St. Francis was originally called the "Town of Lake."
With a population of only 9,365 and a land area of just 2
St. Francis was originally called the "Town of Lake."
With a population of only 9,365 and a land area of just 2.53 square miles, St. Francis, Wisconsin is the smallest incorporated town in the County of Milwaukee. Originally known as the Town of Lake, the then treasurer and clerk, Fred J. Schoendorf and Henry Rajchel, petitioned to have the town incorporated. Milwaukee was growing at a very fast pace, and the town was afraid it was going to be swallowed up into the city! The citizens got together and made sure that didn't happen, however, and today it remains very much its own independent town. You'll find wide open fields stretching out for miles, long, meandering streets dappled with pretty farmhouses and gorgeous views of the river! It's a small town with a lot to offer and plenty of little conveniences. It's no wonder the population is expected to continue growing over the years to come!
Located so near the big Beer Town, St. Francis does not have too much industry of its own. Most of the residents commute to Milwaukee or one of the other nearby cities for work. So, chances are that if you are planning to move to this historic town, you will be moving to get away from the fast pace of city life to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle and probably not because of your job.
The biggest advantage of living in St. Francis and working in Milwaukee is that you will have more money in your pocket. The cost of living and housing prices are much lower, yet you still get to enjoy the salary of the big city. The average household income of residents is almost twice the national average and rental prices are still somewhat low, though they are slowly rising.
Renting a house or apartment is more difficult these days, as well. Although the rent prices are very reasonable in St. Francis, you still need an above average credit score and a good paying job. Many of the glorious apartment buildings are located just a few steps from the beach! What could be better than that? Imagine waking up to the sight of beautiful Lake Michigan every morning! Or strolling along the beach under a moonlit sky. It's a lifestyle that many people desire, so you will have some competition when looking for an apartment here. Don't let that deter you, though! Start asking around and contacting different landlords about viewing apartments around town. When you head to your appointments, be sure to bring along all the documents that you're going to need in order to apply for a rental. This includes a copy of your ID, your credit report, bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, referrals and anything else your landlord might request. That way you'll be able to apply for an apartment right away and not risk the chance of losing a place while you scuttle around and get all the paperwork together! You'll also want to bring your checkbook just in case you see a place so great that you'll want to put a deposit down on it right away. Don't be overeager though. Sometimes we get so excited about a new home that you jump on something and overlook its flaws, only to end up a bit disappointed later on! Just be sure to look at apartments objectively and to ask a lot of questions and you'll end up in a great home!
Since the town is less than three square miles, you can easily traverse St. Francis on foot or by bike. In fact, aside from entering or leaving the city, you will rarely see a car on the streets, except for the downtown district. When you visit the area to check out your new home, you can easily walk to your appointments. This will give you the opportunity to really get to know the town, stop by a little cafe for a coffee and bite to eat, and soak up the local flavor! Here are some areas you may want to look into when house shopping.
Howard Village: This little retirement community is almost like a town of its own. Residents here can enjoy the company of other seniors in assisted or independent living apartments. If retirement is the reason for moving to St. Francis, make sure to put this place on your list of homes to visit.
South Lake Drive: These waterfront properties offer a glorious view of the lake. The homes are immaculate and very reasonably priced. But, you have to hurry! These places do not stay on the market for too long.
Lake Parkway: Lake Parkway is the main vein highway that runs right through the center of town. Living near the highway means its pretty easy to get in and out of town and you're also near a number of great restaurants, like Dobbie's and the St. Francis Brewery. It's also close to the Mitchell AIrport Park, which is a great place to relax in the sunshine.
Making the choice to live in St. Francis, Wisconsin is one that you are not likely to regret. From the glorious views of the lake to the seemingly endless miles of bike trails, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fabulous outdoor adventures. With low house prices and a booming economy, the town is the ideal location for anyone wishing to escape the hectic lifestyle of a big city. Whether you are planning to start kindergarten or retirement, you will feel right at home in this quaint little city by the Lake.
