Help please...I need to move. (Minneapolis, St. Paul: section 8, apartments, for rent)

[dormhell911]

Let me give you some back ground...I moved from northern MN to Minneapolis 3 years ago for college and still currently live in student housing ( I can't believe I made it this long). I am an older independent student desperately seeking to get the hell away from my current residence and especially my roommates. I have tirelessly been seeking apartments for rent to house just myself that are around $500-$600 (or less) with parking available...move in date June 1st. Now, I understand I should probably know the areas of the twin cities better, but I became a partial shut-in(of course I have to go to class) shortly after I moved here due to an unsavory sexual assault.
Ok...so now on to the 2 part question. I found an apartment that is perfect for me, but am questioning the neighborhood..It is located right off of 94E and White Bear Ave St.Paul...Is that the east side of st.paul I should stay away from?
If so...anyone know a good SAFE neighborhood/place to rent that is cheap, quiet, and has parking? Any help would be greatly appreciated and save me from having to hang myself in my bathroom with a wet noodle : )

[nick is rulz]

I guess it really depends on your definition of "safe". Do you want to go jogging at 2 AM alone or just not worry about hearing random gunfire?

I think probably the most definitive "starter" neighborhood in Minneapolis seems to be Stevens Square-Loring Heights. Rents are cheap and its relatively safe...theres some weirdos around but nothing of a real high risk factor. Parking is a bit of a task, but there are buildings in the area that have designated parking spots for rent. That being said, unless I was guaranteed a parking spot I wouldnt even consider Stevens. One advantage of the area is there is a lot of bus routes that pass thru, so getting to/from the U may not even require a car. You could easily snag a small spot here for less than $500

Whittier is kind of an interesting area. Again, nothing super troublesome although kind of rough in a few spots inching towards Lake. Theres a lot of buildings on Nicollet and down Plesant, Blaisdell, etc etc that ALWAYS have for rent signs. Parking can be tricky there too though. I know theres a couple buildings right on Franklin that have their own lots and have studios for about $500.

There is a building in Seward called Seward Flats I think that has cheap studios starting at about $500. Thats a safe spot and its close to the U.

St Paul I cant really comment on.

[talktobrent]

If you were a shut in all these years I don't think living in that area is going to help you, it's just not a "fun" part of town. Under $600 with no roommates isn't going to give you many attractive options. I would look in the neighborhoods around Grand Ave or Ford Pkwy in St. Paul. You might be able to find some studios or 1bdrms in that range. Those are nicer areas for young singles.

[Minnehahapolitan]

That was my thought about the Suburban Avenue area; it is pretty dead. It is rather eeire when you remember that you are in city proper. No $600 apartment is so great that it is worth living in that area. If you are still taking classes on the main Mpls. campus, that commute is very not worth it. Look towards the Central and Henn. area if you want to be away from students. Dinkytown should have alot of studios for less than $600. These are safe areas, are good places to be young and are convenient by city bus or car to the Univ. Some buildings gear towards younger kids, some have higher tendencies towards upperclassmen. There is a big difference between living near campus and living in the squalor of a dorm. Don't over-compensate by moving most of the way to Maplewood.

[Haver]

I live in the Nokomis area at 54th and 34th and am currently paying $605/month for a sizable studio. Its a safe neighborhood with everything within walking distance, and the 22 bus right outside the front door which takes me to the light rail station and to downtown - I could probably get to the U at any time of the day or night within 45 minutes. If you bike, then Lake Nokomis, Minnehaha Parkway, and West River Road are all a short 5 or 10 minute trip away as well. The majority of the units here are 1 BR but there should be an efficiency or two in the complex as well. Believe me, you will feel safe here...although I should advise there is some section 8 housing 4 blocks down, I've never had a problem. Send a PM if you want the phone number for the management office.

[zennenn]

I lived in an apartment building at 94 and Ruth, not far from where you are looking, about 10 years ago. I don't think the area looks any different now from when I lived there, and I did not feel safe. There were kids setting trash fires in the building hallways, unfriendly groups of people hanging around, unwilling to move to let you past them into the building. I then moved to a great studio at Ashland and Arundel two blocks behind WA Frost in Cathedral Hill and absolutely loved it. I could walk to Grand, walk down Summit, I felt safe and my studio was beautiful.

I agree with the previous posters - why bother? Live somewhere fun.

[lalife]

Yeah, get a studio. You can find nice ones between $475-$600. Tons of brownstones here etc with studio apartments that have character. One bedrooms have come down in price too tho, so you may get lucky.

But, be careful with the neighborhood that you choose. If you are female, there are areas that you don't want to rent in.