Thinking of Moving to Minnesota (Rochester, Stewartville: apartments, rentals, crime)

[Moving_Somewhere_in_US]

I currently live in Colorado and looking for a place to move to. I've read a lot about Minnesota and it seems to be somewhere I might like. I'm hoping to get some feedback regarding what you might recommend. I am single with a dog. I have bookkeeper/office managment/admin skills - higher than average. I like to go to home cooking, ethinic restaurants. I like to have access to decent food shopping since I like to cook, too. I don't mind neighbors and like the outdoors. I would like someplace that is dog friendly with good off leash areas. I like to fish, go to festivals, and take my dog places. I don't like big cities, but I do not want to be without neighbors. I would like to rent a house but would be fine in an apartment. I would like to spend no more than $800/month rent. I have no kids, just my dog and I. I do not want to spend my free time commuting to/from work so I would like it under 30 minutes.

Any city suggestions? Any feedback would be most appreciated!

[chilaili]

First thing to mention is that it seems to be VERY difficult to find any apartments that will rent to dog owners. You may have luck searching amongst private landlords though.

What kind of price range are you looking at?

[Moving_Somewhere_in_US]

I would not want to go over $800/month rent.

[fromupthere]

I would suggest Rochester. It's about 102,000, lots of ethnic food places, possible to find nice rentals for under $800 a month and you can get to anything you need within 10 minutes of just about anywhere in Rochester. There are some specialty grocery stores as well as ethnic. There are lots of places to walk, there's a lake where you can rent boats or bikes, and the crime isn't too bad considering the city's size. There are also efforts being made to deal with the gang crime activity here. There are also a couple of nicer small towns less than 10 miles outside of Rochester - Stewartville and Byron. If you have any questions about Rochester, I will help as much as I am able.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

I would suggest Rochester. It's about 102,000, lots of ethnic food places, possible to find nice rentals for under $800 a month and you can get to anything you need within 10 minutes of just about anywhere in Rochester. There are some specialty grocery stores as well as ethnic. There are lots of places to walk, there's a lake where you can rent boats or bikes, and the crime isn't too bad considering the city's size. There are also efforts being made to deal with the gang crime activity here. There are also a couple of nicer small towns less than 10 miles outside of Rochester - Stewartville and Byron. If you have any questions about Rochester, I will help as much as I am able.

What do you know about some of the neighborhoods north of Rochester and west of state highway 63? I am specifically referring to the area south of 75th street NW.

[fromupthere]

I would say it's a desirable area. The houses that I can think of in that area are either nicer homes or they've been there for years and years. I have never heard anything negative about that area. NW is still a very popular place to want to be in Rochester. There is only a small area of NW Rochester that has experienced some negativity from gang-related crimes but that would be closer to 41st St. NW.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Rochester is quite nice BUT

Seriously try to know beforehand what you are getting yourself into when it comes to winters.

Seriously.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

I would say it's a desirable area. The houses that I can think of in that area are either nicer homes or they've been there for years and years. I have never heard anything negative about that area. NW is still a very popular place to want to be in Rochester. There is only a small area of NW Rochester that has experienced some negativity from gang-related crimes but that would be closer to 41st St. NW.

Thank you for the information. I saw a listing in Rochester and it looks like it is in a heavily wooded neighborhood just to the south of route 14 (75st NW). The main cut through road looks to be 133 (W River Road NW). Is this general area more established? I see a river is right nearby some of the developments. Is flooding a concern in that particular area? Thanks.
GS

[fromupthere]

I don't think it's as established as other areas around. As far as I have heard, there's not any major issue with flooding in that area. The one person I know of back in that area, not all the way out to 75th but off West River Road, has never had any issues. There does seem to be a bit of traffic heading along there when I go by there (at least twice a week) but again it is definitely a more wooded area but nice homes. To me, it's a very appealing area (but that's just my opinion).

[Moving_Somewhere_in_US]

Thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions. I will research those areas in detail! I understand there is winter and then there is WINTER! I have read various posts about MN. I've lived in Webster NY, Colorado, Chicago, and Texas. I've been through all phases of deep snow, wet cold, and ice, ice, ice! I appreciate the warning of how WINTERS are in MN and do take it seriously.