Milwaukee Apartments and Rentals

Milwaukee, like Chicago, graces the shores of Lake Michigan. Otherwise, these two cities are of faint comparison. Where Chi-Town is lousy with tourists, Milwaukee suits those who buy local and know their neighbors. Chicago may be bigger and busier, but Brew City doesn't mind. It's happy kicking back with a handcrafted beer. So rent yourself a Milwaukee apartment, raise your glass, and find out just how welcoming Wisconsin culture can be.

The modern city of Milwaukee was born in 1846 out of three separate settlements-that's why the street grids don't quite mesh in places. Immigrants have long loved this Wisconsin city. The first waves of them came from Germany and Poland, and in large numbers too. Then it was successive waves of Europeans, African Americans, Latinos, and other transplants. Ethnic enclaves are still common, although they're just as likely to be Hmong as German these days. Because different groups each staked out their own turf, Milwaukee remains relatively racially segregated for a modern American city.

To get a sense of what life in Milwaukee is like, take a tour through its colorful neighborhoods. The East Side calls out to college grads and it's popular for its bars and lounges. Whitefish Bay works better for families with good schools, active neighbors, and local shops. The Historic Third Ward has benefitted from redevelopment lately, becoming a nexus for artists, foodies, and style-mavens.

For a long time, Milwaukee was the number one beer-producing city in the world. Now three of the original four big brewers have left town and only Miller Brewing Company remains. That's okay though; brewing is still big business. Milwaukee has jobs in health care, tourism, and manufacturing as well. Service and managerial segments of the local job market are also strong. Major firms operating in Milwaukee include Northwestern Mutual, Kohl's, Johnson Controls, and Manpower Inc. Harley-Davidson is another favorite son of the city.

Milwaukee isn't the education destination Madison is, but there are good schools to choose from in town. Area universities include Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary College, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

If it's a Milwaukee apartment that you're after, you should expect to pay around $886 a month in rent for a two-bedroom place. In general, the cost of living in Milwaukee is less than the national average. The vacancy rate is around eight percent, which is a little higher than normal.

Making the most of free time in Brew City is an easy assignment. You can catch a Brewers, Bucks, or Admirals game, depending on the season. There are samples to enjoy after the Lakefront Brewery tour, but no such luck following your visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum. There's the Pabst Mansion if you're into historic homes, or the Milwaukee Art Museum if you want fine art combined with futuristic architecture. Brewpubs and breweries are still a crucial part of Milwaukee culture.

Special events are a point of pride for Milwaukee residents. Summerfest is the largest music festival in the world, attracting over 700 bands for eleven days of concerts each year. The Firkin Craft Beer Festival is the perfect place to pick your favorite pint-admission includes all the samples you can handle. The Lakefront Kite Festivals are fun for the family. Indian Summer honors local Native American culture. And if none of those sound perfect to you, no problem. There's a festival practically every summer weekend at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee.

Let Rent.com® do the legwork and you'll soon be settled in the perfect Milwaukee apartment. Look through our listings we'll help you find the right rental.