Anne-
Welcome to Wisconsin. I'm sure you'll find an area that you will fall in love with.
Have fun with your search!

Thank you Karen and Jeff for your response. Very helpful. Sorry didn't respond earlier, but in Milwaukee now and looking at areas. Thanks again!

Anne,
as a lifetime Wisconsin resident I can concur that our property taxes do seem to be higher than many areas of the country. Sometimes that is a bit of "sticker shock" for people relocating here.
As Jeff said - Wauwatosa has many lovely neighborhoods, and people who have grown up here, moved aways,tend to come back. (My husband's family is 3rd generation Wauwatosa residents - we ended up coming back as "empty nesters" too. You have quite a bit to choose from in the $300-$400 range in Wauwatosa.
Otherwise- Brookfield and Elm Grove both are only minutes away, and Elm Grove is a small village tucked just west of Wauwatosa. Brookfield offers some nice size lots, with varying choices of architecture. The Brookfield City Center has lots of shops for dining, relaxing (coffee shops), groceries and the library.
If you want to go a little farther - New Berlin, Menomonee Falls - in Waukesha County. Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Greendale (a wonderful small-town atmosphere). If you don't mind a little more drive you might consider Delafield (but that would be about 20-30 minute commute west of Wauwatosa (but easy from I-94).
I have links to the City Websites for Brookfield, Elm Grove, & Wauwatosa on my Trulia profile page if you want to research some more.
All the Best to you and Welcome to Wisconsin!

Hello,

The first place I'd suggest is Wauwatosa, it has everything on your wish list and is closest to Children's Hospital. Next on the list would be Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and Bayview. All are in Milwaukee County.

If lower taxes are your goal, you will most likely be trading off the walking to shops etc, but Eastern Waukesha county would be a good place to start - Brookfield, Elm Grove, New Berlin, Muskego, Menomonee Falls etc. They are definitely lower in taxes but also somewhat more spread out. Your $300-$400K also will buy you more home in those areas than in Wauwatosa, Shorewood etc.

Since Children's is so accessible to the freeway, you could move farther out - most people seem to go West or North. You can get pretty far out and still have a less than 30 minute commute.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have more questions - I am here to help. I'd also be happy to send you one of our relocation kits if you like.

Jeff Gramins
jgramins@firstweber.com
262.754.6680