Bridget Gallagher

How long have you lived in Milwaukee and what brought you here?
I’ve lived here for almost 10 years now.  I transferred into college at UW-Milwaukee and never left!


Was there a point where you decided this was the city you wanted to live in?
Growing up in Lake Geneva, Milwaukee never seemed like the most desirable place to go.  Everyone wants to escape to Chicago.  I think I decided it was the place for me after my junior year in college.  I distinctly remember wanting to show off “my city” to my friends and family that still didn’t love Milwaukee.  I couldn’t wait to change their minds.  And I’d like to think I succeeded in that endeavor.

Do you see this as a good city for young people?
Milwaukee is a great city for young people.  It affords young people with plenty of opportunity to get involved.  While Milwaukee has some fantastic companies that can attract young talent, I think the city does a great job of reminding you that your job isn’t everything.  It’s what you do when you’re not at work that I judge a city on.  If you’re not feeling any sort of connection to your community, than there is no reason to stay.

What neighborhood do you live in and what do you like about it?
I live on the East Side. I love it.  I have a view of the lake, I can walk to work and have any food selection I want at any time of the day.  I’m never at a loss for things to do – obviously, in the summer, I can walk to any nearby festival or outdoor music event, but what I really love are the winters nights that don’t get enough credit.  I can go out on a snowy night and sled down Lafayette Hill and act like a kid, I can help a neighbor shovel their car out and then go grab a beer with them.  It’s a friendly place to be.

What have you seen in other cities that you’d like to see in Milwaukee?
More public art!  I see it starting, but I would love to see much much, more.  I want Banksy to have a reason to come tag Milwaukee!

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Milwaukee?
I dream of better public transportation one day!  But other than that, I’d love to see a better connection between one very specific part of the city; basically, from the convention center up to the courthouse.  That part of the city, which includes the public library and museum, should be vibrant and instead it feels run down and disconnected.