Menomonee Falls

Just 15 miles outside of Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls is a scenic suburban town with active residents. “It has a small-town feel and really strong community,” says Kimberly Roering, a local Realtor who grew up in the village. “When you’re from the Falls, you come together as a group. People look out for each other here.”
Most houses here were built in the 1960s, with cape cods, two-story colonials and ranch-style homes common along the gently rolling hills of the village. “Styles are all over the place – you’ll find historical options from the early 1900s, newer construction with a craftsman feel and working farms with old farmhouse styles,” Roering says, adding that you’d be lucky to find a Tudor-Revival gem among the mix. Prices for real estate range just as much: Single-family homes range in price from $300,000 to over $1 million, while condos typically list between $130,000 and $275,000. The median value for a two-bedroom single-family house hovers around $575,000. “Menomonee Falls offers a lot for anyone’s budget,” Roering explains. While condos and smaller homes are clustered along the sidewalk-framed streets closer to Downtown, other houses may settle on properties as large as 5 acres, and parcels of land spanning up to 30 acres are also available.
Menomonee Falls School District serves the community's kids and is ranked the 14th best school district in Wisconsin by Niche. All the schools within the district have an A-minus rating or higher, including Shady Lane Elementary for prekindergarten to second grade and Valley View Elementary for third to fifth grade. Middle schoolers attend North Middle School, which feeds into Menomonee Falls High School. “The high school is very much business-driven, and kids have many opportunities for apprenticeships with local businesses,” Roering says, adding that the excellent school system is a huge draw for residents. The Business Academy Program offers project and work-based learning experiences in four core competencies: Business Management, Finance, Information Technology and Marketing.
Residents here can take their pick of recreational activities. “We have great area parks that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to take photos and hikers to wander with their dogs,” Roering says. Village Park’s central location makes it a hotspot for folks of all ages with its tennis and basketball courts, softball diamond, playground and multipurpose trails. Avid hikers can also take to the scenic trail at Rotary Park, which hugs the Menomonee River. Menomonee Falls is close to a handful of lakes if you prefer the water. “People are avid boaters, fishers and water skiers out here, and it’s only 20 to 30 minutes to Lake Michigan,” she notes. The village also offers multiple fitness and gym membership options to stay active.
Menomonee Falls’ community feel extends to the shops and restaurants in the village. Floral shops and boutiques are dotted between art and dance studios and other small businesses in the downtown area. Vendors display their handcrafted goods alongside fresh, locally grown produce at the Menomonee Falls Farmers Market. Held at Village Park, the farmers market takes place every Wednesday and Sunday from June to October. The park is also a venue for multiple community-based events and festivals, such as movie nights, music performances and the annual Falls Festival of the Arts.
The mom-and-pop locales that line Appleton Avenue and US Highway 41 provide residents with cozy spots for comfort foods, from Mexican to Italian. “The best go-to places are all family-owned and operated favorites that have historical value because they’ve been rooted in the community for over 20 years,” Roering says. “They have great food, a great feel and great options for all.” Her must-eats are Su Casa Grande, De Marinis Pizzeria and Pepino’s – which she claims has the best pizza in Wisconsin. The thoroughfares also connect residents to supermarkets like Costco and Walmart, just minutes away.
When residents crave a change in pace, they have plenty of nearby cities for additional entertainment. “Get to downtown Milwaukee in 25 minutes if the traffic is good, and it’s about a 2-and-a-half-hour drive to see the Green Bay Packers play or less than 2 hours to Madison,” Roering says. “Menomonee Falls is just one of those communities where you can get anything at your fingertips.

Written By

Heather Haggerty

Photography Contributed By

Richard Ebbers

Video By

Joshua Kassabian