moving back to MN (Eagan, Maple Grove: houses, construction, good schools) - Minneapolis - St. Paul - Minnesota -Twin Cities - City-Data Forum

northbound222 · 10-07-2007, 04:36 PM

hi. i am moving back to MN after 10 years away. what is the traffic like on 35E from white bear to eagan? how long in rush hour? when is the big construction project done on 694 and 35? my job is in Eagan what part of the south side is best or which sub would you choose? just trying to figure out where to live. i don't have to drive to work every day just once in awhile. i have thought of living out a little with an acre or 2 any suggestions?

golfgal · 10-07-2007, 05:31 PM

Eagan itself is nice, good schools, etc. Finding an acre or more there is not going to be easy but there are probably some homes available with land like that.

Do you want a secluded acreage or just a really big yard? Are you concerned about schools?

northbound222 · 10-07-2007, 08:51 PM

yes we are concerned about schools. where are the better schools? we could take either acreage or big yard. acreage would be great but not a must. how far south or east do you have to go for acreage?

Minnehahapolitan · 10-07-2007, 10:24 PM

Inver Grove and Medota are inner suburbs that have larger lots (.5 - 1 acre, generally). I would look there.

golfgal · 10-08-2007, 03:28 AM

For the south suburbs you won't have to look all that far away from Eagan. There are many developments that have acre+ lots that are easy commutes to Eagan. In my experience Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights are NOT areas where you will find large lots. Some areas on the south side of Inver Grove are more 'rural' and have larger lots though.

As far as schools go, Rosemount/Apple Valley/Eagan district 196 is excellent. I am not a fan of the Inver Grove Heights schools. Mendota Heights schools are great as well.

If you want a lot of land, the area around Cannon Falls is expanding. Schools are ok but not great. I don't think you will have a hard time finding what you want within 15 miles of Eagan.

northbound222 · 10-08-2007, 07:57 AM

how is the drive through the cities from 694 down to Eagan. my family lives on the north side. better to live on the south side or is it ok to make that drive from the north since it is only once in awhile?

golfgal · 10-08-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northbound222

how is the drive through the cities from 694 down to Eagan. my family lives on the north side. better to live on the south side or is it ok to make that drive from the north since it is only once in awhile?

It would make more sense to live closer to where you work and then make the drive to family since it won't happen as often. 694 from say, Maple Grove (not sure where on the north side they are) to Eagan will be at LEAST an hour in rush hour, it is about 35-40 minutes otherwise (like Saturday afternoon from 12-2). The schools in the southern suburbs are a bit more financially stable and a bit better then most on the north but most of the northern schools are still good.

northbound222 · 10-08-2007, 12:03 PM

what should i pay for a house with 1 acre on the south side? are the houses older or newer for a bigger lot?

golfgal · 10-08-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northbound222

what should i pay for a house with 1 acre on the south side? are the houses older or newer for a bigger lot?

That is a pretty open ended question. YOu will find both new and old ranging from $250,000 to $10,000,000. If you go to realtor.com and search for homes in the south suburbs and select your lot size it will pull up everything that is available and the price. I am not a realtor so I can't really help you other then that.