Moving to St. Paul (Virginia: trees, cities, expensive)

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Hailstate77

Thanks again for you advise... From what I've seen from these threads, I'm not worried about making friends and meeting new people. I'm quite interested about MN. I was looking at a Loft in downtown St. Paul area... I would be in the walking distance like 2 blocks away from my workplace. Its called Lowertown Lofts Apartments on Mears Park in Lowertown, St. Paul... How is the area???? Anyone know this area well, Mears park nice? Is it worth $850-900 per month with another $40 bucks per month for my dog??? Since it will be so close to work I was thinking of not even buying a new car (I'm suppose to get one this year)

One more thing... everyone has been telling me not to bring my car up there and telling me to get an SUV or a truck. I think they might be right since right now I have a Lexus IS350... its probably not the best car to drive in MN winter conditions. Right??? or not...

That car is probably a rear wheel drive kinda like the nissan Z. Not going to be a stellar choice for full time car, but they make snow tires that really help a lot. I would highly recommend you get snow tires instead of trying to get by with all season radials. Blizzak - that is the tire you want.

Almost any front wheel drive or AWD are fine in the snow with all season radials. RWD sports cars are more of a challenge.

Totally agree that you do not need an SUV or 4 wheel drive. In my opinion, the AWD cars are more stable on ice and slick conditions than SUV anyway. I have a ford F150 4x4 and my wife has a audi a4 wagon with AWD. Truck will go through deeper stuff and does pretty good. The audi does it better until the snow is about 6" deep. I have had a few SUVs and some are much better than others, but have not seen any of them do better than the truck or the audi. In my opinion the SUV is highly over rated and people are moving quickly towards the wagons and cross over vehicles.

[Hailstate77]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Plus, living so close to work, you won't have to worry about snowfall keeping you from getting to work.

I'm not sure if that's such a good thing...

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Hailstate77

I'm not sure if that's such a good thing...

I am a bit curious. What is wrong with living nearby to where you work(unless where you work is near a bad neighborhood)? The commute will be shorter and you don't have to wake up as early.

[Hailstate77]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I am a bit curious. What is wrong with living nearby to where you work(unless where you work is near a bad neighborhood)? The commute will be shorter and you don't have to wake up as early.

I've actually had experience with this... so I can answer this. Yes everything you said regarding living close to your work is correct... but with perks comes a curse...

1. Your Boss knows you live close
2. No excuses for why your late
3. I was even told to come back for something after I left for the day
4. Some of my co-workers came by all the time after work for no reason...
5. If you have a boss like Michael Scott he will come to see you everyday.

Not saying any of those things can happen... but on the other hand every one of those things can happen.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Hailstate77

I've actually had experience with this... so I can answer this. Yes everything you said regarding living close to your work is correct... but with perks comes a curse...

1. Your Boss knows you live close
2. No excuses for why your late
3. I was even told to come back for something after I left for the day
4. Some of my co-workers came by all the time after work for no reason...
5. If you have a boss like Michael Scott he will come to see you everyday.

Not saying any of those things can happen... but on the other hand every one of those things can happen.

I just have a different perspective because to me, driving for 45 minutes to get to work sounds like a nightmare. I have lived far away from where I have worked before(and without having a car either). That is horrible. Having to start a commute earlier to get there on time is crazy.

[Hailstate77]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I just have a different perspective because to me, driving for 45 minutes to get to work sounds like a nightmare. I have lived far away from where I have worked before(and without having a car either). That is horrible. Having to start a commute earlier to get there on time is crazy.

I agree 100%... I commute 45 min to 1 hour commute from Suburb of Dallas to North Dallas area. It sucks... no doubt about it. I just know that there are perks to it also... like an extra ice-day!

[Hailstate77]

For some reason of the three places that I have choices to move to Hawaii, Arlington-VA or St. Paul, MN... I feel that MN might be the hardest to meet women (nothing against MN, I'm still very interested in moving there, plus its just a hunch)... since breaking up with my long-time girlfriend, I am beginning to realize that even in this female rich city of Dallas... nice, working, and good looking women are hard to come by.

How is the scene in MN?

[Double]

Living near your job also sucks if you get fired, laid off or quit. I think most people switch jobs more often than they switch homes these days. Living where you want to should take priority over living close to your job.

Finding women is easy in any city, as long as you've got game. If not, it will always be tough. Best bet... try eHarmony. I know a few people who have had a lot of luck with it.

[Hailstate77]

Cross Hawaii off the list... I didn't get that gig.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Hailstate77

Cross Hawaii off the list... I didn't get that gig.

Hopefully, St. Paul will work for you.