$647,442Average Value$257Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Downer Woods has an academic and youthful atmosphere
Downer Woods buzzes with the energy of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee college students, graduates and professors. While students rent floors in duplexes and multifamily homes near campus, there are also plenty of owner-occupied, single-family homes. Whether among the regal university halls or on the stately residential streets near Lake Michigan, Downer Woods residents enjoy a lively atmosphere and take pride in their educational anchor.
Downer Woods is home to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Lake Park stretches along Lake Michigan just south of Downer Woods.
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Homes range from simple duplexes to opulent lakeside mansions
The area has a diverse mix of housing, with duplexes and single-family homes that date back to the late 1800s. Limited multifamily bungalows and workers' cottages have sold in recent years, but are valued between the high $300,000s and the mid $600,000s. While popular among student renters, duplexes usually have owners living on one of the two floors, unlike most rentals in the Upper East Side. "The City of Milwaukee created deed restrictions, requiring those [Downer Woods] homes to be owner-occupied," says Desty Lorino, broker and team lead of Desty's Team for Keller Williams. "They're too valuable properties to be just student housing." As you move east through Downer Woods, the housing becomes grander and more expensive. Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals, Queen Anne Victorians and Mediterranean-inspired single-family homes sell from the low $400,000s to more than $1.4 million, and some ornate mansions along Lake Drive are valued as high as $4 million. Houses don't go on the market often, and when they do, they sell quickly, typically within three weeks.
Duplex housing in Downer Woods is typical near UWM, often with owner-occupied units.
Mediterranean Revival, Tudor and Queen Anne homes are found in Downer Woods near Lake Michigan.
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The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee anchors Downer Woods
Founded in 1956, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee takes up half of the neighborhood and offers hundreds of degree programs. The nationally recognized research university educates about 23,000 students who live in dorms or rentals surrounding the 104-acre campus. "There's a lot of vitality in the neighborhood, and you see it," Lorino says. "You see activities going on almost year-round." Annual events are held on campus at Union Cinema, including the French Film Festival and the Student Film and Video Festival. The festivals are free for students and the public, and tickets are available for art workshops, discussion forums and concerts. The school has 15 NCAA Division I teams and takes pride in its Downer Woods Natural Area, an 11-acre urban forest conservancy. The fenced forest has species of trees, shrubbery, bugs and birds, which students and the public can observe along well-kept trails.
UWM brings a lively academic vibe to the Downer Woods housing mix.
UWM’s 104-acre campus spans much of Downer Woods.
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Who is moving to Downer Woods
While Downer Woods is less than a mile wide, it has a range of demographics. "There are big differences not only between neighborhoods, but from block to block in Milwaukee," says Ibree Stewart, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway Metro Realty. "The mansions along Lake Michigan are usually home to retired lawyers and doctors, while the houses more inland are filled with college students renting single floors." However, the area's residents share some traits. Downer Woods is highly educated, with twice the number of college graduates and three times the number of advanced degree holders as the national average. Household incomes are also high across the board. Downer Woods has young residents, but Stewart says it's "Not a popular spot for families with young children because of the noise and action brought by the college campus."
Shopping, dining and amenities near the neighborhood
North Oakland Avenue is the main shopping and dining thoroughfare of Milwaukee's East Side, with many fast-casual chains, local restaurants and shops near the university, including:
Domino's Pizza, Noodles and Co. and QDOBA, within walking distance of campus
Carini's, an Italian date-night spot with wood-fired pizza from a specialty oven brought over from Naples
Wade's Guitar Shop, a neighborhood favorite that's been selling new and used guitars since 1989
SayWerd, which provides an eclectic mix of vintage clothing and collectibles
For an upscale meal near campus, locals can check out SALA. The modern Sicilian restaurant plates delicious meals, using fresh herbs from its private greenhouse out back. For a grocery trip, head south on Downer Avenue to Nehring's Sendik's, a family owned spot that opened in 1926. "There are locations all over the city now, but the one on Downer was the original," Lorino says.
SALA Modern Sicilian Dining plates Sicilian fare with herbs from its on-site greenhouse in Downer Woods.
Wade’s Guitar Shop in Downer Woods has sold new and used guitars since 1989.
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How to get around Downer Woods by foot, bike or bus
It's easy to travel around the neighborhood without a car, thanks to features like:
Bublr Bike stations, Milwaukee's public bike-sharing system that has many locations on campus
Sidewalks along every street and crosswalks across busy roads
Designated bike lanes on roads and paved trails around campus
Buses that stop along Hartford Avenue, Kenwood Boulevard, Downer Avenue and Oakland Avenue
Bike lanes and campus paths make cycling common around Downer Woods.
Bus routes along Hartford, Kenwood, Downer and Oakland connect Downer Woods commuters to downtown.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downer Woods
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downer Woods Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downer Woods, Milwaukee sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downer Woods, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $545,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
One of the city's most distinguished residences, the Samuel Field Mansion provides a rare opportunity to own a piece of architectural history. Built in 1890, the home escaped demolition in 1926 thanks to a visionary owner who, after purchasing the home in 1920, dismantled the mansion piece by piece, numbering each element, and relocating it 3 miles north. In 2014, the current owners stepped in to
Desty LorinoKeller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
Welcome to Oakland Properties! located next to the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, walking distance to Downer Avenue restaurant district, North Avenue shopping district, Oakland Avenue shopping district and Lake Michigan. Near the bus line to Milwaukee School of Engineering and downtown Milwaukee.Contact Our Staff:Leasing Agent 414-350-9081
Property Id: 2267760Welcome to your new home at 2608 E Newport UPPER in Milwaukee, WI! This charming 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit is available starting 02/01/2026 for $3000/month. Enjoy the convenience of included utilities and amenities like refrigerator, oven, washer/dryer, and a driveway. No pets allowed. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Contact us now for a viewing. also
Property Id: 15244573 Bedrooms1.0 bathvery near by UWMWasher and dryer are includedfridge and oven are includedCentral airtenant pay energy bill tenant pay half of the seasonal water and sewer bill
Property Id: 1393627This is very spacious two level upper apartment, second floor can hold at least three students and third floor is good for 1 to 2 students. tenants are responsible for half of the seasonal water and sewer bill, and electric, gas bill. tenants are responsible to shovel the deck and front side walk snow.House is available now, welcome earlier moving.
Property Id: 1354823Very large 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms apartment walking distance to UWM, This apartment include 2nd and 3rd floor, 2 bedrooms in the second floor and 1 bedroom in the 3rd floor. Tenants are responsible for the 50% of the water bill and full amount energy bill. Harbin Realty Management LLC
Property Id: 2267759Welcome to your new home at 2608 E Newport in Milwaukee, WI! This charming 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit is perfect for roommates. With amenities like a refrigerator, oven, washer/dryer shared, and driveway parking, this multi-family unit is a steal at $2300/month. Heat included and no pets allowed. Don't miss out on this gem - available for rent starting February 1,
6 large bedrooms, 3 large bathrooms, lots of storage, walk in closets, 2 porches, fenced back yard, offered as a whole house. 6 unrelated welcomed to this beautiful duplex at 3285-87 N Oakland Ave. 2 outdoor parking spots and 2 car garage are included. Fiber optic internet available. All updated, tiled bathrooms, wood floors! Two blocks away from UWM. New appliances and mechanicals help save
3220 N Oakland AveMilwaukee, WI 53211Available 8/1Rent $2725Deposit $2925This unit is a very large 5 bedroom/2 bath upper unit in a duplex that occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors of the house. Only a couple blocks from the UWM campus. Hardwood floors. Stove/refrigerator/dishwasher/washer/dryer all included. Dining room with built-in China cabinet and 2 living rooms (1 on each
3218 N Oakland AveMilwaukee, WI 53211Available 6/1Rent $2100Deposit $2300This 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath lower unit is located within a short walk of the UWM campus. It has an updated and eat-in kitchen with stove/refrigerator/dishwasher included, refinished hardwood floors, and free laundry in the basement. There is off street and garage parking available for an additional fee.
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