Walkability w/ good schools & public transit? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: how much, buying a home)

[art-teacher]

hey folks,
I am thinking about relocating (I currently live in Alabama) and I'm looking for a walkable city with good public transit and good public schools (I'm a teacher).

I've heard that Minneapolis is a good walkable city (with public transit) and I'm interested in finding out if it is doable without a car.
i.e. could I walk or use public transit to get to a school (that I'd work at) and grocery store, doctor, shopping, resturant, vet's office, etc.

Price is also an issue as teachers don't make much (from looking at the Minneapolis pay scale, they don't make much more than they do here in GA/AL...about $36 - $45k a year)... So I'd need to live in an area that I could afford rent/buying a home in that price range. Is there an area that cheap that isn't really sketchy and offers what I'm looking for in terms of public transit/walkability?

Distance to parks, public recreation and arts activities are also big pluses. One other thing that might be a factor, is that I own 2 cats (and would like a dog) so a pet-friendly area would be great as well.

Thank you for your time and help!

[golfgal]

Yes, Minneapolis has good public transportation, as does St. Paul and many of the suburbs in the metro area. As for 'good' schools, I guess that depends on your definition of good (good administration, easy kids to work with, etc.) but schools overall in MN are excellent. The problem you will have is that MN won't accept your license. You will have to get licensed in MN before you get a job. Some districts MIGHT let you sub while you are getting your MN license if they are desperate for subs.

Do you want to be in a large metro area or did you just pick that because of the possibility of public transport? There are many towns in outstate MN (outside of the Twin Cities metro area) that would work as well, have lower costs of living and are looking for teachers.

What is your licence in-elementary, secondary??

[art-teacher]

golfgal- Thanks for the reply!
my license (I'm licensed in GA and AL currently) is in k-12 art. I greatly prefer secondary (MS and HS) but would do elementary if I had to.

I did not know that MN doesn't accept outside certification... Most states have a "reciprocity" agreement, whereby you can at least get temperorary certification... I have a BFA in art and a M.Ed., so I would hope that getting additional certification wouldn't be too great of a difficulty.

I did mainly pick Minneapolis because of the public transit, not necessarily because I really wanted a city environment. I have never lived in a really urban city, so living in one could be either very good or bad, depending on how much I like it. If there are other cities in MN that meet my requirements, I would be happy to look at them as well... My plans are still in the very abstract stage at this point, so I'm open to investigate all possible locations.

Thanks for your help!

EDIT- I forgot to answer your question about "good" schools... I would like a school with good administration (that will back me up) and hopefully a good PTA or rate of parent involvement. Lower income schools don't bother me, but I'd prefer not to work at a school known for violence on or very near campus. Also, technology integration would be a huge plus.

[golfgal]

Ok, with an Art certificate for secondary you might have some luck in some of the outstate schools too. I do know that the district in Marshall, MN is doing quite a bit of hiring due to retirements. I don't know specifically about art though. I know our district has 5 high schools and with various turnover rates for retirements, etc. there are always job openings. The district website is down (196-Rosemount/Eagan/Apple Valley) so you can't check it right now.

I am a former teacher and the administration in our district is PHENOMENAL!! Our town, Rosemount, is very walkable, pet friendly, etc. We have a local bus service to take you elsewhere too.

It is possible if a district is having problems finding a qualified teacher that they will grant you a temporary certificate, it just isn't all that common in the metro area because of the number of applicants they get for each job--thus getting your certificate before you come. Outstate, that happens more frequently which is why I wondered about living in Minneapolis vs elsewhere.