Want to buy a new home in Mpls suburbs- Need advise (Plymouth: real estate, renting)

[wanttobuyhome]

Hi All,

Currently we renting in Eden Prairie, which is a highly developed suburb. My husband and I work in eden prairie and we are thinking of buying a new home. We have 6 mo old daughter and will plan for another in next year. Consdering housing rates we have Maple grove, shakopee and applevalley nieghbourhoods in mind. We checked plymouth also but it seems its quite expensive than others mentioned above. Housing rates in orderof the cities mentioned. Can you please suggest us which school district is better and traffic wise which community is better?

Thanks in advance!

[designer/builder]

What price range are you looking? How long of a commute are you willing to accept?

For school ramkings, see this website. Minnesota State Elementary Schools - MN School Rankings

Shakopee will be your easiest commute followed by Apple valley...Maple Grove will be a nightmare!

Are you working with a real estate agent? If not, I'd love to assist you in finding the right home/community for you/your family.

Best of luck!

Daniel

[golfgal]

Well, your easiest commute would be from Shakopee but I wouldn't move to Shakopee personally. There are better choices around the area. I agree that Maple Grove to Eden Prairie would not be a fun commute and Apple Valley to Eden Prairie would be marginally better. I would consider looking in either Waconia or Chaska if I worked in EP.

[wanttobuyhome]

Daniel,

Thanks for the offer. We are working with a real estate agent.

I liked the maplegrove neighbourhood as it's upscale and developed and have a family friend over there. I am thinking of looking for another job depending on the city we buy a home. So, my husband is the only one who is going to face commute problem and he is ok with 30 to 35 min commute. Our budget is 300k - 350 k. I think shakopee is kind of out of our list because of school district. Do you guys think Applevalley is better than maplegrove?

[Kebinminn]

I've heard good things about Apple Valley schools but don't know many people there and mixed reviews of the Maple Grove district (Osseo schools for most I believe). You could check greatschools for specific information. I love the suburb of Maple Grove, it's a great place to raise a family - I don't know much about Apple Valley.

[wanttobuyhome]

Kebinminn,
Thanks for the reply. Applevalley schools has good rankings in greatschools compared to maplegrove but I personally don't know anybody from there. We looked at maple lakes community in maple grove. Elementary is Rice lake elementary school and middle school is maple grove jr and maple grove sr.

[northstar22]

I live in Plymouth. It's nice, but very expensive (though not as expensive as Eden Prairie). I second golfgal's suggestions of Waconia and Chaska - those are great areas. Another possibility would be Buffalo - it's a somewhat small town west of Plymouth. Very nice and on a huge lake.

[golfgal]

Apple Valley schools are very good, some of the best in the nation but again, the commute would not be fun.

[Radical_Car]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

I live in Plymouth. It's nice, but very expensive (though not as expensive as Eden Prairie). I second golfgal's suggestions of Waconia and Chaska - those are great areas. Another possibility would be Buffalo - it's a somewhat small town west of Plymouth. Very nice and on a huge lake.

My sister lives in Buffalo, the worst thing is that its 2 lanes from Buffalo to Plymouth or whatever.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Radical_Car

My sister lives in Buffalo, the worst thing is that its 2 lanes from Buffalo to Plymouth or whatever.

We just got home from camping and took 55 through Buffalo to 494 and I agree, that 2 lane thing is the pits. It is really difficult to pass the guy driving 40 in a 55 . I kept waiting for a passing lane but there were none. It is a bit of a hike from Buffalo to the cities too.