From a bird’s-eye view, Morgandale may not look very green, but this dense and diverse Milwaukee suburb is at the heart of the city’s “Garden District.” Not only do the neighborhood’s roughly 9,200 residents like to keep well-manicured, lively gardens, but they also love to plant and nurture flora together in community spaces around the area.
While Morgandale’s southeast quadrant is visibly verdant thanks to two large cemeteries, its remaining three quarters are packed with detached homes and small businesses arranged into gridded blocks with wide, paved roads and sidewalks. Bungalows from the early 20th century and simple, wood-framed duplexes are most common here. However, the neighborhood features some architectural styles that are unexpected finds for the South Side. Cape Cod designs pop up every few blocks, as do modest brick Tudors and World War II-era cottages. Price tags over $300,000 are rare here, and some move-in-ready homes are even available for less than $150,000.
Morgandale School, the neighborhood’s only public school, operates in the southwest quadrant, and local students living between South 13th Street and South 20th Street can walk there in about 10 minutes. Although sometimes referred to as Morgandale Elementary School, the school functions as both an elementary and middle school, teaching students from kindergarten through eighth grade. High schoolers can attend Grandview High School in neighboring Polonia or Bay View High School in Bay View, which offers a rigorous, college-focused STEAM program. All three schools receive a Niche score of C-minus.
Two sprawling community gardens sit at Morgandale’s southeast corner, with plump fruits and vegetables bursting from the ground year-round. Residents wanting to grow their own produce must register for a plot with The Garden District Neighborhood Association. There is a $25 deposit and $25 rental fee that goes toward expenses associated with the garden, such as materials, seeds, plant purchases and improvements. The gardens also host community events, including a holiday light show in the winter. South of the neighborhood is Wilson Park, a serene 76-acre site featuring multiple baseball diamonds, picnic tables, a playground and a large fishing pond. Within Morgandale are two primary outdoor spaces, Ohio Playground and Holt Ave Playground, where residents can access play areas, a pair of tennis courts, splash pads and, of course, more baseball diamonds. Morgandale is also less than three miles away from both Bay View’s famous Humboldt Park and Forest Home Cemetery, which Visit Milwaukee’s Claire Koenig calls “as beautiful as some of our Frederick Law Olmstead parks,” known for their sprawling meadow-like landscapes and views of Lake Michigan.
Once a predominantly Polish settlement, Morgandale is now home to people and locally owned businesses representing many different nationalities. "The South Side of Milwaukee has some of the most diverse dining in the city,” Koenig says. “Mexican bakeries and all sorts of Latin diaspora restaurants all meld with what was originally a very Polish neighborhood.” However, Morgandale’s Slavic roots are still visible with landmarks like National Bakery & Deli, a nearly century-old Polish establishment with everything from sandwiches and rolls to custom-made birthday cakes and locally famous Danishes. Meanwhile, Bombay Sweets serves up assorted Indian goodies and vegetarian dishes, including their popular samosas, which are fried pastries filled with spiced vegetables. JC King’s Tortas is known around town for its Torta Chilanga, a richly flavorful grilled sandwich with marinated meat. Townie bars like Buckshots and 13th Pour are great spots to watch hometown heroes like the Packers and the Bucks play while downing a few drinks with friends and neighbors.
With gridded streets and plenty of infrastructure to cater to a local’s necessities, most residents are able to live their day-to-day lives without needing to leave Morgandale. Still, locals looking to head into the city or explore Milwaukee County can take Interstate 94 and be downtown in about 10 minutes by car. For more extensive travel, locals are just 4 miles away from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Brian Paul
RE/MAX Lakeside-Central
(414) 404-7049
77 Total Sales
1 in Morgandale
$130,700 Price
William Lauer
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
(414) 667-6897
101 Total Sales
1 in Morgandale
$315,000 Price
Michelle Hintz
Coldwell Banker Realty
(414) 441-3208
56 Total Sales
2 in Morgandale
$250K - $297K Price Range
Alejandro Soto Melgoza
RE/MAX Lakeside-South
(414) 310-1787
33 Total Sales
3 in Morgandale
$195K - $339K Price Range
Joseph Cardenas
JC Realtors
(414) 939-7912
102 Total Sales
4 in Morgandale
$118K - $264K Price Range
Darchell Rauter
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee Southwest
(262) 383-4899
15 Total Sales
2 in Morgandale
$167K - $330K Price Range
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
On average, homes in Morgandale, Milwaukee sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Morgandale, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $321,660, down 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,035 - $1,265 per month
$1,295 per month
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
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Diverse area with Polish roots, international businesses and revitalized homes
A compact Milwaukee neighborhood that comes with plenty of appeal
Residents don’t have to travel far to find all the comforts of home
Dense, historically Polish neighborhood with a 34-acre park and Hispanic eateries
Southgate is home to those seeking a suburban community with an urban vibe
A balance of residential and commercial just 15 minutes from downtown Milwaukee
