Looking to buy a home in this area of N. Minneapolis? (Golden Valley: crime, affordable house)

[wil45]

My boudaries are: Xerxes to Upton ave (West to East). Golden Valley Rd to Olson Memorial Pkwy (North to South). Anyone living near there that has an opinion on this pocketed area? I would appreciate any feed back. Thanks...

[Minnehahapolitan]

Its the best part of N. Mpls, the houses are nicer and better maintained. It isn't Linden Hills, but I think that area's value is halved simply because the addresses have a "N" in them. I would move there, but I wouldn't recommend the area to all people.

[wil45]

Living there?.. I'm very open to living in a racial mixed area. I also want to be smart investor and not have rose colored glasses about living in a "ghetto". I'm also a white male and would be a minority in that area od Willard-Hay.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I'm trying to say that the area directly abuts a ghetto. It is pretty safe considering its location, but there is alot of nuisance crime and limited violence. It is diverse (not as diverse as other areas) but you would be a definate minority. For what it is worth, that area is the Gold Coast of N. Mpls., there are other areas to invest in, and others to live in. I would personally be more comfortable on the South side, but if you are smart about city living, you will generally be OK.

[nick is rulz]

Its pretty funny that you asked about such a specific location because I know someone whos looking to buy an affordable house and I pinpointed pretty much the exact same section of Willard-Homewood that you have as a good choice.

Go follow the crime reports on cities website. Overall, like stated above...its generally nuisance crimes. Burglary seems to be the only thing that would be a serious deterrant, but if you invest in a decent security system that should not be an issue.

They have a strong neighborhood association as well. Find a block there where the neighbors all know each other and you're golden. I think that neighborhood is a safe bet to invest in. North Minneapolis is not even close to the worst its ever been (1995, 1996) and I do think there has been a lot of newcomers to Willard that are doing a lot to turn it around.

[wil45]

After an extensive Mpls crime report for the last 4 months, It seems that most crime occurs closer to Golden Valley Road as opposed to Olsen Memorial Pkwy. I noted 5+ Narcotic arrests from July1-present at or 1 block from Golden valley rd and Upton/Thomas and several other crime arrests including Robbery of person. Perhaps, I should look further south.

[Slig]

someone buy that house built in 2000 at 2101 Irving. I have been watching that house for a year now and it's all the way down to $57500. The copper plumbing was stolen from it but come on, fix that up and you have a brand new house you paid under 60k for.

[wil45]

Yes, thanks for those that responded. But, I haven't heard from ANYONE that actually lives in this area of N . Minneapolis.

[Camden Northsider]

but I know some people that do (and like it) and it's a short drive from my neighborhood on the Grand Rounds system. you're right about Golden Valley Road, although a lot of the problems are further east from what you specified, this road tends to have quite a concentration of crime happening in recent years and as you drive from golden valley into minneapolis on this road the difference is stark. If looking in Willard- Homewood there are beautiful homes and beautiful tree-lined streets in this neighborhood esp close by Theo Wirth Parkway and it might not be a bad idea to look in the southern section of Willard and/or Harrison as well to get closer to Bryn Mawr - The Bryn Mawr neighborhood is pretty much known for its exclusivity, wealthy residents, and (exclusive) high performance schools (as well as treed/ hilly roads w/out curb and gutter), so proximity to that neighborhood doesn't hurt either(housing values do an insane jump up once you step foot in Bryn Mawr). My suggestion, if at all possible, is to spend a weekend driving around the neighborhoods to get an in-person feel for them. Start in the Parkway areas around Theo Wirth and then keep going North on the Parkway until you get to Victory Memorial Parkway (and/or Webber-Camden parkway), there's a lot of great neighborhoods that all have their own individual feels to them, see what feels best/ more like home and/or a sound investment.

[nick is rulz]

Harrison has been good since I moved here. Im just a few houses shy of Bryn Mawr and I think a lot of the safeness has crept its way north. The cut off used to be the bridges that separated the two neighborhoods but it has seen a vast improvement in the past seven or eight years.