Elliot Park area (Minneapolis, Nicollet, Franklin: condos, crime, neighborhoods)

[kabigon]

Hello:

I'll be moving to Minneapolis next week and have been looking at Elliot Park as a possible housing location. The prices seems so low compared to other Downtown areas. Most condos and duplexes also seem to have been recently remodeled--I'm guessing a move towards gentrification? It's only a 15 minute walk to the school where I'm teaching; so, it's also very convenient.

Not knowing too much about Minneapolis, is this area safe?

Cheers

[kabigon]

I guess I should add that I won't have a car and that I'm not finding any substantial grocery stores in the immediate area. Is Google maps failing me when it comes to finding food or is Elliot Park truly foodless?

I'll also be walking to work in Loring Park around 6:30AM and back around 3:00PM. I'm coming from DC which is very pedestrian friendly and where I never felt threatened walking around at night.
Should I expect this to change in Minneapolis? I'm a male Latino in my early twenties (I know in many neighborhoods age, sex, and gender play a major role in whose privileged to feel safe).

[xandrex]

I think Elliot Park (along with other neighborhoods immediately south of downtown like Stevens Square) have had rough pasts and they tend to have higher crime than some other areas.

I can't comment specifically on Elliot Park as I know very few people who live on that side of downtown. There are no real great standalone grocery stores downtown. The best you'll get is Target (and there has been renewed interest in a Lunds, on Hennepin) with a pretty decent grocery on Nicollet Mall and 9th.

What might be of concern is how close you might be to Hennepin County Medical Center. I imagine they have ambulances running past there all night long and if you're a light sleeper and close by, it might be an issue.

Since safety is relative, you should check out the MPD statistics that are compiled. You can find them here.

Hope this helps a little bit!

[west336]

You'll probably be fine, just be careful and don't take Minneapolis for granted just because it's not "big, bad" Washington, D.C. I think this is where people can run into problems -- thinking they are in a safer place, so they can be more lax about dangerous situations.

However, I've almost NEVER heard of any aggravated assaults or muggings at 630 in the morning -- too early for most dirtballs I guess...

[turkeyjerky]

I live in Elliot Park, honestly it's a mixed bag. It's centrally located, but not close to anything (except HCMC). It is a lot less costly than other downtown neighborhoods, but it's not really downtown. I'd say you definitely need a car if you're gonna live here. Also, the walk down to loring park is really more like a half-hour than 15 min.

The only grocery store in the area is an Aldi on Franklin (5 blocks south of the actual park)--I wouldn't want to depend on this for food. There also really aren't any halfway decent restaurants or bars or other things to do closer than downtown proper.

As far as crime goes--I think it's vastly overblown. North Minneapolis is really the only neighborhood I've ever felt even a little uneasy in; you'll be fine in Elliot park walking at those times.