Where are the crunchy suburbanites? (Minneapolis, Bloomington: co-op, homes, neighborhoods)

[sm2010]

I don't want this question to turn into a city vs. suburb debate, but I'm wondering if there are any suburban areas of the twin cities that have more "crunchy" people. I know I can't stereotype people of any area, but I guess I'm looking for people with kids who have a more progressive, liberal mindset, who live a less materialistic lifestyle, who enjoy nature and organic food, ride bicycles a lot, etc. I'm sure there are some people like this scattered throughout the burbs, but it seems like these people tend to live in the city more often. I'm considering moving to the southern suburbs (Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, or Burnsville), and wondering if I can meet some like-minded friends there. Thanks!

[Ghengis]

I'm from Bloomington but I have a soft, gooey center

[missclinks]

I know of no particular suburb where the people are "crunchies." In fact, the only place I know of where that population can be found in the Twin Cities in Uptown - a virtual singles area.

[sm2010]

Originally Posted by missclinks

I know of no particular suburb where the people are "crunchies." In fact, the only place I know of where that population can be found in the Twin Cities in Uptown - a virtual singles area.

As a current Minneapolis resident, I think there are a lot of Mpls neighborhoods that have quite a few "crunchies" - NE, Longfellow, Seward, Powderhorn, and some in South and Southwest Mpls. Let me say that I'm not talking about hard core super-crunchies. It just seems to me that even the families that I know in Mpls tend to be more this type than most suburbanites I know. For example, people who like to grocery shop at a co-op rather than Cub. I'm just thinking there must be some other families out there who sort of fit this description who have migrated out to the burbs for better schools and more affordable housing.

[missclinks]

I am sure there are other families who fit that description but no one suburb would be identified as such.

[uptown_urbanist]

I know people who fit that description in Bloomington, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park. I'm sure you'll find them scattered all over. The southern suburbs are NOT known for being particularly "crunchy" -- definitely veers towards the conservative side -- but even there you'll find plenty of people around who might be kindred spirits. This is Minnesota, after all! You could try joining a co-op (I know there's one in Burnsville, and probably in all the other 'burbs out that direction, too) -- they often have classes and events. And Gardens of Eagan has a field school; can't get any more crunchy than that. As far as politics, all of those areas have both their conservatives and their liberals. I think generally speaking you'll find a higher concentration in city neighborhoods like Powderhorn, Seward, Lyndale, etc., but I doubt you'll be the only co-op shopping, bike-riding liberal on your block in Apple Valley or Eagan, either.

[QuietBlue]

I live in Eagan, and I'd say I fit the description aside from the bike riding (though I do it once in a while for fun) and the organic food. And yep, uptown_urbanist is right that there are definitely people down here who fit that description, but that they are scattered and that it's definitely not an enclave or anything like that. My rough guess is that you'd be the most likely to find them in Eagan, and maybe Mendota Heights, but I know from experience that they are going to be in every suburb.

The only actual co-op I know of is Valley Natural Foods in Burnsville, which is an institution around here (it's several decades old) and has a good reputation. This reminds me that I need to give it a try, plus I would think it might be a good starting point for finding the "crunchies" down here. There's a gluten-free bakery near me in Eagan too, and it gets good reviews, though I haven't been there either.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I know people who fit that description in Bloomington, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park. I'm sure you'll find them scattered all over. The southern suburbs are NOT known for being particularly "crunchy" -- definitely veers towards the conservative side -- but even there you'll find plenty of people around who might be kindred spirits. This is Minnesota, after all! You could try joining a co-op (I know there's one in Burnsville, and probably in all the other 'burbs out that direction, too) -- they often have classes and events. And Gardens of Eagan has a field school; can't get any more crunchy than that. As far as politics, all of those areas have both their conservatives and their liberals. I think generally speaking you'll find a higher concentration in city neighborhoods like Powderhorn, Seward, Lyndale, etc., but I doubt you'll be the only co-op shopping, bike-riding liberal on your block in Apple Valley or Eagan, either.

Actually living in the South Suburbs and seeing people all around, you will find plenty of crunchies in Apple Valley, Eagan, etc. They tend to be homeschooling families that attend certain churches so those would be good places to start, maybe join a mom's group or whatever, to meet people.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Actually living in the South Suburbs and seeing people all around, you will find plenty of crunchies in Apple Valley, Eagan, etc. They tend to be homeschooling families that attend certain churches so those would be good places to start, maybe join a mom's group or whatever, to meet people.

yeah, isn't that what I wrote? That the OP will find them there, even though the area as a whole is not known for being a liberal bastion? My point was simply that the south suburbs DO NOT have a reputation for being liberal (I doubt anyone would argue against that? You're talking the part of the metro area that voted for John Kline! It is solidly Republican-leaning!), yet the OP will still find plenty of people who share his or her lifestyle and political leanings. It just won't be in the same concentrations as you would find in, say, Seward.

(although I'm a bit skeptical that the homeschooling church crowd is ultra-liberal, although they may well be "crunchy". I know of some families who solidly fit that profile. They live simple, non-materialistic lives, grow much of their own food, but are very socially conservative.)

[sholomar]

I fit that description pretty well, including road biking. Live quite cheap and have stockpiles of extra cash as a result, progressive mindset with a libertarian leaning... but I don't live in rural MN, I'm the oddball in the area in which I live. I used to be 'conservative' until I opened my eyes to see the truth, that both sides are full of it.