Riverwest
Urban Pioneer Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee County 53212

Energized and brought together by the Milwaukee River
Riverwest got its name by occupying the stretch of land just west of the Milwaukee River. Just as it shaped the neighborhood's name, the river also shapes its community. Many waterside parks connect via the Oak Leaf Trail, a 135-mile paved multi-use trail that meanders around the city. Kern Park and Gordon Park have sports courts, fields and play equipment, but it's the trails that run along the water that stand out. "I walk along the river every day," says Phoebe Odegaard, a Riverwest resident. "I run into people I know on the trail all the time and make new friends on my walks, too." For a stretch of the Milwaukee River Greenway that runs through Riverwest, no manmade structures are visible, and those kayaking, canoeing or hiking in the area are "transported into the wilderness," Higgins says. "You're not in Milwaukee while on that trail." Deer, birds and rabbits are often on the trail, and hiking boots are encouraged for anyone trekking after heavy rain and flooding. The neighborhood has a big canine community, and many owners enjoy letting their dogs run loose at the aptly named Roverwest Dog Park.Supporting local businesses and local artists
Known for its creative and energetic residents, Riverwest has a stock of gathering places like cozy coffee shops, quirky bars and breweries. "When you have freezing winters, you have to find a way to huddle together and share your warmth somewhere indoors," Higgins says. Art Bar is just as it sounds – a bar that highlights art. Whether that art comes in the form of poetry readings, live music or paintings hanging on the walls, the collection is as much a mishmash as the patrons that swing by. Colectivo Coffee helps to keep the energy high. The coffee shop started in Riverwest before expanding to multiple locations throughout the city. Students and young professionals work on laptops in the dining section, which opens to the area with industrial-sized roasters. Pick 'n Save is in the southern part of the neighborhood, while Walmart, Aldi and Dollar Tree are north along Capitol Drive. Unsurprisingly, many residents support local shops and do their grocery shopping (and even volunteer at) the vegan-friendly Riverwest Co-Op Grocery. Shopping at the small market is as much a social outing as it is an errand.From strangers to friends at Riverwest 24
Weekends are full of energy between live music at local watering holes, art shows at restaurants and clubs gathering in the parks. The event that brings the community together the most is Riverwest 24. Whether participants are volunteers, spectators or team members, or decide to brave the 24-hour bike race alone, this annual summer event unites the whole neighborhood. "The amount of community spirit that comes out for Riverwest 24 is unbelievable," Adams says. "Streets shut down for all-night block parties, people come from around the country to watch, and participants get bonus points for getting tattoos or doing theatrical stunts during the race." The event began in 2007 and encourages new friendships, connections, and neighborhood discovery. When signing up, bikers can be part of a "Perfect Stranger" team and connect with another solo rider they don't know. Locals looking for more frequent events can check fliers on coffee shop bulletin boards or join the noisy Riverwest Facebook page, where they'll find events like street fairs and the Locust Street Beer Run, which has mandatory drinking spots along the course.Houses as tight as the community
Except for a few mid-century builds and modern homes that have been built on older lots, houses are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Single-family bungalows, Victorian cottages and small Colonial Revivals sell between $100,000 and $525,000, but most sit around the median price of $260,000. Multi-family homes and duplexes are in a similar price range as single-family homes, from $150,000 for a small duplex cottage to $400,000 for a Queen Anne Victorian four-unit property with off-street parking spots. Most of the lots have similar features: steps leading right out to the sidewalk and backyards with detached garages accessible via alleyway. Lots are small, averaging less than one-tenth an acre. "Most of the houses in Riverwest are so close together that the windows look right into each other," Odegaard says. "The bedrooms, if they're in the middle of the house, don't get much natural light." The condos are at the neighborhood's southern end, across the river from Lower East Side. Units in brick Colonial-inspired buildings sell for $120,000, while contemporary and modern units along the Riverwalk reach upwards of $600,000.Walking and biking are encouraged
North Holton Street and North Humboldt Boulevard are Riverwests's two main roads, heading north and south and across the Milwaukee River into the city's downtown area. Capitol Drive has on-ramps to Interstate 43, a main connective freeway of eastern Wisconsin. While the neighborhood is accessible by car, "There is a big community ethos or that you should walk or bike instead of drive," says Riverwest resident Marlo-Aaron Yelk. "Riverwest feels like one of the last walkable areas of Milwaukee, so we take advantage of that." The neighborhood has designated bike lanes and other lanes where drivers share the road with cyclists. Biking along the area's paved paths is welcomed and encouraged, and it's rare to see a bike rack with any space free from locked-up bicycles. More than 25 bus stops are in the neighborhood and along its borders, heading in every direction, including southeast to Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus. With so many ways to get around without personal vehicles, many residents choose not to own cars. However, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is less than 15 miles away for longer trips.Learning a new language through immersion
Students living in Riverwest are in the Milwaukee Public Schools district, which offers school of choice. Nearby options include Riverwest Elementary School and Fratney Elementary School, which teach prekindergarten through fifth grade and receive a score of C-minus by Niche. Fratney Elementary School, or La Escuela Fratney, focuses on multiculturalism. English-speaking students learn Spanish, and Spanish-speaking students learn English through the dual-language immersion program. Rufus King International Middle School is nearby and receives a C-minus score. Riverside High School is across the Milwaukee River in Riverside Park and rated a C. More advanced placement and honors classes are taught at Riverside than any other Milwaukee Public Schools area high school. Two private, faith-based schools are in the neighborhood: Messmer Saint Mary Preparatory School and St. Philip's Lutheran School.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Level Up Team*
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee Southwest
(877) 719-1467
247 Total Sales
1 in Riverwest
$207,500 Price
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Thrive Realty Group
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
(844) 624-1742
109 Total Sales
20 in Riverwest
$125K - $425K Price Range
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Judy Hearst
Coldwell Banker Realty
(877) 905-3653
28 Total Sales
2 in Riverwest
$199K - $500K Price Range
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Tim Norland
Century 21 Affiliated
(608) 292-6742
117 Total Sales
1 in Riverwest
$243,000 Price
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Brian Patt
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
(262) 440-9116
45 Total Sales
2 in Riverwest
$260K - $420K Price Range
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William Lauer
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
(414) 667-6897
107 Total Sales
5 in Riverwest
$1K - $365K Price Range
Schools
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Reviews
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Riverwest | US |
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Homicide | 5 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
Robbery | 6 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
Larceny | 5 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Riverwest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Riverwest, Milwaukee sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverwest, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $282,500, up 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Wednesday, May 710am - 9pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Good Transit
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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