Although the name changed a few times over its history, there was always an amusement park around Little Muskego Lake. This theme park, known as Dandelion Park in its later years, once claimed to have the world's fastest roller coaster. It's around this setting that the city of Muskego grew.
Riding a wooden roller coaster named Tail Spin was once a rite of passage for every resident of Muskego
Although the name changed a few times over its history, there was always an amusement park around Little Muskego Lake. This theme park, known as Dandelion Park in its later years, once claimed to have the world's fastest roller coaster. It's around this setting that the city of Muskego grew.
Riding a wooden roller coaster named Tail Spin was once a rite of passage for every resident of Muskego. Now, only the sign remains. Somehow, that's okay. Life continues. Three lakes are still here to keep everything looking beautiful. For the 24,135 residents of Muskego, all will be just dandy, so long as they can view the sunset against Big Muskego Lake. Sunsets don't get shut down like old roller coasters do, so it's going to take an apocalypse to make things in Muskego less dandy.
Here's a quick question. Which lake is deeper, Big Muskego Lake or Little Muskego Lake? Interestingly, it's Little Muskego Lake. That makes real estate along it more popular. Little Muskego Lake simply has more activities available, such as sailing and water skiing. There's a lot more to learn before you go searching for rental housing. After all, you don't want to end up on the wrong side of the lake with no boat to get back.
It's All about Houses on the Lake
Lakeside houses are golden here. In your search for places to rent in Muskego, you'll soon realize that everybody is vying for those spots, so getting one for yourself can be difficult. Finding a pad a bit removed from the lake shore is much easier; just know that it's still probably a house (nearly 80 percent of housing units here are). If you are dreaming about living on the lake, be open to the idea of buying a place; you'll have a much better chance of finding something for sale than for rent. Roughly 85 percent of housing units in the city are owner-occupied, which is higher than the national average.
You Can Still Get Other Kinds of Housing
You can get whatever you want in Muskego. You can buy land and build a treehouse if that's your thing. Houses just present you with more options. Apartments are the next most common kind of housing, but you won't have nearly the selection you do in nearby Milwaukee. An apartment complex like Overlook Bay Apartments, for example, is a great choice. You're not handcuffed to houses. Muskego still offers you choices, albeit somewhat limited. The town has studio apartments for rent, for instance, but you could nearly count the number of studios with your own fingers. Counting the number of three-bedroom houses for rent, though, requires a lot more fingers.
House Hunting Season
This is important if you plan to rent. Housing gets gobbled up in the summer months as fishing and swimming at the lakes attract fun-seeking folks. Even the soccer fields at Manchester Hill Park will be more crowded then. In fact, once the birds have returned, the housing market will start to chirp a little more. If you do not wish to battle it out for housing, come in the early spring or late fall, when things have yet to start to chirp or have stopped chirping. These times are great because you'll find the most openings and the fewest number of home shoppers. In the summer, you should give yourself three weeks to find a pad and handle the contract. During other times, it will take two weeks at most. It's best to always call ahead and set up a few tours before you arrive. The dropping in is okay, but you'll have more success if you arrange a time to see places beforehand; it simply gives Realtors, staff or landlords more time to prepare for you.
Don't Forget to Inspect
There's a fairly equal mixture of new and old houses in Muskego, and most are in great condition. Regardless of what you get, inspect for problems just to be safe, from leaks with the dishwasher to cracks in the flooring. It's highly likely that you will be leasing from an individual owner and thus won't be dealing with staff. Don't let the previous tenant's hobby of seeing what the sink disposal could chop up come back to bite you.
Getting the Contract Signed
This process is paradise compared to Milwaukee, which means you can get back to riding roller coasters soon. You typically just need to pay the first month's rent, a security deposit and show you can make rent each month. You also may have Realtor fees. Be ready to present your residence history and credit score too, just in case. Staff at managed complexes will want all this information, but chances are you'll be dealing with a landlord. Most landlords in Muskego just want to know that they will get their rent each month.
You don't have a choice. You are going to be living by a lake. The vast majority of housing is near Little Muskego Lake, but you can live near Big Muskego Lake or Lake Denoon if those seem more attractive. It's really your choice. However, if you don't want to live lakeside, you have some options, but you still are going to be close to water. You just won't be able to see any from your living room window.
Durham: Covering a large portion of the city, Durham features Bass Bay, Big Muskego Lake and Muskego Lakes Country Club. There are some houses available in this area.
West Muskego: Lake Denoon, Engel Conservation Area and Muskego Park Hardwoods State Natural Area highlight this side of town. You'll find some houses and apartments here.
Tess Corners: In the northeast section of the city, Tess Corners has Park Arthur and is near Interstate-43, making it perfectly located for those who plan to frequent Milwaukee. There's shopping too for those who give in to retail therapy.
City Center: Near Little Muskego Lake and all the fun, City Center also showcases restaurants, bars and shops. This is far and away the most convenient spot to live. You also have lots of housing choices here.
Cars are necessary, but once you settle down in Muskego, you'll learn that people would boat or water ski to surrounding areas if it was geographically possible. The fact that Little Muskego Lake has the most action is of note. A stranger to town may think the big city of Milwaukee is where you go for fun if you live here, and while that's true on some evenings, the little town of Muskego loves to play. That's evidenced in the town's storied history with theme parks. During summer days, you'll see folks gathered at the lake having a blast. You'll see sports being played at Bluhm Park. If you head to Alpine Lanes of Muskego for a round of bowling, you'll have the chance to meet other residents and enjoy great food. Basse's Country Delight Farm Market buzzes with shoppers coming and going at all hours of the day. If you go for a hayride during Pumpkin Fest, you'll see that this tight-knit community is all about having a good time.
