White Manor - Milwaukee, WI

The southern region of Milwaukee boomed after World War II, as soldiers returned to start families and settle down. During the rush period, neighborhoods such as White Manor saw a hundred houses spring up each day.

One of the area’s institutions, the American Serb Hall, began its cultural life during this time. Functioning as a communal events center, the hall hosts local weddings, birthdays and charity parties. Weekly events include Friday fish fries and bingo games. The hall also contains a bowling center for family entertainment and recreational leagues.

While White Manor’s art scene pales in comparison to that of downtown Milwaukee, nearby galleries and performing art schools provide residents with introductory level events and exhibits. Practice painting and jewelry making at Art ‘n Oddities or watch a musical production at Pitman Theater.

The largely residential blocks of White Manor offer a small variety of dining venues, including fast food options such as Subway and Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza. More choices are found along the busy avenues that border the neighborhood, including a favorite corner taco truck and family owned Mexican restaurant. Jen Bo Chinese Restaurant, connected to a neighborhood gas station, may not wow with its ambiance but does with attentive customer service. Owners remember "the usual" orders of regulars, such as the popular General Tso dinner combo. Dine in or order takeout at this local favorite.

For more menu choices, head to Forest Home Avenue, where the Brass Key Restaurant serves moderately priced meals of massive proportions. Though they call themselves a seafood kitchen, the Key's reputation rests on hearty, diner-style breakfasts and traditional Greek dishes. Vegetables and herbs grown out front to add fresh flavor to such popular plates as the build-your-own omelet and spinach pie.

Also on Forest Home Avenue, Maria's Pizza serves a thin crust pie that goes head-to-head with modern pizzerias, backed by 30-plus years of traditional Italian cooking. The sit-down restaurant welcomes families and groups with red-checked table cloths and vintage colored glass pendant lights over the tables. Bring cash and pick a flavor from the locally made Black Bear sodas while you wait in line.

Quiet White Manor has few watering holes, but residents like Una Cafe, also on Forest Home Avenue, for its friendly vibe and eclectic selection of indie music. Several blocks away in neighboring Honey Creek Manor, locals come to Merry’s Tavern to relax over brews with friends or hold the next Fantasy Football draft. McCarty Park Sports Pub & Grill keeps up a Milwaukee tradition with its Friday fish fry and 2-for-1 happy hours.

Most residents walk and bike comfortably around the neighborhood, but Wisconsin’s weather extremes necessitate private vehicles and public transportation. The Milwaukee County Transit System services the neighborhood with two routes: 51 runs east-west along W Oklahoma Ave., intersecting with 14 to connect passengers with downtown Milwaukee. The trip takes about 1 hour, with buses departing every 20 to 30 minutes.

Hop in your car and shorten the journey downtown to 16 minutes using Interstate 90. This major roadway can be reached with a 2 mile drive up 60th Street. Prefer not to drive? Hail one of the city’s taxis or utilize Uber.

Parking is hassle free thanks to White Manor’s few shops and eateries, each providing ample lot space. Though the neighborhood has no official bike lanes, cyclists label the surrounding roads “preferred” routes, because they contain low vehicle traffic and connect to other streets for a continuous circuit. Pedal onto Forest Home Avenue’s bike lane toward city center, or meander along the paved and municipal trail of nearby Kinnickinnic Parkway.

White Manor has no park of its own; luckily, residents are mere blocks away from the winding Kinnickinnic River Parkway and expansive acres of Jackson Park.

Follow the green banks of the Kinnickinnic River into the park, where nature lovers explore trails around a 7 acre lake and nap in the native grass. Families can picnic, splash around the community pool or climb across the playground. Though large in size, Jackson Park remains quiet during weekdays and weekends – so you can always claim one of its three tennis courts for a quick match.

Dogs are welcome but should remain on-leash in marked areas. Cyclists tired of lapping the lake can take the municipal trail, which cuts through the park, into downtown Milwaukee.

Every summer, a parade marks the park’s 4th of July festival. The community gathers to cheer on locally-sponsored floats, followed by storytelling and children’s games, food and friendly neighborhood competitions such as a doll and buggy race.

The cost of living in White Manor is about 10 percent higher than the city average. While goods and services cost roughly the same, housing prices run higher here. Expect to pay at least $702 a month for a one-bedroom unit rental.

A single ride bus pass costs $2.25, or you can pay $5 for a full day ticket. Fill up your car with fuel and pay approximately 11 percent less than the national average for gas. A pint at the local pub costs $4.50 to $6, while a dinner for one will set you back $15-plus per plate.

Unless you’re in need of house paints, a satellite dish or Tylenol, White Manor contains few retail outlets catering to everyday life in the neighborhood. Luckily, a string of stores along W Oklahoma Ave. cover shoppers' basic and more elaborate needs.

Of the two musical stores near White Manor, Rockhaus gains local respect with new and used instruments of commendable quality. Staff are quick to offer suggestions or keep an eye out for a requested part. They also provide repair services and instrument sourcing. Specialties include guitar and percussion related items. Can’t play? Sign up for private lessons.

Find regional goodies and Wisconsin-themed knickknacks at The Gift Box in West Allis. From local candies and coffee to kid's clothing, flower arrangements and jewelry, this place is a handicrafts heaven. Check out the seasonal room for holiday decorations and gift ideas.

When it comes to groceries, residents choose between international retailer, Aldi, and the independently-owned El Rey Family Market. Besides selling imported and packaged Latin American goods, the supermarket also features special European sections with items for the local German and Polish communities. Try El Rey’s freshly baked deserts and made-to-order tamales. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, head to their larger branch on 35th Street.

The nearest farmer’s market occurs at the Jackson Park boathouse in Jackson Park. Running through the summer season, this market draws crowds to its fresh produce, homemade condiments and dairy stalls.