Commute from Woodbury... (Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eagan: fit in, home, neighborhood)

[jrmbk15947]

We will be relocating to MN and with my husband's new job, he is required to live on the south-east or east quadrant. After checking out the area, we really like Woodbury but I am questioning the commute for my job. I would rotate call at 3 different hospitals, one in Burnsville, Edina and then UMMC. Any info on the commute to/from Woodbury would be appreciated!

[GBCommenter]

For all three locations, the most likely beginning point would be I-94. To University Hospitals, I would estimate 25 minutes without traffic, it would be about all freeway on I-94 one-way. Edina would add about 15 minutes to your drive (from the U/downtown area). Burnsville would add about 20-25 minutes to the initial 25 minutes drive (again, from U/downtown area). Be sure to add in possible traffic delays depending on time of day and weather. From that point, obviously your decision if time in car is a good investment of time versus income.

Are there particular qualities of Woodbury that are attracting you to that area? Letting us know what are the important qualities for a home neighborhood, of course, helps us offer ideas of whether Woodbury is the place to be or another area might be worth considering.

[golfgal]

Woodbury wouldn't be a horrible commute to any of those places. You could take 494 to 35E County Road 11 and over to the hospital in Burnsville (not 35W-bad traffic to get there). Edina you could take either 494 or 62. U of MN, 94. The one thing I don't like about Woodbury, among many things, is that you have one commuting option. Last summer there was major road construction going on in Woodbury and no options to get around it so you could be stuck in traffic for 45 minutes with no way to get home other then 494/94.

I would look at Eagan if that is an option for you--not sure how far west you can go and still be in your husband's approved area. Otherwise the south end of Inver Grove Heights that is in the 196 schools would be another choice--again depending on what the approved area would be. If you have to stay east of the river, Woodbury would be the next best option.

[iNviNciBL3]

Our family grew up in Woodbury and my father had to commute during rush hour so we know all the short cuts getting into Woodbury if traffic is really bad.

If your coming from Saint Paul going to Woodbury and traffic is really bad on 94. Take 61 South and Left on Lower Afton, Lower Afton turns into Valley Creek which takes you right into Woodbury

If your coming from the Bloomington area traffic really isnt too bad on 494 by the Mississippi river but if there is an accident. Take Maxwell Ave exit, take a left and the road eventually turns into Bailey Road which takes you right into Woodbury

[eastside38]

Between 7AM-9:30AM and 4PM-6PM the commute from Woodbury to the U is absolutely abysmal. It takes an hour each way, and when there's a snowstorm, expect it to take two hours each way. This is NOT an exaggeration! I did it for the last 3 years. The commute to Edina on 494 would be okay save for a stretch through Bloomington west of the airport. I don't know much about the commute to Burnsville, but I think you get on hwy 77 before the worst of the Bloomington traffic on 494.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by eastside38

Between 7AM-9:30AM and 4PM-6PM the commute from Woodbury to the U is absolutely abysmal. It takes an hour each way, and when there's a snowstorm, expect it to take two hours each way. This is NOT an exaggeration! I did it for the last 3 years. The commute to Edina on 494 would be okay save for a stretch through Bloomington west of the airport. I don't know much about the commute to Burnsville, but I think you get on hwy 77 before the worst of the Bloomington traffic on 494.

This is the problem with Woodbury, if 94 is backed up, there is no other way to go. Right now the construction on 94 isn't helping either.

[audadvnc]

The other problem is, once you leave Mpls and go home, you wind up in... Woodbury.

[GBCommenter]

Originally Posted by audadvnc

The other problem is, once you leave Mpls and go home, you wind up in... Woodbury.

Let's be sure we stay close to the OP's question on commute times, which is more objective. If we want to talk about the particular merits or lack thereof on various communities, we certainly can have a spirited conversation on a separate thread. They seem to have checked out Woodbury and like it for their needs and interests.

That said, we can inquire what are the qualities they are looking for and then, if applicable, suggest other places that may fit into those qualities but be closer to where they need to go (or at least easier commutes).

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by golfgal

this is the problem with woodbury, if 94 is backed up, there is no other way to go. Right now the construction on 94 isn't helping either.

I bet it'll be better when the Road Construction is done. Unfortunately driving to Minneapolis you'll have to drive through the most contested road in the state (94 westbound between Cretin and 35w i think) But i know of many people in Woodbury who cant stand the Spaghetti Jct in Downtown Saint Paul and they take 35W to 62east and 110 to 494. So you dont even need to go on 94

[danielle_pal]

you will be fine in Woodbury. I am sure you will have to be work a little early which will help your commute time greatly.