If you talk to outsiders about Milwaukee, you’ll probably get mixed feelings. Some love it, some know nothing of it, and some just know that we eat a lot of cheese. The thing is, we do eat a lot of cheese, but Milwaukee is so much more than that. Here are 10 reasons a Milwaukeean would never call anywhere else “home.”

1. Our lake makes everything better.
Elvis Kennedy / Flickr
It's easy to forget how great it is living on a lake—a great lake, at that. Whether you're on a boat in the summer, or simply enjoying the fact that the lake protects us from harsh weather, living here wouldn't be the same without it. Lake Michigan gives our city life that other cities just can't compare to.
2. We embrace summer to the absolute fullest.
Gideon Tsang / Flickr
Our winters might be rough at times, but we always make up for it in the summer. We're one little city that is full of outdoor activities, and summertime is when the city truly comes to life. Whether you're enjoying a meal on a patio, attending a street festival, or hiking an inner-city trail: there's nothing in the world like a Milwaukee summer.
3. Speaking of summer, there is always a festival to go to.
Edward David / Flickr
If you Google "City of Festivals," almost all of your results will be from Milwaukee. There is always a festival going on here, and it typically embraces diverse cultures. Cream City just can't stop celebrating.
4. Living here will undoubtedly spoil you with good music.
Marcus Metropolis / Flickr
Most of the world knows that we're home to Summerfest: the world's largest music festival. What's lesser-known is that our music scene is really on the move. You can go to nearly any bar, any night, and you'll find quality local live music.
5. Milwaukeeans have a lot of pride in their city.
Milwaukeehome / Facebook
Not only is this an amazing place to live, everyone here knows it. Local businesses and entrepreneurs are constantly boasting in how great Milwaukee is. The community is strong and constantly trying to improve the city—whether it's environmentally, socially, or otherwise. It gives you pride to be from a place doing such great things, and truly putting their heart into it.
6. Our food culture will curb your hunger every time.
Wayne / Flickr
We're known for beer and cheese, which is great and all, but our food culture is absolutely booming. We have plenty of local restaurants popping up all the time, and the artisan chefs within them are dedicated to giving Milwaukee a new food reputation.
7. Yes, we do drink really good beer.
Augie Ray / Flickr
Brew City is (obviously) known for its brews, and it's certainly for a good reason. Any day, any time of year, you can find a great bar with excellent beer on tap. We're truly spoiled with quality and quantities of good brews, and you can always find a Milwaukeean willing to share a cheers.
8. Our sports teams will always bring us together.
tyle_r / Flickr
No one in Milwaukee will ever hate on our sports teams. Whether it's the Packers, Brewers, or Bucks, one thing we can always agree on is that we have the best teams (and even better fans).
9. Art is everywhere, and it's community-driven.
Peter L / Flickr
MKE is full of talent and culture. There's always an initiative to bring each other together through art, and it's only making our city more beautiful.
10. The people of Milwaukee are family.
brian.abeling / Flickr
Our city sometimes gets a bad rep for negative things that happen here, but at the end of the day, you'll never find better people than Milwaukeeans. We all help each other out, and it truly feels like one big family.

What makes you feel at home? What do you love most about Milwaukee? Let us know in the comments below.

Make yourself at home in MKE and check out the best places to live here.

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