City Center
Century-old homes in an active and diverse community
The City of West Allis was built around industrial corridors and manufacturing companies in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leaving behind bungalows, Cape Cods and workers' cottages from that era. Nearly 150 years later, the neighborhood’s population is diverse. "There are lifers, and there are new waves of people moving in," Aaron Kreel says. "Young people are coming for affordable homes, and medical professionals are renting apartments to be near hospitals and medical centers." Houses sell between $130,000 and $330,000, with duplexes at the higher end. The median price for a single-family home in the neighborhood is $240,000 – about $150,000 less than the national median. "We didn't know anything about the area when we moved in," he says. "We picked out the house because it was affordable. We got the best bang for our buck here."Shopping local is easy with nearby restaurants and shops
West Greenfield Avenue has restaurants, bars, bakeries and specialty shops, all within a short walk of the neighborhood. All Goods opened in 2019 as the first vintage T-shirt shop in Wisconsin. The business has a large social media following and loyal customers who travel long distances to visit the store. "At least once a month, we're getting people in the shop from different states," says Ali Acevedo, the owner. Wisconsin winters are cold and snowy, so residents are eager to get outside when the weather is nice. "So many places have outdoor seating in the summer now," says Kelly Kreel, City Center resident and wife of Aaron Kreel. "It's a new thing: to get people outside into the streets during the evening." Some restaurants have made outdoor seating spaces by overtaking parking spots out front, while South 72nd Street between Greenfield Avenue and Washington Street is closed to traffic and filled with picnic tables. Nearby shopping plazas have big-box stores and grocers, but many residents get fresh produce weekly at the West Allis Farmers Market.Within walking distance of the city's largest events and attractions
West Greenfield Avenue closes for events, including a car show, holiday parades and West Allis a La Carte, a foodie event held in June. Every business in the city is invited to participate in the event, selling their wares and food in a celebration of West Allis' growing food scene. The event is not only about food — there’s a kids' zone, a bingo tent for seniors and "Animal Alley," where adoption and foster groups set up. Wisconsin State Fair Park and Milwaukee Mile, the oldest operating motor raceway in the world, are a short walk from City Center. "The racetrack is the sound of the summer," Kelly Kreel says. "You can hear the sound all around the city."Buses, bike lanes and interstates are around the neighborhood
City Center is the most walkable neighborhood in West Allis thanks to ample sidewalks, nearby stores and grocers. West Greenfield and West National avenues are two busy main roads that go through the neighborhood. They have designated bike lanes, street parking and bus stops. Interstates 94, 41 and 43 are close to the city, with Interstate 94 onramps only 1 mile north. Downtown Milwaukee is less than 7 miles away, and, according to Kelly Kreel, "We're close enough to downtown Milwaukee to have access to everything, but far away enough not to have the same crime or traffic." Aurora West Allis Medical Center is the nearest hospital and a large employer. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 10 miles away.Gathering with the community at parks within walking distance
"City Center is about as dense as West Allis gets," Aaron Kreel says. "We don't have a park because we're so developed, but there are a few within a short walk of every house." Veterans Memorial Park is the nearest and has a playground, fitness court and large grassy area. On four Thursdays throughout the summer, locals set up picnic blankets and chairs on the grass to watch local bands. The summer concert series features local musicians and food from restaurant pop-ups or food trucks. Liberty Heights Park has tennis courts, basketball courts and a baseball diamond a little farther east. A new pavilion is under construction in the park. It will feature a kitchen area, community room, restrooms and an outdoor picnic space.Elementary and high school attendance is determined by address
Depending on which side of South 72nd Street they live on, students attend either Jefferson Elementary School or Horace Mann Elementary School, which are rated C-plus and C by Niche, respectively. All students attend middle school at West Milwaukee Intermediate School, which is rated C. High school attendance is also determined by location, and students learn at B-minus-rated Nathan Hale High School or Central High School, which is rated C-plus.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Kim Bollmann
Coldwell Banker Realty
(877) 237-1185
47 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$180,000 Price
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Level Up Team*
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee Southwest
(877) 719-1467
253 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$250,000 Price
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Beth Jaworski
Shorewest Realtors, Inc.
(414) 348-4391
255 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$337,000 Price
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Jennifer Luna
Luna Listings
(414) 296-6804
92 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$115,000 Price
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William Lauer
Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee North Shore
(414) 667-6897
102 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$249,000 Price
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RM
Roxanne Martens
Responds QuicklyBoardwalk Realty LLC
(414) 360-8854
18 Total Sales
1 in City Center
$415,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | City Center | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 4 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 5 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
Larceny | 5 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
City Center Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in City Center, West Allis sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in City Center, West Allis over the last 12 months is $367,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Some 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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