Young unmarried professional -- where to live?

[Squeamish]

I'm still seeing some reasonably-priced studios around Stevens Square and the Wedge, which hints that that area (pretty much fringes of uptown) might have a good opportunities-to-meet-people to price ratio. But it's a bad commute to Eagan unless you can make one of those reverse commute routes from the 46th Street station work. The heart of Uptown probably costs way more.

The Blue Line runs REALLY FAST between around 50th down to Franklin, so if you did want to pay the rent premium to be close to the light rail, you could live near 46th, 50th, or the VA stations and have a super short car commute across the bridge with no jams during rush hour (!) and also a fast train ride to the West Bank of the U, Seward, and even downtown Minneapolis. But that area is a VERY nice neighborhood AND on the light rail, so you'll be paying like a double rent premium. If it were me, I'd look maybe 1/2 mile away from one of those stations, it's a short bike ride and you can take your bike on the train.

Highland Park is also a remarkably fast and trafficless commute across 2 bridges (once the construction is finished). But it's a very desirable area, so you'd be paying a rent premium there. Unless you're down on West 7th, which has some bad apartment complexes but likely good ones as well.

St. Paul is generally much less expensive than Minneapolis, but also has much fewer activities for young people.

[Rufus15]

Originally Posted by WoodburyWoody

And a light rail ride to downtown MPLS for more bars, restaurants, bands, etc. with stops on the UMN campus if you want to hit when the Badgers come to town for a game or hit the college bars in Dinkytown.

If not for the work in Eagan (Rueters?), I'd go with Uptown as a possibility as well. But Uptown to Eagan and back daily would be painful.

Correct. Uptown and back would be painful (25 min), but where else? Not sure if there's any other way. Someone else said warehouse district (he said it would be similar vibe). Obv living in Eagan would be cheaper and less painful. Yet, would I meet people my own age, living in that area? I just feel like it might be worth the commute for the time, to live in Uptown or Warehouse. Am I wrong?

[Dennis Schroeder]

I liked the area around Eat Street. Although I am not sure it would be the most fun for a person just out of school.

I found an apartment there I wanted to buy, and hung out for a weekend to get a feel for the area. It seemed very empty at night.... and even during the day. This is ok for me since I'm a solitary troll but does not seem like a good place for meeting people. I just mention this because supposedly this is one of the more popular parts of Minneapolis. It seems like there's a huge drop off in activity level between the most popular parts and the second most popular parts.

Personally I would suggest to just live in the area with the most young people regardless of your commute. I think that would be in Uptown. It seemed teeming with young (and older) people of all kinds. The Lyndale Brewery was packed to the brim. "Hipsters" and "bros" and everyone in between.

If you find the commute is too awful then you can move into a better location the next year. I think if you live in an easy commute area with no young people around you will be lonely and hate your life. I did that once in another city, and it was miserable.

[uptown_urbanist]

I think it will be worth the commute. It won't be THAT bad.

[gophers1991]

Anywhere near Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. About the same prices as uptown, similar demographics, and a much better commute time to Eagan.

[mr roboto]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I think it will be worth the commute. It won't be THAT bad.

No kidding. 25 mins is a walk in the park compared to many commutes in many metros. And young, no kids... no big deal. Live where you want and drive the extra 9 minutes.

[cathedralhill1]

I think it's more than 9 extra minutes. What would the route even be--would it involve 35W or 494? It's straight down 35E from St. Paul--much simpler. This is actually the time of life when you're not supposed to saddle yourself with a tough commute--people tend to do that AFTER kids, not BEFORE, but I would agree with the idea of avoiding living in Eagan!

[Mason3000]

I wouldn't seriously consider Uptown. The commute is completely unnecessary. I'd look at the Lowertown are in Downtown St Paul by the new Saint ballpark, at the new apartments across from the Science Museum on Sheppard Road (technically not in DT or Lowertown, but just a couple blocks away & they're overflowing with young, single 20-somethings). I'd also look at Selby-Dale/Cathedral Hill/Grand Ave areas in St Paul proper. All of these areas have plenty of young people, plenty of restaurants/bars/cafes & are all a straight shot up 35E to Reuters. I drive for a living & there's no way on earth I'd drive Uptown to Reuters in Eagan everyday if I didn't have to. Brutal.