Greendale is a quiet village outside Milwaukee. It has highly rated schools, a rich tapestry of local businesses and a small but vibrant communal feel. “Greendale is like a Norman Rockwell picturesque community,” says Michelle Campbell, a realtor for Coldwell Banker Realty who has sold homes in the area for 12 years. In the 1930s, a New England architect modeled the village after Rockwell’s aesthetic. People can even visit a statue of the 20th-century painter in front of the village hall. When the Green Bay Packers make it to playoffs, locals place a cheese hat upon Rockwell’s head. “A lot of people who grow up in Greendale come back later in life because it is such a great small community where everyone cares about everybody,” Campbell says.
Affordable single-family homes
Greendale was first developed in 1936 with New Deal funding. But most of the current village’s houses were built within a decade after World War II. Ranch-style homes from the 1950s with three bedrooms and two bathrooms are generally valued between $240,000 and $350,000. Four-bedroom contemporary-style homes are valued between $400,000 and $520,000. The downtown has older homes. Three-bedroom 1930s single-family homes are valued at around $280,000. “Homes don’t stay on the market for long,” Campbell says. “Greendale is charming, it's affordable, and lots of people want to live there.”
Spacious Ranch homes in the Greendale neighborhood.
A large Colonial home in Greendale.
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Highly rated public schools
Many children attend Canterbury Elementary School, with an A Niche rating and a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Greendale Middle School has an A-minus Niche rating and a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Teens can move on to Greendale High School, which has an A Niche rating and a 95% graduation rate. The town is home to one of the country's best high school marching bands. “Greendale High School’s marching band was in the Thanksgiving Parade in New York,” Campbell says. “The whole town came to the school before the band left to cheer them on.”
The entry of Greendale High School.
Parks ideal for athletics
At Root River Parkway, people enjoy archery, disc golf, hiking and sand volleyball. The Rock Sports Complex is home to six major league baseball replica fields. The venue hosts live music events, regional baseball tournaments and local league games. Oak Leaf Trail passes through the grounds and connects hikers and bikers to local parks. Locals visit Scout Lake Park to fish and walk its paved pathway. The community borders Whitnall Park, home to a botanical garden, 220 acres of protected land called the Wehr Nature Center and a section of Oak Leaf Trail. Whitnall also has an 18-hole championship golf course.
The Root River Parkway offers a quick escape to nature.
Local restaurants and big-box retail
Folks travel to Greendale’s historic downtown to dine on burgers and wings at Panther Pub & Eatery, a popular sports bar. They grab coffee and pastries at Dia Café on their way to work. Gift of Wings sells kites and ice cream. Collectors buy and sell sports memorabilia and vintage toys at Price’s Collectibles. Serendipity Boutique Marketplace is a good spot for local artists to market their creations. Locals purchase groceries at Sendik’s Fresh2GO. Southridge Mall draws shoppers from inside and outside of Greendale with its massive retail selection. Its offerings include TJ Maxx, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, JCPenney and many others. Residents travel a mile north to Southridge to watch new films at Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex, where they can have pizza and popcorn delivered to their seats.
Shopping is right around the corner from Greendale.
Community holiday events
Many businesses in Historic Downtown Greendale participate in a storefront decorating contest. The village also holds celebrations for the major holidays. For example, the village comes together yearly for a Charles Dickens-themed holiday event where people dress in Victorian costumes and perform “A Christmas Carol” in 12 minutes. The event also allows residents to take horse-drawn carriage rides and write letters to Santa. Greendale Public Library is a fundamental community cornerstone and often hosts events like toddler story time and even an anime club. “A lot of people who grew up in Greendale come back later in life because it is such a great small community where everyone cares about everybody,” Campbell says.
Holiday decor is everywhere in Greendale.
Holiday workers unloading Christmas trees at Gazebo Park in Greendale.
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Getting around town
“The area is very walkable. You can walk to the library, and you can walk to the grocery store and kids walk to school,” Campbell says. Some people commute 13 miles northeast via Loomis Road to Milwaukee. The Milwaukee County Transit System transports residents of Greendale to Milwaukee's downtown. Folks also travel to Milwaukee to access General Mitchell International Airport.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
