The Best Small Town In Wisconsin For Seniors

One of the nicest towns for seniors in the Great Lakes region is Wauwatosa. Located not far from Lake Michigan and directly west of Milwaukee, the city of Wauwatosa enjoys a convenient position with easy access to Milwaukee's amenities. However, Wauwatosa itself has just what it takes to keep seniors happy. Its extensive senior support services promote community and friendships. Meanwhile, dining and shopping spots are plentiful. If you are a senior moving to Wisconsin, consider Wauwatosa for these five reasons.

Healthcare and Senior Support

One of the benefits for seniors living in Wauwatosa is living in the larger Milwaukee County, with the city of Milwaukee close by. Healthcare resources are plentiful in the area, with hospitals like Froedtert Hospital providing care around the clock. Seniors can also enjoy. The Wauwatosa School District also organizes events for seniors, hoping to connect them with others in the area. Events include game days, lunch programs, trips to the movies, and more. There's also a program that allows seniors to spend 30 minutes to 2 hours a week in school libraries, reading with students and providing an encouraging, positive presence.

Dining

There are plenty of places to dine around Wauwatosa. Along North Avenue, you can have a casual bite to eat at Midtown Grill, where buffalo rolls, French toast, and burritos are just a few of the items served. Closer to the medical center, you can find Eddie Martini's for something more upscale. Steak and seafood are on the menu, along with martinis, in an environment reminiscent of a 1940s supper club. You can also enjoy dining along the Menomonee River at nearby Café Hollander Tosa Village. The views of the river are lovely, of course, but guests flock here for the Belgian beers and the European café vibe that make it so popular.

Shopping

Shopping is very convenient, with Mayfair Mall located in the northern part of town. This shopping complex has all the usual destinations, like Barnes & Noble for your latest read or Macy's for expanding your wardrobe. If you are grocery shopping, a Whole Foods Market is located just north of the mall, right across from a Meijer, another chain retail store that sells groceries, apparel, and electronics. There is also a small shopping complex, the Promenade Shopping Center, located south of the Mayfair. Like many shopping centers, the Promenade offers a diverse selection. There's a FedEx Office, a nail salon, and a Mexican restaurant within feet of each other. Wimmer Photography is also located along this strip, providing photos for family and business portraits as needed.

Entertainment

In a city like Wauwatosa, there is no shortage of things to do for fun. Golfers can find Blue Mound Golf & Country Club adjacent to Mayfair Mall. This private club includes an 18-hole course and has operated for over 100 years. Besides the golf course, seniors can enjoy time at any one of the numerous parks in and around Wauwatosa. Moss Universal Park (formerly called Wisconsin Avenue Park) sits along the aptly named Wisconsin Avenue and offers up a peaceful green space. Although smaller, this park is favored by families and local community members.

A unique outdoor destination in the area is Sanctuary Woods. This hardwood forest covers the grounds that once belonged to a 19th-century mental health hospital. If you want to enjoy a walk outdoors, you will find some unusual remnants of the grounds, like the 6-foot-tall stone dolphin urn and a stone porch left over from those older days. You can also find the Milwaukee County Zoo just south of the Froedtert Tosa Health Center. The zoo spans 190 acres and features over 340 species, including apes, pandas, seals, and birds. The zoo places a heavy emphasis on its conservation efforts and also positions itself as a strong community contributor through its Family Free Days.

Nearby Towns

Whitefish Bay is just 20 minutes north of Wauwatosa and enjoys a lovely position right along Lake Michigan. Whitefish Bay is a community-oriented town that offers shopping and dining along Silver Spring Drive. Yellow Wood offers outdoor gear perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors. Guests who are visiting to enjoy lake views may instead head to Big Bay Park. However, other parks like Klode Park also sit along the water.

Of course, being so close to Milwaukee, you may want to head into the city. Milwaukee is known as a brewing city, and some tours discuss the brewing industry's role in the area. The Miller Brewery Tour is one of the most notable. The Miller brand is among the largest in the United States, with now over 170 years of brewing history. Guests can enjoy some brews before learning more about the brewing process. More traditional museums, such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, are also available. The Art Museum is particularly notable for its large collection of Georgia O'Keeffe artwork, but it is also famous for its unique architecture and location along the lake.

Senior Living Near Milwaukee

As a senior in Wauwatosa, you will have all the conveniences you need available right around you. The town is close enough to Milwaukee that you can always head into the city for anything you need. Yet you will also be surrounded by shopping and dining locales situated right next to entertaining destinations, like the Milwaukee County Zoo. If you are a senior coming to Wisconsin, then Wauwatosa may be the perfect place for you to call home.