of the pace itself, but because of the people.
    Read 20 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 6,127 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Whitefish Bay

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 26 reviews
    #2 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: The best public and private schools in the state attract families committed to a family-centric lifestyle. Children safely walk to school on tree lined streets. Houses include mansions and modest ranches, all lovingly landscaped. You find 2 parks on Lake Michigan, easy access to bike paths, tennis courts, a new baseball park, unique stores and cafes, and much more. All of these amenities result in high property taxes which everyone proudly complains about!
    Read 26 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 14,099 Population
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  3. Bayside

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 20 reviews
    #3 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: I first moved to the area 4 months ago. I felt scared due to the fact that I had previously been living in the urban city of Chicago. I held the fear that I wasn't going to be able to fit in in a suburban environment that Bay-side had offer. But boy was I wrong, the new place had a completely welcoming environment that I barely was introduced to back in the city. Everyone has smiling faces and greet you when they pass by. However, one things does not suit me well in this garden of roses, and it regards the facilities that surrounds it. I feel like more popular brands should jump in the area. That is the only thing I would like to be seen be incorporated int his pleasant neighborhood.
    Read 20 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 4,450 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. Brookfield

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 93 reviews
    #4 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: I have been living in Brookfield ever since I was 5 and I love it! It has the highest rated academics in Wisconsin. There are so many job opportunities because of the abundance of restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping centers. It is also the perfect distance from multiple lakes and county/state parks.
    Read 93 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 37,943 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Shorewood

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 41 reviews
    #5 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Shorewood is a safe, clean neighborhood. I enjoyed walking around and going to the local grocery store. The coffee shops in the area are nice, as well. It is far enough from downtown that we don't have to worry about being too busy but close enough that we can get to work. There are plenty of schools in the area that are nice for the kids. Family friendly parks and stores.
    Read 41 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 13,367 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Mequon

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 33 reviews
    #6 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: A great place to that is surrounded by small towns! Mequon is a large community that has many opportunities for community involvement, social events, and food options.
    Read 33 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 23,787 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Cedarburg

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 21 reviews
    #7 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: This city is wonderful! The downtown is amazing with cute little shops, wonderful festivals, and nice people. There is always something to do, places to go, people to see. Parks are clean and nice. The river runs through the town which makes it a beautiful place to visit, take pictures, gather.
    Read 21 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 11,499 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Fox Point

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 9 reviews
    #8 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Fox Point is extremely family friendly. Stormonth Elementary School and Bayside Middle School have amazing teachers for your children and ensure the welfare of each student. Indian Creek Park is a great place to spend the afternoon. All law enforcement in Fox Point are extremely helpful.
    Read 9 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 6,706 Population
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  11. Nashotah

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 3 reviews
    #9 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Nashotah is near I94 making it an easy commute to Milwaukee and Madison. Located in Waukesha County Lake Country outdoor recreation options are abundant and nearby, with several lakes in the area and a large County park with hiking, X-country skiing, picnic areas and two dog parks. The public school system is outstanding. Home values are fairly high, with a few upscale subdivisions. There is not a lot of affordable housing. The is no public transportation. The area is generally politically conservative. The oldest restaurant in the state is located here, The Red Circle Inn, established as the midway point between Milwaukee and Madison in the days of travel by horse and buggy. Crime is not a problem. It is a quiet area, with many shopping and dining options nearby.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 1,305 Population
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  12. River Hills

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 1 review
    #10 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Medium sized community of upperclass families. Few families with children , mostly older retired couples.
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 1,558 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Thiensville

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 16 reviews
    #11 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: One of Wisconsin's best kept secrets! Thiensville has or is close to all the big city bells and whistles while still maintaining that special small town feeling. My wife and I like to call it "Mayberry" because everyone is so friendly. Police get to know everyone in the village and everyone's car, which is great when it comes to spotting people who don't live in the area late at night. The fire department runs a truck through the community on Halloween handing out candy to the kids, and that truck is often seen at neighborhood block parties! Close to hospitals, major shopping and freeways but no close enough to freeways to hear the noise! Our fireworks on the 4th (actually the weekend before the 4th of July) are perhaps the best in Ozaukee County! Festivals...farmers market... fishing...I could go on and on, but you get the idea! Homes here tend to run 15-20 per cent less than Mequon and while most are older, they are just as nice, many with large yards.
    Read 16 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 3,182 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Wauwatosa

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 118 reviews
    #12 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: This place is a great to live in! It is a little expensive but worth it. Super friendly people and nice housing. If you like local restaurants and places to hangout with friends, this is the place. The Village of Wauwatosa is a very upcoming place and has many exciting things to do. Personal, I love to go to the Farmer's Market in the village in the summer. So many Milwaukee businesses come and bring fresh produce there too. It's a great place to meet neighbors and enjoy yourself! Also Eastern Tosa on North Avenue has many new small businesses that are exciting to go to.
    Read 118 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 47,687 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Merton

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 3 reviews
    #13 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Great place to grow up. I was blessed to be from such an area full of hard working people and a focus on community. Not only is Merton safe but the school district is one of the best. Highly recommended.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 3,574 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Glendale

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 23 reviews
    #14 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Glendale was overall, a wonderful city to grow up in. There's plenty to do without travelling too far, but not so big that it's overwhelming. There are parks within a short walk and an extensive bike path many people use to exercise. The schools also have very good educational programs. Bayshore mall is a great place to meet up with friends, get a bite to eat, and do some shopping. There are a couple libraries which I would use frequently to study at, since I could find any reference book I needed. Public transport is not the easiest to arrange in some areas, however. Winters in Glendale are very cold, and summers are pretty hot.
    Read 23 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 12,868 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. Pewaukee City

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 33 reviews
    #15 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Pewaukee is a wonderful city to live in especially if you love rural areas and lake living. It has a wonderful beach located in the village with lots of shops and restaurants. Pewaukee also offers lots of wonderful community events and activities. It has a great school system and wonderful teachers. It is the hometown to many graduates from the school system that have become famous, successful individuals that are passionate about their careers and communities.
    Read 33 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 14,112 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Delafield

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 35 reviews
    #16 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: I have lived in Delafield my entire life and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else! I attended Lake Country School and they are one of the top public schools in Wisconsin. I made childhood friends that I am still friends with to this day, and probably will be for the rest of my life. The downtown area is so cute and there are great restaurants to go to. Nagawicka Lake is in Delafield as well as Lapham Peak so there are things to do outdoors if you would like!
    Read 35 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 7,298 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Wales

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 11 reviews
    #17 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Former Resident: I enjoyed growing up in wales because it was a nice safe community, but it is in dire need of more diversity.
    Read 11 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 2,558 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Grafton

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 21 reviews
    #18 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: There is a strong resemblance between Grafton 2017 and Mequon 2000. Grafton still has that rural charm while supplying all the amenities with a mix of big box stores and boutiques. There is so much growth and expansion happening, it's amazing to watch it develop. With a hospital in the middle of the community it's hard not to see the appeal of living there. Best of all, the city just approved a nearly 40 million dollar referendum for the school district. Historically, when cities starts investing money into schools you know that will drive property values up. Young people who are buying now will see a nice return on investment. Investing in Grafton is smart choice right now because if it's anything like Mequon circa 2000 (and it's the spitting image) property values will continue to climb as the city invest more into building a strong, well developed community. While Grafton is up-and-coming, it'll win you over with the high standard of living, great schools, and tasteful curb appeal!
    Read 21 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 11,576 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Menomonee Falls

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 38 reviews
    #19 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Works Here: Menomonee Falls is a great area! There are plenty of stores and restaurants. There are parks near water to walk along. The city are is often quite busy but nothing a person can't handle. It might slow you down a few minutes. There is enough private land on the outskirts that a person could choose to live on. Menomonee Falls is a convenient area to live as well. It is a short distance from the scenic Kettle Moraine area. It is near Germantown, Mequon and Milwaukee.
    Read 38 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 36,411 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Greendale

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 43 reviews
    #20 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Greendale is a very tight knit community. Everyone knows each others families and everyone is very kind and respectable. The schools are top tier in terms of education and athletics. Both the teachers and coaches try their best to encourage the groups of students they have and strive to help them achieve their goals. The village of Greendale is a very clean and organized community. Out of all the neighborhoods I've lived in, the village of Greendale is by far my favorite and I recommend it to anyone that's looking to move into a suburb.
    Read 43 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 14,293 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Pewaukee Village

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 14 reviews
    #21 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Pewaukee is a good suburb to live in when just starting out. It is affordable with many things to do in the summer. There are many programs to get involved in and many local parks that are dog friendly!
    Read 14 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 8,214 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Sussex

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 17 reviews
    #22 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Former Resident: A growing suburban community featuring beautiful scenery and a caring, close knit demographic. The Village is currently expanding and modernizing it's features to support the influx of citizens. Recently, they built a new Civic Center and town hall, and are also adding in more housing and strip malls right off of main street. In my personal experience working on main street, I've meet many wonderful people who care about the well-being of the community and it's members. There isn't much in the town in regards to night life; however, if you are looking to raise your family in a safe and supportive town, Sussex is right for you.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 10,763 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Hartland

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 24 reviews
    #23 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Hartland is a community filled with amazing people and a very close community bond. There are many things to do including going to an assortment of restaurants and different activities. Community-wide activities are almost never-ending things like movie nights, breakfasts, and other activities that are almost always going on. It is also a very quiet and safe place to raise and provide for a family. If you are looking to have a vibrant party scene then Hartland is not for you because it comes with slim choices in night clubs and other activities along those lines. If you are looking for a nice, safe, and calm place to have fun or raise a family then Hartland is the community for you!
    Read 24 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 9,218 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Summit

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 4 reviews
    #24 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Niche User: I love Lake Country and in particular the Oconomowoc Area. It is beautiful country, friendly, welcoming, and full of local businesses.
    Read 4 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 4,818 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Franklin

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 101 reviews
    #25 Best Suburbs to Live in Milwaukee Area

    Current Resident: Overall Franklin is a very safe and connected community. The school district is very good and there are a lot of opportunities in the community. Franklin is a pretty small community and there aren't as many business as neighboring cities, so you have to go to other cities like Oak Creek, Greendale, Greenfield, and New Berlin in order to shop at more businesses. Franklin still has grocery stores like Pic N Save and Target, so it is not completely all farmlands as it used to be.
    Read 101 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 36,295 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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