Minneapolis Is it a great place to live. (Apple Valley, Nicollet: credit, hotels)

[buykguy]

Hello all. First let me apologize as I'm sure this post is a bit redundant. I am currently working the BP oil spill and will be wrapping up soon. I have lived in Florida for the last seven years and I am tired of the sun and lack of any topography. Anyway I am going to be off in a week and was planning a trip to Minneapolis to check the area out.

I love the idea of an urban city set on a backdrop of such beautiful country. I am looking for some advice on hotels in the downtown area that are reasonably priced. Someone had mentioned nice rides in a previous post. Any more info on what that is? I am an avid cyclist and it appears that there is a huge cycling community in Minneapolis.

I would also love some advice on things to check out while I'm there. Not planning on hitting the suburbs. Any recommendations on areas to consider for housing should I decide to relocate? I have a nine year old daughter so safe schools in the city are important.

I am truly excited about visiting the area!! If anyone has some availability during that time, I would love an insiders point of view.

[StilltheSame]

We moved here from Florida a year and a half ago. We love it. Its gorgeous - the schools are excellent - I would suggest a first ring suburb.

[MplsTodd]

There defintely is a large cycling community here. I think you'll like the availability of trails both in the cities (especially along the lakes, river and Minnehaha Creek) and the suburbs. The topo of the Twin Cities is probably not one of our best features--relatively flat, with a few valleys and small hills--though it is more than Florida or Illinois.

As to places to consider to live--it depends on your budget. SW Mpls is a very popular place for families, but its also spendy. There certainly are other good schools in the city--you might look into the Seward/Longfellow neighborhood. Someone else can write in about those areas.

Inexpensive hotels in downtown: Check Hotwire.com and maybe you can get a 3.5 or 4-star hotel for a cheap price. Or I'd recommend the Holiday Inn Express on 10th Street, the Doubletree (on 11th at Lasalle) or the Millenium Hotel (13th & Nicollet), or the Normandy Downtown Inn (a less interesting area of downtown on 4th Avenue and 8th Street).

Hope you enjoy your visit!

[gweilo845]

Info on Nice Ride: Nice Ride MN - Home

FYI though, the system does put a $50 fee on your credit/debit card until you return the bike.

[QuantumIguana]

One of the first things to check out is Minnehaha Falls. It's a great waterfall in a great park - and it's free. I would just drive around and see the city for yourself. I like the houses on Minnehaha Creek, Tangletown or around Lake Nokomis.

Lots of good stuff for kids here, the Science Musum, Children's Museum, Como Zoo in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.

[Radical_Car]

Of course Minneapolis is a great city.

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

Lots of good stuff for kids here, the Science Musum, Children's Museum, Como Zoo in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.

I went to all those places on field trips in elementary school. Actually had 2 field trips to science museum, once in elementary and once in middle school.