St. Paul - Highland Park, Mac-Groveland + similar (Minneapolis, Stillwater: crime, how much)

[Sluni]

Hi -

I have been reading a lot on this thread as we do research for our decision on potential move to TC. I mentioned in previous thread that I prefer walkable, somewhat urban environment (meaning, walkable but with some green and areas to romp around, with kids I do not think would live in downtown even back home in Europe) and found here a lot of recommendations for SW Minneapolis, SLP and Stillwater that seem interesting.

I also found a few threads from the past that talked about St Paul HIghland Park, and Mac-Groveland areas. It looks to me that it is overall the "triangle" that is defined by the bend in the river, right? From online, looks charming, sidewalks, paths, a lot of anemities both in terms of local shopping, entertainment, library, rec center. Yet I do not see it recommended that much overall on this forum. It seems people always recommend Minneapolis, maybe St Paul schools have bigger problems? But this area feeds to St Paul Central that seems good? Is crime higher in those neighborhoods? Anything that locals know but is not apparent from online searches?

Or maybe simply most people here live in Minneapolis and are not that familiar with St Paul?

Please, share any thoughts! We still need to come to overall decision TC yes or no but as we plan to come in May for visit, I want to know more about areas to visit.

Thank you!

[golfgal]

Part feeds into Highland Park High School, part feeds into Central. Go drive by the schools and see--personally I wouldn't want my kids going to a high school that is fenced in with a 12 foot fence topped with barbed wire but to each his own I guess....

[MplsTodd]

Mac-Groveland and Highland Park are very solid upper-middle to upper income neighborhoods that are considered very desirable to live in. Mac-Groveland is older, with most homes built between 1890 and 1930, with retail along Grand Avenue and at certain nodes on St. clair. There will be some college housing in The area for Macalester, St. thomas and St. catherines.
Highland Park tends to be a little newer on the whole (some areas werent developed until after WWII). The primary shopping area is at Ford Parkway and Cleveland.
To me, these areas of St. paul are generally comparable to SW minneapolis. When my wife and I moved to Minnesota after having lived out east 20 years ago, we looked at both areas. We ended up choosing SW mpls because of the proximity to the lakes district, but MacGroveland and Highland Park are interesting, attractive neighborhoods.

[StilltheSame]

From what I understand, those are both great neighborhoods. For our location of work dictated in large part our selection of homes.

I have heard the schools aren't great, but I think that is comparative - and even the worse cannot really be that bad. Moreover, I think those pockets also are affluent enough to leverage private schools.
The one regret I have about not looking in St Paul is that my oldest has a real interest in Japanese and I understand there is a Japanese immersion school there.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

From what I understand, those are both great neighborhoods. For our location of work dictated in large part our selection of homes.

I have heard the schools aren't great, but I think that is comparative - and even the worse cannot really be that bad. Moreover, I think those pockets also are affluent enough to leverage private schools.
The one regret I have about not looking in St Paul is that my oldest has a real interest in Japanese and I understand there is a Japanese immersion school there.

Several high schools in the area offer Japanese--not immersion but enough to get a good background. Eastview high school has a program I know for sure.

[uptown_urbanist]

Those are great neighborhoods, assuming you work somewhere nearby. SW Minneapolis gets recommended a lot, but that may be in part because so many posters are looking for convenience to both downtown and the western suburbs and because many of the regulars have a tendency to be Minneapolis-centric. If any of those areas would be convenient to your work you should absolutely give them consideration. Same thing with the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul. All those areas share much in common with the SW/lakes area of Minneapolis.

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Several high schools in the area offer Japanese--not immersion but enough to get a good background. Eastview high school has a program I know for sure.

Immersion was what I said and what I meant.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

Immersion was what I said and what I meant.

Great, fine...but there are other options and I was just providing extra information and with open enrollment, you can still go the immersion route if you want even if you don't live there.

[StanleyVegas]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Part feeds into Highland Park High School, part feeds into Central. Go drive by the schools and see--personally I wouldn't want my kids going to a high school that is fenced in with a 12 foot fence topped with barbed wire but to each his own I guess....

I would drive by them if only to see how much golfgal is exaggerating.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by StanleyVegas

I would drive by them if only to see how much golfgal is exaggerating.

Feel free