Thoughts on Anoka (or similar places)? (Minneapolis, Eden Prairie: apartment complexes, rent, low crime)

[Ursicinus]

Long story short, I currently rent in South Minneapolis, but just got a job in the Maple Grove area. I have reason to believe this will be a fairly long-term position, so my wife and I are thinking about possibly relocating in a year or two to somewhere closer to cut down on the commuting headache and put down roots. She currently works downtown, but is not against looking for a similar (or better-paying) job elsewhere. We have a 1.5 year old, and wherever we live, we'd obviously want a good environment for him to grow up in (low crime, nearby parks, and so on.).


Thing is, we really like the area we live in now. Parks, trails, walkability, nearby local businesses, etc. are all really big for us. We like not having to hop in the car and drive somewhere if we want to go for a walk, you know? So, not to step on any toes here, but "normal suburbia" wouldn't really work for us. Exurbs with "Mainstreet" or downtown areas and older housing appeal to us a lot more, so we're sort of window shopping in that direction right now.


We've only passed through a couple times, but Anoka seems like an option. I tried to search the forums but couldn't find anything recent that was specifically about this place. Does anyone have any recent knowledge they can share about Anoka? Or for that matter, any other places in, say, the "northwest quadrant" of the Twin Cities area? We're both in education, so for better or worse, our ideal baseline for a house would be around 200k.



(We've also been browsing the St. Louis Park and Hopkins areas the last couple years for similar reasons, so I already know all about these places )

[danielle_pal]

I think Anoka is nice. It’s kind of rural feeling to me. They go all out for Halloween. My best friend played hockey and graduated from Anoka and she misses it even though she lives in San Fran now. I’ve been to her home for parties and it seems like you get more land than other suburbs for the price.

[1stpontiac]

I used to live in Anoka and live in Maple Grove now. I'm not sure moving down to Anoka would help your commute much. That's a 20 min drive in good traffic, and during rushout 169 S from Anoka down to 610 is likely to be slow.

In addition, keep in mind that the downtown of Anoka is pretty small and really consists of a couple coffee shops, a few stores, and a handful of bars. That may be all you need, but if you are used to a large spread of variety, you'll run out fairly soon.

Finally, look at the apartments or homes available right around the downtown and see if they suit you. While you get more land for your money in some parts of Anoka, those parts are out of walking range from downtown. Close in to the restaurants and stores, the houses and lots are smaller and older, although there are some newer apartment complexes down there, if I remember correctly.

Not trying to be down on Anoka, as I quite miss it, and particularly the ability to walk to an ice cream shop (2 Scoops!) sometimes. Just trying to give you a full picture to consider.

[Grizzly Addams]

Originally Posted by Ursicinus

Long story short, I currently rent in South Minneapolis, but just got a job in the Maple Grove area. I have reason to believe this will be a fairly long-term position, so my wife and I are thinking about possibly relocating in a year or two to somewhere closer to cut down on the commuting headache and put down roots. She currently works downtown, but is not against looking for a similar (or better-paying) job elsewhere. We have a 1.5 year old, and wherever we live, we'd obviously want a good environment for him to grow up in (low crime, nearby parks, and so on.).


Thing is, we really like the area we live in now. Parks, trails, walkability, nearby local businesses, etc. are all really big for us. We like not having to hop in the car and drive somewhere if we want to go for a walk, you know? So, not to step on any toes here, but "normal suburbia" wouldn't really work for us. Exurbs with "Mainstreet" or downtown areas and older housing appeal to us a lot more, so we're sort of window shopping in that direction right now.


We've only passed through a couple times, but Anoka seems like an option. I tried to search the forums but couldn't find anything recent that was specifically about this place. Does anyone have any recent knowledge they can share about Anoka? Or for that matter, any other places in, say, the "northwest quadrant" of the Twin Cities area? We're both in education, so for better or worse, our ideal baseline for a house would be around 200k.



(We've also been browsing the St. Louis Park and Hopkins areas the last couple years for similar reasons, so I already know all about these places )

I would stay where you are if you are happy there. IMO it's much better to live where you enjoy and commute to work, then the live near work and have to commute to where you enjoy.

Source: I live live in Saint Paul and commute to Eden Prairie for work.

That being said, if you can see yourself being just as happy somewhere closer to your new job then by all means I'd recommend moving there.

[Ursicinus]

Thanks for the responses!

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

I used to live in Anoka and live in Maple Grove now. I'm not sure moving down to Anoka would help your commute much. That's a 20 min drive in good traffic, and during rushout 169 S from Anoka down to 610 is likely to be slow.

20 mins sucks, I agree, but I'd take it over 40 I know there's some construction near the river currently too (I was up there the other day), but that should be done before we would even be thinking of relocating up there.

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

In addition, keep in mind that the downtown of Anoka is pretty small and really consists of a couple coffee shops, a few stores, and a handful of bars. That may be all you need, but if you are used to a large spread of variety, you'll run out fairly soon.

Fair enough! I was totally expecting to make the trip back down to Minneapolis if we wanted to get our normal spread of restaurant options; that's not a deal breaker. Honestly the lack of a bookstore downtown is a little bit of a bummer, but same deal as with restaurants.

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

Finally, look at the apartments or homes available right around the downtown and see if they suit you. While you get more land for your money in some parts of Anoka, those parts are out of walking range from downtown. Close in to the restaurants and stores, the houses and lots are smaller and older, although there are some newer apartment complexes down there, if I remember correctly.

Smaller and older is perfectly fine for us. We specifically do not want a 10 year old 4,000 sqft beige house on a cul de sac As far as "land", as long as we have enough to plant a garden (and there are local parks for our kid to play in), we're good; anything extra is just more to mow

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

Not trying to be down on Anoka, as I quite miss it, and particularly the ability to walk to an ice cream shop (2 Scoops!) sometimes. Just trying to give you a full picture to consider.

No, I appreciate it!

[Ursicinus]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Addams

I would stay where you are if you are happy there. IMO it's much better to live where you enjoy and commute to work, then the live near work and have to commute to where you enjoy.

Source: I live live in Saint Paul and commute to Eden Prairie for work.

That being said, if you can see yourself being just as happy somewhere closer to your new job then by all means I'd recommend moving there.

Oh I hear you, there. The real issue is we're currently renting, and I doubt we could currently afford to buy a house in South Minneapolis unless it was practically falling over already. Most sub-200k homes in Minneapolis seem from what I've seen tend to be either major renovation projects, or in areas we'd rather not live in.

[Grizzly Addams]

Originally Posted by Ursicinus

Oh I hear you, there. The real issue is we're currently renting, and I doubt we could currently afford to buy a house in South Minneapolis unless it was practically falling over already. Most sub-200k homes in Minneapolis seem from what I've seen tend to be either major renovation projects, or in areas we'd rather not live in.

You could take a look at the Como Park area as well. It has a South Minneapolis feel to it.

[Ursicinus]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Addams

You could take a look at the Como Park area as well. It has a South Minneapolis feel to it.

Yeah Como is a really nice area we've definitely looked into before and would totally move there if feasible! Problem is, it wouldn't solve my current commuting issue

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I grew up in the northern suburbs and graduated from Anoka HS. Go Tornados! (in an overtly Minnesotan accent)

Given my knowledge of the areas you mentioned and the commuting situation my choices would rank like this:

1) Minneapolis
2) Hopkins
3) St. Louis Park
4) Anoka

Anoka has a Main Street that at first glance looks very charming...but outside of those 5 or 6 blocks there is really not much else noteworthy. Take my word for it and take a hard pass on Anoka.

[1stpontiac]

To tell you the truth, Maple Grove's main street is feeling more and more natural and community-based. It's still a little chain-heavy, but with the Town Green performance venue busy 3-4 nights a week, the library, paths around the lakes, Central Park (and the ice skating loop!) and the community center all within an easy walk of Main Street, its really turning into a nice environment.

Main Street itself (note: Main Street is NOT the Arbor lakes area you see from the interstate) has 3 Square restaurant and bar, coffee and ice cream shops, Mexican, Thai, pizza, burger, and noodle restaurants, Byerlys, and a handful of retail stores.

Unfortunately, your budget probably doesn't quite work there. You'd need $250k-$300k for one of the townhouses right along the paths there.