places to avoid (towns, history, about)

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Take the southbound exit on Cedar Ave from 494 and look to your right...

I lived relatively close to that area for over 10 years (just southwest of the Old Shakopee Road exit). What are you seeing? I don't remember that area being bad at all.

[bionicrat]

Thanks for all your help and info..
We will most probably be renting a house or townhouse (for now) in either the Edina/Richfield area or the Savage/Burnsville area.

[audadvnc]

It changes from block to block, season to season. I'm moving into the Jordan area (that's Near North Minneapolis for all you ex-urbanites) and there's still plenty of poverty, unemployment, and scary-looking dudes in beat up cars. But there's also a major league effort by the City to reclaim that area, and make it the beautiful neighborhood it was a hundred years ago. Going lot by lot, you see all sorts of green spaces and homes in various states of rehabilitation - and some are really nice, they wouldn't look out of place in Southwest Mpls. I'd guess, in 10 years or so, that area is going to be very desirable, and no longer one of those "places to avoid" that it has been the last 30 years or so.

[west336]

money talks.....once people invest there you'll see a flock of others investing there as well, then it's yuppy fun for everyone! JK, money talks though, and it can/will change ANY neighborhood.

[jeffpv]

I really like Richfield. It's in the "first tier" of suburbs, so you can get to the city quickly. It does have some areas that could be considered "less than ideal", but I lived there for two years and never felt threatened (at all). It's close to major roads, so it's easy to get around. And it's affordable. The high school seems ok (I mean, I've known quite a few graduates from there who seem to be able to read and write).
All-in-all, it has a good mix of suburban and urban life. Not bad.
I wouldn't live in Eagan because it's too "sprawly". Edina is nice, but overpriced. I really enjoy the MPLS lakes areas (also not cheap). In fact, there's not much of South MPLS I don't like (there are some less-than-desireable areas of course, but it is a big city after all).
I would avoid Burnsville and Savage, just because they're WAY out there (IMO) and a bit quiet for my tastes.

[west336]

I just drive around Columbia Heights and I kind of liked it! It has older housing stock and seems perfect for starter families, plus there are many restaurants and small retail along Hwy. 65 (Central Ave) that gives the area a lot of hustle and bustle. The only drawback is that I'm aware it has some crime issues, but damn, I couldn't tell just by passing through -- looks diverse and hopping for an older suburb!

[stevedoody]

northstar22:
You need a clue; "parts of South St. Paul"? It is a town 3 miles wide by 5 miles long with long history of of developing leaders with a great work ethic. No other town can claim three governors. Stassen, LeVander, Pawlenty. All strata of people. Come and visit some time.

[west336]

TIM Pawlenty? I hope not!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by stevedoody

northstar22:
You need a clue; "parts of South St. Paul"? It is a town 3 miles wide by 5 miles long with long history of of developing leaders with a great work ethic. No other town can claim three governors. Stassen, LeVander, Pawlenty. All strata of people. Come and visit some time.

Obviously you are a fan of SSP but it is not as nice as you are saying, having lived there for a few years there are much, much, much better places to raise a family in the metro area. SSP makes my very short list of places not to raise kids. It's a good option for a young single person or a young married couple buying their first home though.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by stevedoody

northstar22:
You need a clue; "parts of South St. Paul"? It is a town 3 miles wide by 5 miles long with long history of of developing leaders with a great work ethic. No other town can claim three governors. Stassen, LeVander, Pawlenty. All strata of people. Come and visit some time.

South St. Paul- that's where the sometimes southern accent comes from! Not sure that being T-Paw's hometown would be a source of pride for most folks, and the "great work ethic" is pretty debatable....