Minneapolis Neighborhoods and Villages (Eden Prairie, Minnetonka: real estate, new home, buyer)

[holysmokebatman]

Anyone familiar with Cedarburg, Wisconsin tell me if there is a similar neighborhood/community with a unique downtown area in the western suburbs of Minneapolis?

How 'bought just good neighborhoods for families with children in the 7/8 age range? Would like to keep the home purchase below $400K, which seems a challenge having done a little research on it already.

A strong community with civic events and activities is what is being sought.

Thanks,
HSB

[golfgal]

I am not familiar with Cedarburg but if you are looking for suburban towns with a downtown area Shakopee and Chaska would be your first option in that price range on the western side of the Twin Cities. Rosemount, Hastings, Northfield and Stillwater are other options in the Metro Area but none are on the west side of the cities. Why specificially a western suburb? Job?

[holysmokebatman]

Yes. The job is in West Edina, off of 169. I also am inheriting a 25' Catalina Sailboat in a year and would like to be near a Marina on Minnetonka--or at least 10m to 15m away.

Would you agree that between $500k and $600K is more realistic for the area in which I am interested?

hsb

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by holysmokebatman

Yes. The job is in West Edina, off of 169. I also am inheriting a 25' Catalina Sailboat in a year and would like to be near a Marina on Minnetonka--or at least 10m to 15m away.

Would you agree that between $500k and $600K is more realistic for the area in which I am interested?

hsb

Well, if you want to be ON Lake Minnetonka or any lake close to the cities big enough for sailing, a cool million will get you there . Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, etc., yes, $500-600 to get into your average 2 story suburban home.

Stillwater would be a bit of a commute but probably fits what you are looking for the best with the unique downtown, older homes, charm and the St. Croix river for your boat.

[holysmokebatman]

$500K to $600K for an average 2 story suburban home... and I thought SE Wisconsin home prices were inflated. How is anybody who is not a two income family able to afford these homes? Guess I will be turning down the job offer in Minneapolis.

hsb

[Minnehahapolitan]

Look into Hopkins. It is more blue-collar than Wayzata or Excelsior, but has less expensive housiong, great schools, a quaint downtown (movie theater, performing arts theater, cmty. center, some businesses, a teen music venue, alot of good jobs at supervalu support the whole area) and convenience. You would be an exit on 169 from work, a ride down hwy 7 to the marina, a ride up 7 to the city. Some adorable pre-war and depression era bungalows can be had for much less than 400,000. Some 50's ramblers would be in that price range. , Sure, a large, bra nd new suburban house may cost up the nose, but 400,000 is a budget you could certainly stick to and live comfortably. Remember, the western suburbs of Mpls. are similar to the North Shore of Milwaukee. You pay for it, but it is not prohibitively priced. I would look on edinarealty.com (no affiliation) for houses, a great site. Will give you alot of insight.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Well, if you want to be ON Lake Minnetonka or any lake close to the cities big enough for sailing, a cool million will get you there . Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, etc., yes, $500-600 to get into your average 2 story suburban home.

Stillwater would be a bit of a commute but probably fits what you are looking for the best with the unique downtown, older homes, charm and the St. Croix river for your boat.

You can find housing in the under $400,000 in many place in the Twin Cities, just not much in the towns you listed. Go about 5 miles further west to Shakopee and the same basic house is going to be about $350,000-400,000. Minnetonka, Wayzata are expensive because of the lakes, Eden Prairie is expensive because that is considered "THE" place to live for what ever reason. Property taxes in MN tend to be less expensive then Wisconsin but our income tax is probably higher. Like I said in another post, you get what you pay for, top schools, great services, etc.

[nick is rulz]

Hopkins. The downtown is cute.

[SlyFrog]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Well, if you want to be ON Lake Minnetonka or any lake close to the cities big enough for sailing, a cool million will get you there . Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, etc., yes, $500-600 to get into your average 2 story suburban home.

What is your definition of an "average 2 story suburban home?"

Because I would consider that to be a 3000 sq ft. baseline (3 bedroom, 3 bathroom) that wasn't built in 1963 with obvious defects/gross aging problems (and other non-starters, such as being located in the middle of 394). When I go to the various real estate search websites and drop those stats in for Wayzata, Minnetonka, Orono, Edina, etc., I basically do not start getting any results until I'm north of $700-800k.

Buyer's market my ass. All I see are a bunch of sellers who still don't want to give up the, "What my buddy got in 2005, plus 20%," pricing. Yes, I'm bitter.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by SlyFrog

What is your definition of an "average 2 story suburban home?"

Because I would consider that to be a 3000 sq ft. baseline (3 bedroom, 3 bathroom) that wasn't built in 1963 with obvious defects/gross aging problems (and other non-starters, such as being located in the middle of 394). When I go to the various real estate search websites and drop those stats in for Wayzata, Minnetonka, Orono, Edina, etc., I basically do not start getting any results until I'm north of $700-800k.

Buyer's market my ass. All I see are a bunch of sellers who still don't want to give up the, "What my buddy got in 2005, plus 20%," pricing. Yes, I'm bitter.

Well, considering you are looking at some of the most expensive areas to live in the country I would say that those prices are probably right. There are plenty of listings in Eden Prairie that are under 400K that are new homes, less then 5 years old even. LOTS in Wayzata go for $300,000+ so I don't know why you are expecting to find a home in that range. If this were a sellers market those 800K homes would be 1 million+. I am sorry you can't find a home for the price you want in those towns but that is just the way it is. Like I said, there are plenty of other areas to look that are 1/2 that price.