Young family looking to move to Minneapolis for grad school. Where should we live? (St. Paul: apartment, renters)

[gradstudent2y]

I am looking to relocate to the Twins Cities area with my husband and our two year old son for grad school at the University of Minnesota. I am leaning towards living in one the student family housing cooperatives because I think it will be nice to live among other families and graduate students because we will be new to the area. I think that family housing will provide us with a built in community with the added benefits of having onsite daycare available, relatively inexpensive rent (under 700 for a two bedroom), and all of the utilities would be included.

However, my husband feels uncomfortable with the idea of family housing through the university because he thinks we will be surrounded by unruly college kids and that there will be people moving in and out constantly. He would rather rent a house in St. Paul or Minneapolis.

Does anyone have any experience with family housing at U of M? Can anyone recommend any safe yet inexpensive neighborhoods to live that are close to the University? I know that if we stay in family housing, we will either be located in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Roseville (sp?) public schools. I would prefer my son to attend a Spanish immersion daycare and elementary school or a Montessori school. Can anyone recommend a Spanish-English bilingual daycare or preschool? How hard is it to gain a spot in the Spanish immersion or Montessori schools in St. Paul or Minneapolis? Which is the better district : St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Roseville.

Sorry for any typos because I'm on my phone.

Thanks!!!

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by gradstudent2y

I am looking to relocate to the Twins Cities area with my husband and our two year old son for grad school at the University of Minnesota. I am leaning towards living in one the student family housing cooperatives because I think it will be nice to live among other families and graduate students because we will be new to the area. I think that family housing will provide us with a built in community with the added benefits of having onsite daycare available, relatively inexpensive rent (under 700 for a two bedroom), and all of the utilities would be included.

However, my husband feels uncomfortable with the idea of family housing through the university because he thinks we will be surrounded by unruly college kids and that there will be people moving in and out constantly. He would rather rent a house in St. Paul or Minneapolis.

Does anyone have any experience with family housing at U of M? Can anyone recommend any safe yet inexpensive neighborhoods to live that are close to the University? I know that if we stay in family housing, we will either be located in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Roseville (sp?) public schools. I would prefer my son to attend a Spanish immersion daycare and elementary school or a Montessori school. Can anyone recommend a Spanish-English bilingual daycare or preschool? How hard is it to gain a spot in the Spanish immersion or Montessori schools in St. Paul or Minneapolis? Which is the better district : St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Roseville.

Sorry for any typos because I'm on my phone.

Thanks!!!

I would inquire with the folks that work w/ housing at U of M regarding who their renters are. If they are predominantly PhD students I think you will find it VERY agreeable to be around like-minded people: you'll share basic values (education, quiet, etc. etc.) and there will likely be a great sense of community. If, on the other hand, they are predominantly undergrads I would cede to your husband's desires.

[Big G]

Unless things have changed since I was there in the 90s, the family housing co-ops are located far from any undergrad housing. Back in the day, there was very little turnover. Because of the low rent, no one ever moved out until they had to due to graduating. The residents were largely PhD students, with quite a few postdocs also. I think your husband's worries are unfounded.

You do need to puzzle out where exactly the graduate program is -as in what building(s). There are multiple large campuses at the U of M, and what would be a good apartment for a law student would be a terrible spot for an agricultural engineering student.

[dravogadro]

I really recommend the St Paul housing co-op - very quiet and great access to either campus. Your kid will have friends from many different countries. Plenty of activities to do with kids and you can let them run around without having to worry. The Minneapolis co-op is located closer to undergrad housing and is a bit more urban. It doesn't have as nice green spaces as St. Paul and is also located between two busier streets.

I have heard good things about both the U of M daycare and the much coveted one on the St Paul campus. Long waiting lists likely.

The only 'bad' thing about the St Paul co-op is that the State Fair is right next door so you will have to deal with concerts, fireworks and traffic for two weeks, once a year.

[Beenhere4ever]

No long queue for that housing?

[Camden Northsider]

Under $700 for a 2 bedroom? It would be crazy to not take that rent if you're eligible.

[gradstudent2y]

Thanks for the replies. I looked on the websites for both housing co-ops, and the one in St. Paul has a longer waiting list than the one in Minneapolis. I will apply for both and see what happens. I just hope that either place is close to public transportation because I don't want to drive a lot if I can prevent it. I need to do some more research on the elementary schools in the area.

[dravogadro]

Originally Posted by gradstudent2y

Thanks for the replies. I looked on the websites for both housing co-ops, and the one in St. Paul has a longer waiting list than the one in Minneapolis. I will apply for both and see what happens. I just hope that either place is close to public transportation because I don't want to drive a lot if I can prevent it. I need to do some more research on the elementary schools in the area.

Both are on the 3 bus line which goes to both downtown Minneapolis and St Paul as well as the U of M. The St Paul co-op also has the U of M bus which connects both U campuses.

[jben]

I know that the co-op closer to the Minneapolis campus is more than the rent amount you quoted. There is also nothing to do within walking distance so you will have to drive or use the bus for everything. Some of their rules might get to be a pain at times (e.g. move car by 8:00am so parking lot can be cleaned of snow, extra charge if you use a dishwasher or A/C, or don't remove it for winter; cleaning and trash cans for the common areas, etc.)

There seems to be a bit more car break in's than I would expect but I don't know if it is worse than the neighboring community which is mostly undergraduates.

[gradstudent2y]

Yes, you are right about the rent. It is under 800 not 700. That's disappointing to hear that the Minneapolis co-op isn't close to anything. I would like to be within walking distance of stores, Parks, etc if possible.