Moving to Minnesota from Australia ~ need help please! (Minneapolis, St. Paul: for sale, apartments)

[Hemogoblin]

I should start by saying, I "may" be moving to Minnesota from Sydney, Australia at the end of the year, if all goes well. It's work related, and I'm sure it'll be a big change from OZ. I happen to be Canadian so yes, I am used to the cold, cold winters, which believe it or not, will be a welcomed change from the heat.

I'm looking to move to a city where I can raise a family, and basically live the suburban lifestyle. I'm married and plan on starting a family, and my work allows me to move to any city really, so that isn't an issue. I'm not really interested in living in a large, busy city as Sydney has been enough, and as great as it has been, I essentially grew up in the burbs and would like to go back to that life, as would my wife. That being said, where would you all suggest I start looking?

Thanks for your help!
Steve

[Haver]

Any chance you can narrow it down as per price range, kind of house desired, neighborhood amenities, kind of work (since that might drive location, i.e. financial services in the downtown regions, etc)?

[RuslanK]

Buddy i move in Minneapolis next week from Russia, i look for place downtown so i don't have to drive back home if i get drunk somewhere and i just can take bus, look for the streets with most bars, also Minneapolis is that cold, if you think Minneapolis is cold come to Moscow and will immediately freeze to death

[Hemogoblin]

Price range is not a large concern, although I'm not looking to purchase at this point, so we would be looking at renting a place. We're not sure about a house or apartment, as I've lived in both and am happy either way.

My occupation allows me to more or less find work in a large city, or a small town, but that being said, I am looking for a suburb and not really the busy city lifestyle, at least, I don't think! LOL

To give you an idea, we now pay about $2000 a month (essentially $2000 US currency as well) for a one bedroom unit in the heart of Sydney, with a 20 minute walk to the Opera House. Granted, I don't know what rent costs in Minnesota, but here, this is a reasonable price to pay, although, compared to Toronto, Canada, rent here in Sydney is HIGH!

I'm not specifically looking for a price range (but that being said, I'm not looking to blow a huge chunk of change either), just a nice, SAFE, clean area, that is a reasonable commute to shopping, restaurants, etc. I would be very happy living in both a small town, or larger city, but would prefer a somewhat quieter community.

Also, is there a good online resource that I could use to find apartments and houses for rent/sale?

Thanks again!
Steve

[nick is rulz]

craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums

If money isnt a concern and you want a quiet feel within the city, look towards Cedar-Isles-Dean or Kenwood.

[Hemogoblin]

Thanks Nick, I'll have a look into those spots. Money is a concern, I just don't want to neither spend too little and end up in a dodgy area, nor spend so much that it becomes a waste of money.

Are those places actual individual cities, or areas within a major city?

Cheers

[kuan]

$2000/month gets you a very very nice townhome rental. In fact, $1500/month gets you a great place.

[Hemogoblin]

That's what I'm hoping because I really don't want to spend $2000 a month any more. And mine now doesn't include any utilities, and no appliances. Rental here is funny because it's all charged on a weekly basis, which was really confusing when I first arrived.

Just browsing the web, I've seen many nice spots in St. Paul and Minneapolis, one of which is Highland Park. Is that a nice area? The few units I've seen available there seem quite nice.

Cheers

[nick is rulz]

Originally Posted by Hemogoblin

Thanks Nick, I'll have a look into those spots. Money is a concern, I just don't want to neither spend too little and end up in a dodgy area, nor spend so much that it becomes a waste of money.

Are those places actual individual cities, or areas within a major city?

Cheers

Both are neighborhoods that border each other within Minneapolis. They are very close to downtown, very upscale, and very quiet.

[Hemogoblin]

Thanks so much guys, you're being very helpful Makes me that much more excited to move to MN!

Cheers!