Relocating to Maple Grove Area

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by Kebinminn

It's south of 694 and east of 494, here's a map of parks and trails in MG.

City of Maple Grove, Minnesota - Park Finder

Littlefish, I'd call Brooklyn Center transitional. There are places I would abolsutely live in and I often shop there, in fact I'm disappointed that the reputation is poor because the suburb has some nice things to offer. However I there are pockets that are struggling and right now it's hard to know what direction it'll go.

Brooklyn Park north of 85th is also a good bet, it has some of the repuation of Brooklyn Center but it's a huge suburb and 85th is the newer side. You couldn't go wrong in Maple Grove or Plymouth either, I'm also fond of New Hope in the neighborhoods West of Winnetka, there's a lot of families and parks there. There's also some smaller towns north of Maple Grove where you may get that small town feel.

I completely agree. However do know that the houses the are north of 85th on BP, the kids attend Brooklyn Center schools, including Park High School on Brooklyn Blvd. Personally I'd stay away from it completely due to the crime rate, poor schools etc.

If you want a small town feel, drive five to ten miles west of Maple Grove to Rogers or even Albertville/St. Michael. Great places to live, more affordable and still super close to work, shopping and the Cities.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by LITTLEFISH75

Hello, in response to the "energy" debate.. I live in a pretty tough city where we have to deal with a lot of tough stuff, like exceptionally high crime rates and most people live in fear, even if we don't always talk about it. I think it would be refreshing to go somewhere where people are just calm and positive and friendly. You know, where there is a good energy... where it feels good to go outside and say hello to your neighbor. I guess it's a strange thing to ask about so maybe I should ask where NOT to live. Where are the transitional neighborhoods and what are the places to avoid? Thanks!

I understood your point from the get-go. I use to live in Champlain and the lot sizes are generally smaller and it is basically a bedroom community. The schools are more diverse in Champlin. Definitely stick with MG or Plymouth.

Additionally, most of the businesses are located south of Maple Grove (Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, MPLS, Bloomington etc) . If you go North, you get a better value (price per sq foot) but you will be adding on time to your commute. Add a snowflake at the wrong time of day and your time to work doubles or triples. This probably won't be at this same business when you retire. So either go south a town or stay in MG your short list of criteria will be met basically in the entire town.

Good luck.

[WUPWUP]

I actually know of a great townhouse that's for rent and is quite affordable, don't know if this is the appropriate place to post about it. Its part of the newer development and within walking distance to all the shopping and restaurants on main st in Maple grove. Its also within minutes to the library which has lots of baby programs and community center, and has a little private playground for kids. Let me know if you want more details.

[LITTLEFISH75]

WOW, this was helpful. Thanks everyone. We are looking for a single family detached house (we have 3 dogs and a baby) so I appreciate the rental referral but we want to buy something we can call home and not move again for a while!

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by LITTLEFISH75

WOW, this was helpful. Thanks everyone. We are looking for a single family detached house (we have 3 dogs and a baby) so I appreciate the rental referral but we want to buy something we can call home and not move again for a while!

If you need a referral to a great realtor I know someone that has been extremely helpful to me and my family. Very well connected guy and knows the market!

[LITTLEFISH75]

yes, please send on the info!

[RhianShawn]

LittleFish- You've probably got all the info that you need, but I would still like to chime in. Maple Grove is a wonderful place to raise a famiy. My parents live in Maple Grove on 98th Ave N (near the Osseo side of town) and I can walk out the front door, go half a block and get onto some fantastic Biking/hiking/rollerblading trails that go on for miles around the Elm Creek Preserve, which is just beautiful scenery. Elm Creek park has built a man-made swiming hole with a consession stand and everything, which is great for kids. I was a member of Lifetime Fitness in Champlin and just loved it, and they are a very family friendly gym with lots of activities for the little ones. There is also Northwest Recreation Center? on Weaver Lake Rd, but I hear they are a bit spendy. Maple grove has many resaurants and dining. There is a little Irish Pub in the downtown area called Claddaughs, and they have great food and the best Chocolate Martini I've ever had. I love in Texas now, but if I ever return to Minnesota, Maple Grove is where I'd live. Best of luck to you!!

[kurls]

I must correct the mis-information I see about Brooklyn Park’s schools. BP is in the Osseo and Anoka Hennepin districts for public education. Maple Grove is also in the Osseo district.

If LittleFish lives in a truly rough city, the entire metro area will seem like a walk in the park. There are some rougher areas (parts of Minneapolis, St Paul, Brooklyn Park and Center, Maplewood, Richfield, Bloomington, etc,etc)but in all reality if you get out of the state much (or ever) you will see that overall this is one of the safest metros in the country. Pretty much all of the suburbs around here have had a murder at one point, Maple Grove included. I think we might be using “high crime” as a code word for steering you away from communities of color and diversity.A recent Star Tribune story stated that the Census bureau has estimated Brooklyn Center and Park to be the most diverse cities in the state ahead of Minneapolis and St Paul.

[Minneapolis Guy]

Originally Posted by kurls

I must correct the mis-information I see about Brooklyn Park’s schools. BP is in the Osseo and Anoka Hennepin districts for public education. Maple Grove is also in the Osseo district.

Originally Posted by kurls

If LittleFish lives in a truly rough city, the entire metro area will seem like a walk in the park. There are some rougher areas (parts of Minneapolis, St Paul, Brooklyn Park and Center, Maplewood, Richfield, Bloomington, etc,etc)but in all reality if you get out of the state much (or ever) you will see that overall this is one of the safest metros in the country. Pretty much all of the suburbs around here have had a murder at one point, Maple Grove included. I think we might be using “high crime” as a code word for steering you away from communities of color and diversity.A recent Star Tribune story stated that the Census bureau has estimated Brooklyn Center and Park to be the most diverse cities in the state ahead of Minneapolis and St Paul.

Yes they are in the same district but the experiences are quite different. I would send my kid to Maple Grove or Osseo but not Park Center. I'm not going by hearsay, I actually attended K-12 in that district. I just thought I would tell you in case my poor grammar didn't tip you off.