Proactive planning (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Roseville: rentals, low crime, how much)

[red_lotus]

Hi all,

My boyfriend may be getting a job in Shoreview, and we are looking to start the review of preparation for moving (being proactive never hurt anyone). I worked in the relocation industry for several years so I'm familiar with the moving process, but I have some particular questions on the Minneapolis-St Paul area.

Some notes:
1. We are a young couple (30 & 24); children are not a factor for us so schools in an area are not an issue.
2. We do have one pet (a dog who's 21lbs; a shiba inu, for anyone who's interested).
3. We're looking to rent first and then consider purchasing a property after a year or so.
4. I'm looking to go back to school full time at the University of Minnesota, and to go into their linguistics program.
5. We're a one-car household (as I hate to drive), so we'd be buying a car for me.

Questions:
1. What area(s) should we look at to live? The housing costs are incredibly different than where we currently reside (Norwalk, CT where you can pay $2000/month for 1000sq ft, no utilities). His potential job is in Shoreview.
2. Are there any car-buying things important to know for moving to Minnesota? X brand isn't good because they can't handle the temperature, look for a car with 4WD, etc? I don't like SUVs, but is one necessary or could you get by with a little sedan as long as you're not an idiot driving?
3. What internet/cable companies are out there, and how's the service? Any company to avoid/has historically given issues?

That's all I can think of for now, so any commentary that could be provided would be great. I think my boyfriend is going out at the end of the week for a few days for the next stage in the interview process, so while nothing is firmed up, I want to get a jump on it.

Thanks!
Darcey

[excelsiorgal]

Shoreview is a nice area, but is probably more family-oriented than younger-people-W/O-kids oriented. It's not far from St. Paul, though, so I'd check out St. Paul neighborhoods: St. Anthony Park is near the St. Paul U of MN campus (so busing or biking to the Mpls campus would be easy), the Como Park area is nice, also Mac/Groveland or Grand Avenue/Victoria area. I haven't rented for quite awhile so I can't say much about how much rent you'd pay in these areas. Certainly you could find something for far less than $2000/mo. The commute for your boyfriend would probably be between 20 and 25 minutes or so from these areas.

If you want to stay in a suburban area, then Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Roseville, or Falcon Heights would all be good choices. The commute from the latter two to the U of MN - Mpls would be 10 - 15 minutes or so -- both being close to the St. Paul campus.

As far as cars go, a 4-wheel drive isn't necessary but it is nice. I've owned Toyotas, Hondas, and Subarus and they all start well in the cold months. The latter with a 4WD would be nice -- maybe a small wagon or hatchback so you could bring your dog to the off-leash dog park! Ramsey county has quite a few, one in Shoreview. More info here:

Ramsey County Parks Home

The front-wheel drives I used to have usually required sand bags in the trunk to make them a bit more stable on ice/snow.

Internet/cable depends on where you live. When I lived in St. Paul, it was Comcast for cable and/or internet. Qwest was also available (DSL). I don't know what Shoreview or the other suburbs use. You basically have to go with whatever cable company covers that area. We had troubles off and on with Comcast, and with Qwest, and with our current cable company. They all seem to be imperfect in one way or another. But passable.

I'm a U of MN alum -- go Gophers! -- and love it. Great place to go to school and to work. Welcome to MN!

[talktobrent]

shoreview is a nice place to live, lots really nice parks and beaches but super family oriented with an aging population now. rental options will be limited. New brighton might be a good option. if you're going to the U, NE Minneapolis might be a good option in the middle. You could get to Shoreview quickly even on backroads from there, same to the U.

[nick is rulz]

Based off your post and interests/expectations/wants/etc you do not strike me as a "live in the burbs" type...but I could totally be off base

Northeast Minneapolis would be a good choice as it is close to the University with plenty of bus routes. Rents are pretty affordable, and the area as a whole has low crime. The added bonus of the city to suburbs commute is your boyfriend would be driving opposing traffic, so it wouldnt be that bad going to or from work. I go suburbs to city myself, and its a short drive

As far as wintertime driving goes? I have a Corolla and its never given me trouble. Any used cheap little gas sipping Honda or Toyota is a safe bet.

[JenLee]

I live in Shoreview, it's a nice city but pretty family-oriented on the whole. There are rental properties; but we have very little bus service here.

New Brighton, Roseville, St. Anthony all are close in and quick commutes to both the U of MN and Shoreview. I think rentals anywhere here are much more affordable than what you are currently paying, so that is good news for you.

I (personally) abhor SUV's in the winter because so many drivers *think* they can drive faster than is safe for the weather because they're in an SUV. Any front wheel drive car that is well-maintained is okay for the weather here; people used to have older "beater" cars here for winter driving, but I don't see that so much anymore.

[red_lotus]

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

Based off your post and interests/expectations/wants/etc you do not strike me as a "live in the burbs" type...but I could totally be off base

I grew up not believing in Santa, but believing in the reindeer because we'd put out carrots and the wild whitetails would come down and eat them. I'm a country girl, but growing up almost in NYC (about an hour away), I'm fairly mix-and-match.

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

Northeast Minneapolis would be a good choice as it is close to the University with plenty of bus routes. Rents are pretty affordable, and the area as a whole has low crime. The added bonus of the city to suburbs commute is your boyfriend would be driving opposing traffic, so it wouldnt be that bad going to or from work. I go suburbs to city myself, and its a short drive

As far as wintertime driving goes? I have a Corolla and its never given me trouble. Any used cheap little gas sipping Honda or Toyota is a safe bet.

Awesome, thanks!