Young college graduate moving to Twin Cities need advice where to live (Minneapolis: apartment)

[shuhuan15]

Hi Everyone,

I am moving from Madison, WI to the Twin Cities in June for an entry-level engineering position. The office I'm working at is in Maplewood which is a suburb. I really don't want to get stuck in the suburbs as a young professional but I don't want to have to drive too far either to meet young people and for the night life. I guess I'm also very active too.

Ideally I would like to be able to uber to the bars/clubs within 5 minutes or be within walking distance. I'm not sure if that is possible though given my job location.

I need help on where to live so I can still meet young people and have a good social life and not be surrounded by a lot of families.

Thanks!

[steel03]

I definitely know the feeling. It sucks feeling trapped in the suburbs when so much is going on in the cities.

What does your budget look like? Lowertown would be at the top of my list if I were you. You might also consider West 7th (right at the southwestern base of downtown St. Paul) and Swede Hollow (just across the railroad from Lowertown).

Living in Minneapolis or even some of the western neighborhoods in St. Paul could have a potentially severe impact on your commute to the east side, but it would definitely be worth looking into Uptown, Northeast, Whittier, Midway, and Merriam Park. If you're okay with living near lots of students, Prospect Park would be another fun neighborhood to check out.

[wamer27]

Is Bolton & Menk, Inc. the company? I'd suggest St Anthony and Main/NE Mpls area or Uptown to live.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by wamer27

Is Bolton & Menk, Inc. the company? I'd suggest St Anthony and Main/NE Mpls area or Uptown to live.

I would think 3M just based upon its sheer size to have been able to recruit out-of-state talent.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I would think 3M just based upon its sheer size to have been able to recruit out-of-state talent.

Right, I didn't think of that Just seeing if it was same company my brother and sister-in law work for.

[Citizen00]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I would think 3M just based upon its sheer size to have been able to recruit out-of-state talent.

Isnt 3M still considered to still be in St Paul though?

Location wise its not too bad living in Maplewood or close to. Youve got Myth (Club) and Dive Bar not too far away depending where youre located.

Would be easier if you specified your work location since its a key factor for you, though I do understand the possible uneasiness of it.

[StPaulGal]

If I were you I would probably look into the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of Saint Paul, somewhere around Selby and to the east of Dale. That is a pretty hip node filled with great bars and restaurants, as well as cool historic apartment buildings and condos. It's near downtown so you have easy access to the Xcel Energy Center--a major venue for national touring acts as well as sporting events--and lots of other things like the opera, the science museum, etc. The Selby-Dale area is more active than downtown, and easy access to the freeway should make for a relatively hassle-free commute. What you won't find in that area are true dance clubs; those are pretty much clustered around First Avenue/Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. You would be looking at somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes' drive to the club scene, and about 10-15 minutes for a commute to 3M, although either of those estimates can go up during rush hour.

[WoodburyWoody]

Originally Posted by StPaulGal

If I were you I would probably look into the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of Saint Paul, somewhere around Selby and to the east of Dale. That is a pretty hip node filled with great bars and restaurants, as well as cool historic apartment buildings and condos. It's near downtown so you have easy access to the Xcel Energy Center--a major venue for national touring acts as well as sporting events--and lots of other things like the opera, the science museum, etc. The Selby-Dale area is more active than downtown, and easy access to the freeway should make for a relatively hassle-free commute. What you won't find in that area are true dance clubs; those are pretty much clustered around First Avenue/Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. You would be looking at somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes' drive to the club scene, and about 10-15 minutes for a commute to 3M, although either of those estimates can go up during rush hour.

StPaulGal's suggestion is a great one. That area continues to get nicer with lots of character, unique restaurants and bars (the St. Paul Curling Club!) and is centrally located between Maplewood, Grand Avenue and Minneapolis. Probably a 15 minutes commute to 3M by car (if that is where you are working, right on 94). If not, it depends as Maplewood is very long and slender north-to-south and then wide at the far north.