Relocating to Southeastern Wisconsin

[RubyOrganique]

Hi all,

I've posted before about this when it was more just a thought than a plan. It's becoming more solidified. After many years in the big city, I'm excited but a little nervous about moving to a slower lifestyle.

We're hoping to relocate in the fall to the Milwaukee metro area. Can the mamas in southeastern Wisconsin give me a sense of the natural parenting community there? What about schools: we've heard the public schools aren't what they used to be? Ed alternatives like Waldorf or Montessori?

I think I'm looking to get a sense of the culture as well. I'm sure there is a little of everything, but will a liberal, urban, bfing, cding, home birthing mama be able to find some like minded friends?

What neighborhoods/towns/suburbs would you suggest for such a crunchy family?

Thanks!!

[GISDiva]

There are definitely a good share of like-minded mammas here, especially in certain neighborhoods. My family tends to stick to the city proper and adjacent suburbs, we currently live in Wauwatosa. Maybe not as crunchy as some other areas, but the schools are good. Shorewood is another city that might be attractive to you. If you really want to live in the city itself, the area in Milwaukee called Bayview is uber-crunchy/alternative/hipster/whatever you want to call it. The regular schools are decent I think (someone who lives there would know better). There is a Waldorf school on the East side and the public schools do have a couple of Montessori schools. Again, since I don't live in the city, I don't have direct experience with them, perhaps someone else here does. (Each of these cities/areas has a branch of our great local natural foods co-op now that I think about it!)

In the not-at-all crunchy suburb of Menomonee Falls is the Well-Rounded Maternity Center. They have classes, mom's groups, etc that might help you meet people depending on how old your kids are and whatnot. (My son was born there, it's a free-standing birth center run by a doula and "staffed" by homebirth midwives. It's awesome.)

I hear there is an AP group around, although since I work I never can meet with them, I think they meet during the week. I want to say they are on Yahoo groups...

And I'll be your friend. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know! We really do love it here. The winters can get long, but we make up for it in the summer!

[mom_2_carson]

I'm in Milwaukee, right by the zoo. There aren't too many crunchy mamas around me (at least I haven't met many) but there are some. As far as public schools, Milwaukee Public Schools aren't very good. We were able to get DS into Hawley Environmental, a specialty school within MPS and soon to be a charter school, and we're going to see where that leads us. MPS does have some Montessori schools in the system as well as language immersion schools that I have heard good things about.

[ZanneMom]

I'm in Milwaukee - in the Washington Heights neighborhood by Wauwatosa. I'm debating the school question at the moment myself- the French Immersion School is in the neighborhood, and I've heard raves about it. Friends/relatives of mine have enrolled both in that school, and the public Montessori school which is a few miles from here. I've heard good things about that school as well. I love this neighborhood - there are lots of children, block parties, and its close to everything. Good luck on your move and let me know if you have any other questions.

[RubyOrganique]

Thanks! We're leaving for a visit in a couple days so I'll be checking things out. Can't wait to get out of the city - it sure does get stinky in the hot summer.