Where to live? (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington: apartments, for rent, condo)

[madtownkelly]

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to the Twin Cities from Madison. I'm originally from the area, but am unfamiliar with what traffic is like in certain areas. I'll be working just off of 494 in either Bloomington or Eden Prairie. He'll most likely be working in St. Paul. We want to live in a new apartment in a suburb. We've been looking at Woodbury since it's a nice area and not too big of an adjustment for him (he's originally from Madison). But I'm wondering if that'd be too far of a drive for me. Any other recommendations?

[golfgal]

You do NOT want to commute from Woodbury to Bloomington/EP--you hit 2 really bad traffic areas on that commute. It will take you close to an hour each way in rush hour. Inver Grove Heights might be an option if you are trying to stay sort of close to Wisconsin depending on where exactly you work. If your office is before 35W that is an easy, easy commute to both St. Paul and Bloomington.

Eagan would be another easy commute to both. It would be the first place I would check. There are a lot of nice apartments and townhomes for rent, very convenient to everything, a lot of younger people in the area.

[Slig]

I actually agree with Golfgal on this one (possibly a first). Check out Eagan as it would be a good go-between area between your two jobs and there is an abundance of apartment housing in a suburban type of environment.

[munchkyn]

I agree with the last two posts. Eagan would be a good middle place for both of you. Woodbury is insanely far for you!

[TheNip73]

While the drive from Woodbury to Eden Prairie is a bit far, traffic has really improved since they finished work on 494 in Bloomington and since the new Wakota bridge opened. It takes me about 45 minutes during "rush hour" to get from Woodbury to Eden Prarie, but I also live just off of 494. Most days it only takes me 30-40 minutes. If you get a few miles from 494 in woodbury 45-60 minutes might be more realistic.

I agree with the other posters that Eagan may be good ground, although a bit further from St. Paul.

Why not just move to St. Paul? Truth is your drive to Eden Prairie will be about the same whether it is from St. Paul or Woodbury, as long as you careful where in St. Paul you move to.

[Slig]

Eagan isn't that far from St. Paul though. If you get an apartment near town center (Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Rd) you can hop right on 35E and a quick commute into downtown St. Paul.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

Eagan isn't that far from St. Paul though. If you get an apartment near town center (Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Rd) you can hop right on 35E and a quick commute into downtown St. Paul.

Exactly, Eagan is just as close to downtown St. Paul as Woodbury and an easier commute since you don't have to go through Spaghetti Junction.

[nickmgray]

My suggestion would be to move alongthe Hiawatha corridor. There are quite a few new condo/apartment developments that have been built there over the past few years and it is probably the best location got getting around the metro area. You'd be minutes from bloomington and st paul and because of the location, you would not have to rely on the freeways and get stuck in traffic. Another bonus is that you would be on the Lite rail line with quick access to downtown Minneapolis, Airport, and Mall of America.

[Slig]

Amen nickmgray. Actually today I submitted an offer on a house blocks from that corridor in south Minneapolis