Smaller cities in Metro area (Minneapolis, Edina: home, neighborhood, school district)

[kdl4736]

We are interested in relocating to city with less than 20,000 people to allow us to raise our family with that 'small-town feel' in a school district that is also small. The city needs to be less than a 45 minute commute during rush hour to downtown Minneapolis. We have looked into Delano and Waconia. Thoughts on these cities or others that meet our criteria? Thanks much!

[golfgal]

Stillwater, Rosemount, White Bear Lake, Hastings. Waconia is a nice town, we considered moving there but it was just too far out and no options if highway 5 backed up.

Now, Rosemount is in the 3rd largest district in the state but the schools themselves are not all that big. There are larger schools in smaller towns then what you will find in Rosemount. Stillwater has smaller elementary schools but the middle and high schools are very large. Hastings has about the same size high school as Rosemount (about 2000 kids give or take).

[JackieBlack]

Tons. Jordan, New Prague, Waconia (is good), Victoria, Belle Plaine, Hudson, WI is great, Hastings is nice too.

[Wellstone]

elk river, mn & ride the northstar
Metro Transit - Northstar Line

[Wellstone]

Originally Posted by kdl4736

The city needs to be less than a 45 minute commute during rush hour to downtown Minneapolis. We have looked into Delano and Waconia.

= nowhere near a 45 minute commute downtown in rush hour. these are 45 minutes in non-rush hour. double that time during rush hour

[lindbergh]

Definitely waaaayyyy longer than your commute-allowable time. When snow time hits, you will just throw in the towel and not even bother.

You might want to look at Wayzata. Pricey, but nice.

[Stcroixgrl]

Hello- Not sure if you have settled on a place yet. I live in Hudson, WI and thought I would chime in. Hudson is just outside of the Twin Cities and offers the "small town" feel with a historic downtown situated along the St Croix river. It tends to be more affordable than being on the MN side. It is nice to have access to the Twin Cities (20 min to St Paul, 30 min. to Minni - with no traffic).

[BarbaraMN]

With your commute requirements, you might find it easier to create a small-town feel in a larger community. From my experience, many of the "small towns" that are close to the cities are really just bedroom communities--you don't get the small town dynamics when people are rarely home and/or don't interact with their neighbors. I know this is totally different than what you were asking, but I wanted to throw it out there.

I live in Southwest Minneapolis but have really worked to create a small-town environment for my family. We live in a neighborhood where we really get to know our neighbors and the kids get together and play. While we don't have a sprawling yard, we do live next to a naturalized area as well as close to parks. My children go to a tiny (just 8 kids in my older child's grade) Lutheran school in Edina where we are very active and involved. We shop in local stores and take time to chat with people everywhere. When we go out, we almost always run in to someone we know and stop to talk. Neighbors help with projects and we enjoy evening bonfires down the street. We've created a small, supportive community within a much larger one (Minneapolis offers so many great things to do and see!). I think it's all about a building a community that suits your family--and that can be done almost anywhere.

I grew up in what is considered a small town and I feel that, despite its label as urban, my neighborhood in Fulton has much more of the small-town feel that families are seeking.

[MARY MALSAM]

Check out Bryn Mawr. The elementary and middle school are right in the neighborhood. It's located five minutes from down town and on a direct bus line. It is a liberal, socially involved neighborhood. Very nice.

[mmhl]

I live in Delano, it's a great small town with top notch schools. Taxes are lower than in Hennepin county. TONS of families with kids, we know our neighbors very well, just a great environment for raising a family. Commute to Mpls. is much better now with the bypass around Long Lake. We can make it in 35-40 minutes on most days.