Another where to live question (St. Paul, Eagan: houses, safe neighborhood, to buy)

[Memat5]

My family will be moving to the Twin Cities this summer due to a new job at 3M. I have not visited and know only what I have researched on the Internet, but know we definitely want to buy a house. We have a weeklong house-hunting trip in the Spring, but wanted to get some opinions on the area from those who live there (or have lived there).

My criteria for a house:

-Short commute (20 minutes or under - on average).
-Kid-friendly and safe neighborhood as we have two young children under 3
-3 to 4 bedroom home with a decent backyard
-house under $300k

You guys have given some helpful advice so any you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[golfgal]

Stillwater and surrounding towns in the Stillwater school district is where I would start (Lake Elmo, Afton, Lakeland are all good choices). Easy commute to 3M (assuming the main campus on Highway 94 in St. Paul).

Mahtomedi is an excellent choice on that side of the cities but finding a house under $300,000 is going to be difficult, but not impossible.

Woodbury is the obvious choice being a few minutes from there but it isn't may favorite place in the cities. Inver Grove Heights is an easy commute but the 199 schools aren't on the top of anyone's list--not bad, just better choices.

The 196 Schools are excellent. Much of Eagan is in that district and would offer a pretty easy commute as well.

The West St. Paul/Mendota Heights schools are also great and would be a good choice.

[Memat5]

The job would be at the main campus.

I was looking at Stillwater and Eagan so it's good to know we may find something there for us.

Thanks.

[Lillietta]

Eagan is good though further out from 3M

[TheNip73]

South Maplewood a skinny section of Maplewood that directly south of the 3M campus between McKnight Road (St. Paul border) and Century Road (Woodbury Border). This section is literally 1 mile wide. Houses are in your price range and you would be close to lots of shopping, dining, entertainment in nearby Woodbury. I live in South Maplewood and loved my commute to 3M as an intern - 10 minutes on a bad day. As a generalization, houses closer to 3M are older and less expensive (maybe 175K as a guess - built in 40's and 50s) and as you go further south house values increase (225K about 3 miles south of 3M - built in 1980s - and up to 350K - built in mid 90's and 2000's - about 5 miles south of 3M . This area is pretty popular with 3Mers as is the nearby community of Woodbury. Another recommendation is Oakdale, just North of 3M. I would personally not describe this area as being as desireable as South Maplewood or Woodbury, but it is another good option.

[TheNip73]

Sorry, I wanted to chime in on Eagan as well. While not having lived there, I can say from driving through and visiting friends, that would be another good consideration. Plan on a 15-20 minute commute to 3M from there.

[K-Luv]

Stillwater would be a good choice for right now, but when you kids get older (teenaged) they might become extremely bored with the place. The area is growing so who knows what it will have to offer in 15 years. My impression of the area is that it is for those who want a slower pace of life. I could be wrong, though, as I have never lived there.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

Stillwater would be a good choice for right now, but when you kids get older (teenaged) they might become extremely bored with the place. The area is growing so who knows what it will have to offer in 15 years. My impression of the area is that it is for those who want a slower pace of life. I could be wrong, though, as I have never lived there.

Having grown up there before it grew, there is plenty for teens to do in Stillwater also, it isn't far from Maplewood or Woodbury for shopping, etc. The town has very active sports, music and fine arts programs in the schools and that keeps a vast majority of the kids pretty busy.

[BAC]

I used to live in Maplewood and worked in Woodbury... Woodbury is a good place to live, far better than Maplewood or Stillwater. You should definitly check it out...Its very kid-friendly, safe and quite upscale. Lots of restaurant and shopping places. It has both new and old housesDriving distance is to work will be about 10 minutes. Eagan its too far.

Good Luck

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by BAC

I used to live in Maplewood and worked in Woodbury... Woodbury is a good place to live, far better than Maplewood or Stillwater. You should definitly check it out...Its very kid-friendly, safe and quite upscale. Lots of restaurant and shopping places. It has both new and old housesDriving distance is to work will be about 10 minutes. Eagan its too far.

Good Luck

Eagan would be about 15-20 minutes to 3M.