Job in Coon Rapids - Where to Live? (Maple Grove, Blaine: fit in, mall)

[asitshouldbe]

Originally Posted by 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!

I have kids in elementary, the middle and the high school. We have not had any concern with violence. I know that Anoka had some racially motivated problems a few years ago. There has been a some racial tensions in this area lately. A few black teens were arrested for beating people up as they walked down the street. I think that really got to alot of people who have lived here for a long time without these crimes. Other then that, there isn't any violence.

[kleong01]

Thank you all for the kind reply. I am now looking more towards Maple Grove and Blaine as I see there are lot of new developments going on there. I did a some searches myself and most of the new communities are in Blaine and Maple Grove.

I am not looking towards Coon Rapids as its not as close to the City as Maple Grove or Blaine. No doubt that Blaine and Coon Rapids are more or less the same area, I feel Blaine has newer more vibrant communities than Coon Rapids.

Am I getting there?

Thanks again

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by kleong01

Thank you all for the kind reply. I am now looking more towards Maple Grove and Blaine as I see there are lot of new developments going on there. I did a some searches myself and most of the new communities are in Blaine and Maple Grove.

I am not looking towards Coon Rapids as its not as close to the City as Maple Grove or Blaine. No doubt that Blaine and Coon Rapids are more or less the same area, I feel Blaine has newer more vibrant communities than Coon Rapids.

Am I getting there?

Thanks again

Maple Grove would be more desirable then Blaine. The schools are better and aren't having as many financial difficulties. Maple Grove over all is a newer community too.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Maple Grove would be more desirable then Blaine. The schools are better and aren't having as many financial difficulties. Maple Grove over all is a newer community too.

There are some parts of Blaine that I like. Ham Lake is also an up-and-comer. Both communities have above average incomes. With Ham Lake being the wealthier community. But Maple Grove is a very nice city.

[asitshouldbe]

Ham Lake is about the same as Blaine as far as wealth goes, but Blaine is the leader. Ham Lake has its old neighborhoods and new developments, the same goes for Blaine. Blaine has more (executive) style homes on the new golf courses and has alot more retail with most of it being built within the last 5 years.

[kleong01]

Thanks again, If I am interested in new homes, where should I be? Blaine or Maple Grove - From my search I did find that there are more new homes in Maple Grove than in Blaine. What do you think?

How about waterfront living in Maple Grove?

[asitshouldbe]

Maple Grove has a bigger retail and dining area. Maple Grove and Blaine are doing about the same for building new homes. Maple Grove is on a major freeway but so is Blaine. Well, if I had to choose, being new to the area without any friends or relatives living in the area, or a job close by making me lean one way or another. I would choose Maple Grove, but if you are looking to save gas money, Blaine is closer to your work and is still a nice area. You can also find lakefront homes in the Blaine area. Maple Grove isn't really far from Coon Rapids, but its far enough and 169 and 252 can get REALLY backed up.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by asitshouldbe

Ham Lake is about the same as Blaine as far as wealth goes, but Blaine is the leader. Ham Lake has its old neighborhoods and new developments, the same goes for Blaine. Blaine has more (executive) style homes on the new golf courses and has alot more retail with most of it being built within the last 5 years.

Actually Ham Lake has a higher median household income than Blaine. But it's also allot smaller.

[kleong01]

Thanks Asitshouldbe, A friend just told me the importance of living close to work in Minnesota. When is snows it will take longer to get to work. Will look for homes within 10 miles from Coon Rapids. Most likely Blaine.

[kleong01]

I am currently living in Chicago lakeview area, it is nice to live where the traffic is not bad. It takes me 1 hour to travel 30 miles on the highway on Saturdays!!