Wauwatosa, nicknamed "Tosa," is Milwaukee's friendly, diverse and activity-packed neighbor to the west. While this city of about 48,000 is close to downtown Milwaukee, locals can find well-rated schools, green spaces and a bustling shopping scene without leaving Wauwatosa's limits. Historic homes and a community-based spirit have earned it the moniker "City of Homes," and active commercial, retail and industrial areas with painted murals on the side of buildings juxtapose the residential areas nicely.
Blended suburban and city living is possible in Wauwatosa, where activity and architecture are so similar to Milwaukee's west side that the only way to tell which city is which is by the street signs – green in Milwaukee and blue in Wauwatosa.
Take a relaxing stroll by the river in Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa.
The Village in Wauwatosa has a bustling shopping scene.
Vibrant murals add to Wauwatosa's charm.
Homes in Wauwatosa are typically historic.
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Home to Milwaukee County's Regional Medical Center
More than 55,000 people outside Wauwatosa commute to the city's largely commercial western half. Healthcare and education are significant industries because of Milwaukee County's Regional Medical Center. In addition to prominent hospitals, the center is home to the Medical College of Wisconsin. "We have so many medical professionals, including new residency students, moving here every year," says Beth Jaworski, a Realtor at Shorewest Realtors. Harley-Davidson and Briggs & Stratton have large plants in the city, and those working in Waukesha or Milwaukee have short commutes along city roads or Interstate 41.
Downtown Milwaukee is 6 miles east, and eight Milwaukee County Transit bus lines serve the area. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 15 miles southeast.
Miles of bike paths, shared lanes and designated lanes are in the works to increase the city's bike accessibility. The city has a 9.5-mile-long cycling loop with 16 bike-sharing stations along its path. Sidewalks are plentiful, especially in the residential eastern half. "It makes it easy to navigate your way through all the different neighborhoods that we have," says city of Wauwatosa Tourism Specialist Beth Gleesing. "It is a very community-based place to live."
Milwaukee County's Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa employs and educates many in WI.
Harley Davidson employs thousands in Wauwatosa and Milwaukee.
Town of Lake is directly across the street from Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport.
Hop on your bike and hit the Hank Aaron Trail from Fairview Park to Wauwatosa.
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Milwaukee's early architecture leaks into Wauwatosa
Homes are from the late 1800s to 1970s and range in price from $150,000 to $1.2 million. "You can see the development transition as you move west through the city," Jaworski says. "The houses on the east came first and have charming original features like wood floors and stained-glass windows." Development moved west of the industrial area towards bigger lots and styles from the 1950s to the late '70s. Bungalows, Cape Cods and simple Victorian cottages are among the oldest and least expensive homes. Larger architectural styles, such as Colonial Revivals, Tudors and Mediterranean Revivals, usually fetch the highest prices to match their size.
The median household income in Wauwatosa is $22,000 higher than the national average, and the median price of homes is $380,000 – $26,000 less than the national median of $406,000. Homes sell typically after two weeks on the market, and prices are down 1% from the previous year.
Sidewalks are plentiful in Wauwatosa, making it ideal for a afternoon stroll.
Wauwatosa has many unique four square design homes.
The homes in Wauwatosa are unique and beautiful.
Wauwatosa has many beautiful homes along the Menomonee River.
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Moving back to the city for Wauwatosa School District schools
Wauwatosa School District is rated A-minus by Niche. It operates traditional neighborhood schools, a STEM school and a Montessori school. "A lot of people who grew up here and went away for college or work end up coming back here when they decide to start a family with kids of their own," Jaworski says. East High is known for its historic athletics program, while West High's public policy and theater programs are nationally renowned. There is no school bus service, but nearly every residence is within walking distance of an elementary school. "Families just get up and walk their kids to school in the morning," Gleesing says.
There are a few Catholic and Lutheran private school options. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has a congregation of 300 families and was designed in the '60s by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Young Wauwatosa residents can attend Washington Elementary.
Wauwatosa East High School is a well-rated public school in Wauwatosa.
Longellow Middle School is a great option for Wauwatosa students.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is a famous Frank Lloyd Wright design located in Wauwatosa.
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Sports and events along the Menomonee River
Many of the city's parks, including Hart Park, line the Menomonee River. More than just a haven for the athletic type, Hart Park hosts events such as Tosa Tonight, a free summer concert series at the Rotary Performance Pavilion. Three golf courses are also along the river's banks.
Light flooding occurs around the river. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that Wauwatosa gets an average of 39.5 inches of snow annually. Three months have below-freezing daily mean temperatures, and days in the summer rarely exceed the low 80s. "We truly do have four seasons here," Jaworski says. "In the winter, we go ice skating, cross-country skiing and sledding on some big hills."
Hart Park in Wauwatosa is a perfect place for picnics.
Hart Park in Wauwatosa has an awesome, new skate park.
Wauwatosa's Currie Park Golf Course is a great place to unwind.
Bring your dancing shoes to Hoyt Park Beer Garden in Wauwatosa.
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European inspired shopping in The Village
Highway 100 is the area's thoroughfare with national chains, grocery stores and the Mayfair Mall. However, two smaller shopping centers with locally owned shops and restaurants receive plenty of attention from residents. "Tosa is very big on shopping small and local. We want to shop there, and we want to support them," Jaworski says.
Wauwatosa's historic district, The Village, showcases stone buildings reflecting eras of European history and open-air patios. The weekly farmers' market in the summer has live music in The Village, and Christkindl Markt & European Holiday Festival occurs throughout December. TosaFest lets residents support local businesses, watch musical performances and drink at the beer garden on the second weekend of September each year.
Stores and restaurants are along West North Avenue in 'East Tosa,' as Gleesing calls it, and "Locals dine their way down the street."
Wauwatosa is a safe and fun place to grow up.
Cheers to the Hoyt Park Beer Garden in Wauwatosa.
Find all the fresh produce at the Farmer's Market in Wauwatosa.
The holidays bring festive events to Tosa like the Christkindle Market and the Holiday Train
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Important to know
According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, property and violent crimes in Wauwatosa decreased slightly from 2022 to 2023. The FBI reports that violent offenses in Wauwatosa regularly occur at a rate well below the national average. Property crimes, however, occur at a higher rate than the national average.
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