Questions About a Minneapolis Neighborhood (Nicollet, Franklin: affordable apartments, renter, crime)

[DannyBanany]

I will be coming up to The Cities the weekend of the 10th to tour some apartments in the area and I am very interested in an apartment near downtown because it's a 2 bed, 2 bath with underground parking and lots of amentities and the rent is very reasonable. However, from doing a little research, I have found out that the neighborhood may not be the best and I was hoping I could get some input from you fine people here.

According to Google Maps, it's the Ventura Village-Phillips neighborhood right below downtown. The apartment is between Abbot Northwestern Hospital and the Philips Eye Institute. Is this neighborhood renown for crime? Is it safe to walk in after dark... or even BEFORE dark?

I'm 20 years old and my roommates are another 20 year old guy and a 21 year old girl. We are very familiar with Minneapolis as they go to Saint Thomas and I will be going to U of M. Any input helps!!!

[uptown_urbanist]

Yeah, that neighborhood is not exactly known for the safety of its streets, but on the other hand it's affordable, there's some exciting things going on (interesting developments, dedicated community members, very diverse, etc.), and there's decent public transportation. I've walked around there frequently without problems during the day. I think it will depend on your own comfort level. If you're looking for a neighborhood where you can walk to a lot of bars and restaurants at night you may want to consider somewhere else - I may well be wrong. though, but I don't think of that neighborhood as being a hotbed of younger college students (although I did know a few younger people who bought houses over there). It's a neighborhood with potential, but it still has a ways to go. Personally, I might consider looking into it if I were buying, but as a renter I'd probably go elsewhere. But again, I don't live there, so maybe someone with more direct personal experience will chime in with specifics.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I'm guessing that the apartment is on Portland and Franklin. You would probably have the nicest apartment in the neighborhood if its any indicator. Lots of potential, quickly realizing that potential, still a very rough area. If it were two guys with some street smarts, I would say go for it with the understanding that it is far from a good place for a twenty year old to experience Minneapolis. A twenty-one year old college girl has no business there.

[DannyBanany]

Hmm... I may have to rethink this one then. The thing is, the apartments are everything we're looking for and more at a great price but the catch is the shady neighborhood. But then I'm wondering, if it's underground parking and we all have cars, we really won't be out in the neighborhood alone at night that much. Plus we'll all hang out together frequently and take cabs from time to time.

I guess all I can do is go check it out and see what I think for myself. It always helps to get others' input so thanks!

Also, we're considering Stevens Square. It's a longer commute to the Universities but it's significantly cheaper too. Any input on that area? I'll probably keep asking about certain areas on here as I go along in my apartment search!

[Ghengis]

Danny, you may want to check into this Minneapolis PD web site that has reported crime events plotted on their precinct maps for every week. I believe you are looking in Precinct 3.

Crime Maps

They also plot gunfire reported to them (and detected by their sophisticated "shot spotter" sensors) on separate maps.

I use to live near 21st and Chicago and while at that time the biggest threat may have been from the drunken bums hanging around the liquor store, I would not consider that area a relatively safe area today.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

Hmm... I may have to rethink this one then. The thing is, the apartments are everything we're looking for and more at a great price but the catch is the shady neighborhood. But then I'm wondering, if it's underground parking and we all have cars, we really won't be out in the neighborhood alone at night that much. Plus we'll all hang out together frequently and take cabs from time to time.

I guess all I can do is go check it out and see what I think for myself. It always helps to get others' input so thanks!

Also, we're considering Stevens Square. It's a longer commute to the Universities but it's significantly cheaper too. Any input on that area? I'll probably keep asking about certain areas on here as I go along in my apartment search!

You might want to look at whittier neigborhood. Roughly east and south of Franklin and Lyndale. Lot of affordable apartments around there and it is an area that a lot of college students live. Very close to uptown and great access to bus routes off lyndale. Dense, urban, vibrant, and reletively safe. Better area than Phillips and Elliot Park in my opinion.

[uptown_urbanist]

I would second Whittier. It has the urban feel it sounds like you're looking for, but is much safer, has a lot of young people (lots of fellow students, too), tons of restaurants and nighlift (that you could walk to), and affordable. You may all have cars, but it's so much nicer to be able to walk to places and not have to worry about driving. Especially if there's any alcohol involved, which given that you're a group of college students I'm just making the assumption that you will from time to time be going to the bars.

Stevens Square would be fine, too, although I don't know that area as well as Whittier.

[DannyBanany]

Thanks for all the information guys. I've looked at a few places in Whittier too. I liked the Fair Oaks Apartments by the MIA and so did my two friends so maybe we'll consider that area a little more. Plus, the last time we were up there we ate at a great Indian place on "Eat Street" and I wouldn't mind being close to that!

I just wonder, would the commute from that area to the Universities be a major hassle??? That's really the only damper.

[uptown_urbanist]

The commute from there wouldn't be too bad, although not quite as fast as if you were closer to the express routes along Lyndale or Hennepin (maybe there's a Nicollet express that I'm not aware of, though). You can take the 2 (not express, but not bad if you bring a book) - it goes to the U via Franklin. Or, faster but involving a transfer, is to head downtown and hop on a 16. As far as St. Thomas, it would be a pretty quick drive, or I'm sure there's a relatively easy bus option, too. The area right by the MIA is a great location. There is (or was, I don't take that route regularly anymore) a bus to downtown that stopped right out in front of the apartments. Proximity to Eat Street is certainly a major perk!

[DaPerpKazoo]

The 2 is one of the worst routes the city. The crazy zip-zagging that it does over in the Cedar-Riverside area makes it practically worthless for getting anywhere. The 18 & 17 on Nicollet seem faster than the expresses on Lyndale because of how traffic is in the morning. I'd take something on Nicollet up to the 16.

I agree with the above opinions about Phillips. While I feel comfortable there during the day, I'm not sure how I would feel there at night. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable there at night as a woman.

You mentioned Steven's Square above. Steven's Square is very similar to Whittier with a few differences. It's more dense, more residential, and the streets are generally less busy. The benefits of Steven's Square over Whittier lie in the park and in the fact that the streets are quieter. The drawback is the lack of retail compared to Whittier. Sure, you're within easy walking distance of the Eat Street corridor, and there are a couple supermarkets and coffee shops, but it's not the same as it is in Whittier where things are generally mixed in pretty well.

Crime-wise Whittier and Steven's Square are very, very similar. While Steven's Square might feel safer because there are less bums around, the amount of actual crime is probably about equal. Both areas have changed a regarding crime in the last 20 years, and it really shouldn't be a big issue anymore.

I've lived in neither of these neighborhoods, but worked in both. Either one should be fine.