Communities between the Twins

[uptown_urbanist]

Good call on St. Anthony Park. It's still going to be a trek to work, but it's going to be easier than from Highland.

I don't know anything about Hampden Park (or, rather, I didn't know what that neighborhood was called) but being near the LRT would definitely make it much easier to enjoy nightlife without the driving or parking. You'd have train access to DT Minneapolis, DT St. Paul, and all points in-between --- which will be filling in as the LRT opens (including a new huge Surly destination brewery and beer garden just on the other side of 280). And I do think that, especially with the new LRT line, that area around Raymond in St. Paul is going to really pick up -- it has an incredibly central location with good freeway access, its own LRT station opening in June, and is so convenient to the U of MN and to both downtowns. Lots of artists living in that area now, too, for whatever that's worth. It may well be worth a look.

[wamer27]

St Anthony outside of Minneapolis is worth looking into, it borders Mpls, Roseville, and New Brighton. Very convienent to downtown Mpls and NE mpls for social things. I live right where Roseville, St Anthony, and New Brighton meet and it's not far at all to social things. Falcon Heights is kind of a perfect little family city, I grew up a block from it and I can't honestly think of a terrible house there.

[Yosh01]

I'd add the Macalester-Groveland and Crocus Hill neighborhoods in St. Paul to your list. Crocus Hill in particular is close to 35E which is a straight shot north to Forest Lake. Google Map the intersection of Fairmount and Victoria to find the residential heart of it. You'll be going contrary to the rush hour traffic and not have much of a problem commuting. These are old, safe, and "small-townish" like communities with lots of amenities within walking distance. If you want to live outside the city, then White Bear Lake is a great place. It's almost a small town half-way between Crocus Hill and Forest Lake.

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by MplsTodd

A neighborhood that is somwhat similar to Highland Park is St. Anthony Park, which is east of 280 and west of the U of M St. Paul campus, centered along Como. The neighborhood is more historic than Highland Park, and also smaller. Lots of Victorian homes. It has a small business node at Como near Carter. Easy access to 280 would make for a direct commut to Forest Lake. Another possibility could be Hampden Park, which is south of St. Anthony Park and closer to university Avenue. I'm not too familiar with this area, but have driven through and it seems nice. One point of interest is that it's close to the new light rail, which would allow you to enjoy the bars and not worry about a DWI.

White Bear Lake is a nice small city too.

One of my favorites, St Anthony Park. So many times I've driven thru and thought how nice it would be to live there.

[Yosh01]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

One of my favorites, St Anthony Park. So many times I've driven thru and thought how nice it would be to live there.

The problem with St. Anthony Park is it's difficult to find a house. It's a very sought after area with low turnover. I used to work in the heart of it and had an apartment their once, but I was never able to find a house. It's a great place.

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

The problem with St. Anthony Park is it's difficult to find a house. It's a very sought after area with low turnover. I used to work in the heart of it and had an apartment their once, but I was never able to find a house. It's a great place.

Would have guessed as much. Parts of Merriam Park are good, too. Summit Hill is another one. I wanted to live on St Clair when my job was downtown St Paul.

[ocsid]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Why would you want to commute when you don't have to? Forest Lake is a cute town that will have similar amenities to the areas you mentioned, same with most of the towns around there.

Some people have different priorities. I've always been of the opinion that living where you want is more important than living close to your job, because jobs change. I'm fortunate that I live in a great area that is also close to my job, but for most of my professional life, I had a long commute because it was more important to live close to amenities and friends.

As for Forest Lake, clearly you haven't spent any significant time there. It's not a cute town. Most of the original city (before the annexation of Forest Lake Twp. a few years ago) is fairly dumpy to downright run down in places. There's not much for restaurants or nightlife there either. The only fairly nice areas are in the old township areas around the golf course and some places on the lake, but they're overpriced, and the lake itself is choked with weeds. I won't even get into the people in FL and the surrounding areas, a mixture of status-seeking wannabes and meth-head trash - I grew up there and you could not pay me to move back there.

As for the OP's question - I would look at Roseville. It's an easy shot up to FL, and easy access to both downtowns in about ten minutes.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by ocsid

Some people have different priorities. I've always been of the opinion that living where you want is more important than living close to your job, because jobs change. I'm fortunate that I live in a great area that is also close to my job, but for most of my professional life, I had a long commute because it was more important to live close to amenities and friends.

As for Forest Lake, clearly you haven't spent any significant time there. It's not a cute town. Most of the original city (before the annexation of Forest Lake Twp. a few years ago) is fairly dumpy to downright run down in places. There's not much for restaurants or nightlife there either. The only fairly nice areas are in the old township areas around the golf course and some places on the lake, but they're overpriced, and the lake itself is choked with weeds. I won't even get into the people in FL and the surrounding areas, a mixture of status-seeking wannabes and meth-head trash - I grew up there and you could not pay me to move back there.

As for the OP's question - I would look at Roseville. It's an easy shot up to FL, and easy access to both downtowns in about ten minutes.

LOL, which category were you?

[mn55110]

I know a couple other people already posted recommendations for White Bear Lake and its walkable hip small downtown, which would also get a vote from me. White Bear is really half-way between the community you'll be working in, Forest Lake, 5-days-a-week and the nightlife of Downtown and Uptown Minneapolis which you'll want to enjoy a couple nights a week. White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights are a 14-mile reverse commute drive north to Forest Lake on Interstate 35E; you'll be able to drive the posted 70-mile-an hour speed limit each way everyday except during major snowstorms and even then you just reduce your speed. 10-miles to downtown St. Paul and 15-miles to downtown Minneapolis.

[ocsid]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

LOL, which category were you?

I actually grew up out in the country east of town, but I went to high school there.
The area I grew up in was pretty much middle class with some upper middle and lower middle mixed in, but our neighborhood probably skewed more towards the trashy end of things. FL is a really weird school district too in terms of the types of people that live in the district.