Big Lake Area? (Plymouth, St. Cloud, Elk River: 2009, homes, new construction)

[krink63]

Currently live in Southern Minnesota and will be relocating due to job changes. Would like somewhere close to Plymouth but still want a smaller town. How is the drive from Big Lake to Plymouth? What is Big Lake like? Any replies would be appreciated. Thank you!
Cheri

[yellowsnow]

If you work regular hours, the commute is rather fierce. BL is a nice small town. They have a Spud Festival every year. Potatoes are a major crop. BL sort of runs into Elk River to the south and Monticello to the west so you should check out those places too. Probably Otsego too. One of the good things is that you have 2 ways into the Cities, 10 and 94. Most people living in these towns work in the Cities and spend too much time commuting to add much to the sense of community. The schools are fine and it's a pretty semi-rural area. Taxes are lower than Hennepin County but they seem to be socking it to all the new construction. There are lots of homes on the market at good prices. You won't see too many subdivisions of clonehomes here. There are homes on the market with character.

There is plenty of shopping and just about anything is easily available. You are only a few minutes away from the outlet mall too. It's also easy to shop in St. Cloud.

Let me know if you have more questions. Good luck!

[krink63]

Thanks for the reply! We are looking in Buffalo and Elk River as well. The commute to Plymouth so it won't be too bad.

[Navelinski]

Originally Posted by krink63

Thanks for the reply! We are looking in Buffalo and Elk River as well. The commute to Plymouth so it won't be too bad.

Elk River can still be a little dicey for a commute to Plymouth. That's because highways 10 and 94 are the problem. You might want to think about staying south of Highway 94. Maybe look into Rockford too.

[staci]

my husband drove from Big Lake to Plymouth for about 3 years. Commute was about 45 minutes...Northstar commuter train is planned to start running in 2009 to minneapolis.

[staci]

Big Lake is a beautiful small town with lots of paved biking trails, lakes and rivers. We have deer in our back yard every other morning...

[fl1025]

Mmy daughter llives in Big Lake and drives to Plymouth everyday. Not so bad in summer but a "nightmare" in the winter!

[warmweather!]

Buffalo may be a good choice for you. Buffalo is a very nice town. 55 runs from Buffalo to Plymouth. Buffalo is a small town, yet it is a suburb. The lake in Buffalo is amazing. The commute from Buffalo would probably be better than from Big Lake.