by Ellie Reischl

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 14, 2009

The phrase "for sale" consists of two small words that, in this day and age, can evoke two very opposite emotions in people. The expression can strike fear and dread into hearts of the unlucky due to the impending sale or worse, foreclosure, of their home. For the lucky, these two words joined with the city of Milwaukee might as well be translated into "jackpot."

Located on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and a sensory smorgasbord. When the wind is just right the city smells of yeast from the many breweries and the sound of a rogue Harley Davidson is never out of hearing range. Sobleman's hamburgers will tickle the taste buds. A blend of both historic and modern buildings has built the downtown and given Milwaukee a unique feel, while the bronze Fonz statue on the Riverwalk is a sight for sore eyes.

There are many house hunting opportunities to be had within Milwaukee and the best place to start is by finding the neighborhood that is a Cinderella fit. Here are four neighborhoods on each side of Milwaukee that may give the house hunter a fairy tale ending.

TOSA VILLAGE

Single family Cape Cod homes make Tosa Village, on Milwaukee's north side, an inviting place to set up a permanent residence for anyone. This hilly part of town feels like an entirely different city and is surrounded by one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. The Underwood Creek Parkway which is great for exercising and taking a breather from the city is nearby and Mayfair Mall, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee County Zoo are right around the corner.

BAY VIEW

This quiet area of Milwaukee is a starter home Mecca. Located just south of downtown and bordered on the east by Lake Michigan, Bay view offers friendly neighborhoods dotted with city parks. Single family, bungalow or town homes are the trend in this area. Walk to the beach or find funky pieces for the new home at the South Shore Frolic Festival of Arts during the summer.

"THE "FASHIONABLE EAST SIDE

This side of town is a delicate marriage between students and the wealthy. The Upper East Side is a majority of student housing being that it is blocks from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Here, a house hunter will find large, Victorian-style, three and four bedroom duplexes that come with the opportunity to earn an income renting a flat out to students. Intertwined with the student housing are large (up to six bedrooms) single family homes. Bradford Beach and Lake Park are within walking distance and are good places to soak up the sun and Milwaukee.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

Located on the west side with houses varying from English Tudors to Spanish Stucco, Washington Heights is a neighborhood that showcases old world charm. With bungalows lined on boulevards and back yards worthy of bare footing, this area of town is family friendly. Nearby is Washington Park, an oasis within the big city. Some of the houses here are in foreclosure, but in this locale a lower price tag will not take away from the high value of the area.

Milwaukee, from north to south, east to west, is a great place to live. Whether looking for a small starter ranch or a Victorian on the banks of Lake Michigan, the brew city brings something to the table for everyone, no matter what direction they are coming from.

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