Moving to Twin City- need help finding neighborhood (Minneapolis, St. Paul: rental, houses)

[stephdetroit]

Hi there- Potentially moving to Minnesota (Golden valley) . Looking for potential neighborhood. Here is what I am looking for:

- Great school system (have 3 kids: 13-12 and 9)
- Older established neighborhood with older homes (1920's up to 50s)
- Commute to Golden valley max 40 mn
- Budget: 500-600K

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

In a quick search of the Twin Cities MLS for homes built between 1920-1950 in the 500-600k range you're going to find the largest concentration in SW Minneapolis, Edina and the Highland Park area of St. Paul. It might not be a bad idea to begin your search in those areas (all are great IMO).

[Beenhere4ever]

Don't know why the western inner ring suburbs like St Louis Park or Crystal wouldn't do just fine. If it were I, I'd not buy in Highland Park if I had to commute to Golden Valley. Nothing whatever against Highland Park, but gas costs are only going up.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

Don't know why the western inner ring suburbs like St Louis Park or Crystal wouldn't do just fine. If it were I, I'd not buy in Highland Park if I had to commute to Golden Valley. Nothing whatever against Highland Park, but gas costs are only going up.

Agreed that there are more reasonable options, but Highland Park meets all of the requirements of the OP. If I were in that position I'd find something in SW Minneapolis.

[MnMomma]

I live in Southwest Minneapolis and commute to Golden Valley (to take kids to school and back, not for work). I would look somewhere between Penn Ave on the east, Tracy Ave to the west, north of highway 62 and pretty much anywhere in Golden Valley itself that meets your criteria.

The Browndale neighborhood of St. Louis Park is quite nice as is the Morningside neighborhood of Minneapolis. I'd probably look pretty heavily in those two areas due to the size of the lots, character of the houses and the proximity to highway 100.

[stephdetroit]

Yes Somebody mentionned Edina as well. helpful

[stephdetroit]

So looks like the SW area is where it's at...MnMomma, how are the Minneapolis public schools that would serve the St Louis and Morningside neighborhoods? Also is there a city tax in either Minneapolis or Edina?
Are the prices stable or still declining? Should I rent for a while?
Thanks in advance to you all for taking the time to respond!

[srsmn]

^^^You're going to be working in my hometown! (GV).

You could find plenty of '50's era homes in Golden Valley in your price range, although older than that would be tough.

If you decide on Morningside or St. Louis Park (I assume that's what you meant?), you'll actually be in suburbs, not neighborhoods of the city of Minneapolis itself. In either case, the schools will be fine. Better than fine, in fact. St. Louis Park used to be the highest ranker of Minnesota high schools in those annual "1,000 best high school rankings", and it was always top 100, if I remember correctly. Edina ain't too shabby, either.

If you are going to be on the Minneapolis side, you're probably looking at Southwest High School. Probably the best all-around public school in the city, although somebody who knows a little better can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Plus, it's relatively easy to open-enroll in Minnesota. If you found yourself unhappy with the Minneapolis schools for whatever reason, you could get your kids into Park or Edina without a lot of red tape and hoop jumping.

Home prices have stabilized, I believe. I'd personally advise against renting, as rental vacancies are very, very low (in the city, at least) right now, so it might be tough to find what you're looking for.

[west336]

No city taxes in MN!

[golfgal]

Edina.....