Why don't people like Bloomington and Richfield? (Minneapolis, Edina: amusement park, houses)

[Camden Northsider]

I don't consider either very appealing- I'm also admittedly not one for suburbs albeit Richfield (and parts of Bloomington) is basically like an extension of So. Mpls.

I consider Richfield to be the Brooklyn Center equivalent of the Southside- more working class/ blue-collar, 50s ranches as far as the eye can see, not exactly the most visually appealing suburb but not a bad place by any means either. B.C. has a much more underserved bad rap whereas Richfield has what I consider a fairly undeserved good rap solely by virtue of its geographic location and racial demographics (it's whiter there). I would also disagree that Richfield and Bloomington are very/ *the most* convenient suburbs in the metro....as someone that has no desire to go to the Mall of America ever, and being that I similarly only visit the airport a few times a year- I would not want to deal with traffic along the main corridors/ highways in these suburbs on a daily basis (and I similarly wouldn't want to deal with the airport noise).

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

B.C. has a much more underserved bad rap whereas Richfield has what I consider a fairly undeserved good rap solely by virtue of its geographic location and racial demographics (it's whiter there).

So those bad and good "raps" have nothing to do with Richfield having half the crime rate of Brooklyn Center? Is that what you meant by "it's whiter there"?

2007 Crime Stats

Richfield
Crimes per 100,000 residents
Murders: 6.0
Robberies: 166.1
Assaults: 154.0
Burglaries: 579.9
Thefts: 2712.0
Auto Thefts: 253.7

http://www.city-data.com/city/Richfield-Minnesota.html

Brooklyn Center
Crimes per 100,000 residents
Murders: 14.8
Robberies: 354.0
Assaults: 298.7
Burglaries: 907.1
Thefts: 5678.9
Auto Thefts: 741.2

http://www.city-data.com/city/Brookl...Minnesota.html

[Slig]

I like the fact that Richfield and Bloomington east of 35W are on the Minneapolis street grid system, the streets aren't curvy and lead to nowhere like newer suburbs and the lots are small and homes are modest. Yes, the architecture does kind of blend together since much of it was built around the same time but much like Minneapolis neighborhoods the neighborhoods have great sun/wind protection from all the mature trees and bus access there is excellent compared to most suburbs.

I have several friends who live in Richfield and although it isn't as walkable or as close to everything as South Minneapolis, it is still close enough where it isn't a pain.

[cdubs3201]

Depends where in Bloomington. I hear the Jefferson High School side of Bloomington is rich and considered "old money" like Edina. But the Kennedy High School side...well that's a whole different story altogether. Wouldn't want to send my kids there.

[nick is rulz]

I've never heard anyone say they dont like them.

[cjb123]

I've lived in Richfield for the last 4 plus years and love it. I work in S. Mpls. so traffic during rush hours is easily avoided. I can't comment on the school system as my 2 kids live with their mom in Mtka. For me it's all about the central location - access to pretty much everything! Good thing I'm content as I fell victim to the housing crash and now owe more than what it's worth!

[MN55]

I like the fact that Richfield and Bloomington east of 35W are on the Minneapolis street grid system, the streets aren't curvy and lead to nowhere like newer suburbs and the lots are small and homes are modest. Yes, the architecture does kind of blend together since much of it was built around the same time but much like Minneapolis neighborhoods the neighborhoods have great sun/wind protection from all the mature trees

Yea, but you can get all that in northern suburbs too like White Bear which are nicer.

[DaPerpKazoo]

Originally Posted by MN55

Yea, but you can get all that in northern suburbs too like White Bear which are nicer.

White Bear Lake is NOT nicer than Richfield.




Original Topic:

I think that Richfield doesn't get recommended on here much because most of us are big fans of the core cities. When people ask about places to raise a family in a somewhat urban environment, we usually recommend places like Longfellow, Hyland Park, Kingfield, Camden, Seward, ect. We also don't recommend Richfield to people looking for the stereotypical suburban experience, because that's not what Richfield is.

[Anneee]

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I'd recommend against Richfield for a newcomer. Richfield is an older, very Minnesotan community, and your family may find it hard to fit in, especially if you have school-age kids.

[uptown_urbanist]

I haven't lived in Richfield, although I used to spend a fair amount of time there visiting relatives and going to Wood Lake Nature Center. Anneee, I'm curious about your comment. Do you think it's more difficult as a newcomer in Richfield than other TC neighborhoods or cities? I know that it's an aging suburb, with a lot of older residents who have been there forever, but I was under the impression that there was also some movement in of new, younger families? But then again, I might be really, really wrong about that, which is why I'd be curious for clarification. My Richfield connections are older and/or don't have kids, so I'm not up on the Richfield-with-kids experience.

Richfield is a little too modern for my taste, and I prefer a more urban city neighborhood closer to downtown, but there a lot of things about Richfield that I do like: smaller houses on smallish lots, pretty walkable in some areas, Wood Lake, a working class vibe, a lot of independent businesses that have been there forever. I agree with DaPerpKazoo that it probably doesn't get recommended because if someone wants an urban neighborhood they can get that (and more convenient for many things) elsewhere, while if someone wants a more modern suburb they can get that elsewhere, too.