Want to move to St. Paul...

[here_is_to_hope]

Anyone care to talk me out of it?
We have been on the Coast of Oregon for years but we are looking for a new experience. We don't plan on staying more than a year or two, both of us can work any job that comes up and we will live in anything from a van to an abandoned wharehouse (though we plan to rent something).

Funkiest neighborhood in St. Paul?
Any alt. type neighborhoods?

We will be there sometime in August we think...

Pro's?
Con's?

Stay here and starve instead?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's cold here and there's lots of snow.

But there are some really nice and/or interesting neighborhoods. You might check out the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood -- there are a lot of interesting restaurants, including a Tibetan place that has yak meat on the menu. Go a little farther east, you'll find F. Scott Fitzgerald's place in another interesting, recently gentrified (and probably now expensive) area of old houses and townhouses near the Cathedral. It's convenient and close to downtown. I've lived in St. Paul and/or Minneapolis most of my life, and I really like it here. As long as you stay out of the suburbs it's pretty liberal.

[Angry Dragon]

2. What do you not like about Oregon??

Was thinking about moving there

[here_is_to_hope]

4. We like it here on the Coast

but the rain and the elderly are getting to us and we would like some new experiences for our daughter (and us too). I have spent a few days here and there in St. Paul, liked it as a City. We have lived in Montana so we don't really mind the cold. We are going to list a housing swap and see if any one in St. Paul or close by wants to trade abodes for a bit.

We are not looking to go to the suburbs, more of a downtown/inner city kind of family.

[Angry Dragon]

5. Okay

I have spent time in Oregon and found the high desert, the waterfalls, and the coast so much different than here in Minnesota

[here_is_to_hope]

6. Oh yes it is but

We don't have much in the way of diversity or the Arts...or music...or ethnic foods...or young people...or culture...you get the idea.
We live in Coos Bay, about 2 miles from the beach, nice area for some things, Nature and what not but like I said, not much else here.

[MineralMan]

3. I live in Saint Paul. It's a great city, full of interesting people and

places. Rents are reasonable here, but you're not going to find much free shelter, and you definitely need shelter in the winter. Jobs are tight, though. If you're working in Oregon, I suggest you stay there until the economy improves. Even though Saint Paul is a friendly city, it's unforgiving if you're down and out.

Lots of funky neighborhoods here. Lots of alternative lifestyles here, too, especially near our several colleges. Still...it's not easy being here without some funds or a job.

[here_is_to_hope]

7. We make do pretty well

Both of us are jack of all trades, from trucking to real estate, stringed instrument restoration to teaching traditional belly dance, we have skills we can use anywhere.
We are after some diversity and some arts and St. Paul seems to fit the bill.
We will keep our house here and rent it out, rent something there for maybe a year, perhaps longer if we like it.
But we want downtown though and I see it's pretty lofty in costs, we refuse to live outside of the loop though so we may have to get creative.

Our little girl is very interested in the Theatre and St. Paul has a vibrant scene that way. I play 9 instruments and the wanted section on CL is huge for band members wanted. Crystal has her own Dance Troupe here so she would form another one there.
Work is just work, anywhere.
Oh, St. Paul beat out Omaha and Memphis for us.
I know, Omaha...lolz.

[MineralMan]

8. C'mon out, then. Sounds like you have the skills to deal.

You don't have to be downtown. In fact, there are several districts that are all about the arts that aren't so spendy. Downtown St. Paul is not where it's happening, anyhow. They roll up the streets there about 8 P.M. Grand Avenue area, Selby, and some of the other areas are livelier. We have great public transportation, too. As in most cities, a few blocks off the main streets and rents are lower, but you're still right there.

Check out www.citypages.com and blogs.citypages.com. It's a little heavy on Minneapolis, but covers Saint Paul, too. You'll find tons of info there.

If you have any questions about specific neighborhoods, just let me know, and I'll do my best.

[mnSky]

9. Minnesota Is nice during the summer and fall

If you like cold and snow (7 degrees today and several feet of snow on the ground) then you will love Minnesota. It will be very different than Oregon as Minnesota is land locked so no ocean but lots of lakes, very little in the way of real mountains (so no views of the cascades like mountains or Mt. Hood, it is also very religious compared to the coastal US (almost everyone is some type of religious person that involves jesus) and there is a passive aggressive quality to Minnesotans (hey its true at least own the negative along with the good)...and some of the worse drives I've ever been on the road with (I've lived in LA and NY!) and lacks adequate transit unless you live on the light rail.

The positive is very nice summers (with some really eventful storms/tornadoes, usually beautiful summers, lakes everywhere (and mosquitoes too). Lots of local music and in the summer some big name music, and the arts are strong here.

Van living in the winter time wouldn't be recommended as people can and do freeze here without shelter and hear.The cost of living is probably comparable to the Oregon coast with the exception that you need more heat and clothing to get by here. A year or two here would be a great experience as it's hard to explain the Minnesota experience, but beware...statistically if you live a year in Minnesota, you won't leave (can't say why,,,just the way it is)...

Hope the clamming is good, love the Oregan coast area by Venice...and miss the salt air.

[Generic Brad]

10. Come on to St Paul! There's room for you

Alternative, funky neighborhoods, huh? You might like the Grand Avenue area or somewhere close to Dinkytown. I personally have a thing for the Como area although I don't live there.

[glinda]

11. Can you even find affordable rent near Dinkytown? Students I thought took up most of that.

[dpbrown]

13. Isn't Dinkytown in Minneapolis?

It seems to be the University of Minnesota neighborhood.

[glinda]

15. It is.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Lots of rundown apartment buildings and houses near Dinkytown

I'd live in the East Hennepin area, near Hennepin and University, but not in Dinkytown itself.

(These are both in Minneapolis, by the way.)

[glinda]

16. You live in the gentrified area then? Real estate prices are high

in and near Dinkytown. I grew up there. Born in that area.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. No, I don't live in the East Hennepin area

I live in Southwest Minneapolis.

I just think that East Hennepin would be a great place to live for someone who wants to drive as little as possible (me, for instance), everything either within walking distance or available by frequent bus service in several directions.

[glinda]

19. It is pretty upscale since I worked with the City Council, State Senator and City Planner to

make a plan for renovation/Arts/preservation of that area. I know some houses further up towards NE just outside of there are still reasonable though. But you are right, it is a great area and ideal to live in if one can afford it.

[dpbrown]

12. Saint Paul is awesome

I live in St. Paul, and enjoy it. While a little old to be a complete source on the funky neighborhoods, I'd say that Lowertown in St. Paul, around the old Union Depot has lofts and such in old warehouses that seem to cater to an artsy crowd. The St. Paul Farmer's Market, Meers Park where the "Music in Meers Park" runs every summer and fall, and a few funky coffee-type bars are all nearby. Though St. Paul is generally seen as more staid than the "urban hipster incorporated™" image of Minneapolis, I find the less frenetic pace refreshing. I actually think there are some funkster niches along W. 7th St., up on the east side, across the river around the heavily Latino W. St. Paul and Cherokee Park neighborhoods, so if you look around, I'm sure you'll find something you're looking for. But if you're looking for an urban St. Paul experience, you might want to check out Lowertown.

[here_is_to_hope]

18. Thanks for the post!

Exactly what I wanted to know, we have found a wharehouse for rent near downtown and we are making plans with the owner. It's been empty for a while but it's doable with a bit of rehab.
Any one want to come and live on the Coast of Oregon for a year?
Cheap rent!
Thanks ya'll!

[geardaddy]

20. urban hipster incorporated™" image of Minneapolis

What utter twaddle. St. Paul has plenty of urban hipsters.

edited to add: Although I live in Minneapolis, I think St. Paul is a very nice place.

[here_is_to_hope]

22. Lolz, we have hipsters in Portland...

Useless really but the girls are neat on the fixies...
We are thinking St. Paul mostly because I have been there a bit, a week here for wok, a few days there for a layover.
I don't know about it's twin, just know its newer and bigger, not what we are after.

[geardaddy]

24. It is newer and bigger, but...

There are some great old neighborhoods on this side of the river, too. But St. Paul is nice, too.

[MrsMatt]

21. We live in the Highland Park neighborhood

which is not particularly funky. But is pretty safe and we have great access to the river and fabulous bike trails.

As stated by others, Lowertown is a great downtown neighborhood. I used to work downtown for an arts organization and was got pretty familiar with the area.

The school situation has recently changed in the last two weeks(if you have school aged children) - the city has moved from city-wide enrollment to a more community based model. If this affects you, you may want to explore your options.

Welcome to St Paul and don't forget to visit the Great Minnesota Get-Together (aka the Minnesota State Fair)!

[here_is_to_hope]

23. Ah, yes the Fair!

Ours is an overblown commercial enterprise any more.
Our little girl is 7 so school is an issue but I like the community based model.
As long as she she find the Girl Scouts, she says she will be fine!