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Lower East Side

Lower East Side

Urban Core Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee County 53202
4.7
$385,267 Average Value
$268 Average Price per Sq Ft
51 Homes For Sale

Lower East Side is the energetic heart of Milwaukee

If you're looking for Milwaukee's active downtown area that's full of nightlife, diversity and entertainment, look no further than the Lower East Side neighborhood. Placed between Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River to the east and west, and a college university and central business district to the north and south, the community is Milwaukee's walkable and colorful core.

Play a game of pool at Pete's Pub in the Lower East Side.
Play a game of pool at Pete's Pub in the Lower East Side.
Pulaski Park in the Lower East Side neighborhood has vibrant murals.
Pulaski Park in the Lower East Side neighborhood has vibrant murals.
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The neighborhood’s atmosphere and who lives there

According to Chris Corley, the broker and owner of Corley Real Estate and a top seller in the area, there are two main groups of people moving to the lively neighborhood. "There's that younger professional group, and then the empty nesters that are coming back to have their second life," he says. Lower East Side's location is its main attraction; "It's one of the most desirable neighborhoods. It's the heart of Milwaukee," Corley says. "Lake Michigan is right there, and it's the closest you can get to the financial district."

While the neighborhood itself is old and historic, with many buildings from 200 years ago, its locals and its nights full of noise, music and events give it youthful energy. Lower East Side has fewer retirees than in Northpoint and East Town, and fewer children than in pretty much any neighborhood west of the Milwaukee River. There's also a very high percentage of college graduates and advanced degree holders.

Come to The Swingin' Door Exchange in the Lower East Side for lunch or before a show downtown.
Come to The Swingin' Door Exchange in the Lower East Side for lunch or before a show downtown.
Grab a morning coffe at Rochambo Coffee & Tea House on the Lower East Side.
Grab a morning coffe at Rochambo Coffee & Tea House on the Lower East Side.
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Choose between historic homes and modern luxury condos

As you walk through the area, you'll see a mix of modern and historic apartments, condos, homes and duplexes. "The architecture in some of these old homes… It's just unbelievable. Milwaukee was quite the place back in the 1800s and is very big on preserving historic buildings," Corley says. Single-family homes, including workers' cottages and Queen Anne Victorians, range from the mid-$100,000s to the low $600,000s. Multifamily homes with similar designs fall between the high $100,000s and high $700,000s and have between two and seven units. Most properties available to buy are condos. One-bedroom units, or those in older buildings, range from the low $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Townhouse-style condos, units in updated historic buildings and three-bedroom penthouses in modern buildings range from the low $300,000s to $1 million. Condo HOA fees cover communal spaces and services like fitness centers, indoor pools, clubhouses and security.

Condos along the neighborhood's southeastern edge have great views of Lake Michigan.
Condos along the neighborhood's southeastern edge have great views of Lake Michigan.
Homes in Milwaukee's Lower East Side blend historic and modern styles.
Homes in Milwaukee's Lower East Side blend historic and modern styles.
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Getting around by streetcar, bike, foot and bus

If your apartment or condo building doesn't have its own garage, parking can be a headache. Still, it's entirely possible to live in the neighborhood without a car. "The walkability is great," Corley says. "There's everything there from grocery stores to 125-year-old churches to outdoor space to summer festivals." Also within walking distance is Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, a leading employer. There are plenty of ways to get around:

  • The Hop MKE streetcar stops along East Ogden Avenue and heads towards the major businesses in East Town.
  • Milwaukee County Transit System buses stop along main intersecting roads.
  • Designated and shared bike lanes are along some roads, heading north towards the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, in Downer Woods.
  • Bublr Bike stations, Milwaukee's bike-sharing system, has docking stations all over the East Side.

Take the Hop from the Lower East Side to downtown Milwaukee.
Take the Hop from the Lower East Side to downtown Milwaukee.
Hop on a Bublr Bike and hit the town from the Lower East Side.
Hop on a Bublr Bike and hit the town from the Lower East Side.
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Brady Street is Milwaukee’s central nightlife strip

The whole neighborhood is speckled with bars and restaurants, but Brady Street is the place to be for a night out. "It gets very busy, especially in the summertime," Corley says. "Bars will expand their restaurant outside to the patio or to the street or sidewalk just to take advantage of the nice weather." The strip is also diverse, with Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, American and Argentinian options. It's also diverse in style. "You have the most divey of dive bars you've ever been to in your life there, and then next door you'll have a five-star restaurant. It's like being in a miniature version of the French Quarter," Corley says.

Enjoy the nightlife on Brady Street near in the Lower East Side.
Enjoy the nightlife on Brady Street near in the Lower East Side.
Enjoy delicious Italian food Al Fresco at Glorioso's Italian Market on Brady Street in the Lower East Side neighborhood.
Enjoy delicious Italian food Al Fresco at Glorioso's Italian Market on Brady Street in the Lower East Side neighborhood.
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Events, entertainment and recreation around the Lower East Side

Living in the Lower East Side, "you're really a stone's throw in all directions to everything," Corley says. Breweries, museums, theaters, music venues and more are close to home. Just over the Milwaukee River, in Westown, are Fiserv Forum, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Baird Center.
There's also no shortage of outdoor space near Lake Michigan. "Those hot and humid days when it's 85, 90 degrees, you just get this nice natural air conditioner coming up off the bluffs from the lake," Corley says. Along the lake, you can:

  • Rent paddle boats and fish in the pond at Veterans Park
  • Play golf, tennis, baseball or soccer at Lake Park to the north
  • Hop on the Oak Leaf Trail, a 135-mile-long paved trail that winds around the county
  • Sunbathe and play beach volleyball at Bradford Beach
  • Attend festivals, like Milwaukee Brewfest at McKinley Park

McKinley Beach is perfect for enjoying the breeze near Lake Michigan.
McKinley Beach is perfect for enjoying the breeze near Lake Michigan.
Bring your own yoga mat for free yoga class during the Cathedral Square Market in East Town.
Bring your own yoga mat for free yoga class during the Cathedral Square Market in East Town.
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Heather Haggerty
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Richard Ebbers
Photography Contributed By
Richard Ebbers
Jason Jacot
Video By
Jason Jacot

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Mitchell International

19 min drive

Bus

Farwell & Kane

Bus

Van Buren & Pleasant

Bus

Farwell & Ogden

Bus

Water & Pleasant

Bus

Prospect & Ogden

Bus

Brady & Van Buren

Bus

Farwell & Lafayette

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.7 2 Reviews
5.0 Current Resident
6/27/2018 Niche Review
Yes, it's a little pricier. But if you can swing it, it's a great place especially for single students.
Are you familiar with the Lower East Side neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lower East Side US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,565
Number of Homes for Sale
51
Median Year Built
1961
Months of Supply
5.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,551
Below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,418
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,363
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
814
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
700
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
78
Median Rent
$1,597
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,850
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,800
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,723
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$2,270
Median Condo Rent
$1,490
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,600

Demographics

Total Population
13,644
Median Age
33
Population Density
36 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.4%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$56,958
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$78,493

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
63.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.7%
% Population in Labor Force
76.2%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
33''

Area Factors

Moderately friendly

Bike Score®

70 / 100

Exceptionally friendly

Walk Score®

90 / 100

Moderately friendly

Transit Score®

60 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lower East Side