Servite Woods - Milwaukee, WI

The Servite Woods neighborhood stood as an economic powerhouse of the suburban Milwaukee area from the 1970s to the 1990s, when high-value housing developments and tourism fostered business and opportunity. The popularity of the Northridge Mall and Northridge Plaza, opened in 1973, once catered to visitors from the affluent River Hills neighborhood, but a slow decline has left the mall virtually abandoned since 2003.

Servite Woods does not have its own museums or art galleries, but residents can easily travel to the wealth of acclaimed museums in Milwaukee, such as the Milwaukee Art Museum and The Captain Frederick Pabst Museum. The Old Falls Village Museum in nearby Germantown also offers an informative look into Eastern Wisconsin's History. In addition to several historical buildings and homes representative of the mid 1800s, this museum also conducts a realistic Civil War Encampment every year in July.

With Menomonee Falls and Brown Deer just minutes away, locals can divide their mealtimes between franchises, Americana classic diners, and innovative concept kitchens.

Featuring both American and Chinese dishes in a buffet setting, Buffet City on West Brown Deer Road satisfies multitude of palates. This restaurant also offers seafood and a full-scale salad bar. Make sure to try the Soup of the Day.

For a spicier international selection of authentic Thai dishes, head over to Thai Bangkok. This homely and inviting restaurant brings the most beloved dishes from Bangkok right to West Brown Deer Road, but beware, as Thai Bangkok also allows visitors to experience the true spiciness typical of Thailand. The fried rice with chicken or tofu and the green curry remain the most popular dishes, and regulars also recommend the restaurant's attempts at American foods, such as the crispy chicken wings.

Batzler's Trackside Inn only takes about six minutes by car, traveling east along West Brown Deer Road, but this classic Wisconsin tavern is worth the trip. Featuring an upscale pub menu, the most enduring aspect of this restaurant is its historic railroad designs that transports visitors to the culinary atmosphere of the late 1960s. Locals rave for the Friday Fish Fry and Taco Tuesdays.

Nightlife in Servite Woods is fairly quiet, and locals have to travel outside the neighborhood to find decent Wisconsin-style pubs and lounges. Batzler's Trackside Inn features drink specials every day, ranging from Miller bottles and taps on Mondays to Bloody Mary Sundays.

Have a drink in a classy atmosphere without traveling too far at the Brew City Lounge & Martini Bar. In addition to live DJs and the occasional poetry reading, this bar blends high-octane energy with a sophisticated lounge setting.

Servite Woods residents mostly rely on their cars to get around this moderately dense area. Wisconsin Highway 181 and 180 intersect next to the neighborhood, providing quick and convenient access to other outlying cities and neighborhoods, such as Menominee Falls, Wauwatosa and Bayside. Wisconsin Highway 180 connects residents to Interstate 43 and U.S. Route 41 for longer trips.

The parking lot at the Northridge Plaza serves most visitors to the area, leaving the streets in Servite Woods readily available for free curbside parking. Moderate traffic also makes the streets safe for bicycles, though there are no bicycle lanes. Locals can also walk from their homes when shopping or getting a bite to eat. Since taxis and ride sharing services such as Uber come from Milwaukee and can be quite expensive, locals often use buses and other options on the Milwaukee County Public Transit System when getting around the greater Milwaukee area. Route 87 passes along Servite Drive and picks up residents at any of the several bus stops along this street.

Servite Woods may not have any of its own official parks, but residents can experience sufficient open spaces and recreational activity both in the neighborhood and within walking distance. The housing complexes and residential homes feature expansive yards, ideal for children year-round. The A C Hanson Park to the northeast provides a well-cultivated field and playground equipment for children, while the Fairy Chasm Youth Sports Facility offers basketball courts and baseball fields.

Nearby Northridge Lake enables local fishers to cast a line from the shore in the summer, and when it freezes in the winter, local residents grab their skates for some winter wonderland fun. Regardless of the activity, these parks remain free to the public. Dogs are allowed in these parks, but city ordinances mandate a leash. Head to the Granville Dog Park south of the Dretzka Park Golf Course to let your dog run free without a leash.

Servite Woods locals have a variety of options when looking to play golf. The Dretzka Park Golf Course and the Wisconsin Club are the most popular, though residents can also choose between the Tripoli Golf Club and the North Hills Country Club.

For one of the biggest events in the area, residents often take a trip to Mill Pond Park in Menomonee Falls for the annual Lucky Ducky Derby, which features a massive rubber duck race from the Roosevelt Bridge.

The cost of living in Servite Woods is moderately lower than nearby Milwaukee. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood runs at about $700 a month. Traveling to downtown Milwaukee via public transportation costs about $2.25, and car owners should expect to pay roughly 19 percent less than the national average for gas. A pint of beer at local pubs costs anywhere from $2.50 to $5.

Residents can experience a shopping scene complete with a variety of convenient chain shops. The Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa provides a comprehensive array of premier shopping, dining, and entertainment.

When looking for the high-value and boutique stores, locals often take the seven-mile trip to Menomonee Falls Village Centre. One example of the attractive shops in this area is Chocolate Falls on Main Street. This unique and homely store showcases handmade chocolate items, such as specialty chocolates, brownie pops, and cupcakes, as well as local artwork and artful terrariums.

The Village Centre also proudly hosts the Bank of Memories & Flowers, one of the premier flower and gardening shops in the area. Visitors can always expect fresh flowers year-round along with attractive flower accessories designed by owner Melissa Maas and manager Krista Roskopf. After shopping the many romantic and wedding flower options, make sure to ask about the educational floral design classes as well. Servite Falls residents typically stock up on discounted groceries at the neighborhood ALDI grocery market, although many locals often visit the Walgreens for snacks, frozen foods and other items. Support local businesses by checking out Goody Gourmets, where you can discover a variety of gourmet popcorn.

Residents can also make sure that they get their daily serving of fruits and vegetables at the Schmit's Farm Produce stand in Mequon. This fresh veggie stand does move around a bit between Grafton and Thiensville in the summer months. The Menomonee Falls Village Centre hosts a comprehensive farmers market from May through November.