Moving to St Paul area in June...advice? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: middle-class, renters)

[midatlantic]

Hi everyone!

I am moving from MD to the St. Paul area in June and am looking for some advice from those familiar with the area.

Me and my boyfriend are in our early thirties, looking for a relatively quiet, safe, middle-class neighborhood. I will be working on the UMN St. Paul campus (he's still lookng for a job) and am looking to commute no more than 30 minutes.

We are planning to rent a townhouse or single family house in the 1000-1500 range---2 car garage, pets.

Any advice on general areas? We found places in St. Paul Park, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Woodbury....

My biggest concern are the commute and crime (I guess knowing that I live in a Baltimore suburb now would give you an idea of what is tolerable and what isn't), but it would be great to find a neighborhood that has some character...

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

[Robert P Stewart]

I really hate to start off this way - but it means alot to this question: what's your budget?

You may want to check out the Mac/Groveland area. Depending on your budget, the neighborhoods are relatively young, mildly progessive, and safe. I would live there in a heartbeat if I didn't feel the need to live in the "country". OK, Lakeville isn't country, but we do have a full acre...

Robert

[uptown_urbanist]

I'd stick with the area right around the St. Paul campus. It would be a great commute for you (so much easier to just leave the car at home!) and it's safe. The St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul (as opposed to the separate St. Anthony Park city, or the Minneapolis neighborhood with a similar name) is within walking distance of the St. Paul campus, and should have some places in your budget. The neighborhood is filled with character, is safe, and is literally right there. Falcon Heights, a small city/suburb, is also extremely convenient. You should be able to get what you need within walking distance, or short bus ride or drive, but with the U it's easier to take the bus even if you do have a car) from the campus.

[midatlantic]

For our budget, we can easily afford anything up to $1500 a month; but would like to rent for less so we can save money to eventually buy a house wherever we end up.

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming...

[shizzy]

Originally Posted by Robert P Stewart

I really hate to start off this way - but it means alot to this question: what's your budget?

You may want to check out the Mac/Groveland area. Depending on your budget, the neighborhoods are relatively young, mildly progessive, and safe. I would live there in a heartbeat if I didn't feel the need to live in the "country". OK, Lakeville isn't country, but we do have a full acre...

Robert

I would second that. I lived there for a few years and must say its the best area I have ever lived in the metro area. It had a very nice small town feel. I was quite suprised at how many neighbors would come and introduce themselves after I moved in and they would see me out doing yard work.

[mar0010]

midatlantic- my hubby and i are moving to san diego in the summer and want to rent our house out. we live in roseville- in betweent lexington and victoria and north of county b2- really close to a a lake with a nice walkway around it- and Central Park that has a amphitheater/tennis courts/bball courts/volleyball, etc. We have a modest one story that we've just loved and have loved working on improving it. never seen crime around here and it's only a 5-10 min drive to the U of Mn st. paul campus....we are looking for 1300/mo...just thought i'd throw that out there since we're nervous finding renters that won't trash the place and couples seem the most reliable!