Whittier, Marcy-Holmes, or Seward? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartments, for rent, low crime)

[Transplant14]

I will be moving to Minneapolis in August for grad school at University of Minnesota (East bank.) I'm a non-traditional student, so don't want to be in campus or very near campus housing. However, I do want to be relatively near downtown and the campus. I think I've identified three neighborhoods that have apartments within my desired price range (between $700 and $800 for a one-bedroom.) I know that's very cheap, but I'm not expecting much. My main concerns are these:

1.) Low crime and fairly safe at night.
2.) No cockroaches.
3.) Good maintenance on apartment building.
4.) Cat friendly.
5.) As quiet as possible in my apartment (but I don't mind some hustle and bustle on the streets!)
6.) As I've said, fairly close to the East Bank campus and downtown.
7.) Off-street parking.

Of the three areas - Whittier, Marcy-Holmes, Seward - can anyone give some pro's or con's to any or all of these? Or are there property management companies I should avoid? Any suggestions on really good property management companies that have buildings in any of these neighborhoods?

I'd appreciate any help/suggestions! (Or if I should consider another neighborhood?)

[uptown_urbanist]

I think it's going to come down to what you can find, and on specific block. Marcy-Holmes, for example, includes both quieter blocks as well as the very loud Dinkytown, so there's a huge range. I'd also pay attention to bus routes, just to make life simple. I suspect that the off-site parking will be more difficult, although not impossible.

I'd also take a look at St. Paul; I have seen listings for apartments in your price range near Raymond and University, which is just on the St. Paul side of 280. The light rail will open in June, and that would be a very easy commute to the east bank (and to downtown).

[StanleyVegas]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I'd also take a look at St. Paul; I have seen listings for apartments in your price range near Raymond and University, which is just on the St. Paul side of 280. The light rail will open in June, and that would be a very easy commute to the east bank (and to downtown).

Agreed. I think that area (between 280 and Fairview Ave) is going to become more popular with students who want to be away from Dinkytown and the U (parking hassles, etc.), but still only 4-5 train stops from East Bank. It's pretty cheap, too, and there's a lot of shopping just to the east.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Whittier and Seward are better options for students who spend the majority of their time on the West Bank. Since you're on the East Bank I think your best options would be Marcy-Holmes or the Como area.

[cielpur]

What about the Prospect Park neighborhood? I agree that Seward is more west bank oriented. I'm not sure how much rents are in prospect park but it's right next to the east bank. Even though it's very close to campus, it doesn't really have a student vibe. More faculty, grad student oriented.

[Beenhere4ever]

I'd go Como or Prospect Park if it were me.

[uptown_urbanist]

I agree that Prospect Park would be ideal, if you can find a place for rent in your price range. I suspect that will be tough, but it's worth a shot.

[Beenhere4ever]

Yeh, its a small neighborhood. There are, however a whole bunch of new places on the north side of University. Maybe there.

[Transplant14]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not seeing anything currently available in Prospect Park, but a few in Como. I will continue my search!

I'm also trying to find out what the big supermarket chains are in Minneapolis. (I'm a planner and yes I'm taking distance to the grocery store into consideration in my search.) Can anyone tell me what the big supermarket names are up there?

[Duk123]

Maybe look at Windom Park and Audubon Park in NE Minneapolis. Both are nice areas in your price range. Windom's crime numbers are a bit higher but most of that has to do with shoplifting from The Quarry Shopping area.