Lindsay Park - Milwaukee, WI

The original inhabitants of present day Milwaukee were Native American tribes. French traders and missionaries were the first Europeans to travel through the area. It was a French trader who established a trading post here in 1785. Milwaukee continued to expand and diversify in the 20th century.

Lindsay Park remains a residential neighborhood, but residents have easy access to all the culture the city has to offer. Art lovers appreciate the Milwaukee Art Museum, and for plays there's the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. The city hosts the annual Wisconsin State Fair and Oktoberfest remains a popular annual event thanks to Milwaukee’s strong German heritage.

While restaurants within the borders of Lindsay Park proper are not plentiful, residents don’t have to travel far to find good dining and nightlife spots. Locals love Mykonos Family Restaurant, located right on the neighborhood's southern edge. This diner, who some lovingly refer to as a “greasy spoon,” is a classic American Greek restaurant that’s heavy on the American side with fried chicken and fish and house specialties of meatloaf and breaded veal cutlet. Mykonos' menu also features Mexican, Italian and Greek cuisine. Chinese Chef gets rave reviews from locals who love their shrimp fried rice and black pepper chicken. The service is always friendly with dine-in, take out and delivery being good bets for quick service and awesome food.

The Corner Pub lives up to expectations as a place to hangout and enjoy a good selection of craft beer. It’s just a short walk south of Lindsay Park’s southern border. At the Corner Pub drink specials entice folks in the door and a good jukebox keeps them there. The staff is friendly and serve good pub food with choices of pizza, sandwiches and appetizers.

For nightlife and live music options, residents take a short trip southeast to downtown Milwaukee. A popular choice for rock music is The Rave/Eagles Club which regularly hosts national touring acts in multiple rooms to accommodate various crowd sizes. A trip from Lindsay Park east towards Lake Michigan takes jazz and blues enthusiasts to the Jazz Estate, which features live music nearly every night of the week.

Milwaukee has many cab options serving its neighborhoods, but for a taxi in Lindsay Park, its best to phone for service. Uber ride sharing remains an option for intercity travel as well. Public transportation comes courtesy of the Milwaukee County Transit system, which runs bus routes throughout the area. Walking and biking in the neighborhood provide healthy travel options. While relatively safe, caution should be exercised on busier streets. Free parking can be found on residential streets, though residents do need to heed street signs prohibiting parking on certain days, or according to the amount of snow on the ground. US Route 41, which runs through the neighborhood's northwest corner, can be taken north to Fond du Lac or Kettle Moraine State Forest. US 41 can also be used for access to Interstate 94 for trips south to Chicago or West to Madison or to link up with I43 for a trip north along Lake Michigan to the city of Green Bay.

Lindsay Park is a county-run green space that's free and open to the public. The park features a softball diamond, picnic area and cricket pitch, which you don’t find in many parks in Wisconsin. A tot lot and wading pool can occupy the kids here while parents relax.

The Menomonee River Parkway stretches north and south along the Menomonee River to the west of Lindsay Park. There are several miles of green space that end in Curie Park where golfers enjoy the 18-hole public course. A section of the 116 mile Oak Leaf Trail runs through the parkway, providing residents options for biking, hiking, jogging and rollerblading for short or long stretches.

The Currie Park Dog Park provides dog owners a fantastic open area to exercise their pets with plenty of space for off-leash romping in the well-groomed grass and wooded areas.

Summerfest continues to be a huge draw to Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee. Every year this 11 day music festival commences with hundreds of bands, thousands of fans and plenty of food and beverages for hungry and thirsty music lovers.

The overall cost of living in Lindsay Park sits just below the national average. While groceries are less expensive, utilities and transportation sit just a bit above. Residents find housing cheaper in Milwaukee than in nearby Madison, and the median cost of a one bedroom apartment is about $625. A beer costs $3 for a can or bottle of domestic and a draught pint or bottle of import costs about $4.50. A bus trip to downtown Milwaukee costs $2.25, but discounted fares are available for seniors and children under 12 years old. The price of gas hovers around 5 percent less than the national average.

Mayfair Mall, in nearby Wauwatosa, offers a good selection of retail outlets to satisfy the needs of Lindsay Park residents. For men with more refined tastes, The Art of Shaving is the place to find top-quality razors, brushes, aftershaves, skin bracers and complete shaving sets. Women appreciate Claire’s wide selection of hair and beauty products, jewelry and accessories. Urban Laundry, in nearby Wauwatosa, provides another option for women's clothing and accessories with a good selection of brands that run from affordable to more upscale.

For groceries in Lindsay Park residents visit Pacific Produce. This Asian-style food store features a selection of seafood so fresh customers choose their fish right from the tank. Baked goods and produce selections impress here as well. To stock up on the basics, Sentry Food Stores features good deals on everyday food items from canned goods to frozen dinners.

The Brown Deer Farmer’s Market commences every Wednesday from May to October in the West Brown Deer Road and 66th Street parking lot. Produce and other goods fresh from the farm are available in this bustling outdoor market.