Dousman, WI

Dousman is a quiet village of around 2,500 people in western Waukesha County, about 35 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. Originally founded as a nineteenth-century railroad stop nicknamed Bullfrog Station, the community has kept its relaxed, small-town feel. The old rail line has been converted into the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, giving residents a scenic path right through town for walking, running, and biking past nearby lakes and rolling Kettle Moraine hills.

Families often look at Dousman because of the strong Kettle Moraine School District, which operates an elementary and middle school in town. A handful of local eateries, corner shops, and neighborhood parks cover the daily essentials, with larger stores and medical centers just a short drive away in Oconomowoc and Waukesha. The village also hosts the annual Dousman Derby Days and Wisconsin State Frog Jump, a long-running summer festival that reflects the town's welcoming, down-to-earth personality.