Single family, townhouse, loft, or plain ol' condo?
Lots of options on either side of the river.
If you just drive anyway, and want a single-family in a quiet, peaceful area that's a short distance away, north-eastern Northeast (Waite, Audubon, and Windom) is a beautiful area, and is close to the re-developed apache plaza shopping area in the city of St Anthony, and near Quarry Center between Stinson and Johnson.
If you have any inkling that a townhouse, condo, or loft would be good for you, you can get a nice one in downtown (north loop, mill district) or within walking distance on your side of the river with respect to your job.
Edit: Here's the requisite link to the Minneapolis street/neighborhood map...
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/abou...ghborhoods.pdf