Relocating: Best town for us? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: home, school district, live)

[doggydoc]

Hi everyone,

I just found out last week that we are relocating to Minneapolis for my husband's job. He will be working in Minneapolis. We have three children: 11 yr. old boy, 9 yr. old girl, and 4 yr. old girl. I'm a small animal vet but will likely take some time off after we move.

We're hoping to have some acreage (maybe 5 acres). We'd like to have the option to have a horse and maybe a few other random farm animals. We love dogs and I sometimes bring home rescued dogs. We have a lot of out of town family who visit so we need space for that as well. My son is a big soccer player. My daughter swims and rides horses (hunter/jumper). So, we want to be somewhat close to places where those activities are offered. I play tennis and would like to play year round so would like to be somewhat near a tennis facility.

We may send the kids to private school but public would be preferable if there are good public schools.

We would like the acreage and privacy but don't want to be completely "out there." Being on or near a lake would be wonderful as well.

So, just wondering if anyone can suggest an area that would meet those needs?

Thanks in advance!

[Lillietta]

There are many places to choose from simply because, in some areas, you can be outside the Twin Cities in as little as one-half hour, depending upon where you work. Northfield has good public schools - 40 minutes from St. Paul. I'm sure many others will respond with more info.

[golfgal]

There are lots of areas that would meet your needs. I do know that outside of Stillwater there are a couple riding schools and the Stillwater schools are great--excellent soccer program too. Mahtomedi would be another district to look at in that area but finding land will be a bit harder--again, excellent schools and great soccer program.

On the western side of the Metro, Chaska, Belle Plaine, and Jordan come to mind. Chaska has the better schools of the three.

There is a LOT of open land around Rosemount/Farmington. If you pick Farmington though, get into the part of Farmington that is in the 196 School district, not the Farmington schools.

Finding acreage on a lake within commuting distance of Minneapolis is probably going to be impossible (a good lake that you can swim/fish in). You might be able to find some land that will have a pond/swamp though. The nice thing about MN is that you are never more then 2 miles from a body of water so you can have access to lakes all over the place.

[doggydoc]

Thanks for the information. I will check out those areas. My husband is going to go next weekend to explore the area. I will make sure these places are included in his tour. Can anyone recommend a realtor??

Thanks!

[michael1969]

Mike Buenting is a good realtor. I am looking into relocating from NY and he has been extremely helpful in answering all of my questions, and sending us lots of info.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by doggydoc

We may send the kids to private school but public would be preferable if there are good public schools.

The area has many great public schools and open enrollment. If you don't like the public school where you live, you can enroll them in any other as long as there is space.

[michael1969]

Moving123456:

Where do you live that you send your kids to private school? We have been looking around Eden Prarie, and from what I hear all the schools are really good (except Forrest Park).

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by michael1969

Moving123456:

Where do you live that you send your kids to private school? We have been looking around Eden Prarie, and from what I hear all the schools are really good (except Forrest Park).

I don't send kids to private school. Most of the area public schools are very good in my opinion, especially after seeing the public schools in some other states.

I was just stating above that with open enrollment if you don't like the public school closest to your home, you can instead enroll your kids in any other public school in the state. Many other states only allow you to enroll your kids where you live.

[michael1969]

Moving 123456-yes you are correct about what you say about open enrollment. My sister in law lives in EP and is zoned for Forrest Park. She drives her kids back and forth-that is the problem if you send your kids elsewhere....