Young Couple Potentially Moving to MN (Minneapolis, St. Paul: condos, low crime, houses)

[shutout31]

My fiance and I may be looking to move to MN within the next year and I'm hoping to get some feedback on what towns could make for a good fit for us. We're actually taking a trip to check the state out in a couple of weeks, and I'd like to have a list of towns to check out while we're there. Here are some basics about what we're looking for:

-I'm willing to live up to an hour away from St. Paul (including rush hour traffic)

-Uncongested roads (for the most part)

-We're coming from a town with a population of about 10,000-15,000 and we wouldn't mind finding a town that's comprable in size

-Low crime rate and good schools are a must

-Looking for an area where we can find a half-decent house for $150,000-$175,000. I'd ike to find an area that's got a lot of houses that are less than 25 years old. I'm not too interested in homes that were constructed in the early 1900s (which I've found a lot of while playing around on realtor.com).

Thanks!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by shutout31

My fiance and I may be looking to move to MN within the next year and I'm hoping to get some feedback on what towns could make for a good fit for us. We're actually taking a trip to check the state out in a couple of weeks, and I'd like to have a list of towns to check out while we're there. Here are some basics about what we're looking for:

-I'm willing to live up to an hour away from St. Paul (including rush hour traffic)

-Uncongested roads (for the most part)

-We're coming from a town with a population of about 10,000-15,000 and we wouldn't mind finding a town that's comprable in size

-Low crime rate and good schools are a must

-Looking for an area where we can find a half-decent house for $150,000-$175,000. I'd ike to find an area that's got a lot of houses that are less than 25 years old. I'm not too interested in homes that were constructed in the early 1900s (which I've found a lot of while playing around on realtor.com).

Thanks!

Unfortunately in that price range all you will probably find are some pretty small houses in not so nice areas of Minneapolis or St. Paul. Newer homes are going to start in the $200,000 range in the less expensive suburbs.

[wildfan]

150-175k have you been living under a rock???

you'll have to drive @75 miles out of st.paul to ATTEMPT that! in a tiny town!

well for instance are you going to work @ st. paul or MPLS or south burbs or north burbs or west or east???

can't help until more info.. is posted.

[shutout31]

I'll potentially be working in St. Paul. I wasn't too sure what kind of a price range I was looking at out there. You can get a decent place for that price in a good area here in Michigan.

[wildfan]

you should try to search the immediate st. paul city they have decent neighborhoods, we moved from MN last fall, but lived in Minneapolis and loved it!

otherwise oakdale, white bear lake, mahtomedi, chisago lakes, forest lake, roseville, west. st. paul, south st. paul, newport, hastings, these are burbs and outer rim towns that are on the st. paul side, also Northeast minneapolis is really nice still affordable and borders st. paul. Almost all schools in MN are good, exception being if you are in a predominately minority neighborhood, tend to be lower.

Realistically speaking you won't find much for under 200-220k that is up to par. I believe the median house value is @ 240-250k in the Twin Cities Area.

realtor.com is a good start.

[shutout31]

Thanks for the info - I'll definately be checking those areas out.

[T.S.]

You can get something decent that was built in the last couple years with an unfinished basement and 3 car garage for around $189k in North Branch, which is a small town of around 10,000 people about 40 miles from St. Paul. The prices have been rising though, they were being sold new in the 160's a couple years back.

removed

[snowlandcook]

"Uncongested roads" are non existent here. I'm from Michigan too (have lived in MN the past 20-some years), and I've gotta tell you, the way the roads are set up is horrible here compared to MI. You WILL encounter stopped traffic during the rush hours (notice that's plural) if you plan to commute 30 miles or so from the cities. Anytime between 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. traffic crawls at best.

Another area in your price range is New Brighton, but you probably won't get something new.

Sorry for the bad news.

[shutout31]

i just appreciate all of the input!

[politikally]

Well in an effort to match your criteria:

1. Best schools are generally on the West and South sides. Wayzata is probably the "best" district, however it's horribly expensive.

West Side Towns: Maple Grove, Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka
SouthSide Towns: Savage, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Lakeville, Shakopee, Rosemount

2. In terms of size, most of the MN burbs are in the 40k to 60k range in terms of population. The smallest of the burbs are likely Savage, Lakeville and Rosemount. They all have excellent schools and are within range of your driving.

3. Housing prices in the Twin Cities are pretty bad. On average you'll pay around 300k for a "family" home. However condos might be something to consider and are cheaper. Driving out of town won't do you much good -- the Twin Cities is the definition of Sprawl. The cheaper areas to buy homes are in the outlying suburbs: Chanhassen, Lakeville, Savage, Farmington, Eden Prairie, Anoka, Rosemount.


Anyway, my opinion on the best place for you given the criteria you've given us is one of the three:

Rosemount, Lakeville, or Farmington.

Reasoning: Southside is a bit less developed (vs. the west side) - the schools are great, home prices are a bit better in the outlying souther burbs' and it's still within driving range of downtown at rush hour.