Help! 22 yr. old needing apartment in 2 weeks! (Minneapolis, St. Paul: wood floors, sublet)

[**movingtompls**]

Hello!

I am from Iowa, which is not very urban. I'm moving out of small town East Jesus Nowhere and to Minneapolis. I've accepted a position with the University of Minnesota, so these are my needs:

--near U of M (preferably West Bank)
--studio or one bedroom
--would like to keep rent at about $750
--need a place by January 1st
--would like a place with wood floors (allergic to cats/mold and don't want to suffer) BUT not necessary
--parking
--near bus routes to the U of M (I plan on taking the bus to work daily)

Also, for any of the U of M alumni--some of the gals I am going to work with said they live in St. Paul and drive to work, but I don't see how they can pay that much in parking per day--I asked them but am I missing something?

Suggestions of places to live on such short notice? I've been looking at Uptown and Dinkytown, but they all have OUTDATED kitchens and bathrooms. I understand that the old building charm is fantastic, but I see RADIATORS EVERYWHERE--is this something that I'm going to be dealing with in almost every building within my budget??

[uptown_urbanist]

What don't you like about radiators? If you look at newer places they might have forced air or other heating options (although they will in turn be more likely to have carpet), but the reality is that in most older buildings in this metro area you're going to have radiators.

St. Paul is often cheaper, so you could live there and take the bus to work. If you'll be working fairly normal office hours you'll also have lots of express options that will bring you quickly and easily to the U of MN campus from practically anywhere in the metro area, which would open up some suburbs that might be more likely to have affordable modern apartments with no radiators.

[dravogadro]

The cheapest parking that I know of is $4ish/day in a back far lot. You can try to find some free parking in the surrounding neighborhoods but you will have a bit of a hike.

If you want a newer building, you will have to look in Dinkytown, 7 corners, Stadium Village....probably will have to try to find a sublet at this point from someone that is doing winter graduation. I don't know for sure but I feel like the rent would be more than $750.

You might want to consider living near the St Paul campus. St Anthony Park is a really cute neighborhood. You can take the 3 bus to the U in Minneapolis or if you want to walk a bit, you can catch the free bus from the St Paul campus.

1404 Raymond Avenue, St. Paul, MN | Powered by Postlets

Easy on your budget! FREE Dec move-in; access #3 bus or campus shuttle

Jan 1! Great closets, AC, Pkg lot. FREE shuttle, #3 bus, Co-op nearby!

16/50 bus to campus
872 Raymond Avenue, Saint Paul, MN | Powered by Postlets

[**movingtompls**]

Thanks! I don't know what it is about the radiators, but I think I am just worried that something will burn or that I can't exactly cover them up--just an eyesore issue but I think I could work with a shabby-chic or eclectic look.

Also--thanks for the post about the commute and buses from St. Paul. I think living there seems more my style BUT I didn't know how long the commute would take. I particularly don't want to ride a bus for longer than a half an hour one way. I work pretty regular hours, so I will look into how long it could take me. Otherwise, those apartments look more affordable.

Thanks!

Also--areas I should avoid??

[xandrex]

If St. Paul is your style, I'd recommend looking at places along the route 3 bus (I believe U workers can get discounted passes that will save you huge amounts of money/hassle with parking) as that is frequent and pretty reliable. It also goes through some fantastic neighborhoods. The St. Anthony area of St. Paul near the St. Paul campus is really pretty and there's a nice little commercial node with some restaurants, a gas station, a library, a post office, a school, and a few other things.

I have some friends in St. Paul and they love the area, though it is pretty quiet and a bit more isolated than some of the neighborhoods closer to the Minneapolis campus.

Most of the buildings are probably older and they're going to have radiators, though this varies depending on when the apartment was built or last renovated. Probably anything within your range will not have forced air. You could look along University Avenue at some of the newer apartments they're putting up along the future light-rail line (which will be another way for you to get to work, should you choose somewhere near University), but those are probably outside of your price range.

Another option is a place like Marcy-Holmes, especially west of I-35. I live in the neighborhood and had a nice 1-bedroom for $750 a month (all utilities included, except electric and cable/internet). Most places include a parking space (if not, there is ample street parking) and you shouldn't spend more than 10 minutes on the bus...and you could even walk when it's nice in 15-20 minutes. It's pretty quiet, but you're near a lot of amenities...something that is, as I mentioned before, not always available in St. Paul.

[golfgal]

Radiators are great in the winter--great place to put your hat and mittens when they are wet from being outside!! They don't get hot enough to burn anything and you can paint them if you want (if your landlord lets you). They are especially wonderful in the bathroom, warm towel when you get out of the shower!!

With a 2 week deadline you might not be able to be that picky, especially if wood floors are on your list. More modern apartments are going to have carpet.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by golfgal

With a 2 week deadline you might not be able to be that picky, especially if wood floors are on your list. More modern apartments are going to have carpet.

I agree with golfgal here...most units are going to be carpet unless you go for much older or very new buildings.

The one advantage of carpet, especially in older buildings that probably aren't as soundproofed, is that it tends to muffle people walking around a bit.

[uptown_urbanist]

I think you'll grow to like radiators if you have them -- or at least will begin not to "see" them. I agree that they're excellent for drying wet winter gear or towels. We don't have them at my current place, and I miss them! They keep a place nice and toasty warm with steady heat. And in the summer you can plop a board on the top and use it for display space, should you desire.

[**movingtompls**]

That's a great thought-- I guess I didn't think of radiators in that way, but I'm not from a place that cold in winter! I think I could get used to some of the old world charm in Marcy-Holmes, but I really REALLY want some updated bathrooms. I can't handle not having that counter space... I think I will probably have to settle.

Pretty much everyone above is right--I am not realistic in my rent expectations for what I want in a unit. I think I will try out the eclectic/shabby chic older buildings in my price range and see if I can find a "hidden gem" once I get a raise.

Thanks for some new perspective.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by **movingtompls**

That's a great thought-- I guess I didn't think of radiators in that way, but I'm not from a place that cold in winter! I think I could get used to some of the old world charm in Marcy-Holmes, but I really REALLY want some updated bathrooms. I can't handle not having that counter space... I think I will probably have to settle.

Pretty much everyone above is right--I am not realistic in my rent expectations for what I want in a unit. I think I will try out the eclectic/shabby chic older buildings in my price range and see if I can find a "hidden gem" once I get a raise.

Thanks for some new perspective.

Quite a few of the Marcy-Holmes places don't have ancient bathrooms. Both of the apartments I've been in have been updated in the last few years, though I think it's because my rental company is really good about updating carpet/bathrooms/kitchens every few years. When I possibly had to transfer from one apartment to another due to an issue, they even offered to put a dishwasher in the new apartment (since my apartment had one, but the new one didn't).

That said, I haven't seen any apartments with much for bathroom counter space. Most of them in your price range are tiny: just enough room for a bath/shower, sink, toilet, and a bit of standing space.