Which Neighborhood for Us? (Maplewood, Forest Lake: renting, house, safe neighborhood)

[mntns2lakes]

Hi all,

My wife and I are moving to the Twin Cities this summer from Denver and are looking to buy our first house. Our jobs are in Maplewood and the Forest Lake (we are used to a 30 minute commute) so that is not of our utmost concern.

We are currently looking at the West 7th, Mac-Groveland, Hamline-Midway, and Como Park area. We are both runners so having access to running paths/trails is a biggie for us (in addition to it being a safe neighborhood). While we don't know much about MPLS, we wouldn't be opposed to the Seward, Longfellow or Cooper neighborhoods. We currently live near a park in a walkable neighborhood of Denver (hence the interest in Como Park) and would love to be near green space. We have a $250k budget and do not need a massive house as we are just looking to stop renting. We will be living with her parents so we can afford to wait for the right place.

Other wish list items in no particular order:
1) Near a yoga studio would be excellent.
2) Near a brewery would also be a plus.
3) Open space or dog park for our dog to run around.


Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Thedosius]

I think the lack of response to your post is due to the fact that you've chosen neighborhoods that should work out great for you- I couldn't recommend better.

$250K is going to be lower end (my 2 bedroom 'starter' home of 850 sq. feet in Longfellow is worth about $220K) but I think you'll have some decent options even though it's very much a seller's market.

You can live just about anywhere in the Twin Cities and be near green space. All the neighborhoods you listed are near/around parkways, lakes, creeks or rivers. I don't know about the locations of breweries or yoga studios but they also are pretty common throughout the cities.

[Citykid3785]

You mentioned some good ones, of the ones you listed I'd highlight Hamline-Midway for the following reasons:

within budget
close to light-rail
up and coming due to new soccer stadium
suburban stores you need, but independent shops you want

All neighborhoods will have great parks, yoga, and running opportunities.