Minneapolis or St. Paul (Rochester, Bloomington: houses, neighborhood, to buy)

[Shaqfu]

Hello All -

I'll be relocating soon to the Twin Cities, working in Bloomington. However I do not want to live in the burbs. We presently have a $240,000 (4 BR 2 bath) 2 year old house in a nice urban neighborhood in Cincinnati and want to buy something similiar in the Twin Cities. Since I have 2 urban locales to choose from, I'm interested in which one is percieved to be better (schools, housing, etc)? Any help would be appreciated.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Minneapolis
Western, younger population, more Scandinavian, larger population
more amenities, worse public services, better parks
Saint Paul
Eastern, older population, Irish and German, blue-collar, smaller,
fewer amenities, better services, better libraries, older city (still has older architecture, Mpls. got demolition happy in the 1950s)
Both are amazing cities, Saint Paul will be more like Cincinnati. Minneapolis is more fun as far as nightlife goes. Housing in Saint Paul is older, there will be more homes from the pre-1900 era. I think Minneapolis will have more new construction. As far as schools go, they are overall better in Saint Paul, but the best urban high school is prob. in Minneapolis (Saint Paul is more uniform, Mpls. has more drastic changes between schools). It is all a matter of preference, I am Minneapolis, but sometimes secretly wish I were born in Saint Paul. Plus, you can always be indecisive and live near the river. Good luck on your move.
---Minnehahapolitan

[Minnehahapolitan]

/\That's a hell of a commute. That was also completely unwarranted. Should this person find a new job and move 2,000 miles from their intended city on your personal whim? Get lost.

[Shaqfu]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

Minneapolis
Western, younger population, more Scandinavian, larger population
more amenities, worse public services, better parks
Saint Paul
Eastern, older population, Irish and German, blue-collar, smaller,
fewer amenities, better services, better libraries, older city (still has older architecture, Mpls. got demolition happy in the 1950s)
Both are amazing cities, Saint Paul will be more like Cincinnati. Minneapolis is more fun as far as nightlife goes. Housing in Saint Paul is older, there will be more homes from the pre-1900 era. I think Minneapolis will have more new construction. As far as schools go, they are overall better in Saint Paul, but the best urban high school is prob. in Minneapolis (Saint Paul is more uniform, Mpls. has more drastic changes between schools). It is all a matter of preference, I am Minneapolis, but sometimes secretly wish I were born in Saint Paul. Plus, you can always be indecisive and live near the river. Good luck on your move.
---Minnehahapolitan

Thanks for your very informative response. Any areas recommended to look to live for my price range?

[Family of five]

I have lived in both, and currently live in St. Paul. The previous poster gave a great comparison. One thing I noticed when moving to St. Paul, which really sums up the difference for me, is that when we were out walking, or out to eat in Mpls, everyone was in their 20s or 30s. We noticed immediately in St. Paul that the ages are very mixed - we go out and see ages 0 to 99. St. Paul feels much more like an eastern city (we are from Pgh) and much more comfortable and family friendly to us. I wish I could help you with houses in your price range, but I don't know much except our area, which is Highland/MacGroveland. This is an awesome area, and I highly recommend it, but the houses might be too expensive. Our house is a 1931, 1 and a half story with 1200 square feet (very common housing style here), and would probably list for 290,000.

Good luck!

[Minnehahapolitan]

Sorry Monti, I'm just a "jerkwater' who hasn't traveled east of Chicago, I have terrible manners who can't take a simple joke that compares my city to a pile of ****. Not only are you the greatest comedian since Carlin, but you have me completely figured out. I learn something new about myself everyday from you. If only every city sprawled as far as Minneapolis, we could cover the earth in Norske sprawl and seccumb to our own communal stupidity. (We could all stop over at Rochester and wait to die!,) If you have something that you would like to tell me, have the balls to do so. If not, you are just mocking me with your juvenile cloaked jabs. Go to hell.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I can suggest areas, but I need to know if you are looking for a house similar in size to your current home in Cincinnati in a relatively less desirable area, or if if you would prefer a better neighborhood and a smaller home. Minneapolis is alot more expensive than Cincinnati, and you won't likely find that big of a home in the 240,000 range unless you settle for a more marginal area. Let me know
---Minnehahapolitan

[Slig]

If you're working in Bloomington your best bet is south Minneapolis. From there it depends on your price range. For more modest living check out Powderhorn and Longfellow. If you're financially secure check out Nokomis/Southwest. Your commute would be very pleasant from any of these areas.

[Shaqfu]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

I can suggest areas, but I need to know if you are looking for a house similar in size to your current home in Cincinnati in a relatively less desirable area, or if if you would prefer a better neighborhood and a smaller home. Minneapolis is alot more expensive than Cincinnati, and you won't likely find that big of a home in the 240,000 range unless you settle for a more marginal area. Let me know
---Minnehahapolitan

Our current home is 2400 square feet. Our ceiling is probably 275K. Newer construction would be nice but not a necessity. In terms of desireable area the biggest things for us are the school system and a house at least 2,000 square feet.

[Shaqfu]

Originally Posted by Slig

If you're working in Bloomington your best bet is south Minneapolis. From there it depends on your price range. For more modest living check out Powderhorn and Longfellow. If you're financially secure check out Nokomis/Southwest. Your commute would be very pleasant from any of these areas.

Are the schools in Powderhorn/Longefellow good? Particualalry high school the kids are assigned to?