25y/o thinking about moving to Minnesota! (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartment, lease)

[AshleyMD24]

Hello to all! I just needed a little steer in the right direction. I am from Maryland but move around alot. I have lived in Colorado for awhile and also lived in alaska last year. I recently decided to move again....and minnesota is in the running with Ak and Co!! I have never been there and would be moving alone! I plan to finish my degree while there.

Any suggestions on what partof town would suit me. I like to feel safe and live in nice areas...so which parts of downtown are the best for me??
I lovethe bar life....yet i love the outdoors...want to find a place where i will be around others my age...

I plan to leave by the end of february....so any advice would be great!! thanks!!

[Slig]

Uptown Minneapolis

[uptown_urbanist]

I agree - Uptown sounds like a good match. Safe, nice, has bars, has good outdoor opportunities (including Lakes Calhoun and Isles), and lots of 20-somethings. You don't say if you need public transportation, but it's well-served by buses (including lots of express buses to the University of Minnesota, if you end up at school there) if you need it.

[MplsTodd]

It depends on your budget, but I'd suggest:

1. Uptown: Close to all the recreational amenities of the Lakes District (Lake Calhoun/Isles/Harriet) plus the Midtown/Kenilworth and SW Bike trails, as well as all the restaurants and bars in Uptown/Lyn-Lake

2. Downtown: There are lots of possibilities, including the North Loop area ( Heritage Landing Apts, plus I'm sure Craig's List would have condo units for rent). This area is close to all the clubs and bars in the Warehouse District, though I can't say I'd recommend you walk around a lot at night by yourself, but also is close to the Mississippi Mile (biking and jogging trails along the river).

Also check out apts near the south end of downtown (Symphany Place, Marquette Place, 110 West Grant, Eitel City Apts at Loring), which are close to the bars and restaurants on S Nicollet Mall, plus close to the dwtn Target Store (which has a good size grocery dept).

3. Linden Hills/St Louis Park: These areas are less urban, but convenient to urban amenities. Excelsior & Grand is a nice complex along Excelsior Blvd, east of Hwy 100, with a Trader Joes and a few restaurants and an Irish Pub. Its also close to the SW trail, which provides easy access to the Lkaes district.

Linden Hills is more family oriented, but there are several older, but pretty nice apts in the little dwtn area of Linden Hills (within 1-2 blocks of 43rd & Upton Ave S.). Linden Hills has a great co-op, but no bars. But Uptown and Dwtn aren't too far!!

There's also Dinkytown and the Mac-Groveland area of St. Paul, plus Lowertown in dt St. Paul.

If you visit, hopefully you'll leave yourself plenty of time to check these areas out.

[AshleyMD24]

I actually wasnt going to visit first!haha....I am kind of crazy when it comes to moving! I just drive out there and pray I like it! I found my roommates on craigslist twice before when i moved to denver, co and anchorage, ak, and it worked out fine! Im still not sure if I am moving there.... might go back to alaska. I am applying to jobs in both places so whoever calls first makes my decision! Thats what i did last time!
I will have my truck with me...so public transportation is not a problem!
Thank you for the advice on locations...keep it coming!!!

[AshleyMD24]

where should i avoid?

[Slig]

I'd say move into an apartment in Uptown for now and get to know the area a little bit and then when your lease runs out you can decide if you like another area better. Uptown is a good starting point for young professionals who want to get to know the city.

[grandpa tweedle]

move here, don't go back to alaska. there are no volcanoes here! you want to live in uptown. you want to avoid north minneapolis and the brooklyns. everything else is pretty ok, including st paul, but uptown and downtown mpls are closest to the action.

[AshleyMD24]

Ok so...I have narrowed down my responses on craigslist to three people for renting a room....they all live in different areas!! I need help..pros and cons please!!

1. Rosemount
2.Bloomington
3.Eden Prarrie

Thanks so much

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by AshleyMD24

Ok so...I have narrowed down my responses on craigslist to three people for renting a room....they all live in different areas!! I need help..pros and cons please!!

1. Rosemount
2.Bloomington
3.Eden Prarrie

Thanks so much

All are solid locations. Bloomington is closest to DT Minneapolis. EP is west of Bloomington and Rosemount is southeast of Bloomington.