Artist retiring to MN...where to live around the twin cities? (St. Paul: houses, neighborhood)

[mn242]

Hi all,

We are close to retiring from my university job in NC and want to relocate back to MN, where we lived for 25 years before moving south. We are artists and need space for a studio and kilns and storage. We prefer interesting architecture and city amenities, but wouldn't mind having to live away from (but close to) the urban core on acreage if we could have a large pole barn for a studio. I spent most of my career in southern MN, but don't want to live far from the twin cities. Please suggest areas within a short driving distance to the twin cities including Minnetonka and the other western suburbs or around the Stillwater area. We definitely do not want a "cookie cutter" suburban home and will have about 500K to work with after we sell our home in NC. We also want to be reasonably close to a Jewish community.

Thanks for any assistance..

MN242

[golfgal]

The first think that came to my mind was Northfield but there isn't much of a Jewish population there but I think that Carleton College probably has some services there. I know a few artist that live in Northfield and there are several old farmsteads that have exactly what you are looking for-converted barns for artist studios.

Finding enough land for a pole barn for your studio would be the main issue living in the city itself. There are some rural acerages around Stillwater, Oakdale, Lake Elmo that would work-but mostly newer houses. A lot of the houses in Stillwater, older houses, have very large garages-think housing horse and carriage. I know the house I grew up in had a 2 story garage with parking on both levels-enough for 4 cars, a workshop and then some. It would have made a great studio. Many of those older houses also have a 3rd story that would be easy to convert to a studio. The closest larger Jewish community to Stillwater would be in the Highland Park area of St. Paul-about 20-30 minutes away from Stillwater.

You might find something in the Inver Grove Heights area-again, maybe not the older house but you could find some acerage. You would be close to Mendota Heights-another center for Jewish families.

[mn242]

I appreciate the input and will consider all the places you mention. We are intrigued by all the bike trails in the TC, especially the ones that bring you from the western towns in to Mpls. Stillwater is beautiful. We visited many years ago while still living in southern MN. I have lived in most regions of the country and there is nothing that compares to MN and its people...nothing.

[Shince]

40% of the Jewish community live in the cities. Suburban Jewish families seem to be concentrated in Minnetonka, Highland Park, Mendota Heights, St. Louis Park (though that population seems to be aging). A smaller number in Golden Valley.

[uptown_urbanist]

I like Golfgal's suggestion of Northfield. You can definitely find (or build) something with character there, and the college town atmosphere is a big plus. I would assume that there's at least a small Jewish population in Northfield; there's definitely Jewish organizations on campus, and presumably there's at least some Jewish non-students living in town. Both colleges offer lots of things open to the general public; I've made the trek out there (not all that far, really) to see some fairly big name interesting speakers, so you'd have great access to good cultural amenities right in your backyard (in addition to being relatively close to the city).

[mn242]

we were told to look at the Mac/Groveland area. I remember this as a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous older homes...any opinions?

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by mn242

we were told to look at the Mac/Groveland area. I remember this as a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous older homes...any opinions?

It is a nice area, the hard part will be finding a place that will accommodate your studio.

[mn242]

good point..the studio is a must...we would need to have an oversize 2-3 car garage or equivalent space at minimum. A walk out basement would work, but not the old dank and dingy ones that typically accompany older homes. I worked "underground" in southern MN for many years and don't want to have to do that in retirement...