Studio Search in Downtown Minneapolis (Max Budget: $550) (Nicollet, Franklin: apartments, rentals)

[s___]

I'd really appreciate any advice on best place to search for a room in a shared apartment / affordable studios in downtown/uptown Minneapolis. My budget for rent is $400-$550, depending on if shared or not. I need to be within walking distance or easy bus travel from Loring Park. Need somewhere safe with good amenities.

I am of course searching Craigslist but i am finding it rather difficult to find something suitable. I plan to be in Minneapolis for the 20th July so would need something from then. Are there any local realtors/letting agencies that you could recommend?

Thanks

[demtion35]

Check the apartment on Franklyn and Nicolette think its called Presidential Apartments it is within walking distance of everything and biking also.
It is within easy walking distance of Loring Park the community college is right there also and down town. Bus service is right out the door. There are many eating establishments nearby that offer wide variety of selection,

[GBCommenter]

My "first blush" response to your question would have also been Franklin (not Franklyn) and Nicollet, or east of that area (Stevens Park or Elliott Park). These locations are not nearly as trendy, but will be near downtown. To be frank, Loring Park at $550/month will be difficult if not impossible to find something, at least in what I've heard. Perhaps if you're willing to do a roommate where you're each paying that amount, but unlikely individually.

As to your specific question on a realtor or agent, unfortunately i am not of much help beyond something general like rent.com or craigslist.com, which you seem to be familiar with already...

[Cleverbeetle98]

You're going to have a pretty hard time finding a realtor that helps someone find rentals. The city is big enough and the websites are pretty easy to navigate.

In addition to craigslist, try rent.com (as previously mentioned), apartments.com, apartmentfinder.com and maybe even the Trib. You're budget seems pretty low for the downtown area so you may have to be willing to budge on that or location....or find something with several roommates.

[redpetticoat]

I was also going to suggest Franklin Ave near Stevens Square. My brother lived in an apartment there for around that price. However, I'm not sure that is the safest area. He said a lot of crime was happening just outside his apartment door. He saw prostitutes and crack dealers every night out his window.