Who lives in Downtown St Paul?

[newtostpaul]

I know this post is kind of old but I just moved to St. Paul from Austin, TX. I am 29, single and a student at UM's Medical School. AUSTIN has a vibrant downtown...Minneapolis? Don't be fooled. It isn't that great considering how expensive it is to live there. I moved to Lowertown Lofts (not the artist coop) across from Mears Park and have lived here for a month. There is a gay bar around the corner (which reminds me of Cheers, seriously...everyone knows your name) a punk bar down the street, the Bulldog and Barrio Tequila Bar about a block away and other numerous cool downtown places to eat (Fujiya, Cossetta's Italian Market, a few delis, etc). There is a definite Austin vibe going on here (mind you, at a miniscule scale... artists, indie, rockers, punks, and yuppies). Plus people in this area are just downright friendly. I made a great decision, and this is coming from someone who is use to living in the "Live Music Capital of the World". Sure St. Paul dies down after 5pm on weekdays but I haven't noticed that so much on the weekends. It does lack diversity, but come on now, this is Minnesota we're talking about. My only other complaint is that yes, I have to drive about 5 miles to the University Dr. area where you will find a Cubs Food, Rainbow Foods, Wal-Mart, Super-Target, etc. Minneapolis DT folks are QUICK to bash on St. Paul but it's always with this weird insecurity vibe in their tone. Uptown is not the hipster haven they claim it to be, it's dirty, wannabe, loud loud loud and Loring Park (where I almost lived) is wayyyyyy overpriced!