Help an old guy ! (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartment, rentals, crime)

[Alt Dach]

I went to college in St.Paul many years ago and always wanted to move back there,but had to stay in Green Bay because of my wifes family
situtuation and her own health in later years.

Now that I'm a widower I plan on moving back -dont want a house at my
age(70) and looking for opinions on what would be the best SP suburb
for me with a rental up to 900-1000 per month.Or even area of the
city if crime is low-I still drive so trans. no problem.
Thanks.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Alt Dach

I went to college in St.Paul many years ago and always wanted to move back there,but had to stay in Green Bay because of my wifes family
situtuation and her own health in later years.

Now that I'm a widower I plan on moving back -dont want a house at my
age(70) and looking for opinions on what would be the best SP suburb
for me with a rental up to 900-1000 per month.Or even area of the
city if crime is low-I still drive so trans. no problem.
Thanks.

Roseville area would be a good choice. Close to SP and Minneapolis, affordable, and great transit connectivity. Also, shopping and everything else you need is close.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Highland Park, Mac-Groveland and Grand Avenue have tons of great rental properties and have alot of things within walking distance of them, that way if your situation were to ever change you would avoid having to move. They are safe and clean areas that are close to anything you could possibly want.

[JenLee]

Having had some experience with an elderly relative moving back here after being gone for 45 years, I'd check into the senior community services to see where an active senior center would be so you can meet new friends and develop an active social life quickly.

Our "Auntie" moved back here thinking that she had some friends and relatives (us) here; but her friends were either homebound or died within the first year or 2 after her move. She was quite lonely for people her own age until we got her involved in the local Senior Center.

Depression is common for elderly who move to be close to their children; it's really important for you to establish a social network and get involved with the community resources ASAP once you do move.

I know that Roseville does have aa active Senior Activities program that lists various activities in each of the Roseville Adult Ed seasonal catalogs put out by the school district there.

Here are some links you might like to check out:
Roseville Area Schools
Senior Community Centers
White Bear Area Senior Program

[dotdash]

My mom lived there for years. You can rent a small house in a quiet neighborhood, have access to city buses. She even had a Highland Park clinic she really liked. Grand is a bit more lively and retail-oriented if you like that...

[BarbaraMN]

The intersection isn't pretty, but at 66th & Lyndale in Richfield there are some really nice senior-oriented buildings. We've had several neighbors move there (Gramercy's City Bella) and they love its active, hassle-free lifestyle. They are also across from Woodlake Nature Center which is a nice gem of a green space. Major services (drug store, grocery, doctors, dentists) are all close enough to walk and its location between highways 62 and 494, and just off of 35W make it easy to get to pretty much anywhere.

[golfgal]

There are a lot of options for you. I agree with others and find an area with an active senior community. The more established areas probably have a higher concentration of people over 65, Stillwater, Hastings, Bloomington, etc. Highland is a good option, busy area but nice. You might have some difficulty finding a rental there for your price but there will be a few. Just be careful in Highland with rentals, see if you can find a house to rent or if you can, find an apartment closer to Ford Parkway/Cleveland. There are some great rentals along Cleveland/St. Paul Ave toward Ford Parkway if they have any availability. Some of the rentals toward 7th on St. Paul are not so nice.

If you don't mind being a bit farther out, Northfield might be an option. I know they have a very active senior community plus the 2 colleges with a lot of offerings for things to do right in town, much of it free.