I need info on areas in WI, Madison, Osh Kosh, Milwaukee, or other GOOD areas possible. Need good schools, info on gifted programs or where I can get it, newer home areas. I pretty much need anything I can get right now. Please help.
I live in Pleasant Prairie, which is further south than the areas you mentioned - I'm less than half a mile north of the IL border and about a mile west of Lake Michigan, about 40 miles south of Milwaukee. We love it here though and property tax is super low compared to surrounding area in IL (2%). I'll admit that I was less than enthused to be in WI, or this far north in gneral, but I really do like living here. The cost is low compared to the Chicago metro, but there's really easy acess to both Chicago and Milwaukee. Most of the town is pretty new, as it's pretty much just southern expansion of Kenosha, I'd say the majority of the housing is less than 15 years old, and a lot of it is less than 10. There's not a lot of crime and it feels very rural because there's a lot of wooded areas, but it's fairly populated and you'll never be more than 10 miles from anything you need.
I don't have any experience with Madison and Osh Kosh, but I can tell you a bit about the Milwaukee area. I've never lived there, and I'll admit that most of my experience is based on weekend trips, but I really like the city. There's a lot to do and see, and they have metered ramping which really helps with traffic. I know several people who live there, or in the surrounding suburbs, and they are all happy with the area. There's a lot of new home subdivisions, and cost of living is okay - I'd say you're looking at $200 - $300k for a nice new/newer 3-4 bedroom home. When you research this area, focus on Wauwatosa first - it's nice and near a lot to do, and I've heard that the schools are good.
Sorry I can't provide any more information, especially on schools and stuff. I know that the schools where we live are good, but we've only been up here a couple of years so I don't know tons about the surrounding area. I'm at work and am ready to head out, but I'll look around for some more information later this weekend and I'll ask some people I know if they can give any advice/recommendations, as a lot of them have lived here for a long time.
I live in Milwaukee, but I've only been here a year, so take my information with a grain of salt.
Shorewood is a ritzy suburb just north of Milwaukee on the lake, and one of my friends told me that it has like the best school system in WI.
Brookfield is a nice suburb too, but I don't know anything about its school system or housing prices (but it's one of the nicest suburbs, so it's probably more expensive).
Wauwatosa is where the Mayfair mall is - it's a pretty nice mall. Again, I don't know anything about the school system.
And please, don't move to Oshkosh! My parents live about 20 miles north of Oshkosh, and several of my friends went to UW-Oshkosh. There's absolutely nothing to do there, and IMO, it's kind of a shitty town.
ETA: I've only been to Madison a few times, but I really like the city. I don't know about the school system, but UW Madison is the best UW college.
-- Edited by wetbandit42 at 19:54, 2008-07-18
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I don't know too much about housing or schools, but I will second wetbandit on Shorewood having good schools.
Brookfield is also a ritzy suburb of Milwaukee, but is in Waukesha county. The housing is more expensive than other areas but the schools are good there too.
You should check out Oconomowoc and Sussex too, those are nice areas to raise a family.
I love Madison. I think the primary and secondary schools may not quite as good but they have good colleges. UW is the best, like wetbandit said, but they have other smaller good ones too. Madison is a great place to raise a family, it is not just a colege town. The housing is well-priced and it is a very family oriented city.
I wish I could tell you more, but I have never had to look into schools or housing anywhere yet.
Oh, I will also second wetbandit on not moving to Oshkosh. I don't think there is anything extraordinarily bad about it and i have never been there but it just doesn't seem like that great of a town. I may be wrong but I always viewed it as s small college town.
I love Madison. I don't have a lot of information on the schools since it's not currently something I have to deal with. I'm not currently looking for a house but when I see one go up for sale in my neighborhood I always look at this website http://www.wisconsinhomes.com/
Sorry I don't have a lot to offer but if you have any questions about neighborhoods or locations I would be happy to try and help you.
Here's another vote for Oconomowoc - my best friend is from there and I've met a few other people who are - it was created as a resort community (because of the lake) and is so picturesque, - it is a true small town with that "everyone knows eachother" sort of feeling. Very safe.
IAPT, PM me anytime, hon ... I have lived in Milwaukee on and off for almost 10 years and I lived in Oshkosh (for college) for 4 years. Also, my BFF lives in Madison ...