This past week, I was able to rediscover the city I've called home for the past four years. I always talk about where I'm moving next, leaving Wisconsin behind, but there's always something in the back of my mind that says, "You really don't want to leave, because you love Milwaukee."
For those who know this city, and for those who don't, here are seven reasons why I love the city of Milwaukee:
1. The Size
In my personal opinion, Milwaukee is a perfectly-sized city. I've visited other cities like Chicago and New York City and felt extremely overwhelmed. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is neither too big nor too crowded. It has a big city vibe while still having a personal feel, which is something that I love. We have a great community sense despite it being bigger than a "small town."
2. The People
It's true that Midwesterners are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Milwaukee, like any other place you'll visit, is not all gumdrops and rainbows, but we tend to have a pretty friendly population. There aren't many places that I know of where you can walk down the street, make eye contact with a stranger, and smile or say, "Hello." Sporting events, nights out on the town, or at one of our festivals is no exception.
3. The History
The city of Milwaukee has a great history where it had its beginnings in 1846, and has continued to grow into what it is today. The Historic Third Ward is one of my favorite places to explore, and we still have many buildings that are from the city's earlier years. Our nickname is "Brew City," and it's been really interesting to learn about the history about the breweries here. The jokes about Wisconsinites always have something to do with beer and cheese, but in reality, those two tasty delicacies have truly helped our city thrive.
4. The Diversity
One of the things that I love about Milwaukee is our diverse population, and how much it has opened my eyes to the world. I've met all different kinds of people in Milwaukee, of all skin colors, religious background, and sexual orientation, and I couldn't have experienced that in the small town I grew up in. Milwaukee is a great city to explore and meet all kinds of people who are willing to hear what you have to say, and are more than willing to tell you their own story. Diversity is so important in life in order to understand other walks of life, even if it's not your own.
5. The Food
Probably one of the best parts of our city is all the great restaurants that are filled with fantastic foods. Since we eat a lot of cheese here, there are a lot of amazing dishes you can try. Sobelmans, Cafe Benelux, and the Milwaukee Public Market are just a few places that I love to grab a bite to eat.
6. The festivities.
Especially during the summer, Milwaukee is the place to be with all the things to do. Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world, is an obvious given, but there is so much else to do that happens throughout the summer and even the year. Jazz in the Park, Chill on the Hill, Newaukee Night Market, Bastille Days, MAM After Dark, and MKE Night Hikes are just a few events that are cheap, fun, and will give you memories to last a lifetime.
7. The Views
With views like this, how could you not love Milwaukee?
