Great schools around Bloomington? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: transporting, renting, house)

[EvaFromAZ]

My husband and I are planning to move to MN in about a year or two and start a family there. Our jobs would probably be in Bloomington (or possibly St Paul, 3M area). Anyone could recommend places to live where we can buy a house on at least 1/2 acre for about 300-350K and has a great school district, max 30 minute commute? Also, any recommendations on what to avoid on that side of town?
I've heard good things about Eden Prairie and Eagan (in Money Magazine). Is it affordable? can I buy 2000sf on 1/2 acre for 300K?

Anyone knows how the dental hygiene market is in the area for someone with 1 yr experience (FT vs Part time, salary, is there a shortage)?

Thanks!

[golfgal]

The Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley schools are excellent (District 196). Depending on where you are in that district, it's fairly large, it could be a 10-45 minute commute to either the Bloomington area or to 3M. Eden Prairie is VERY expensive, you won't find what you are looking for at that price. The 196 area you will be able to find a 2000 sq ft house in that price range. Most lots are going to be close to 1/2 acre. There are some exceptions to that but finding a nice sized yard in the suburbs won't be difficult.

If you end up at 3M, Stillwater and Mahtomedi would be my first choice of places to live. Both towns have excellent schools and you should be able to find a house in your price range although they are both somewhat expensive areas. If you end up working in Bloomington the 196 schools are great as are the 195 schools (West St. Paul/Mendota Heights--Sibley High School).

Inver Grove Heights is probably the most convenient location to BOTH potential work sites. The schools are ok but you have to consider that an OK school in Minnesota is still better then most schools across the nation or at least out of the Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa area. For young children, the Inver Grove school district is really good, pre-school kids. Minnesota has a program called Early Childhood Family Education, ECFE, and basically they are parent/child classes for kids birth to kindergarten. It is a great resource for talking about parenting issues and a GREAT way to meet people. Inver Grove has an excellent program for that. All the school districts have this program, IGH was the pilot program for the state 20+ years ago and continues to be one of the best around.

Personally, on the east side of St. Paul, I would avoid the Woodbury/Cottage Grove district (South Washington County Schools). They aren't horrible but there are just better choices. I would stay out of the St. Paul/Minneapolis public schools. North St. Paul/Tartan/Maplewood would be other areas to avoid, again, not horrible, just better choices.

Minnesota also has statewide open enrollment so if you live in Inver Grove Heights and want to send your kids to Eagan, as long as there is room for them and you complete the application process properly, you can go to any school you want. That gives you some flexibility as far as where you want to live, too. If you buy a place when you move, love it there but when you have kids want them to go to a different school, you can. You would just be responsible for transporting them.

As far as a job for a RDA, there are plenty of ads in the papers looking for RDA's. The job market here is great. Unemployment is really, really low so if you have experience you won't have trouble finding a job.