Where to find a nicer than average apartment near the U? (Minneapolis: apartments, rentals)

[kerplunk]

Hi,

Assuming my transfer application goes well, I plan to attend class at the U, and I was wondering if you guys could recommend me a nice place to live near it. I have read other posts, but the reason I am making a new thread is because I want to live someplace newly-renovated/modern. My budget is around $1200-1500/month for rent, depending upon how badly I want it. I am self-employed and will be living with myself. I also have a car, and I have no idea about the policies of driving to the university and whatnot, but please keep that in mind. I currently live in a place with a heated underground parking garage, so that would be nice too.

So in summary, where can I find:

-Better than average apartment, near UMN
-It would still be nice to be around students
-Heated (underground?) garage, if possible

I haven't even visited these possible areas yet, so if something like this doesn't exist near the university... don't be harsh!

Any advice would be very welcomed! I can't wait to go to some Wild games.

[kerplunk]

I hate to be rude, but does anyone have any advice on this? I guess this particular forum isn't as popular as I thought it was!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by kerplunk

I hate to be rude, but does anyone have any advice on this? I guess this particular forum isn't as popular as I thought it was!

I suspect a lot of us don't live in apartments by the U. I'm not even in MN anymore.

Hopefully someone will answer soon, tho...

[Slig]

I would recommend using this as a resource:

Welcome to University of Minnesota Housing & Residential Life - Twin Cities

[kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Slig

I would recommend using this as a resource:

Welcome to University of Minnesota Housing & Residential Life - Twin Cities

Hi, thanks for this link. I searched the rentals site, but none of them have any pictures! I feel like I am searching the newspaper, haha. Thanks anyway.

[uptown_urbanist]

I agree that most of us probably don't live in apartments by the U, or, if we do, they're not the type you're looking for.

You could look into some of the modern places around north east/ St. Anthony Main area, or possibly some of the highrise places downtown. There are some highrises there that come with parking garages. The student population of the buildings probably wouldn't be high, though - you have more to work with than do most students. That would be fairly close to the U, and you could either drive or take the bus (and even if you have a car I'd really strongly suggest the bus for that commute whenever possible. Much easier, as well as cheaper!)

Stadium Village has some newer places, too, some of them I think with garages, but I don't know if you'd consider them "better than average" or not. I think they can have real noise and party issues, although the location would be convenient and you'd be surrounded by lots of fellow students. I assume those places will all be listed in the link Slig posted above, as they were all built with the student population in mind. A few other places on the west bank and elsewhere have also been built with older, or at least wealthier, students (I think they're going for the law student and grad student crowd) in mind - those would also presumably be listed there. No idea if they have heated garages, although they probably come with the option of at least some sort of parking spot.

[mnmel]

Park Avenue of Wayzata has some nice townhomes in your price range, with garages (though they are not heated). Unfortunately, they are not near campus or students - they are in Hopkins and Minnetonka.

If you want to be nearer to campus, some of the high rises near downtown Mpls would probably be a better option, but I don't have any personal experience with those.

[Gophers2011]

Hey! I'm a student at the U, and there are plenty of nicer-than-average apartments around campus, especially with your price range. Melrose (now called the District on Delaware) is a nice place to live-- a huge building, all students, with in-room washer/dryer, workout room, a theatre, a coffee shop downstairs, private rooms, underground heated parking, etc. Their website is The District on Delaware - Minneapolis. Also, University Commons is a really nice place too, a little bit quieter but with private garages, workout facilities, etc. Not sure of their web address, but if you google it, you should be able to find it. Jefferson at Berry is brand new, this is their first year open, and they have gorgeous units as well. A little bit pricier, but worth it. They're further off campus, so you'd have to take a bus or drive to get to campus, but on a nice day, you could walk. Northstar apartments in Dinkytown are nice, Marcy Park apartments are nice as well. If you're looking for something on the West Bank, the only apartment facility I would recommend is The Grand Marc at Seven Corners. You really can't go wrong around campus, even if they are a bit more expensive. Those are probably the nicest buildings near campus, I can vouch for any of them as I have friends who live in each. Good luck with your search, you'll find something great!

[kerplunk]

Wow! Thank you very much for all of the replies. As with any college, it looks like the places near campus are going to all look a certain way. Right now I live in a brand new apartment building, 3 bed room (corner), underground heated garage, spa/sauna, all of that stuff and only pay $925/month, haha. This is just me rambling now. Maybe I will look further away from the actual campus, although "Jefferson at Berry" did not look too bad. I really do appreciate everyone's recommendations as I have not even seen the U in person yet. Thanks guys

[Gophers2011]

Unfortunately, something like what you described is not going to go for only $925 a month around here! But Jefferson at Berry is probably the nicest option around campus, otherwise you could look into condos or apartments downtown, but you'd be away from students, and also would pay an arm and a leg. I forgot to mention earlier that there are "student oriented" condos around campus-- M Flats and U Flats-- if you're looking for a nicer, more permanent place.