Job in Coon Rapids - Where to Live? (Maple Grove, Blaine: crimes, new home)

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by kleong01

Thanks very much, any ideas on Maple Grove? I hear the area around "The Shoppes" are nice.

Now you're talking. Maple Grove is a wonderful community with great schools. It's a shoppers paradise and there are lots of young professional families.

[Hoosier]

I do agree, Maple Grove sounds like what you're looking for. It's very nice, safe, young professional families and singles. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes (we simply refer to it as Arbor Lakes) is outstanding. You have easy access to I-694 which will take you to I-94 S to downtown Minneapolis. Every summer Maple Grove has a farmer's market, as many of the 'burbs do. You have so much at your fingertips there and sounds like your price range would work there too. Very nice homes in MG. If you work downtown there is a very nice bus transit center and is filled with professionals on the morning and evening commutes. An excellent way to get to work. Everyone usually plugs in their MP3s and zones out on the ride. Very safe parking and in the heart of Arbor Lakes.

[asitshouldbe]

Whats wrong with Coon Rapids? It is a very nice community with good schools, two regional parks, one is on the river, we have a golf course a large shopping district and many nice homes. I would never live in Spring Lake Park or Moundsview, the school districts are not as nice.

[asitshouldbe]

Originally Posted by Slig

There are nice neighborhoods in Coon Rapids. If you want to live close to where your jobs are I would recommend checking out the areas north of 242 and south of Bunker Lake Blvd between Hanson Blvd and Crooked Lake Blvd.

That would be the Oaks of Shenendoah which is a older neighborhood. Wexford is newer, which is north of 242 and east of Hanson.

[Hoosier]

I do agree that Coon Rapids is a nice place. Maybe the OP doesn't want to live too close to work? Not sure. Maybe you, asitshouldbe, could clear something up for me. I've heard that the CR schools are not that great and have problems with violence. From what I've heard, it is moreso than other northern 'burbs. Can you speak to that and tell me what you know? Thanks!

[lakal]

Originally Posted by asitshouldbe

Whats wrong with Coon Rapids? It is a very nice community with good schools, two regional parks, one is on the river, we have a golf course a large shopping district and many nice homes. I would never live in Spring Lake Park or Moundsview, the school districts are not as nice.

Both of those school districts are better than Anoka/Hennipin.

[lakal]

Originally Posted by kleong01

Thank you all very much for the input, I really appreciate it.

My price range is to the max of 400,000. We are moving in from Chicago Lakeview area, its nice to be in the burbs after 3 years in the city. With our new move, we would like easy access to Minneapolis-St Paul where the night life are. We plan to start a family hence we are thinking about schools as well. Since we are in our early 30s we hope to find neighborhoods that are up and coming where people our age will be moving in, not retirement areas if you know what I mean.

Being first time home buyers we are interested in new homes and most new homes are in Maple Grove, Champlin and Blaine. I know that Maple Grove and Champlin is on the other side of the river. My question is - Where would you choose to live among the three? I guess Blaine would be an easier place to live for our commute but I visited Minneapolis and the traffic is not even near Chicago traffic.

There are not many new homes in Mounds View. Other areas that has new houses are Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights. I have read in this forum that not all agree that these are good places to live in.

Any further inputs would be great!

Just to let you know, Mounds View schools include Mounds View, Arden Hills, New Brighton, Shoreview, North Oaks, and portions of Vadnais Heights and Roseville.

Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and North Oaks may have newer homes in your target range (North Oaks is rather pricey however).

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by lakal

Both of those school districts are better than Anoka/Hennipin.

That is completely open to interpretation. My kids are in Anoka Hennepin and receive and amazing education. I believe it's what school your kids are in versus the district. Yes, the district does play a huge role, however the specific school can be absolutely awesome. We have that here in Champlin and I would not put my kids in any other school. And trust me, Minnesota has better schools than the rest of the country. That is one thing our state is known for education.

[lakal]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

That is completely open to interpretation. My kids are in Anoka Hennepin and receive and amazing education. I believe it's what school your kids are in versus the district. Yes, the district does play a huge role, however the specific school can be absolutely awesome. We have that here in Champlin and I would not put my kids in any other school. And trust me, Minnesota has better schools than the rest of the country. That is one thing our state is known for education.

Very true.

[asitshouldbe]

Spring Lake Park is an independent school district and does not offer as many programs as the larger school districts.