Along the shoreline of Lake Michigan and just south of Milwaukee, Oak Creek offers a compromise between natural beauty and urban convenience. "Milwaukee has everything that a normal large city can offer, but what's nice is I can drive 15 minutes in the other direction and reach farm fields," says lifetime resident Peter Schumacher, the President of the Oak Creek Historical Society. The city, which had a population of less than 5,000 residents in 1955, is now one of Milwaukee County's and the state's fastest-growing cities. Over 36,000 people live in Oak Creek, relishing its access to major employers, scenic landscapes and a highly rated school system.
Oak Creek was a farming community until the middle of the 20th century but has rapidly expanded with shopping, dining and employment options. The state's first IKEA, an Amazon fulfillment center, and the Astronautics Corporation of America are in the city. Froedtert Community Hospital – Oak Creek and Aurora Health Center have also contributed to the city's economic and industrial growth.
Oak Creek is next to beautiful Lake Michigan.
The brewer is hard at work everyday making delicious beer at Water Street Brewery in Oak Creek.
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Housing developments expand into the area's farmlands
Growing as fast as it is, Oak Creek must keep up with demand. Houses sell after only 17 days on the market, and new subdivisions continue to pop up in the farmlands that once dominated the city's southern and western ends. "The development I live in was built in the late 90s, and there are some developments that are even newer than that," says Katie Murphy, Realtor at Shorewest Realtors – South Metro. Bungalows, cottages and ranch-style homes outside the subdivisions are smaller and more affordable, while new traditional and Modern Craftsman homes from the past few decades in developments fetch the highest prices. Prices range from $200,000 to $750,000, with a median price of $375,000 – not far from the country's $406,000 median.
There are many different shapes and sizes of homes in Oak Creek.
A modern ranch-style home shines in Oak Creek.
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Buses take students to highly rated schools
Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District is rated an A-minus on Niche, which also names it as a top school district for athletes within the state. Unlike Milwaukee and other surrounding suburban cities, Oak Creek's school district is divided into designated school zones and has a bus system that provides children with rides before and after class. "I'm very happy with the school district, and my daughter is thriving there," Murphy says.
Cedar Hills Elementary is a wonderful public school in Oak Creek, WI.
Oak Creek Performing Arts is located in Oak Creek High School.
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Shopping and events at Drexel Town Square
Restaurants and shops are along some of the main roads of Oak Creek, and Drexel Town Center has the largest assortment of retail and dining options. "The city never really had a downtown until about 20 years ago when they built up Drexel Town Center," Schumacher says. The old industrial site was converted into mixed-use space and now offers a modern take on the concept of an old-fashioned Main Street. Restaurants, apartments and grocers are within walking distance of one another in the main shopping area of an otherwise industry-heavy city. During the summer, Oak Creek pays homage to its agricultural roots by hosting a farmers' market at the town square.
Craft vendors set up booths at the Oak Creek Fall Festival, and visitors who donate a non-perishable food item receive a free pumpkin to decorate. The beer garden is open June through August and has live music and entertainment.
Drexel Town Square is Oak Creeks' newest development filled with much to do.
Opening day of the Oak Creek Farmer's Market is a happy day.
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Outdoor fun during all four seasons
Along the shores of Lake Michigan, residents enjoy the beach, fishing piers and watersports at Lake Vista Park and Bender Park. Inland, parks have sports courts, fields, a skate park and a disc golf course. The Oak Leaf Trail System and Forked Aster Hiking Trail System pass through the city and are enjoyed during all seasons, with biking in the warmer months and cross-country skiing in the winter. "We pride ourselves on having every extreme of all the seasons, with typical winters bringing 40 to 45 inches of snow from late December into March," Schumacher says. Snowfall can come in bursts, as the city experiences lake-effect snowstorms due to its proximity to Lake Michigan. Minor flooding occurs along the small rivers and streams at the southern end.
You never know who you will find driving through Oak Creek.
Oak Creek is right next to lovely Lake Michigan.
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Living in Oak Creek and working elsewhere
Four Milwaukee County Transit System buses run through the city, and those who commute north to Milwaukee along Interstate 41 and Interstate 94 can expect about a 12-mile or 20-minute drive. Murphy says, "Milwaukee is so accessible that it's not necessary to live right next to where you work. Most people are willing to drive 20 to 30 minutes to work – especially since the school system here is so great." Train tracks go through the city but are mostly kept active by freight deliveries. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is just beyond the city's northern reaches, and residents will see and hear regular flights using the north-south runway. An Amtrak train connects the airport and downtown Chicago in a 90-minute-long trip, with seven roundtrips daily.
Important to know
Oak Creek Police Department states in their 2023 yearly report that crime was down 4% overall over 2022. According to FBI crime data, violent crime rates decreased in the period and are well below the national average. While property crimes increased, they sit at a similar rate to the national average, with the police department noting that most are theft-related and happen in the city's retail areas.
There are many reasons why people make a move and The Combs Team knows that it's never just about a house. People move because of where they are on life's journey. Tom & Shannon understand that one of the most important parts of their job is to listen and understand their clients' motivations so that they can provide them with the best personalized service.
Over the last 20 years, The Combs have helped hundreds of people transition to new chapters in their lives. They always make an effort to give people more than they expect, realizing that it's the whole experience that matters and not just the end result.
* Milwaukee Magazine 5-Star Best in Overall Satisfaction Agents - 17x Award Winners * Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists (CLHMS) * Realtors of the Week - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel * RE/MAX Chairman's Club Team Award Recipients * RE/MAX Platinum Team Award Recipients * RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award Recipients * Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES)
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.
