Moving to Waconia (Eden Prairie, Edina, Rosemount: new house, established neighborhood, construction)

[angiedean]

WE are relocating from Saint Louis to Waconia.....any info on the city or schools??

[golfgal]

Waconia is a LOVELY town. The schools are good (brand new high school). The town sits on a large lake and is very scenic. There is quite a bit of new construction, close shopping and a pretty easy hop into the cities (except during rush hour). Waconia was on our list of places to consider when we moved but the commute was just too long.

[angiedean]

Ok Thanks! My husband will be working in Eden Prairie so the commute is not to bad for him! Do you think this is a growing area?

[golfgal]

It is growing but not all that fast so that is good. If they ever make Hwy 5 two lanes and take out the stoplights Waconia would boom. Waconia to Eden Prairie won't be too bad of a commute but there is a lot of traffic in that area. If he can work at off times, say 7-4 he would have an easy drive.

I would say that Waconia is similar to St. Charles, MO, only not as hilly, older, more established neighborhoods, lots of trees, etc.

[angiedean]

Ok thanks! Where do you live?

[golfgal]

We are in Rosemount, SE suburbs. We used to live in Marshall, MN in the SW corner of the state and have driven through Waconia 100's of times. My college roommate grew up in Waconia.

[Isaysos]

I would say that Waconia is one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. The population went from 2,000 in the 80's to around 10,000 today. When I moved to the area in 2000 there was beautiful farmland, wetlands, and woods between Waconia and the "Chanhaska" area, but there is a lot less now and is diminishng rapidly every year with all the stores and subdivisions poping up. Hwy 5 is crazy horrible during rush hour because its only 2 lane but should be 6 because of the rapidly growing population in the area. Hopefully when they get 212 re-done it wont be so bad, but I doubt it will ease it that much, the traffic is worse every time I drive on hwy 5. Waconia is a faboulous town if you work there. It has good schools and a good hospital (from most peoples experiences) Its in a beautiful area, but is being plowed over rapidly for new houses and shoping places. I wouldnt recommend the drive to EP every day, but I also hate stand still traffic. So if you like the traffic, Waconia is for you otherwise Eden Prairie itself is a nice place to live if your the suburban type. I would check into Parts of Edina or SW Minnapolis to.

[13levine]

I have lived in Waconia for the past 5 years. It's growing like crazy. The big chains have just discovered us. There is a new Target on the way. Before that it was mostly a few fast food chains (McDonalds, Dominoes and a few others). I commute to Eden Prairie but at strange hours. I work 6P-6A so the traffic is always going the opposite direction. It takes 30-35 minutes to do the 21 miles. There are 15 lights on 5 hwy to where I go so if I have bad luck timing the lights it takes longer. The traffic is terrible if you are going east in morning rush hour or west in evening rush hour. It is really hot and humid now. You don't even have to be working outside to be dripping with sweat. However most of the time the climate is great. Waconia is an alright place to live.

[Jaxx99]

Waconia is a wonderful community! Congrats. Other posters were right, it is a beautiful lakeside setting. Lots of newer housing to choose from, too.

Regarding the commute, the worst part of the EP-Waconia rush hour drive is really the first couple lights near Eden Prairie. Depending on where your husband will work, he might be able to bypass the worst of it.

Hwy 212 / 312 is under construction today, but will be done in a couple years. At that time, many of the people who have no choice but to use Hwy 5 will choose to use 312. That should lighten the load on Hwy 5.

You will love this area. The western side of the metro area is really a great place to live.

[Jaxx99]

Isaysos has a great point as well.... great hospital in Waconia, much better than most towns its size have.