Would the Twin Cities be an improvement? (St. Paul, Eden Prairie: transplants, homes)

[radraja]

I'm a midwest native, but I've been living in Vegas for the past few years. The insane growth is becoming a bit much for me though, and I'm looking to relocate. I don't mind a little bit of population growth, but when it gets to the Vegas extreme...things just get ugly. Any character the city once had has been sucked out of it, the housing market keeps crashing, and you never get to know your neighbors..it's bad.

The Twin Cities area seems like a perfect change, but although the cities themselves seem fairly stable, I hear that the suburbs are having growth problems. Like I said, I don't mind a little bit of growth, as long as it doesn't ruin the area (as it has in Vegas).

Any thoughts on whether or not this area would be a good choice for me? I'm specifically looking at Saint Paul and some of the southern/western suburbs.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Traditionally, Mpls. growth has been on its urbanized boundaries. Cities like Lakeville, Eden Prairie have seen tremendous growth, and I feel it limits the quality of life in those particular cities. It is even worse in the exurbs such as Elko, Big Lake, et. cetera. It just doesn't work. Now, there is growth in these areas and the city propers of Mpls. and Saint Paul. Urban growth adds to the city tax base and most are young people or empty-nesters. I think growth in these areas help. I feel we have a growth rate that keeps us competitive, but that is stable for the market and lifestyle. I would urge you to look at cities with little or no developable land left.

[leighmae]

I agree with the previous poster. As long as you live "in the circle" (within the boundaries of the 494/694 highways that circle the Cities), or only a little bit outside of the circle, you probably won't be affected too much by suburban sprawl because these areas are already fully developed and have been for a long time, so they don't grow very rapidly if at all. It's the areas that are 10 or more minutes outside of the circle where you might experience a lot of development going on around you...and really, even many of the areas 10 minutes out of the circle are mostly developed already. I for one would not want to live in the Rogers area because there is a huge clog of traffic trying to get from way out there into the city everyday, and another clog trying to get out every evening, and the highways out there just don't accommodate the massive amount of traffic going through that area. But if you live in the 'burbs that are more of a close proximity to the actual cities, or if you live in the cities themselves, this is not as much of an issue.

[radraja]

Thanks for the input. This leads me to another question...

I think my primary problem with growth in Vegas is the number of tranplants (and the quality of them). Most of them come in from "elite" SoCal suburbs, and bring along whiney, materialistic, self-centered attitudes. They never actually accept that they're living in another state, but rather just pretend that they're still in "Cali".

Does most of the growth in the Twin Cities come from within the state? Within the surrounding states (WI, IL, etc.)? Or from all over? Are the transplants typically good people who blend in well with the culture, or do they ruin the local feel? Are there issues with increasing snobbiness, etc.?

Sorry if these questions seem a bit harsh. I'm just sick of what I put up with here. I miss the midwest.

Thanks.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I would still say that most of the growth is local. Alot come in from the Dakotas and Iowa when they are young. I have seen more transplants lately, but nothing major.

[radraja]

Thanks. That's reassuring.

I've heard a lot from friends and family in the Twin Cities, and I think I'd really like it. I've always seen it as a really genuine place with a unique local feel, and it's nice to hear that the old perception hasn't changed too much.

Any particular areas you'd recommend looking into around St. Paul?

[yellowsnow]

It's a whole lot different than Vegas. I have been trying to leave here for there for 2 years now. We don't have the huge population of Californians here because it's too cold.

Please come visit in January before you make up your mind. Best of luck!

[Minnehahapolitan]

In Saint Paul, The Mac-Groveland and Highland Park area are more upscale, the areas around Midway are more blue-collar. The West Side is Hispanic, real hidden gem. Downtown is nice, but not particulary vibrant. Dayton's Bluff is an edgier area with amazing Victorians and Italianates. AS for suburbs, Falcon Heights and Roseville are nice. Woodbury is the common ticky-tacky suburb. Stillwater grew up as its own town (and is older than Saint Paul). Lovely homes, a quaint main street, lovely spot on the Saint Croix.

[golfgal]

It really depends on where you end up whether you experience the materialistic attitude. Some communities are just more down to earth then others.

Where are you going to be working--that could make a big difference where you want to look for housing.