College graduate moving to the Twin Cities? (Minneapolis, Eden Prairie: foreclosure, violent crime)

[northstar22]

Also, could you give me some ghetto areas to avoid? What parts of town are "bad?"

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

Also, could you give me some ghetto areas to avoid? What parts of town are "bad?"

In Anoka? There are none, the whole place is a run-of-the-mill, fairly conservative boring middle class white suburb.

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

Also, could you give me some ghetto areas to avoid? What parts of town are "bad?"

I meant the Twin Cities in general, sorry if I wasn't more specific.

[Robert98]

My entire family lives in Anoka/Ramsey/Coon Rapids. I left there 20 years ago and don't intend to go back. But Anoka does have a certain charm to it. I have enjoyed SW suburbs and downtown Mpls since then.

[Kebinminn]

Originally Posted by Slig

In Anoka? There are none, the whole place is a run-of-the-mill, fairly conservative boring middle class white suburb.

Anoka is known to currently be split down the middle politically. I recall a bunch about it from the last presidential election, it goes either way.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by Kebinminn

Anoka is known to currently be split down the middle politically. I recall a bunch about it from the last presidential election, it goes either way.

Yeah, which is why I said "fairly." It isn't extremely conservative there but if you look at that congressional district it is Republican-leaning with a CPVI of R + 7, which I realize is not overly strong, but far more conservative than say South Minneapolis.

[northstar22]

Thanks for all of the info, guys.

I've done some more research, and I'm really starting to like Minneapolis-St. Paul. I'm driving up for a visit this weekend, and I have some interviews lined up for next week. I'll more than likely be staying in White Bear Lake, and plan on exploring that area, as well as the city and south side. Any suggestions for activities/things to do?

As far as politics go, they really don't matter to me. I'm politically moderate, but tend to lean to the left; but I'm not really vocal about it. I appreciate that Minnesota is not a hard-right wing state, so I won't feel pressured to be overly political.

I've been checking out apartments in the White Bear Lake (is there an abbreviation for this town?!) area, and have found a few possibilities. I've also looked at Anoka, Apple Valley, and Woodbury, but would like to live in a predominately middle-class area with economic diversity, which doesn't seem to suit the other three places I named.

Also, do you guys know of any good non-denominational Christian churches in the area?

Another thing, even though this isn't really relevant, I've spoken with a few Twin Cities people over the phone, and have yet to hear a Minnesota accent. Does it not exist in the TC area? I was kind of expecting you guys to sound like a less extreme version of the people from the movie "Fargo" (no offense!).

[Judge, Jury, Executioner]

DO NOT move to any Northern or St. Paul suburbs!

Focus on:

• Bloomington
• Eden Prairie
• Minnetonka
• Plymouth
• Maple Grove (this is a quasi western suburb - not to be confused with the above. This is like a cheap, blinged out Plymouth/ Eden Prairie. 99% of every home has at least three sides of vinyl siding.)

These are large, affluent suburbs. They have larger lots but aren't too far out there. They have been around longer than most third ring suburbs and enjoy the added benefits that go along with that.


Consider:

• New Hope
• Golden Valley
• St. Louis Park
• Edina
• Richfield

These are the premier first ring suburbs and are also my favorite suburbs of Minneapolis. These cities are likely too dense for you, but I would at least check them out before you cross them off. These are the hybrids: suburbs with a little city flare.


Bonus:

• Lake Minnetonka Area - Mound, Spring Park, Orono, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Deephaven, etc.

If you want to be as far out as Apple Valley and Forest Lake, you may as well be here. While some may say it's only for the rich, there are plenty of cheap apartments throughout, just probably not on the lake (unless you just rent a room). This area is a blast in the summer but low-key in the winter. I would definitely look into this area if you want to be in a less populated area. Driving around the lake area is beautiful and never gets old.

[northstar22]

Thanks for the input. What is so bad about the Northern/St. Paul suburbs? So far, I haven't found any reason not to move there, but you seem to be really adamant about staying away from those areas. Why?

I've checked out Bloomington, but it seems a little too busy for me, with the MOA in town. I like your suggestion of Eden Prairie, but there isn't really a sense of identity there, it just seems to be sprawl. I like sprawl, but I also enjoy a good town center. I'll check out the Lake Minnetonka towns.

[gearedtowardssalad]

That accent is present in Minnesota, but it is very exaggerated in the movie Fargo. Personally, my boss is the only person I know that has that accent and he is from a northern MN border town.