Apple Valley or Maple Grove, which one? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: cul-de-sac, fit in)

[sunnyc]

Are there many differences between these two areas? Which is more upscale, clean, newer; and which would be less dangerous? If you had to recommend one or the other for people in their 20's, which would it be? Any thoughts/recommendations would be helpful--thanks!

[Minnehahapolitan]

Apple Valley is more upscale
Maple Grove is newer
Both are safe and clean.
Maple Grove has more to offer younger people in terms of shopping and activities.

[golfgal]

Where are you working because that might be more of a concern.

[knke0402]

Both are great.
Apple Valley has more geography with slight rolling hills
Maple Grove is newer.

[rshillard]

I grew up in No. St. Paul and have lived in Maple Grove for the past 11+ years. I've watch the growth and expanse. Everything you have need of is here especially now with the new hospital. Great restraunts, name brand stores, churches, schools, ect. What denotes safe? I believe you can site any problem is you look for it anywhere. Saftey here appears to be very good. We have great neighbors where we all know each others names and in our cul-de-sac we have 30+ children ages 2 months -14 years old. Hope this helps. Apple Valley is pretty, Maple Grove is expanding.

[sunnyc]

Thank you to all for responding. Golfgal, to answer your question, what I'm hoping to do is choose one of these areas and search for a job after making that decision.
I'm in my mid-20's and looking for a place where I'll fit in. How long would the commute be from Apple Valley to Maple Grove if I lived in one, worked in another?

[kuan]

Blah. Upscale. I hate that word.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by sunnyc

Thank you to all for responding. Golfgal, to answer your question, what I'm hoping to do is choose one of these areas and search for a job after making that decision.
I'm in my mid-20's and looking for a place where I'll fit in. How long would the commute be from Apple Valley to Maple Grove if I lived in one, worked in another?

The commute would be a LONG one-hour plus in good weather. Last night it would have taken probably 3+ hours with the snow at rush hour. They are about as far apart as you can get in the cities.

[akronbball]

Originally Posted by sunnyc

Thank you to all for responding. Golfgal, to answer your question, what I'm hoping to do is choose one of these areas and search for a job after making that decision.
I'm in my mid-20's and looking for a place where I'll fit in. How long would the commute be from Apple Valley to Maple Grove if I lived in one, worked in another?

My suggestion would be to try and find a nice job you would enjoy, then look for a place to live. There are plenty of nice suburbs all over the twin cities area, so I'm sure you could find one that fits you and is close to where ever you find a job. Don't look past Minneapolis or St. Paul, they both have a lot to offer as well.

[nordeast gal]

Originally Posted by sunnyc

Are there many differences between these two areas? Which is more upscale, clean, newer; and which would be less dangerous? If you had to recommend one or the other for people in their 20's, which would it be? Any thoughts/recommendations would be helpful--thanks!

I honestly don't know the answer to your question.
I grew up in Maple Grove-- we're talking 30 years ago--and it was a kid's paradise back then...dirt roads, lakes, gravel-pit tobogganing...that was dangerously FUN.

...moved to Mpls and never looked back.

The last time I was out there, it seemed to me that the biggest danger was the possibility of being run over by an SUV that was racing 500 feet to the parking lot of the next chain store. I imagine that Happy Apple Valley is much the same.