Moving to Minneapolis (St. Anthony, Nicollet, Lynd: transplants, rentals, hotel)

[HoPPy785]

I'm a recent college graduate with a degree in Marketing and Graphic Design. I plan to move to Minneapolis soon, but will probably make the move without visiting first. I know, not the best idea. Anyhow can somebody give me a run down of areas to live that are vibrant with lots of foot/bike traffic and nightlife? I know Uptown is good but what streets or areas should I avoid? Any help would be great. Also I would prefer to find a 2br under 900 a month in a urban area.

[uptown_urbanist]

I think you'll have a harder time for that size place under $900 in Uptown, but it can probably be done. If you move closer towards Lyndale it will generally be safer; check out the Whittier neighborhood, too, for relatively vibrant streets. It's cheaper there, but still near nightlife. Lyn-Lake (intersection of Lyndale and Lake) is where a lot of the action is these days anyway, and Whittier would put you near both "Eat Street" (Nicollet) and Lyn-Lake, and an easy bike ride or longer walk from the Uptown core. A few parts of Whittier are a bit sketchier (near Lake Street close to the Kmart at Nicollet, mostly), but overall it's not too bad. Lots of young people there. Check out the Lyn-Lake Small Area Plan Lyn-Lake Small Area Plan for a lot of information about the area; you'll see that as a young graduate looking for biking and walking you'll be right at home.

Northeast Minneapolis right by the river is another great area for good streetlife and nightlife, and has some nice and relatively affordable rentals.

[HoPPy785]

thanks so much for the information. ill research those spots.

[vcvc]

Going to have a tough time finding a nice 2 bedroom in Uptown for that price. It can be done, but it's going to to be anybody's guess as to the quality of the place.

I know I'm biased but check out Northeast Minneapolis. Has all the same things you are looking for as Uptown but with more affordable rent options and less congestion.

[Min-Chi-Cbus]

Congratulations -- I hope you love it here like most of us do!

Uptown is usually a great place to start, especially if you are a transplant, because there are lots of other friendly transplants there as well and you should have no trouble meeting new people. Uptown is pretty safe with the exception of the occassional break-in or armed robbery, so just don't walk around late at night drunk and stumblebum and make yourself an easy target. Otherwise, once you get East of Lyndale Ave on Lake St. the neighborhood starts to change, but doesn't become overtly "dangerous" until you pass I-35W.

Hope that helps!

[Min-Chi-Cbus]

^You don't think MOST people love it here -- most being >50%?? I didn't say ALL people love it here! Why don't you keep things in perspective and not dig into semantics -- You're derailing an otherwise positive thread!

[HoPPy785]

thanks for more info. SO northeast is pretty good too? do you mean the Dinkytown? what about the Wharehouse District?

[audadvnc]

Oops, I misread that, thought it said the whorehouse district... reminds me of driving through Newark, NJ as a kid, and passing by some fleabag hotel that offered hourly rates.

(Spelling police alert - from a recent college grad, of all things! Good thing marketeers don't need to know how to spell.)

[uptown_urbanist]

By NE I didn't mean Dinkytown, although that's also a possibility. I was thinking the area right by the Stone Arch Bridge, in the University Ave/Central area. Technically part of that falls into the neighborhood of Marcy-Holmes, some of it into St. Anthony (I think St. Anthony West and East). It's a great area, right by downtown, near the U, right by the river, with tons of restaurants and bars. Very vibrant, tons of foot traffic, excellent for a young graduate. NorthEast Minneapolis Business Association

[Mason3000]

Longfellow which is the opposite end of Lake St (Uptown is W Lake, Longfellow is E Lake) by the river (very nice area imo). Plenty of young folks, bike paths, cafes, pubs, coops, etc.

Loring Park is close to Downtown & Uptown, lot's of life & walkable fun.

Warehouse district downtown is popping with young singles.

NE along the river (as mentioned by UU) is a solid option, especially if you have a little artsy-fartsy in you.