Looking for a place to call home in June (Minneapolis: apartment, condo)

[JimBailey]

Hi!

I am relocating in the next month or two from Australia to work in the Minnetonka area, and am looking for a 1BR apartment in a large condo. (Ideally less than $1500/m)

I'm used to a pretty urban lifestyle, so am looking for something similar so I'm guessing downtown Minneapolis would be good, but i've heard Hopkins is ok (but besides from being close to work i'm not sure).

One thing that does concern me is driving in the cold (unsurprisingly we don't get much snow over here) so I'm looking for places where the possibility of getting snowed in or driving on the ice is minimised, as is being outside in the winter.

Any hints on areas on where to look? and any specific things I should be looking for? (for example heated carparks)

I've read about forrent and craigslist, and don't mind pounding the pavement a bit once I know good areas to look at.


Thanks in advance
Jim

[golfgal]

Getting snowed in around the Twin Cities area is a very, very rare event. Snow removal is very fast and if a storm produced enough snow at the right time of day to snow you in, you won't have to go to work so it won't matter. That will last for one day at the most though.

$1500 for a 1 bedroom is very reasonable. Where in Minnetonka are you working? 50th and France area in Edina and St. Louis Park are pretty busy areas that are semi-urban style and would be easy commutes depending on where the office is. If you are closer to the 494 loop, then SLP would be easier. If you are closer to the 169 area, 50th and France.

[JimBailey]

Thanks GolfGal.. I'll check out those areas you mentioned.

I'm actually working off of Bren Road West & Opus Pkwy off the 169

[northsub]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Getting snowed in around the Twin Cities area is a very, very rare event. Snow removal is very fast and if a storm produced enough snow at the right time of day to snow you in, you won't have to go to work so it won't matter. That will last for one day at the most though.

$1500 for a 1 bedroom is very reasonable. Where in Minnetonka are you working? 50th and France area in Edina and St. Louis Park are pretty busy areas that are semi-urban style and would be easy commutes depending on where the office is. If you are closer to the 494 loop, then SLP would be easier. If you are closer to the 169 area, 50th and France.

I think snow removal timeliness depends heavily on where you live. I have had multiple run ins with people in Minneapolis and St. Paul who claim to not be able to leave there house for a day or two after a heavy snowfall. I've also talked with at least someone who claims to have moved away from St. Paul to some suburb because the snow removal in St. Paul was bad (I'm sure there were other factors, but that was the top one mentioned).

[QuietBlue]

Originally Posted by northsub

I think snow removal timeliness depends heavily on where you live. I have had multiple run ins with people in Minneapolis and St. Paul who claim to not be able to leave there house for a day or two after a heavy snowfall. I've also talked with at least someone who claims to have moved away from St. Paul to some suburb because the snow removal in St. Paul was bad (I'm sure there were other factors, but that was the top one mentioned).

Side streets in Minneapols and St. Paul can take a long time to get cleared adequately, so I could believe that, based on my experiences. I'm generally a fan of both cities, but snow removal on side streets (main roads tend to be OK) is not something either of them does well.

[anne.kelly]

I don't think you're going to find the kind of urban type of lifestyle that exists in Australia. I would try East Isles though or on the west side of Lake Calhoun.

[TimtheGuy]

Originally Posted by QuietBlue

Side streets in Minneapols and St. Paul can take a long time to get cleared adequately, so I could believe that, based on my experiences. I'm generally a fan of both cities, but snow removal on side streets (main roads tend to be OK) is not something either of them does well.

The snow plowing/removal in MPLS & St Paul proper is pathetic.

[pete6032]

Hopkins is not urban, at least not in the sense that most international dwellers think of as urban.

Greater Sydney Metro - 980 persons/sq mile, Greater MSP - 489 persons/sq mile.

[ropper111]

how do you know he's from sydney? he may be from adelaide or a similar smaller sized city

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by TimtheGuy

The snow plowing/removal in MPLS & St Paul proper is pathetic.

True--ok, snow removal everywhere else is timely.

For those that don't leave their houses for "days" after a snowfall, give me a break--that is a personal choice, not a necessity then...