Relocating from Indiana to Minnesota

[uptown_urbanist]

I second Robbinsdale. Or downtown Hopkins - although I don't know long the commute would be.

[northsub]

Originally Posted by brookeleanne22

Thank you all for the great advice. I really want to avoid living in the suburbs near all the chains. We would prefer a 2 bedroom, but could be okay with a 1 bedroom too. I don't want to spend over $1000 a month for rent. Sounds like the North Loop would meet our criteria.

Are you open to living in a suburb that has a bunch of non-chain restaurants? Some of the places suggested are heavier on non-chains. Anoka and Blaine, for instance.

I'd also look at Osseo.

[ellysbelly]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I second Robbinsdale. Or downtown Hopkins - although I don't know long the commute would be.

Hopkins and the North Loop are each 30 minutes away (without traffic) from Rogers-- Robbinsdale is a bit closer (20 minutes, again, without traffic)-- not sure whether traffic is a factor when doing that reverse commute, though...

I would assume that either Hopkins or Robbinsdale would be cheaper (or, at the very least, for the same money, you'd get an extra bedroom or more)-- but I'm not sure the other tradeoffs are worth it (Hopkins is great, but for the same commute, personally, I'd live in Minneapolis, especially if I was in my early to mid 20s-- even if I had to live in a smaller place-- but that's not the same choice everyone would make, of course)

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by ellysbelly

Hopkins and the North Loop are each 30 minutes away (without traffic) from Rogers-- Robbinsdale is a bit closer (20 minutes, again, without traffic)-- not sure whether traffic is a factor when doing that reverse commute, though...

I would assume that either Hopkins or Robbinsdale would be cheaper (or, at the very least, for the same money, you'd get an extra bedroom or more)-- but I'm not sure the other tradeoffs are worth it (Hopkins is great, but for the same commute, personally, I'd live in Minneapolis, especially if I was in my early to mid 20s-- even if I had to live in a smaller place-- but that's not the same choice everyone would make, of course)

Yes, I was thinking cheaper, walkable, with lots of non-chain restaurants. But I agree that I'd go for location every time if it were me.

Not sure what it would be like to be a young couple in Anoka or what kind of rentals are available and at what price, but it's another town-turned-suburb.

[steel03]

Less than $1000 in the North Loop is basically not gonna happen, and anyway it's very much still developing, the only grocery store is Whole Foods and there aren't really parks. And every store in the area is ridiculously expensive.

Northeast is much closer to what you're describing. IMO even though it's not downtown it's more walkable than the North Loop. Central Ave and 13th Ave NE are both pretty cool nad there are a TON of breweries and pubs all over Northeast. Beltrami, Northeast Park, and Windom Park neighborhoods are all close to the Quarry, which has a Cub Foods, Target, Home Depot, etc.

If you need to be in a closer suburb I definitely agree with Robbinsdale as a good option.