Thoughts on Eden Prairie (Minneapolis: house, neighborhoods, high school)

[manny1031]

I've read in other threads that the "keeping up with the Jones" mindset exists in Eden Prairie. First of all, is this true? Second, if it is true, how pervasive is it? Third, will those who may not be able to "keep up with the Jones" feel in any way ostracized? I ask because I'm seriously considering moving to Eden Prairie early next year with my wife and four-year-old daughter based on many good things I've read about Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.

[golfgal]

Eden Prairie is a nice area, excellent schools, etc. My experience is that there is a very prominent keeping up with the Jones' mentality. One example is when we go to EP for marching band competitions, the women in the snack bar are not dressed in jeans and sweatshirts like every other town we go to, they are dressed in designer sweaters and dress pants. It is just odd. We know a few people that live there that moved there from our old town and they have made friends, etc. yet they do complain about the 'must have' attitude. The student parking lot at the high school is pretty much a tell-all.

Another example, a friend was telling me about a mom in her ECFE class that was having a royal fit because she could not find a car seat to match the interior of her Jag. There are just so many more important things in life then to get upset over a car seat.

Now, having said that, moving there with a 4 year old you will have the opportunity to develop friendships with families with kids of the same age and once you establish those friendships the size house you live in becomes less important.

[BORGUSX]

Well, my dad don't have the mentality even though my family moved to EP in 1995! I guess that since my parents aren't that social, so they didn't get influences from our neighborhoods!

There was an incident that best explains the mentality here: My friend has a car that doesn't look appealing and he told me that sometime people stare at him when he is driving in his car! He added that it feel like the people are telling him that he doesn't belong in Eden Prairie!

BTW, what city do you live in, golfgal? Just out of curiosity!

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by BORGUSX

There was an incident that best explains the mentality here: My friend has a car that doesn't look appealing and he told me that sometime people stare at him when he is driving in his car! He added that it feel like the people are telling him that he doesn't belong in Eden Prairie!

That happens in every town. He is probably just a little paranoid about his car.