Moving to elk river area/greater Minneapolis area from SoCal (Maple Grove: neighborhood, school district)

[jeepflower]

Hi there, we are currently planning to move to the Elk River/Minneapolis area from the Los Angeles area. Looking for advice/ moving tips/neighborhood recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

-Rena

[demtion35]

Elk River is about 35 miles from Mpls. Where will you be working? Do you want info on just Elk River?

[Citykid3785]

Maybe this ship has already sailed, but Elk River isn't the gem of the Twin Cities. It's a very blue collar, dated exurb with so-so highway access. Not saying its a bad place, just want to clarify if you are asking about the best portions of Elk River, or the Twin Cities in general?

[BillWallace]

It certainly depends on where you are working, what appeals to you and what your budget is. Maybe you could provide more details.

If it was me and I was working in Elk River I might try to live a little closer to the Twin Cities (unless you really like a rural setting). Places like Rogers, Anoka or Maple Grove (many other suburbs on the NW corner as well).

[jennifat]

Originally Posted by Citykid3785

Maybe this ship has already sailed, but Elk River isn't the gem of the Twin Cities. It's a very blue collar, dated exurb with so-so highway access. Not saying its a bad place, just want to clarify if you are asking about the best portions of Elk River, or the Twin Cities in general?

I grew up in Ramsey and went to the Elk River School District schools. Elk River is definitely not blue collar. It's exurban McMansionville like pretty much every other outlying bedroom community surrounding the Twin Cities.

If you want blue collar, try Columbia Heights, Brooklyn Center, or Little Canada.

[Wellstone]

For what it is worth, Sherburne county, which Elk River is in, is among the 2 or 3 most conservative counties in the state, about like nearby Wright and Carver counties. If you are not a republican, there is a pretty good chance that you will not agree very much with how they chooses to govern themselves and represent at the capitol.

It's a mid sized city surrounded by a very rural landscape. It is quiet and they have most of the essentials, and what they don't have would require a 20-30 minute drive to minneapolis suburbs or to St Cloud.

I would say it is better than living in no man's land between Ramsey and Elk River. If you like rural areas with nice landscapes, a bit north toward Zimmerman and Princeton, it is much more wooded and scenic. Southeast of elk river, it is bare land and train tracks.

[Mason3000]

Elk River, it's a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll.

[jeepflower]

Thanks for the helpful responses. We will be working in Minneapolis How about other suburbs nearer to Minneapolis/st Paul?