Chanhassen Info (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eden Prairie: apartments, rental, high crime)

[cobolt]

I'm considering a job in Chanhassen. I've looked at whatever info the internet provides but I would like some personal feedback about the place. I currently live in WA state, in the south sound region where the cost of living is just crazy. It sounds like housing costs are pretty much on par with us (anything decent will cost at least 230,000). I'd like other observations. Is it a good town? Thanks

[wildfan]

not familiar w/ housing $$'s in chanhassen but is a nice community about 40 min drive to MPLS.

realtor.com would be best bet.

[golfgal]

If you are working in Chanhassen you have a multitude of options for affordable housing in some of the smaller towns outside of the twin cities area. The traffic TO Chanhassen isn't too bad, once you get to Chanhassen and past it is a nightmare.

Chanhassen is a very pretty area, somewhat of a 'newer' place to live as the surrounding suburbs have grown and developed but it is a town that has been around for a while. Chanhassen itself is fairly expensive, $230K isn't going to get you much if anything but if you go out 20-30 miles you can find a pretty nice home for that.

[cobolt]

Yes, the job position is in Chanhassen itself, so the question becomes do I live in the town proper or would it be better to find a surrounding area. I am single, no children, late thrities. Is Chanhassen the typical, quiet, family-type suburb? Is it pretty much a strip mall, franchise type place with the new cookie cutter houses, or does it have more an individual charm. I would like something that isn't so cookie cutter but I realize alot of the older towns/neighborhoods are either a commute, crime ridden, or economically depressed. I am originally from Chicago but it's been years since I've been up MN way. I'm trying to get away from the west coast. Thanks in advance for your input.

[golfgal]

I would say that the bulk of Chanhassen still has some charm but it is being developed. I don't think it has much in the way of the strip-mall development type things. It wouldn't be a bad place for someone in your situation. The area surrounding Chanhassen are good too. Shakopee would be a possibility as well as Chaska. They are both "small" towns that are growing so they have a downtown area, older developments, etc but they have a lot of new to offer as well. Both are safe areas that are economically strong. You really won't have to worry about being safe in any of the suburbs, especially the western subs of the Twin Cities.

[snowlandcook]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Yes, the job position is in Chanhassen itself, so the question becomes do I live in the town proper or would it be better to find a surrounding area. I am single, no children, late thrities. Is Chanhassen the typical, quiet, family-type suburb? Is it pretty much a strip mall, franchise type place with the new cookie cutter houses, or does it have more an individual charm. I would like something that isn't so cookie cutter but I realize alot of the older towns/neighborhoods are either a commute, crime ridden, or economically depressed. I am originally from Chicago but it's been years since I've been up MN way. I'm trying to get away from the west coast. Thanks in advance for your input.

Chanhassen is becoming more suburban, but as of now it is still its own town with its "original charm." It has a quaint downtown area with a lot of unique businesses (as opposed to chain stores). Not a lot of strip malls (that would be St Cloud MN). Chanhassen is not (in my opinion) a cookie cutter kind of town. Nor is nearby Chaska.

Chaska really has that small town flavor, but it's still close enough to the city (Mpls-St Paul) that you can get there without it becoming a big deal.

Neither of those areas are economically depressed or crime ridden. Very safe, clean, pretty towns.

I wouldn't hesitate to live in either of them if I were offered a job there.

Good luck!

[Parker777]

I'm currently living in AZ and will be relocating to MN (preferable Chanhassen) in May 2007.
I work in the security profession and can't afford a lot up front for rent...can anyone suggest a good employer and/or shared living opportunities. I'm a Christian female, 41 with no kids....any help is greatly appreciated.
Peace and God bless

[mudmuffin]

I'm not sure that there is much for rental housing in Chanhassen. Almost everything west of the central business district is newer housing ('90's and newer). You might find a greater variety in Chaska, Eden Prairie or Shakopee.

[hannah2u]

Housing will be high in chanhassen, it's high all over the state of Minnesota and taxes in Eden Prairie and Chan are extremely high. Chan is a small town and less then 20 minutes from Minneapolis & St. Paul. It's about 15 minutes to the Mall of America. You have several surrounding towns, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopikins, Glen Lake, Excelsior, and lotz to do. If you enjoy the theater, you have the great chanhassen dinner theater and it's quite affordable. Also there's a private school in Chan for your children, if interested. I have a couple of relatives that work for the school. I will advise you stay away from Lake Ann most of the property was purchased by Encantar (not sure of the spelling). It was once a beautiful place to go. However, there are so many lakes in the surrounding area. You have Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia, Shady Oak Lake, Starring Lake, Round Lake, and let's not forget the Lake of the Isles - Lake of the Isles surround Minneapolis. I would say Chan would be an okay place to live. Stay out of the apartment buildings in the outskirt area. Not sure about the one in the downtown area. The apartments in the outskirt area of chan have high crime, which should tell you the type of people that live in the apartments. If you want more of an upscale area to live in I suggest Eden Prairie. If you want more of a small town atmosphere stick with Chan or move to Chaska or Victoria, these towns are approximately 5 miles from Chan. Enjoy, the area, I grew up in the area and lived there my entire life. It's beautiful and the views are breathtaking.