Waukesha County has few remaining rural neighborhoods
Spacious lots, serene surroundings and privacy are the main selling points in Genesee Township. The town, often called just Genesee, is not far from larger cities and major employers but is still rural in every right. "Everybody is drawn to the area because it's one of the last remaining rural communities in Waukesha County," says Robert Kolb, supervisor of Waukesha County's 15th District. Farmhouses and mansions on multi-acre lots are standard, but the area is seeing growth in subdivisions as more people seek a quiet life. While the population – like the number of homes – slowly grows, keeping the true essence of the neighborhood is a priority. "You're not going to stop development: you're just not," Kolb says. "But we're trying our best to keep it rural without trampling on private property rights. It's a very fine line."
Properties have more space and freedom to build an additional building
Colonial Revivals, farmhouses and Victorian cottages along county roads and side streets are the most affordable homes, selling between $225,000 and $400,000. The earliest subdivision homes are ranch-style, bi-level and split-levels from the 1950s to '70s, ranging from $350,000 to $575,000. The most expensive homes are Modern Craftsman, new traditional and Colonial Revivals from the past three decades. They sell anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million and often feature long, winding driveways, attached garages, in-ground pools and patios. "I love Genesee because you have three-to-five-acre plots, and you can still build a pole barn or another building if you want to," Kolb says. "You have a bit more freedom with what you want to do with your land. Also, neighbors aren't right on top of one another." The township's large homes with big yards have a median price of $550,000 – significantly above the national median. Household income is also higher than average, and more than 90% of homes are owner-occupied.
The outdoors are enjoyed year-round
Genesee mostly surrounds the Village of Wales, which has local schools, restaurants, stores and parks. Wales Community Park is the largest park with regulation-size baseball and softball diamonds, a playground, a basketball court and a disc golf course. Sunset Park is in Genesee, with baseball diamonds and soccer fields. People often park at Sunset Park for easy access to The Glacial Drumlin State Trail, an abandoned rail corridor converted into a 52-mile paved and gravel recreational trail. Busy with bikers and runners during the warm months, the trail is a popular spot for cross-country skiers in winter, when an average of 46 inches of snow falls.
Walk through a house once occupied by famous Broadway actors
Miles of open land lend themselves to nature centers and high-end recreational opportunities. Retzer Nature Center has discovery trails lined by wildflowers through dense woods, an environmental learning center and a planetarium. A membership at The Legend at Brandybrook Golf and Country Club grants access to three private courses in Waukesha County, all under The Legend name. Each location has 18 holes of golf, a pool, restaurants and tennis facilities.
Visitors at Ten Chimneys can peek back into history by walking through the property once owned by Broadway actors Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. The National Historic Landmark is preserved in its original mid-1900s condition and is open for tours from May to October.
Kettle Moraine School District is highly regarded
Some Genesee children attend the School District of Waukesha, and some learn through Mukwonago Area School District, rated B-plus and A on Niche, respectively. Most children, though, attend Kettle Moraine School District, an A-rated district considered the 20th best in the state. Wales Elementary School is in the Village of Wales and rated A. Kettle Moraine Middle School is also rated A, while Kettle Moraine High School is rated A-minus.
Mukwonago has everyday essentials while Waukesha is a shopping destination
Sally's Sweet Shoppe is one of the few stores or restaurants in Genesee Township, but it packs a big and sweet punch. Patrons can grab a treat from the display cases of cake pops, cupcakes, cookies and chocolate creations, or order a custom cake for special events. Waukesha is the nearest city with shopping centers, national chain restaurants and a traditional downtown area, but The Village of Mukwonago is nearby with stores for everyday needs. "That's where your Walmart and your Home Depot are, and it's only about 15 minutes away," Kolb says.
Nearby interstates go towards Waukesha and Milwaukee
No buses stop in Genesee, and residents rely on personal cars for transportation. Waukesha is about 9 miles away, with buses to downtown Milwaukee. Milwaukee and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport are about 30 miles east of the town, and the nearest hospital is ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Wisconsin Highway 83 and Genesee Road are the main streets of the sprawling area. Highway 83 connects north to Interstate 94 and south to Interstate 43, two of eastern Wisconsin's leading thoroughfares.
A large community gathering space is in Genesee
RiverGlen Christian Church is a large, non-denominational church in Genesee Township. Members come from many surrounding townships for weekly service and volunteer opportunities. The church also hosts events like a Halloween trunk-or-treat in the parking lot, a summer fair and concerts. Its sister church is north in the City of Pewaukee.
Genesee Township has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10. This is well below the national average score of 4.
