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Old 08-14-2010, 07:35 PM
 
3 posts, read 4,305 times
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Hi Everyone!

My wife and I may be moving to MN in the very near future and I was hoping I might be able to get some insight on where we should be looking in terms of a place to live. My potential job is in Minneapolis -- 55401 zip code.

Ideally, and in a perfect world, we'd like a house that's in a suburban, but not quite rural community. We're not big fans of living in the city and I'd like to have at least .25 acres so that we could have a yard -- however, the bigger the yard the better as far as I'm concerned. Coming from LI, we'd like something quiet, but since we don't know anyone - we don't want the neighbors to be miles away either

There's me, my wife, and our 16mo daughter. We'd like 3+ br, 2+ bath -- and at least a 2 car garage. We're very high on being in a family oriented area with good schools and a good community feel.

I'd like to stay below $180,000 if possible.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!
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Old 08-14-2010, 09:01 PM
 
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How far are you willing to drive? $180K or less is going to be very difficult for a single family home in the suburbs. You might have some luck as far out as Waconia, maybe Hastings but at $180K you will either need to find a short sale or foreclosure unless you would be ok with a townhome-which in that price range will be nice but minus your own yard.
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Old 08-14-2010, 09:11 PM
 
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My thought is to look in the Elk River/Big Lake area. I don't know a lot about real estate there but it's further out and you could take the commuter train to work. 180k is going to be harder for you. You may be able to find a place in Coon Rapids for 180, which is also on the commuter line.
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Old 08-14-2010, 09:59 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kebinminn View Post
My thought is to look in the Elk River/Big Lake area. I don't know a lot about real estate there but it's further out and you could take the commuter train to work. 180k is going to be harder for you. You may be able to find a place in Coon Rapids for 180, which is also on the commuter line.
Yeah, just looking online there appears to be a lot in Coon Rapids -- is that a nice area?
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Old 08-14-2010, 10:07 PM
 
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Also -- any thoughts on New Hope, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Golden Valley, or Blaine?

Thanks for the help!!
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Old 08-14-2010, 10:50 PM
 
Location: MN
628 posts, read 1,437,482 times
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All of those cities are nice, but Robbinsdale can be questionable in certain areas.
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Old 08-15-2010, 02:08 AM
 
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^I'm not a fan of Blaine. It's safe and everything but I just find the whole are kind of unattractive. I'd focus on the other cities. I'd also recommend looking at the White Bear Lake area.
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Old 08-15-2010, 05:26 AM
 
20,793 posts, read 61,314,203 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lugnut428 View Post
Yeah, just looking online there appears to be a lot in Coon Rapids -- is that a nice area?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lugnut428 View Post
Also -- any thoughts on New Hope, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Golden Valley, or Blaine?

Thanks for the help!!
I guess it depends on how you define "nice". They are ok areas, pretty blue collar for the most part, not that blue collar is bad. They are not going to be as suburban bordering on rural as you wanted, they will probably feel more urban to you.
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Old 08-15-2010, 05:40 AM
 
3,769 posts, read 8,802,427 times
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it goes without saying that LI is very different that MN - There are a ton of great housing options all with good schools - I would search this site for all the other posts in the last few years similar to yours - its time consuming but effective; search websites for realtors to get a price idea - and then visit - that will really help. ITs what we did when we moved here and it really made it easier to make a good choice for us.

We rent because its taken over a year to determine which areas we are interested in - it has worked out well.
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Old 09-04-2010, 08:38 PM
 
Location: Twin Cities
302 posts, read 727,221 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfgal View Post
They are not going to be as suburban bordering on rural as you wanted, they will probably feel more urban to you.
If you are coming from Long Island, then I don't think Coon Rapids, Blaine, Crystal, Golden Valley etc will feel "urban" to you. I guess it depends on where on Long Island you're from, but for me - as someone from suburban California - they seem very surburban/bordering some what rural. (When my parents visit they think it looks pretty rural...but then they're from L.A. via Queens, NY). ALL areas have nice and not-as-nice areas. Coon Rapids and Crystal are a little older/established neighborhoods...Blaine has more new developments. Check them all out and see what appeals to you!
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