Fans of the television show "Community" will want to stop by Brown Deer on their next trip to the Great Lakes, as Dan Harmon, executive producer of the NBC show, makes his home here among the conifers.
Famous for its artistic community, spirit of volunteering and gorgeous landscape, the village of Brown Deer in Wisconsin is clearly a wonderful place to lay down roots
Fans of the television show "Community" will want to stop by Brown Deer on their next trip to the Great Lakes, as Dan Harmon, executive producer of the NBC show, makes his home here among the conifers.
Famous for its artistic community, spirit of volunteering and gorgeous landscape, the village of Brown Deer in Wisconsin is clearly a wonderful place to lay down roots. In addition to well-attended community events, from seasonal races to holiday parties, and an "aw, shucks" neighborly attitude, the residents also happily enjoy a plethora of folksy local businesses, from tasty restaurants to wine tasting shops, that encourage conviviality amongst the natives. People are thrilled to live here, and it shows. Plus, despite having a feeling of being away from it all in its own hidden Midwest paradise, Brown Deer is delightfully close to big city fun, with Milwaukee just a brief car ride away. And don't forget, Lake Michigan offers endless entertainment when the weather turns warm. Yeah, Brown Deer is a little slice of heaven between the right and left coasts.
Every village, town, city and metropolis has some essential rules for newbies moving successfully, and Brown Deer is no exception. Finding places for rent in Brown Deer shouldn't be overly taxing like in some high-population bustling city centers, because it's none of those things, obviously. You'll find a broad selection of housing options, from the typical one- or two-bedroom apartment for rent to townhouses to condos for rent. Lake views, tree views, easy highway access...you name it, it's here. That's not to say you shouldn't be prepared for some things. Make sure the heating system is top notch, and covered or underground parking is pretty much a must-have. Plus, the usual rental property will require a sizable deposit in addition to first month's rent. But it helps to know crime is low, as is cost of living. Just make sure you pack plenty of warm winter clothing. If you're not used to Wisconsin winters, you may want to spend a little time researching that.
Wisconsin has a reputation for lush open space and, well, cheese. But while Brown Deer has plenty of green areas, it's still a fairly suburban spot, albeit one with a sampling of enticing entertainment options. The fact is, it's got a rich assortment of amenities, gorgeous outdoor opportunities and a welcoming community. It's hard to beat this location for a residence, so why not pack up and head over now?
With only 12,000 residents, give or take, there aren't typical neighborhoods to consider when moving here. Instead, you can choose one side of town or the other. Here are the main differences.
To the Left: More homes and fewer amenities on this side. It's a bit quieter, with bigger backyards. But the mix of homes and rentals is still quite reasonable. Situated in the north is the Northridge Lake, a great place for recreation. There's also easy access to 100 and 181 highways.
To the Right: Shopping malls, the downtown area and even a TV studio is on this end of town. There's quick access to Highway 57, and the Tripoli Golf Club is in the southern section. In fact, there are several close golf courses on the east side, so swingers should head here.
There's never a shortage of entertainment in Brown Deer, as long as you enjoy the clean, fresh air of the rural outdoors. Big, bushy trees, lapping lake water and rugged trails greet natives and visitors alike who seek out Mother Nature for a refreshing taste of exterior recreation. Sure, the winter can put a damper on some of the fun, but snow flurries mean snowball fights, sledding and ice skating. And who would dare turn down freshly made hot chocolate from a neighbor? People take care of each other in deerland, and you can count on having a social calendar bursting with heartwarming, feel good activities year round.
Even if you're more Grinch than Cindy Lou Who about the outdoors, you can find various delights under roofs as well. Wine tasting at Otto's Wine Cask, shopping 'til you drop at the local mall and investigating some seriously intriguing dive bars are just a few of the enticements that coax out even the most antisocial residents with their siren songs. When in doubt, head to Milwaukee and boogie at local clubs, add some wrinkles to your brain at the museums and art galleries or try the latest pastry sensation by taking a weekend in Chicago.
Wisconsin Winters
Or, just keep reading this article. With an average summer high of 70 degrees and an average winter low of 29, you can bet things get pretty chilly come the holidays. Expect those chills to drop down to 10 degrees or lower fairly regularly, so having an ample supply of mittens and ear warmers is a must. Whatever you do, try not to move here in winter. It's not an impossible task, but the sludge and snow do make navigating that dining set a little more exhausting. Of course summers are beautifully sunny and lovely, but humidity and bugs can be a pain. Invest in swimsuits and Citronella and you'll make it. The thing is, people are grateful for the nice days, no matter what month they show their faces. So being prepared for any weather means you're ready and able to make the most of every season, just like the locals do. After all, "bad" weather is just an excuse to host a marathon movie night courtesy of Netflix and your preferred brand of microwave popcorn.
Cartopia
While it's a little more than a stone's throw from Chi-Town, Brown Deer does not offer a great selection of public transportation options. This is the Midwest, kiddo, and if you somehow surmised it would be anything like New York City and its labyrinth of subways and buses, you were sorely mistaken. Head to your local car dealer right away to buy, rent or lease a vehicle.
Of course, depending on where you plant your living room couch, you may be able to run a few errands from time to time without grabbing the car keys first. The WalkScore for Brown Deer is a middling 63, so a gas station or coffee shop is probably within walking distance, you know, in the warmer months. Chances are you're not packing on six layers of wool and fleece to pick up of six-pack of Coca Cola on a whim in the dead of January on foot or even by bike. But you do you, buddy.
