New to Minnesota in April

[Slevin Kelevra]

Downtown is probably the only part of town that is comparable to NY/NJ. However, if you're looking for a more suburban feel, you can't go wrong with Edina (family friendly) or St. Louis Park (younger and cheaper but nice).

[MichaelItman]

Hi Weis007,

First of all, don't listen to MPLS_TC - there are a ton of great things to love about the Twin Cities, and I know a good handful of people who have moved here from NYC and although they still bemoan our delis in comparison (although I'm a fan of Rye Deli, Crossroads and Cecil's, I understand that NY delis are a totally different breed), they're really happy here.

You're already moving here, so I'm sure I don't need to sell you on the Twin Cities, but our cities have consistently made CNN's list for best small cities, best communities for young people, healthiest cities, greenest cities, most bike-friendly cities, best places to raise children, and of course, we have more arts per capita than NY, which is pretty fabulous too.

All that said, now that you are moving here (yeah!), I understand that you're looking for a neighborhood that will feel like NYC in its urbanness but also be more affordable and more child-friendly than Manhattan. One of the amazing things about living in Minneapolis and/or St. Paul is that you can live in "The City" and still have space, and greenery, safety, and good schools.

There are some wonderful family-friendly neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul. When my wife & I were looking for our home (we eventually went the suburban route & bought a home in 2nd ring suburb Hopkins) we picked the best St. Paul & Minneapolis neighborhoods to look at by checking out the crime statistics on the police department's website, plus information about great restaurants and parks/lakes (always a good thing to have near you).

In St. Paul, there are great neighborhoods including Highland Park (we have family that live their happily), and I'd add Merriam Park (family there too), Macalester-Groveland, Summit Hill, Cathedral Hill, and St. Anthony Park. In Minneapolis, Uptown and Calhoun Isles, Linden Hills, Lake Harriet area, but it really comes down to price.

If you want to live slightly out of the city (significant drop in tax rates, but still the urban vibe and proximity to lakes), I'd recommend looking at St. Louis Park. It's a 1st ring suburb right nearby the hip Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. Pricier than the suburbs past it, but cheaper than the nicer neighborhoods in Minneapolis. Still good public transportation (Although not as great as Minneapolis).

Hope that's helpful! Let me know if I can answer any other questions!

Best,

Michael

[jenniferam]

I would say the Whittier/Steven square neighborhood would be great for you, honestly in my opinion exactly what your looking for. I lived in an apartment there more (specfically franklin and nicollet) I was able to walk right down eat street and nicollet mall. Your not downtown but your close enough you could take about a 5 block walk and your there. As far as public transportation goes Minneapolis in general is really good as far as accessability but in this area its really great.. like a bus stop on every corner.

Seward is alright for what your looking for but I tend to prefer more of the west end.. I'd also look into the lowry hill, and loring park neighborhoods.. nokomis and calhoun are very nice but getting a little further from downtown but as far as buying a home they would be better for that.

oh yeah and for a rental in minneapolis 3,000 would get you far, a very nice place!