Relocating to Minneapolis - need advice (Eagan: apartment, condo, townhouse)

[lrig2844eski]

Hi there

Where should a 20-something professional be looking at for a condo, townhouse (under $280K). I've relocated several times in the past 5 years and might be making the move from the Windy City to Minneapolis (working downtown). I'm interested in a low-rise or unique building w/ alot of character and that has a view, young urban feel, close proximity to shops, restaurants, lots of greenery (after living in the city, trees and grass are a huge plus with me). I'm looking for a place that has a relatively short commute to downtown (i.e. under 40 minutes) and is also within reasonable distance to the airport as the new job will entail a fair amount of travel. I'm not familiar with MSP but have traveled thereabouts for work purposes - if there's a place with a great river / lake view, all the better. No cemetaries or hospitals in close proximity, please - any suggestions would be great - thanks so much!

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by lrig2844eski

Hi there

Where should a 20-something professional be looking at for a condo, townhouse (under $280K). I've relocated several times in the past 5 years and might be making the move from the Windy City to Minneapolis (working downtown). I'm interested in a low-rise or unique building w/ alot of character and that has a view, young urban feel, close proximity to shops, restaurants, lots of greenery (after living in the city, trees and grass are a huge plus with me). I'm looking for a place that has a relatively short commute to downtown (i.e. under 40 minutes) and is also within reasonable distance to the airport as the new job will entail a fair amount of travel. I'm not familiar with MSP but have traveled thereabouts for work purposes - if there's a place with a great river / lake view, all the better. No cemetaries or hospitals in close proximity, please - any suggestions would be great - thanks so much!

I can't think of anywhere that would answer ALL of your criteria but a couple of places that would address some of them are:
Highland - 10mins to airport, 30mins to downtown Mpls, 15-20mins to downtown St Paul, very close to the Mississippi, plenty of shopping, older neighbourhood but young-ish feel due to a couple universities close by and new families moving in, VERY green, plenty of lowrise apartment buildings that are older brownstones
Eagan - lakes, 20-30mins to airport, 30-40mins commute, lots of newer development both in housing and shopping, definitely suburbia

[Minnehahapolitan]

The airport abuts South MInneapolis, so anywhere in the city is rediculously close. Besides that, you named most of the old neighborhoods in Mpls. and not a few in Saint Paul. In Minneapolis, look into Uptown, Loring Park, Elliot Park (near a Hosp.) Northeast, Southeast/University, Highland Park in Saint Paul, Downtown and Lowertown in Saint Paul. I could go waaay on. Minneapolis is renowned for its parks (one w/in 6 blocks of any house). So greenery is easy to find. If you had any other wants in a neighborhood, I may be able to limit it for you. Good Luck.