Riverwest is a central Milwaukee neighborhood where weekends are busy with activity, and residents are connected by a shared love for the community. Historically, Riverwest has been a hub for immigrants, a factory town, a counterculture hotspot and a central part of Milwaukee's civil rights movement. Today, the neighborhood blends a thriving arts scene with intimate restaurants, social events and shared hobbies.
The area is young, with many University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students, graduate students and young professionals. Families and long-term residents also live in the renter-friendly area. "There's little availability, but if people can get in there, they seem more prone to stay in Riverwest," says Bret Duer, a Realtor with The Real Estate Edge, LLC. "It's a desirable location, so people will stay there." Because of its attractions and momentum, Riverwest has become one of Milwaukee's most densely populated neighborhoods. "But with that close living comes an energy that's palpable," says Peter Adams, a lifelong Milwaukee resident and realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. "This is a bustling neighborhood; it's not the suburbs."
Except for a few modern homes and condos built on older lots, houses are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. "A lot of them need significant work," Duer says. "But the people who have been buying and flipping them have been doing really well." Both multifamily and single-family bungalows and Victorian cottages sell between the mid-$100,000s and the high $500,000s. Homes are close together, and lots are small, with just enough room for detached garages. Condos at the neighborhood's southern end sell between the low $100,000s and the mid-$700,000s.
Weekends are full of energy, with live music at local bars, art shows at restaurants and park hangouts. The event that brings the community together most is Riverwest 24, a 24-hour bike race and festival. "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," Adams says. If you're looking for more action, check out the Riverwest Facebook page or coffee shop fliers to find events, including:
One of Riverwest's biggest perks, and what makes it so popular for the younger crowd, is its accessibility, walkability and transportation options. The area is considered a biker's paradise, with designated and shared lanes along main roads, Bublr Bike stations and paved recreational trails. More than 25 bus stops are in Riverwest and along its borders, heading everywhere, including east to the university, in Downer Woods, and southeast to Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, in Northpoint. With plenty of ways to get around, many residents choose not to own cars and avoid parking headaches. The area has alternate-side night parking, with extended hours from December through March and during snow emergencies. Overnight parking is also not allowed without a permit or temporary pass.
Riverwest is full of gathering spaces, like cozy cafes, quirky bars and breweries. "You've got all those cool little boutique stores, and the coffee shops and the rest," Duer says. "It has the feel for the younger crowd and city life vibe over there." Hangouts include:
Just as the Milwaukee River shaped the neighborhood's name, it also shapes the community. The Oak Leaf Trail is a 135-mile paved trail that winds around the city, connecting a few riverside parks. Kern Park and Gordon Park feature sports courts, fields and play equipment, but it's their wooded trails along the water that stand out most. "Walking up the trail for a while, it kind of feels like you're off in the middle of nowhere, even though you're right in the middle of the city," Duer says. You can also get active on the river itself, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Many dogs live in the area, and owners enjoy letting them run loose at the cutely named Roverwest Dog Park.
Students living in Riverwest are part of the Milwaukee Public Schools district, which offers school choice. Options in the neighborhood include Frederick J. Gaenslen School, Riverwest Elementary School and Fratney Elementary School. Fratney Elementary School, also known as La Escuela Fratney, emphasizes multiculturalism and dual language learning. Rufus King International Middle School is nearby, in Harambee, and Riverside High School is across the Milwaukee River, in Riverside Park.
Bret Duer
The Real Estate Edge, LLC
(920) 717-3678
93 Total Sales
3 in Riverwest
$232K - $241K Price Range
Haglund Home Team*
Keller Williams-MNS Wauwatosa
(262) 947-4684
24 Total Sales
2 in Riverwest
$210K - $230K Price Range
Maura Strickler
Shorewest Realtors, Inc.
(414) 441-3374
153 Total Sales
1 in Riverwest
$271,000 Price
Kristel Sikora
Shorewest Realtors, Inc.
(262) 947-4510
214 Total Sales
4 in Riverwest
$123K - $314K Price Range
Gabriella Clemens
Coldwell Banker Realty
(414) 348-8611
167 Total Sales
3 in Riverwest
$105K - $236K Price Range
Julie Bushman
List2Sell, LLC
(262) 333-6335
118 Total Sales
1 in Riverwest
$114,045 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Riverwest | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Riverwest, Milwaukee sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverwest, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $272,250, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,300 - $1,700 per month
$559 - $1,895 per month
$1,335 per month
Bike Score®
Walk Score®
Transit Score®
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.
Longtime locals and new renters get to know one another close to the university
Historically African American community with a huge Juneteenth celebration
Renters, families and retirees find their place in the east side's melting pot
Young professionals, students and families rent throughout the neighborhood
A young, trendy and walkable neighborhood along the Milwaukee River
Student renters and homeowners in stately homes enjoy an academic atmosphere
