Which West Side Suburb? (Minneapolis, Bloomington: homes, construction, school districts)

[psychomamma]

We are thinking of moving to the Twin Cities. My parents are thinking about it also, and they are looking at Wayzata out on Lake Minnetonka.

I'd like to be reasonably close to them, in a town with GREAT schools, and easy access to Minneapolis and the airport (my husband will work there).

What would you suggest?

[Robert P Stewart]

Easy - Wayzata. Think Cape Cod, but with a lake instead of an ocean (and a much more pleasant accent to boot!).

The school system is fantastic, and homes can be reasonable if you know where to look.

Robert

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by psychomamma

We are thinking of moving to the Twin Cities. My parents are thinking about it also, and they are looking at Wayzata out on Lake Minnetonka.

I'd like to be reasonably close to them, in a town with GREAT schools, and easy access to Minneapolis and the airport (my husband will work there).

What would you suggest?

I don't know the current status of the Minnetonka or Hopkins school systems, but historically they've both been very good academically.

I grew up in Minnetonka and went through the Hopkins school system myself (Hopkins Lindbergh class of '81), so I might be a bit biased. :-)

[golfgal]

Any of the southwestern suburbs are good and have good schools. You could even go as far as Rosemount, Lakeville, etc. and still be reasonably close and have a bit easier commute to the airport. Rosemount, the farthest away southern suburb is still only about 15-20 minutes to Wayzata. Have your parents researched home prices on the Lake? They do realize that they are looking at spending a million dollars+ for a lake home, right?

[psychomamma]

Yes. They are coming from a home on a beach, so they have to spend quite a bit to avoid capital gains taxes....

We, not so much! We would like to get something in the 400-500's, but still be close enough to have breakfast with them or something....

Thanks for the help, all. I appreciate it. My parents moving there is a new development and complicating our choices a bit!

[Frozen Cane]

If you parents need to spend a certain amount to avoid taxes, they'll probably be quite happy in Wayzata, Orono, Deephaven, or Long Lake. If you look in Minnetonka, southern Plymouth (north of Wayzata), northern Eden Prairie (south of Minnetonka), you can find homes that fit your budget.

The Wayzata and Orono school districts are some of the best in the state and country, which attests to the quality of education in MN. Eden Prairie schools are also good and I think the Hopkins district is OK as well.

From Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, or Plymouth you can get to the airport in 30 minutes on a highway the whole way. Just watch out for the traffic and construction on the "strip" of 494 through Bloomington.