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We highly encourage our AmeriCorps members to secure housing and move prior to the first day of service to allow you to focus on building relationships with your teammates, immersing yourself in training and adjusting to your new neighborhood before the school year begins.

When to start looking

You will want to be in Milwaukee by the end of July, so consider looking for leases that begin on the first of July or mid-July if possible. Many landlords require 90 days’ notice from tenants if they are going to renew, so you could find available listings as early as April. We recommend starting your search as soon as possible to give yourself some peace of mind and time for planning and budgeting long before your first day!

Deciding where to live

Milwaukee is often referred to as “a city of neighborhoods.” There are many different neighborhoods that make up Milwaukee that each have their own distinct personalities. Since you will not know which school you will serve before you arrive, it is recommended to check out the multiple neighborhoods that make up Milwaukee and pick one that feels right for you.

The following neighborhoods are popular among AmeriCorps members:

• Riverwest
• The East Side
• Bay View
• Washington Heights
• Brewer’s Hill
• Avenues West
• Walker’s Point

Milwaukee is easily navigable by car, so if you will be bringing a car with you, you will likely have a very manageable commute no matter which school you will be placed. Please be sure to consider availability of on-street and off-street parking while you’re looking for housing. If you will not be bringing a car, keep in mind proximity to bus routes as you look for housing.

Finding roommates

To keep living costs down and stretch your stipend further, we strongly encourage you to live with roommates. Use the ��ɫ��Ƶ Milwaukee confirmed corps member Slack channel to begin connecting with other people you will be serving with. We will also send out a housing survey to anyone looking for roommates, so you can see who else is interested in living together and start to determine compatibility and begin to build relationships with other AmeriCorps members! While it is possible to live alone in a studio or one bedroom apartment on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Milwaukee stipend, it is much harder to find options that are within a price range that would fit your budget. Finding one or two roommates will help stretch your dollar, build community, and open the door to many more affordable housing options.

Budgeting for housing

Members find housing through online posting sites, word of mouth and sometimes on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Slack group (current members advertising their apartments). Postings should outline who to contact to learn more about the property, costs and lease terms. While it is your responsibility to find your own housing, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Service Year Adviser for assistance if you have questions or run into any roadblocks. When renting an apartment, ask about the following fees as they frequently apply:

• Security deposit – typically one month’s rent, returned at the end of the lease if the property’s condition is maintained
• First month’s rent – typically due upon signing of the lease agreement
• Last month’s rent – may be requested upon signing of the lease agreement

Some utilities are included in the price of rent, so be sure to ask your landlord. When viewing apartments, most landlords or current tenants will gladly tell you the average price of utilities, so don’t be afraid to ask. It is also helpful to ask what utilities the house uses, such as gas or electric heat. Some units and buildings include laundry, for free or a cost, while others are located near laundromats. Be sure to consider the cost of utilities (if not included in rent) on top of the monthly rent when determining if an apartment is within your price range.