Western Suburbs input please (Plymouth, Minnetonka: condo, houses, construction)

[happy1979]

Hello,

My husband I will be relocating to the area b/c I have accepted a job with a company in Plymouth.

Of course, I'd like as short a commute as possible, so we're looking at houses in Plymouth, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Minnetonka or maybe others close by.

We're 33 and 35, no kids. We'd like to be relatively close to nice restaurants, shopping, bars, etc. House range would be $400 - 500k. I'd love a newer construction house, but would consider an older one if in good condition.

What are the pros/cons of these areas? Thank you!

[Kebinminn]

They're all nice areas. Since you don't care about the school district you may be able to get more for your money in the part of Plymouth that's not in Wayzata schools. You could easily get close to Ridgedale although that would be in Wayzata schools I believe. There's a lot of newer construction out there as well as plenty of older stock that has likely been updated.

[golfgal]

Other than driving distance, they are all great places for you to live and all about the same as far as desirability but for different reasons.. Maple Grove is probably the "worst" of the list but it is still really good. Wayzata is a bit harder to get around because of the lake and all the inlets but it also adds charm to the area too. You will find the newest construction in Plymouth and Maple Grove. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Keep in mind though the housing resale in MN is best in the better school districts and if you are going to move to Plymouth you will want to be in the Wayzata district.

[happy1979]

Yeah, I kind of assumed that Maple Grove was the "worst" of these areas, but I'm not sure why. Can you elaborate as to why? Thanks!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by happy1979

Yeah, I kind of assumed that Maple Grove was the "worst" of these areas, but I'm not sure why. Can you elaborate as to why? Thanks!

The other areas are pretty upscale and closer is all. It's not a bad area at all, just not quite as nice as Wayzata and Minnetonka keeping in mind that Wayzata is one of the most expensive places to live (housing) in MN.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by happy1979

Yeah, I kind of assumed that Maple Grove was the "worst" of these areas, but I'm not sure why. Can you elaborate as to why? Thanks!

Wayzata is among the "oldest wealth" suburbs of the Twin Cities, so it has that reputation. Minnetonka is like it.

Maple Grove would be much newer housing stock, and probably younger. It's further from downtown, and pretty much everything else worth going to, although it does have Arbor Lakes, and is closer to the "natural" wonders of the Twin Cities (park reserves-- Elm Creek, French Park, etc.)

I think that's what Golfgal meant by "worst." Not bad at all, just least convenient.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by Kebinminn

You could easily get close to Ridgedale although that would be in Wayzata schools I believe. There's a lot of newer construction out there as well as plenty of older stock that has likely been updated.

Not entirely impossible that they'd be in Hopkins schools if they were that close to Ridgedale.

Open enrollment definitely used to be so easy in Minnesota that this didn't even factor for most people, though...

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by happy1979

Hello,

My husband I will be relocating to the area b/c I have accepted a job with a company in Plymouth.

Of course, I'd like as short a commute as possible, so we're looking at houses in Plymouth, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Minnetonka or maybe others close by.

We're 33 and 35, no kids. We'd like to be relatively close to nice restaurants, shopping, bars, etc. House range would be $400 - 500k. I'd love a newer construction house, but would consider an older one if in good condition.

What are the pros/cons of these areas? Thank you!

Have you considered-- since you're younger-- getting closer to the city? A condo in St. Louis Park or nice house near Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale, or something? It would be a slightly worse commute to the job in Plymouth, and less suburban, but more amenities in the way of bars/restaurants close by....

[kuan]

Depending on where you're coming from there are really no nice restaurants outside of the city.

[happy1979]

Kuan - I agree that there may not be many good restaurants outside of the city

I haven't heard of Robbinsdale. What is that like?