Newly incorporated Waukesha Village's pastoral character
Waukesha Village is one of the newest villages in Wisconsin, incorporating in 2020. The community made the move to gain control of its growth and preserve its pastoral character, especially in contrast to its neighbor, the city of Waukesha. Most of the village’s housing is in exurban neighborhoods, and homebuyers can get more for their money than in the city or other nearby communities. Residents enjoy the quiet that comes with the community’s space, while not sacrificing convenience to shopping and dining in the city or access to recreation in the nearby Lake Country.
Larger homes in subdivisions with more bang for the homebuyer's buck
Compared to the city of Waukesha, the village offers a more rural and sparse setting. While homes still tend to be clustered in subdivisions, the wooded landscape and larger lot sizes give residents more space and privacy. Ranch-style, New Traditional and Colonial Revival houses comprise most of the community’s neighborhoods, though larger homes sometimes sit farther from the city border. The median sales price for homes in Waukesha Village is $459,500, roughly $80,000 higher than the median in the city of Waukesha. The village’s price per square foot, though, is lower than the city's, and its median price point is lower than many of the communities to the west near the region’s lakes. “The buyers that I get in Waukesha are often trying to get in as first-time buyers or at a lower price point, but still be close to Lake Country,” says Jennifer Stoehr, a Realtor with the JJ Hausmann Team at Compass, who has worked in the region for more than a decade.
Plenty of parks between the village, the city and the Lake Country
Several parks line the border between the more suburbanized city of Waukesha and Waukesha Village’s rural environment. The most popular is Fox River Park, just over 250 acres of woodlands around its namesake river. Walkers and runners use the paved trails in the summer, while hiking and snowshoeing are popular in the winter. The park has access to its namesake river, where visitors can drop in a kayak or canoe. Minooka Park straddles the border with a sand beach for sunbathing and swimming, plus bike trails and a dog park. The private Legend at Merrill Hills club has golf, tennis and a swimming pool. Over the weekends, residents often head into the nearby Lake Country region, enjoying recreation at the lakeshore or on the water. “I know several people that have boats in their garage and they just come out and launch at Okauchee or Pewaukee,” Stoehr says. “They’re larger lakes, and it’s easier to launch.” Pewaukee Lake is the closer of the two, roughly 10 miles away.
Highly rated schools in the School District of Waukesha
Students in Waukesha Village attend the School District of Waukesha, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. While a handful of schools serve the community, most of the area is zoned to Rose Glen Elementary, which receives an A-minus grade. Les Paul Middle, named after the legendary guitarist who was originally from the area, gets a B rating. A-minus-graded West High offers roughly 25 Advanced Placement courses for its students.
Shopping centers and fast-casual eateries on Sunset Drive in the city
Residents of Waukesha Village can cross into the city of Waukesha for grocery trips, shopping excursions and dining options. A Walmart Supercenter is just across Les Paul Parkway, while Meijer sits off Sunset Drive for groceries. Shopping centers and restaurants cluster on the intersection of Sunset Drive and West Avenue, including the Sunset West development. Down the strip, the Shoppes at Fox River features a Target, T.J. Maxx and Ross. Fast-casual restaurant chains sit nearby, while local favorites include Tally’s Tap and Eatery. Locals head to downtown Waukesha for more restaurants and bars on Main Street.
Events closer to downtown Waukesha
While Waukesha Village is quiet, residents can head to nearby areas for community events. The Waukesha Farmers Market happens weekly during the summer months in the city’s downtown area, while the Waukesha County Fair is held at the county fairgrounds, 6 miles from Waukesha Village. The Retzer Nature Center is adjacent to Waukesha Village and has weekly events, including guided hikes.
Access to the city of Waukesha and Milwaukee
Waukesha Village is mainly south of the larger city of Waukesha. The city’s downtown is roughly 4 miles away, with Les Paul Parkway wrapping around its southern portion near the border between the two municipalities. Residents universally drive to their destinations, as the city’s public transit options don’t reach into the village. Milwaukee is about 20 miles east and is home to the nearest commercial flights at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital has the nearest emergency room, 5 miles from Waukesha Village.
