Relocating to Twin Cities...Where should I live????

[s8hanse1]

My wife and I and our 6 month old are looking to relocate to the twin cities.
Probably going to rent, would like an area where we can take an evening walk.
My brother lives in Vadnais Heights and I'll be working just outside downtown Minneapolis.

Any thoughts????

Thanks DUers.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Vadnais Heights is a nice area, but it's suburban, so no sidewalks.

I don't know much about the rental market there. If you want to be closer to downtown Minneapolis, the area around the lakes (Harriet and Calhoun) is very nice, lots of parks and paths to walk and bike. There are also a lot of apartments, mostly pretty decent ones, in that part of town. It's also very convenient to just about everything.

[HopeFor2006]

2. I moved to St Louis Park 2 years ago and I love it

A very progressive community with great schools and close to downtown.

[dflprincess]

3. As well as being the boyhood home of Al Franken

and the Coen brothers (is it something in the water?).

[HopeFor2006]

4. That too!

:hi:

[trotsky]

8. Our first home was in St. Louis Park.

A great inner-ring suburb - close to everything, nice affordable homes, good schools, a very nice city. I can highly recommend it too.

[lavndrblue]

5. We could use more

Democrats in the 6th district.............Michele Bachmann territory.

[Mnpaul]

6. You know what is surprising?

When going through the ballots on the Trib website, I found a ballot in which someone voted for Al Franken and Michele Bachmann. I'm guessing someone wasn't paying attention.

[Randomthought]

7. Lots of nice rentals

in my area SW Minneapolis. Access to lakes and Minnehaha walking and biking path.
Express bus to downtown and the university.
I see for rent signs on duplexes as I walk around.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

9. " ...working just outside downtown Minneapolis." Where?

It makes a big difference in terms of time spent stuck in Twin Cities' rush hour if you are planning to drive to and from work.

I've lived in Los Angeles and Seattle before coming back here eight years ago - two metros well known for traffic and congestion - and from my experience I will say our own under-funded and poorly-planned metro freeway/highway system is in their league in terms of time spent on the road during rush hour traffic.

Just my experience. But worth considering when figuring out where to live if you think you'll be driving and doing so during typical rush hours.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. And although our bus system is mediocre, some neighborhoods

have better bus service than others. This will be something to check--whether the neighborhoods you are considering have good bus service to your workplace.

[question everything]

20. Or, which side of a river?

When we lived in Portland, OR, where the Willamette River cuts the city in the middle, we were advised to live on the same side as we worked. Those bridges could get treacherous.

[geardaddy]

10. Uptown

Anywhere from Franklin Ave. to 36th St. and E. Calhoun Blvd and Lyndale. The rental market is great right now. You can get a two-bedroom with a sunroom for around $1000/month.

[MinneapolisMatt]

12. I live in Uptown

near Lake Calhoun (around Colfax/34th) and LOVE IT. Great bus lines that zip you directly downtown.

My building is great, about 6 blocks from Lake Calhoun, and very affordable. Under $900/mo for a two bed / one bath approx 900 sq.ft.

Like others have said, if you can be more specific about where your job is, that would help.

-Matt

[geardaddy]

15. How do, neighbor!

:hi:

[Pierre.Suave]

16. As do I now

and I love it.

Great area to live.

[geardaddy]

19. Welcome jasonc!

So, where are you drinking in Uptown?

[Pierre.Suave]

22. Thats a good question

I have not really had an opportunity yet to spend too much time looking for a good spot.

I tried Calhoun Square a few weekends ago and both Figlio and The Independent were WAY TOO CROWDED.

got any good recommendations?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Have you tried Amazing Thailand near the old Suburban World Theater?

I've never gone drinking there, just for lunch, but they seem to have a nice bar with a big TV screen.

[Pierre.Suave]

24. I have eaten there before

never drank there.

I did notice they had really slow service.

[s8hanse1]

13. Thanks Everyone!

Thanks for all your help suggesting places to live.

The area where I'd be working is on Lowry Ave N, on the western bank of the Mississippi.

Thanks again.

[kikiek]

25. By chance at the hospital in Robbindale?

[qb]

14. NE Minneapolis has some nice neighborhoods and it would be an easy commute.

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. And "Nordeast" is less expensive than some other areas

:thumbsup:

[cynthia]

18. Bryn Mawr is nice

You could find a nice spot in the area of Penn Ave north of 394 (the name of the neighborhood is Bryn Mawr), where Wirth Park would be just a short walk from home (think cross-country skiing, hiking, wildflower gardens, birdwatching), and getting to and from work would not require traveling on any of the highways. It's a quick bike ride to Cedar Lake which is the best swimming lake in the city by far (spring fed, so it is cleaner)

Nordeast (Minnesotan for Northeast Minneapolis) is affordable, but alas, no lakes.

[goodhue]

21. Uptown in Minneapolis

Great place to live and walk around lakes. NE Minneapolis also good if you prefer walks to bars.