SLP or a cul de sac in da 'burbs (Eden Prairie: houses, neighborhoods)

[ottaknow]

HELP! Exploring the idea of moving for a job just north of St Louis Park on Wayzata Blvd. I'm originally from Madison WI & have spent the past 11 years in Ohio. I'm very excited to move my family to the Cities, although still struggling to convince the husband that there are days in the winter where the high does creep above -2.

We have a 2 yr old & 4 yr old so schools will be part of the decision.

Everything I've read tells me I've got all kinds of choices for an excellent school district in that area. Here's the other stuff that will make up our decision:

House under $350,000, but really struggling with where to look. Houses in SLP look very small for the price. My sister used to live off of 50th & France & we enjoyed the walking neighborhood feel and close to the lakes during our visits. But we don't have $5-600,000 for a house of any size. (3-4 br, 2 ba). I'm scared of cookie cutters on a cul de sac, but like the bigger size houses. HELP!

So, I've told you where the job might be. Please help me figure out where to look without a horrible commute. I'd really like this move to be to the house we raise our kids in. I want my kids living next door to the kids they go to school with and I want friendly neighbors that might enjoy a cool beverages during a backyard party or an impromptu shared glass of wine after the 12th day of sub zero temperatures.

Thanks for the help!

[Minnehahapolitan]

Western portions of Saint Louis Park have more house for the price, but it is much more suburban. Places off Excelsior are much more walkable and urban, but more expensive. You could prob. still get a very nice house for around 350,000, but it is going to be an older bungalow. Most of the cookie-cutter type houses are well outside of the Mpls. beltway.

[ottaknow]

Thanks for the note.

If we are looking for something larger than a bungalow, where should I look? Any thoughts on Waconia (looks far) vs EP vs Chanhassen/Chaska?

Thanks

[hammy5]

There are plently of "burbs" in that area without cookie cutter houses. Find a developement with several builders in it and you will be fine. I live in what a city person would call a "cookie cutter" developement be yet there are only 2 houses in the whole place that look the same. Stay away from the big box builders and you will be fine.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Waconia doesn't even count as a suburb. Eden Prairie is pretty close-in and has neighborhoods that are a little older (actual trees!). Chanhassen and Chaska can get to be a long drive. Minnetonka would be a very easy commute and has the most natural and rural feel of any larger suburb. Western Saint Louis Park and Golden Valley have larger homes also.