Need Advice (Minneapolis, St. Paul, South St. Paul: renter, house, job market)

[pinktulip]

My husband and I are from Calgary, Alberta (I'm an American citizen). Alberta is becoming so overpriced that I can't stand it (the average home is now $400,000 and there are waiting lists for rentals). So don't move here!

We are looking into seminaries and have narrowed it down to Saskatoon (bah, boring) or St. Paul (which I am leaning towards because I miss the States). My questions are, is housing cheap (er)? What is the job market like (I work in the not-for-profit/arts sector)? What communities are nice? The seminary is located at 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul if that helps.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[Robert P Stewart]

This is Luther, right? I like that area...

I don't know what you're looking for, but I just checked the MLS and found 20 properties within 3 minutes of Luther that were under $350,000.

What exactly are you looking for? Does anyone else have input on this area?

Robert

[Rosebud8]

Hi Pink tulip,
If your moving to the Twin Cities your in luck because the housing market is good! The prices peaked at rediculously high rates maybe last year? The prices are droping and will continue to decline. I know because I've been looking for a home. I've been a renter for 7yrs in a very ideal and sought after nieghborhood called Linden Hills. Its SW Minneapolis by the lakes. Most 2-3 bedroom homes are around 240,000 but still much higher in my area. Everywhere you look there are beautiful homes and lakes. This is a great area if you move here with family. It can be hard to get into a network of friends. People seem to stay in tight knit circles.
This area seems to be supportive of .....married with children, gays and corporate types of which I am none of the above so I often find it hard to meet people and sustain freinds. This isnt really an area I resonate with but have family here so for now I'm staying. But I have my grievances with Minneapolis thats for sure. As they say one person's heaven can be anothers hell... Best regards in your new seminar adventures!

[golfgal]

If you are going to Luther, there is on campus housing for seminarians. We have some good friends that attended Luther and stayed on campus. The job market is good and that location is easy access to most of the Twin Cities area. If you are going to buy a house, perhaps the East Side of St. Paul or South St. Paul would be places to look if you don't have kids. You shouldn't have a problem finding a house for under $400,000 but that is a steep price for a seminarian and a non-profit worker.

[Robert P Stewart]

One comment about Rosebud8's post - 2007 is suppose to stabilize (not going up, not going down) according to the projections I've seen.

Yes, buyers will have a good time in 2007. I have several clients who are investors - and they're keeping me busy right now!

Good luck!