Moving to MNPLS/ST Paul....working in Minnetonka

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by kcitti

So maybe coming to MNPLS to thinking that i'm fleeing these attitudes is a mistake! I'm sure the northside isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be (apparently- i have no experience in this). In Cincinnati i think the hate towards this area is largely race related (as most things here)

Hard to say without a reference point. Hopefully somebody that knowns your area and Minneapolis can comment. You can't ever get away from all of the crap no matter where you go.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by kcitti

Wait....so we're talking about crossing a street and that's it? Here I am picturing some 6 lane highway...

Here's 32nd St and Hiawatha: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...,27.29,,0,6.21
35th st and Hiawatha: Google Maps

Yeah, it isn't the end of the world but given a choice I'd rather be on the light rail side of the street...way less hassle. And anyone who has tried to drive across Hiawatha or make a left turn on it at any time can probably relate.

[kcitti]

So what it sounds like is that we're compareing Longfellow to Phillips and Powderhorn. Other than direct access to the LRT w/o crossing Hiawatha (phillips/powderhorn) what are some of the other pros and cons of those areas specifically. (including longfellow)

Again, i'm looking for an urban, walkable, somewhat indie/granola feel. While I will probably rent first until I get a better feel, I will ultimately be looking to spend under 200 on a SF house, probably closer to 175 or less.

[Slig]

Here are my thoughts about the general differences between Longfellow hoods and the eastern Phillips and Powderhorn hoods.

Longfellow and Seward 'hoods
-slightly lower crime
-overall housing stock is a little bit better maintained
-more homogenous population (65-70% white)
-residents have slightly higher income, less poverty
-housing is significantly more expensive
-slightly less urban/less walkable
-an Irish and English bar (McMahon's and Merlin's) and neighborhood classic restaurants like Longfellow Grill and Town Talk Diner
-home of the historic Riverview Theater

East Phillips/Corcoran/Standish 'hoods:
-Significantly cheaper housing
-slightly higher crime
-overall housing stock quality is a bit lower
-more diverse (almost equally Black, White and Hispanic with Asian and Native American presence)
-More poverty (although not alarming levels)
-Slightly more More urban and walkable
-Lots of Hispanic, Black and Somali businesses, restaurants and supermarkets
-Midtown Global Market
-huge new YWCA
-bars include Chatterbox, Matt's Bar, Blue Nile
-Midtown Farmer's Market

[Haver]

Originally Posted by kcitti

Wait....so we're talking about crossing a street and that's it? Here I am picturing some 6 lane highway...

Yes, its just a four lane highway. It gets jammed up because of light rail and traffic on the cross streets is constantly turning onto Hiawatha instead of going straight through, so you won't be able to walk in your sleep making the crossing. Since half the time those drivers are sitting through 2 or 3 trains before their light turns green they can be impatient.

There have also been 3 light-rail related deaths at 42nd & 46th because its easy to lull yourself into a false sense of complacency at that crossing (a confused elderly driver, a bicyclist blowing through a crossing, and someone running to catch a train hit by one going the other direction).

There are some good bus routes that run every 15-20 minutes that hook into the light rail. I would spend some quality time with ... I think metrotransit.org ... and scope out housing along those side routes. From where I live at 54th & 34th I can hop right onto a bus that takes me to the light rail any time of day or night.

[kcitti]

Its interesting because it sounds like the side with advantageous access to the LRT is the more depressed side economically...you would think it'd be the other way around.

How long since the rail opened?

[Slig]

Originally Posted by kcitti

Its interesting because it sounds like the side with advantageous access to the LRT is the more depressed side economically...you would think it'd be the other way around.

How long since the rail opened?

It opened for regular service in 2004.
Hiawatha Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Historically the neighborhoods on the west side of Hiawatha have been more economically depressed but the areas along the light rail on that side have had more dramatic real estate increases and overall I think the area has improved tremendously in the last 5-10 years and continues to improve.

[swmetroguy]

Uptown is close and urban. Around Minnetonka and Eden Prairie to me feel much more suburban then urban.

Commute is not bad from Uptown.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by Thegonagle

Not at all, and in fact, I think that concern is overblown.

My sister lives east of Hiawatha, a few blocks from the 46th street station.

In my experience, here's how it works: You press the button on the traffic light pole, and sooner or later cross traffic stops and you get a walk signal. Proceed to cross the street to the station. It's very easy. As a matter of fact, I think the Hiawatha signals are on timer control most of the day, so you don't even need to press the button!

(Yes, I'm being facetious.)

Here's my response to downplaying how dangerous it is to cross Hiawatha to get to/from the Light rail stop:

Pedestrian hit on Hiawatha Av.

Beings that I take Hiawatha regularly for my commute this doesn't surprise me at all. It seems like there isn't a day that goes by where some knucklehead doesn't run in front of traffic moving 45-55 mph. There is no way I'd wanna cross it on foot on a regular basis. People get impatient because if you wait for the light to turn you're going to be sitting there for 10 minutes.