Where to live? (St. Paul, Eagan, Apple Valley: apartment complexes, low crime, new house)

[Repubocrat]

I just started a new job in Shoreview(35 and CR J) and I am trying to find out more about the surrounding areas. I have lived in Apple Valley/Eagan most of my life and I don't know much about the NE or North suburbs.

I am currently living in Dinkytown and although I do not plan to live in a student neighborhood for the rest of my life, it is affordable and I feel pretty safe here. I went to New Brighton to look at a few apartment complexes and they were so dumpy (Silver Lane area).

Last week, I ventured NE by Columbia Heights to wash my clothes at this laundromat on Central NE and it was total ghetto, some guy started a confrontation with me for no reason and I left feeling very uncomfortable,

I hate to sound like a typical South of the River elitist but I am trying to stay away from stupid crap like this. Right now, I am thinking about the area by the U of M-St Paul, it is another student area but it is quiet and I feel like safety is very important to me. I had considered Fridley as well but I did not like some of the stuff I read, I go to the Lifetime Fitness in Fridley(Central Av NE and Moore Lake Rd) sometimes and I read that cars have been broken into there more than a few times, never had such problems in Eagan or Apple Valley. It seems like Fridley will become another Columbia Heights soon or maybe it has already become. Any suggestions on affordable areas with low crime convenient to Shoreview are appreciated!

[silverjet]

The Falcon Heights/St Paul area near the U of M would be a good place to look. The student population around there consists of mostly grad students. It's a pretty quiet area.

[Slig]

You sound pretty south of the river elitist to me. Try looking in North Oaks.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by Slig

You sound pretty south of the river elitist to me. Try looking in North Oaks.

LOL - oh no, not another Columbia Heights!

Repubocrat - don't believe everything you read re: Fridley, and a laundromat on a busy street is not the greatest place to judge an area (or entire city) by, and just curious - have you ever been to an upscale laundromat?

[Slig]

No joke, one of the richest guys I know lives in a mansion in Columbia Heights. It is senseless to write off this suburb because of one bad experience you had.

[lakal]

Err...Columbia Hts. over West Saint Paul, ANY day of the week. Please, the North suburbs are just as good/bad as south of the river. You south of the river types need to explore a little more often

But to be helpful, I'd say NE, Saint Anthony Village, or Falcon Heights.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by lakal

Err...Columbia Hts. over West Saint Paul, ANY day of the week. Please, the North suburbs are just as good/bad as south of the river. You south of the river types need to explore a little more often

But to be helpful, I'd say NE, Saint Anthony Village, or Falcon Heights.

I would disagree--the west SIDE of St. Paul is NOT nice but West St. Paul, an entirely different city, is a very lovely area and actually pretty expensive place to live.

[lakal]

I was referring to West St. Paul. Columbia Heights has a lot of nice areas as well...may people who live there work at Medtronic. However, the schools are not the greatest, people with means seem to send their kids to private schools or neighboring school districts like Mounds View and St. Anthony...

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

LOL - oh no, not another Columbia Heights!

Repubocrat - don't believe everything you read re: Fridley, and a laundromat on a busy street is not the greatest place to judge an area (or entire city) by, and just curious - have you ever been to an upscale laundromat?

Good point about the laundromat. I had to wash some large stuff my machine would not take a while back. Went over to the laudromat at 50th and Xerxes which is pretty good area.. There were no problems, but there was that hint of an edge of tension you don't normally feel.

This idea of going to do what it is you do where you might move is very smart. I did that before we built the new house. Went grocery shopping, checked where stuff was, got a haircut .... Very useful exercise. There were a few surprises, and adjustments.

Repubocrat - I did not think you came off as elitist. Sounds to me like you are just looking to find a place you want to live and asking for advice. Working in Shoreview, I would suggest looking at White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Columbia Heights, Vadinias Heights or for that matter Shoreview is nice too. The Falcon Heights are suggestion was also good.

I moved from 50th and France Area to WBL while they built our new house and am now in Mahtomedi area. Big adjustment, but I have to say I really like it. Biggest thing I notice in the people is that they seem more laid back. The area has a semi rural feel with a fair bit of wildlife you don't see in the heart of the city.