Job at Arden Hills - Apartment Suggestions? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartments, rent) - Minneapolis - St. Paul - Minnesota (MN) -Twin Cities - City-Data Forum

msleo · 12-10-2009, 05:55 PM

My son just got a new job at the Army Reserve Center in Arden Hills. He's single and doesn't need anything big or fancy - just a small 1 BR will do - in a good safe neighborhood (low crime, etc.). Not sure what rent range he'll be able to afford - wild guess would be $700 per mo. - ? He has an older car to drive but public transportation isn't out of the question. I've heard that there are some decent and fairly inexpensive apartments downtown.

Any recommendations? Is public transportation a good option for commuting for him?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

krillbee · 12-10-2009, 11:15 PM

Public transportation to Arden Hills doesnt work very well. There is a bus that runs from Arden Hills into downtown minneapolis (the 261) but it doesnt do the reverse.

Which downtown were you thinking that he would live in? Minneapolis or St Paul?

msleo · 12-11-2009, 08:24 AM

Downtown Minneapolis - ?

MplsTodd · 12-11-2009, 10:48 AM

A lot depends on what kind of neighborhood he wants to live in. Does he want to be within walking/biking distance of the river, parkways, stores, restaurants? If so, a downtown or urban neighborhood likely would be best, if being more car oriented, the suburbs would probably be cheaper. Downtown Minneapolis is not cheap, although there is a broad range of rents to be found. Parking can also be a hassle in downtown--you typically have to pay $100 or so for an underground stall at some of the larger apt complexes. That said, the commute wouldn't be too bad--pretty much a straight drive out on I-35W and its against the flow of traffic. There are also lots of good neighborhoods to check out near downtown, that might be easier for parking, including: Northeast Mpls, Seward in Minneapolis and St Anthony Park, Como, & Town & Country in St. Paul. Also, there are lots of apartments in Roseville and New Brighton too, if he's interested in the suburbs.

msleo · 12-21-2009, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

From the internet ads and a few e-mails, his first choice so far is Galtier Towers in St. Paul. They have some furnished apartments, rent is affordable, and the commute looks reasonable. Any recommendations for or against these apartments? Also, how is the commute? It looks like an easy commute by interstate but 1. Does traffic move pretty well? (We've been in Dallas a few times during rush hour and you might as well use the city streets because traffic backs up so bad it doesn't move.) 2. Is the interstate a good commuting option during winter storms? (We live in Wichita and most of the interstate is elevated so it's slick with lots of accidents during winter storms.) And also, would public transportation be a commuting option from Galtier to the Army Reserve Unit in Arden Hills?

Thanks again.

intmd8r · 12-22-2009, 07:43 AM

Well, if he were living downtown and working in Arden Hills, he would have a reverse commute, so that shouldn't be much of an issue at all.

If he decides suburbs for living, I would suggest looking at some apartments in Shoreview. They are likely going to be much cheaper than downtown and VERY close to his job.

krillbee · 12-22-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msleo

Thanks for the suggestions.

From the internet ads and a few e-mails, his first choice so far is Galtier Towers in St. Paul. They have some furnished apartments, rent is affordable, and the commute looks reasonable. Any recommendations for or against these apartments? Also, how is the commute? It looks like an easy commute by interstate but 1. Does traffic move pretty well? (We've been in Dallas a few times during rush hour and you might as well use the city streets because traffic backs up so bad it doesn't move.) 2. Is the interstate a good commuting option during winter storms? (We live in Wichita and most of the interstate is elevated so it's slick with lots of accidents during winter storms.) And also, would public transportation be a commuting option from Galtier to the Army Reserve Unit in Arden Hills?

Thanks again.

That would be in Lowertown it sounds like. I dont know much about them. The Mears Park Place apartments are ones I've been to and I can say they are very nice. I agree with the comments made earlier that these apartments may be pricier, but to some people its worth it.

Commuting by car will be easy since he will be going against traffic most of the way. The only place where he might have some trouble is when he is on 694 but that will be for a brief period of time.

Public transit options are not very good. The only express busses serving that area are going in the opposite direction that he would want to go, unless he wants to arrive at the army reserve at 5pm and leave at 8am the next day. The closest full service (2-way) bus route is the 62 and it stops at the Shoreview community center about a mile from the border of the Army Reserve and the last run leaves at 5pm sharp.