Leaving Austin, TX for MN- a few questions (Minneapolis, St. Paul: real estate, homes)

[Badger457]

My girlfriend and I have decided to move back to Minnesota. I'm from there originally and she is from WI, but has family there. I grew up in New Brighton and left when I was 18 and lived in Madison for 5 years and Austin for 3.

New Brighton was a great place to grow up, but now I don't think I could stand living in the suburban sprawl. Where in the TC-Metro area can I live that's not like this? I want to live somewhere that feels like there is a sense of community and that supports local businesses. I'd like to be as centrally located as possible, but am willing to concede some of that as I have two large dogs, so finding a place with a backyard or lots of parks near by would be good. So for anyone familiar with Austin, basically I'm trying to find the area most like that near the Twin Cities.

I've got friends that live in St. Louis Park, so being close to them would be a plus, but not a requirement. Also, how bike friendly is it up there? I've picked up cycling since moving to Texas, although it's hardly bike friendly here.

So any recommendations for specific neighborhoods or inner suburbs? Anything else I should consider?

[golfgal]

I would say that the Highland Park area in St. Paul is a good place to start. They have a 'downtown' area that is very busy. They don't really have a lot of 'local' businesses, mostly chain things like Barnes and Noble, food places, etc. but it is well supported. Grand Ave area has more local businesses so that would be another area to look into. Both areas are close to bike trails, etc. The Minneapolis lakes are has great biking. Most of the downtown street have bike lanes. For a northern city the Twin Cities areas are very bike friendly. Most of the suburbs are also that way. There are also many suburbs that would fit your desires too. A lot would really depend on where you end up working. Stillwater is a great town and you would probably love the community but if you get a job in say Plymouth, you wouldn't want to live there and the hour plus commute wouldn't be fun.

[BarbaraMN]

I'll give a plug for my area, Fulton in Southwest Minneapolis. Lynnhurst, Nokomis, Uptown are others.

In any of these areas you'd have easy access to miles and miles of bike trails, close proximity to your friends in St. Louis Park, a good variety of small local businesses, many parks (and a couple dog parks) and just great areas all-around.

[kuan]

SLP is bike friendly and not bike friendly. Bike friendly in the sense that there are two East-West bikeways that take you Northwest to the Wayzata area, Southwest to Eden Prairie, and East into the city. However, the city doesn't seem to like these bikeways. Two years ago they removed two bike/ped crossings that ran across busy streets. I don't know the whole reason behind this but needless to say the bike/ped community wasn't too happy. OTOH, there's a designated bike path along Minnetonka blvd. which is striped for bikes with signs and all. It just gets slighty narrow at parts, but it's a narrow road anyway.

Here are some maps so you can get a rough idea.

Bicycle and Pedestrian - Maps (broken link)


Huh the Hennepin county link doesn't seem to be working

[Badger457]

Awesome thanks for the advice so far everyone. After doing some thinking I'm leaning towards living closer to Minnepolis. The St. Paul area might be alright if it were East of 35E.

[JenLee]

Mpls has better bike paths for both commuting and recreational biking than St. Paul does; I'm on a transportation committee that is trying to increase commuter bike paths for St. Paul and its' suburbs.

I have no idea what Austin TX is like (we hope to visit it within the next 2 years, however); but I'd suggest looking around the Linden Hills or Uptown areas.

[Badger457]

So I've decided on the area South of 394, North of 62, West of the River and East of 169. Any less than desireable neighborhoods I should steer clear of? I'm trying to stay near Lake street.

[Sharolu3]

What can you afford? You are looking in potentially a very pricy area which may be a factor. Also, why did you abandon the North Metro area/ more affordable housing, bigger lots. I am a Realtor and I can tell you that you must shop more by neighborhood than area. In the Minneapolis area, very beautiful areas can sit right next to less than desirable areas. All Real Estate is local of course, but in our area you must take into account rivers, lakes, and hills that might determine the answers to your questions. I have went in and out of homes since 1969 and let me assure you in the greater Metro area (60 miles wide by the way) all opinions of the average person are extremely local;

[Sharolu3]

The real problem may well be what can you afford. Real Estate prices vary wildly in the greater metro area. I wonder why you abandoned North Metro as New Brighton is a terrific location as is Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Etc The area you are now considering needs to be narrowed as you are partially describing Bryn Mawr which is dotted with Million Dollar homes, Have you consulted a Realtor: Mpls. is a very complex market as very expensive suburbs can be sitting right next to very bad areas. Don't make any quick decisions until you get up here and take another look. As a semi-retired Realtor, you need help from someone who is not extoling the virtues of there own area. The metro roads are all great but right now with the bridge down for many more months, traffic is a huge issues between some areas where it was not before. There is a strong North South split partially brought about by the lakes, rivers, hills, etc. You need to take geography into account in our city more than in most locals. Good luck and welcome.

[Badger457]

I abandonded New Brighton because of it's distance from the city. I guess my southern boundary is more Lake street than 62. I considered North East Minneapolis, but most of my friends live in St. Louis Park and I think it has better neighborhoods.