A top Milwaukee suburban city with more room to spread out
Brookfield was once so small that Al Capone bought property there in the 1920s for its low population and police presence to hide one of his illegal distilleries. Since then, the city has grown to the point that space for new home construction is limited. Fortunately, "Brookfield has a minimum lot size for new builds, so no one is piled on top of one another," says John Klose Jr., broker and owner of Klose Realty LLC, who lives in the city. The city's over 40,000 residents take advantage of proximity to Milwaukee, employers in the surrounding county and an excellent public school system. Unlike nearby Milwaukee suburbs like Waukesha, West Allis and Wauwatosa, Brookfield homes have spacious, tree-filled backyards and wildlife. "There are woodpeckers in my yard all the time and deer passing through lawns," Klose says. "The Brookfield flag even has a deer on it."
Brookfield homes range from single-level condos to nearly $2 million custom mansions.
Proximity to downtown Milwaukee is a huge draw for Brookfield residents.
Niche calls Brookfield East High School the No. 1 high school in Wisconsin.
The Brookfield Flag flies proudly in front of the police department.
1/4
Rising prices to match a high demand
Some townhouses, condos and multi-family homes are around the city, but the area is known for its seemingly endless and winding subdivisions of single-family homes. Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals, Modern Craftsman, New Traditional and sprawling raised ranch-style homes are popular designs. Prices range from $225,000 for smaller, older homes to $1.9 million for the largest homes in new subdivisions. The median price is $485,000, up 6% from the previous year, and sales average 19 days on the market, less than half the national average. According to Klose, "People can't really be first-time homebuyers in Brookfield because they are being priced out. But there are a lot of young professionals and young families here, usually on their second home."
Brookfield has seemingly endless winding subdivisions of single-family homes.
Colonial Revivals are a popular home style in Brookfield.
A newly built Tudor-Revival stands proudly in Brookfield.
Sprawling ranch-style homes have large yards throughout Brookfield.
1/4
The best school district in Wisconsin
The Elmbrook School District is one of the city's biggest draws and main bragging points. "We have the best school district in the state, and it shocks people that our taxes are as low as they are," Klose says. The district and all but two of its schools receive overall A-plus grades on Niche, which also rates the district the best in Wisconsin. Daniel Ertl, director of communications for the City of Brookfield, says the "strong curriculum, retention of educators, continuity in administration and community support through foundations" account for the notoriety. A high level of education is prevalent throughout Brookfield, and 62% of residents are college graduates – almost twice the national average.
Niche calls Brookfield East High School the No. 1 high school in Wisconsin.
The Brookfield East Spartans football team rivals the Brookfield Central Lancers.
The beautiful stone signage of Brookfield Elementary school.
Wisconsin Hills Middle School provides public education in the neighborhood of
Brookfield.
1/4
The Greenway Trail System keeps connecting the city's parks
Over 1,800 acres make up Brookfield's 25 parks, many connecting through the Greenway Trail System. "The city has a 20-year plan to connect each community with a bike path, and they're really doing it," Klose says. "I see them working on it all the time. You can hop on a bike and get just about anywhere in the city now." Mitchell Park is among the largest with over 400 acres with trails, Little League diamonds, an archery range and canoe access to the Fox River. Mitchell Park is also home to the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, a nonprofit and cultural hotspot that has welcomed locals to enjoy stage productions, concerts and art classes since 2002.
Events occur in the city's parks and plazas, including an Independence Day fair and parade and the German Holiday Market that includes a tree-lighting ceremony. During the winter, nine locations take advantage of snow and freezing temperatures with an ice-skating area and sledding.
Bike paths connect Brookfield's 25 parks.
On a summer night, the ball park in Mitchell Park is the place to be in Brookfield.
The Sharon Lynn Wilson Center in Brookfield features stages and studios for performances.
Brookfield families can have a blast at one of many ice arenas in the area.
1/4
Commuting to West Allis, Waukesha and Milwaukee
Warehouses, offices, industrial parks and business centers are along the city's easternmost boundary, near the train yard. Most residents of Brookfield, however, work elsewhere. "It's all commuting around here," Klose says. "There's not a lot of industry in Brookfield, but there's plenty around it like in Milwaukee." Brookfield Medical Center and Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Elmbrook Campus are two large employers in the city. Waukesha and downtown Milwaukee are under 15 miles away via Interstate 94. "Local corporations in Waukesha and Waukesha County offer a wide range of opportunities from early career options to CEO opportunities," Ertl says. Waukesha operates the Waukesha Metro Transit, which has bus routes servicing Brookfield. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the closest with scheduled flights and is 19 miles southeast.
Brookfield Medical Center employs thousands of Brookfield residents.
Residents of Brookfield can commute 20 minutes to Milwaukee and work for Komatsu Mining.
Milwaukee is under 15 miles away from Brookfield via Interstate 94.
Town of Lake is directly across the street from Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport.
1/4
New businesses setting up shop along Bluemound Road
National chains and locally owned restaurants and retailers are throughout Brookfield, most prominently in and around Brookfield Square. Bluemound Road and the businesses around it, known locally as "Bluemound Corridor," have an ever-growing collection of places to visit. "Our taxes have actually gone down in recent years because so many businesses, restaurants and shops are funding our economy," Klose says. Grocery stores are in the area, and Waukesha and West Allis have additional dining and retail options on either side of the city.
Find the best shoe for you at Journeys in Brookfield.
Kopp's Custard features delicious desserts for Brookfield locals to enjoy.
Aldi in Brookfield is a great place to pick up some fresh produce.
Grab dinner from one of many food trucks and enjoy West Allis on a warm, summer night.
1/4
Programs to keep the crime rates low
According to information provided by the FBI, Brookfield reports violent and property crimes at a significantly lower rate than the national average with property crimes about one-third of the national average and violent crimes less than one-fifth.
As your guide and trusted advisor in real estate, I offer a unique perspective shaped by my personal journey and professional expertise. After moving from Wauwatosa to Pewaukee in 2013 and building our home with Kings Ways Homes, I fully understand the excitement and challenges of starting anew in a different community. This experience sparked my passion for new construction and led me to work as a New Home Consultant at Kings Way Homes. Today, I continue to blend my love for existing real estate with new home construction through my partnership with a company that designs and builds luxury model homes.
With 25 years of experience in corporate sales within the technology sector, I bring a wealth of negotiation and strategic planning skills to real estate. My approach is grounded in understanding market trends and your unique needs, allowing me to craft personalized, effective solutions for buying and selling.
What truly warms my heart is helping you find your dream home or successfully navigate the sale of your property. I am committed to providing thoughtful, detail-oriented guidance throughout every step of your real estate journey. Beyond real estate, my role as President of my HOA has given me deep insights into community dynamics and leadership. In my free time, I enjoy hosting gatherings, golfing, exploring new destinations, and wine-tasting adventures in Napa with my husband.
I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with you as your real estate partner and trusted advisor. Let’s make your real estate dreams a reality together!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
