Below is information to help you plan your move to or within Milwaukee. Whether you are relocating from across the country or just across town, you will benefit greatly if you have a budget and housing plan in place well before service begins.

City Year highly encourages members to secure housing and move prior to the first day of service to allow you to focus on building relationships with your teammates, immerse yourself in training, and adjust to your new neighborhood before the school year begins.

We recommend beginning your roommate search soon after accepting your offer to serve, and looking for housing three months before you want your lease to begin.

HOUSING FAQs

How much should I spend on rent?

We recommend spending no more than $550 per month. Finding housing in the $300 to $500 range in Milwaukee is quite doable, especially for AmeriCorps members who choose to have roommates.

I want to live near my school. Where will I serve?

City Year Milwaukee currently serves thirteen Milwaukee Public Schools. Within the first few weeks of service, you will receive more information about our partner schools and complete a survey with your preferences of where you would like to serve. City Year Milwaukee will take into account where you live in Milwaukee when choosing where to place you.

Am I required to live with other City Year members?

There are no specific housing requirements. You can choose to live wherever you wish, with whoever you choose. The majority of AmeriCorps member live with other corps members but you’re welcome to live with family members, friends, AmeriCorps members from other programs, etc.

If you're looking for City Year roommates, check back here soon for the link to the roommate survey. In the meantime, be sure to join the Facebook group to find other AmeriCorps members who are looking for roommates.

I don’t know Milwaukee well. Where should I look for housing?

Take a look at this interactive map from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee that shows all the neighborhoods of our city!

RECOMMENDED NEIGHBORHOODS

The map below outlines common neighborhoods in relationship to our current partner schools. Historically, a lot of AmeriCorps members have lived in the East Side neighborhood because they didn't know their regional placement ahead of time. If you won't have a car during service, checking nearby bus lines and possible commute times is recommended! Please review the housing manual below for more information.

INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS AMERICORPS MEMBERS

What neighborhood do you live in?

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How much do you pay in _______?

  • Rent: average of $450

  • Utilities: average of $60*

*most corps members apply for and receive energy assistance during the winter months

Who do you live with?

How did you find your housing?

  • Craiglist

  • Rent.com

  • Apartments.com

  • CYMKE Facebook group

  • Through a friend

What challenges did you face in finding or securing housing?

"Relocating can be expensive with security deposit and first month's rent. Make sure to save some money up before service."

"I think the biggest challenge for me was being unfamiliar with the neighborhoods and layout of Milwaukee. Choosing the East Side happened to work out very well for me, but I don't think I knew what I was looking for when I was searching for housing."

"Affordability."

"Finding a pet friendly home."

"Knowing locations to actually look for housing in Milwaukee."

What advice do you have for incoming members?

"The more roommates you have, the cheaper it will be. Living alone is expensive and will cost way more."

"It is more important to be centrally located than close to the school you serve. If you do not have a car, it is vital that you are near strong public transit. Milwaukee is pretty small, so you can get anywhere from downtown in about 10-15 minutes. Location Location Location!"

"Be open, and understand that your first choice(s) may not be where you end up."

"I stayed in an Airbnb for 3 weeks until I found a place."

"I found it helpful to live with fellow corps members because it was people that understood what you were going through. It was like having a built in support network. On the other hand it is easy to feel like your life is filled with City Year, especially if you are new to the city and are trying to build a community."

"Don't live anywhere were you have to pay more than $500."

"Parking and transportation are probably the most important aspects. You can live in a subpar place for a year but if you can't get around it will be miserable."

HOUSING MANUAL

Whether already here or moving to Milwaukee from across the country, locating affordable housing is an important first step. Our Housing Manual provides information about MKE's many distinct neighborhoods, a suggested timeline, and other helpful tips to make moving go smoothly.