Moving to the Cities and PANICKING! (school, job, social)

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Asia89

Thank you so much everyone for your help! I'm starting to feel much better about the pending move.

He's leaning toward moving to the Eagan area. Can anyone tell me what to expect to pay in utilities (roughly). We are looking at 2 bedroom apartments.

That is really hard to answer because every house/apartment, etc is different. One townhome we rented our WORST heat bill was $70 but usually averaged around $50 in the winter. In our first apartment our average heat bill was about $70 . The apartment was your typical 2 bedroom, middle floor apartment, the townhome was about 2600 sq feet, 4 bedroom/2 bath place with a finished basement--granted this was many years ago but they were in the same town so same utility company.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I agree, Highland Park area would also be an option.

I need to comment on this. Every time somebody is asking about places to live who is going to be studying at the University of Minnesota, Golfgal has to chime in to say that Highland Park is a good option because of it's convenient location and "nice areas."

1. the majority of people on here who are considering the move to go to the U are either by themself or with their significant other. Try and find a one bedroom or studio apartment in Highland Park. You have a better chance of finding Waldo, because everything available there is 2+ bedrooms. I looked at the most recent 100 apartments available in that area on Craigslist (a list going back to June 12) and found 8 that were 1 bedroom/studio. That doesn't provide you with a very good selection.

2. The Highland Park area is over 7 miles away from the U...how is that convenient? That doesn't make walking or biking a very good option, so you're either going to have to drive or take the bus, which isn't the end of the world, but not that convenient either. If you want a convenient location for going to the U, there are plenty of closer options with alot more availability for housing.

[aperfectbass]

Originally Posted by Asia89

He's leaning toward moving to the Eagan area. Can anyone tell me what to expect to pay in utilities (roughly). We are looking at 2 bedroom apartments.

Most apartment complexes pay heat. I have a typical one bedroom in a suburb near Eagan. I pay about $35/month for electric, which shoots up to about $60 when I'm running the a/c. I do leave my computer running most of the time, too. Our stove is electric, so that is in their, too. It'd probably be more to run the a/c with two bedrooms. I go with comcast, got their 'triple play', internet, cable, and telephone for $116 a month, thats with taxes. Quest has something comparable if you bundle services together, can't say the price for sure. Not sure about gas if you'd have to use that for cooking though. Hope this helps.

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by Asia89

He's leaning toward moving to the Eagan area. Can anyone tell me what to expect to pay in utilities (roughly). We are looking at 2 bedroom apartments.

We are currently in a 2 bedroom, first floor apt in Burnsville. Our Xcel Energy bills are $23 - $35 a month throughout the year, if that helps. Our computer/printer is always on, stove is electric, etc. (Actually, I just looked to be sure...our highest bill was for December's use...it was $32).

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

I need to comment on this. Every time somebody is asking about places to live who is going to be studying at the University of Minnesota, Golfgal has to chime in to say that Highland Park is a good option because of it's convenient location and "nice areas."

1. the majority of people on here who are considering the move to go to the U are either by themself or with their significant other. Try and find a one bedroom or studio apartment in Highland Park. You have a better chance of finding Waldo, because everything available there is 2+ bedrooms. I looked at the most recent 100 apartments available in that area on Craigslist (a list going back to June 12) and found 8 that were 1 bedroom/studio. That doesn't provide you with a very good selection.

2. The Highland Park area is over 7 miles away from the U...how is that convenient? That doesn't make walking or biking a very good option, so you're either going to have to drive or take the bus, which isn't the end of the world, but not that convenient either. If you want a convenient location for going to the U, there are plenty of closer options with alot more availability for housing.

If you read her post she is looking for something CLOSER to the U and close to job opportunities for HER. She doesn't want to live near the U and the bus options from Highland are fine.

[Slig]

yeah but why would she want to rent out a 2-4 bedroom home because that is basically all there is available in that area.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

yeah but why would she want to rent out a 2-4 bedroom home because that is basically all there is available in that area.

Because there IS more there then 2-4 bedroom houses. There are apartment complexes all along St. Paul Ave, Cleveland, Ford Parkway, etc. Off hand do they have openings, who knows but it is worth looking into since the area is convenient to what she needs.

[BillyB]

I'm from Northern Michigan so I'm used to long (never ending even!) winters and a dismal job market, if that helps.

[jzak1972]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Yeah, the same "free market" that let Microsoft crush all competition in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust act, that allowed banks to wantonly speculate on bad home loans, and that allows the airline industry to eat itself as its cost structure spirals out of control (a logical conclusion to the deregulation of the 1970's if you've been bothering to follow at all).

Forgive me if I don't blindly worship at the "free market" altar. I think it's screwed over enough people already.

Nope. Capitalism and the free market have lifted more people out of poverty than any other failed ideology in history (ahem socialism). So stop playing the tired old class warfare card.

[Asia89]

Thank you so much to everyone! this has really helped a lot.

It's great that so many knowledgeable people are willing to help a newbie like me!