possibly moving to Minneapolis (St. Paul, Rochester: apartment, rental, movers)

[jaex2027]

Hi all, I've been checking out this forum for a while and have been learning a lot about the area. Here's my situation: my husband is in the final stages of accepting a job in downtown Mpls and they (future employer) are bringing the family (myself and two boys, 5 and 2) in for the weekend to check it out. So I'm just wondering what suburbs we should really concentrate on and visit. We want to be in a new neighborhood, but without the cookie cutter all-beige homes and tiny lots. I really like the houses I've seen in Cobblestone Lake in Apple Valley, but I think those lots are really small and the whole development looks a little bit too overwhelming (I think there will be something like 2500 homes when it's all said and done). So something along those lines as far as style of home but on at least a half acre. I don't want to be on top of my neighbors, but I don't want to be too isolated either. Somewhere with a lot of kids and a good community feel to it. Needless to say, we also want great schools and a commute into downtown during rush-hour to be around 30-40 min. I think I've narrowed it down to mainly western and southern suburbs. What are the Osseo schools like in Maple Grove? It seems like that district covers a wide range and nobody seems to talk about that district like they do about Wayzata. I get the sense that if you're going to live in Maple Grove, you want to be in the Wayzata school district. Any and all thoughts and input would be great. We will be coming in on Thursday of this week. I'm really excited. Oh - one last thing - we're coming from Rochester Hills, Michigan, so if anyone is familiar with that area (Oakland Co) would love to know which cities are similar. Thanks in advance for all your help!

[sugarbeet]

There seem to be a fair amount of Oakland County to Twin Cities movers! My husband and I made this same move, but via Florida. I think you will find some nice similarities and will likely appreciate the sunny winter here compared to Michigan's gloom!

We're city dwellers here, so my plug is always for Southwest Minneapolis. However, it sounds like you're more interested in the suburbs so hopefully I can draw some comparisons. My husband was born and raised in Rochester and we did look at some of the suburbs.

Wayzata's great - it's more established than Maple Grove and also more expensive. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie somewhat more established suburbs (still some new housing but not much) are all very popular with well-regarded schools. Although I don't have kids in school, it's my opinion that Minnesota's public schools are head and shoulders above Michigan's (being very general here, of course), but you will judge for yourself.

I've come to look at some of the suburbs by comparing them to their Oakland County equivalent (not exact comparisons but some key similarities):
Edina = Birmingham
Uptown Mpls = Ferndale
SW Mpls = Royal Oak
Eden Prairie = Troy

I haven't found Rochester's equivalent yet, but Wayzata may be the closest due to its having a downtown but still being a suburb.

If you're looking for a new neighborhood similar to Cobblestone, you will probably be pleased to see that Craftsman-inspired architecture is very popular among new construction here. In the mid-range price point ($300-$500), I think you will find that new homes here are 'more attractive' than Oakland County homes in the same price range. If you prefer Craftsman to arched two-story entry ways, that is.

[golfgal]

You are right on the money with the Cobblestone development. I am just a few blocks from there. It is a nice area but you can shake hands with your neighbor without ever leaving your living rooms. The developer for Cobblestone isn't putting any more houses there and they sold a lot of the lots to Centex which is bringing down the values of the homes there. Evermoor in Rosemount has similar homes but larger lots and it is in the same general area and in the 196 schools which is a HUGE plus. Your husband would also have the option of the express bus from Apple Valley to downtown if he wanted.

If you are going to go to the Maple Grove schools are good. I think the commute coming from the northern suburbs is much worse then coming from the southern suburbs (unless you have to go up 35W and that is horrible).

If you are ok with a longer commute, check out Stillwater and Mahtomedi. The commute from that side of the cities to Minneapolis wasn't all that bad before the bridge collapse but it sounds like traffic is moving well now that they have added some lanes on other roads. Stillwater is an older town with a lot of older, large homes, 1850's old. Very nice town, good schools, great community feel. Mahtomedi was the resort area for the wealthy St. Paulites at the turn of the century and has grown into a pretty affluent suburb. Their schools are very good as well. It is about 10 minutes closer to Minneapolis then Stillwater.

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by jaex2027

Hi all, I've been checking out this forum for a while and have been learning a lot about the area. Here's my situation: my husband is in the final stages of accepting a job in downtown Mpls and they (future employer) are bringing the family (myself and two boys, 5 and 2) in for the weekend to check it out. So I'm just wondering what suburbs we should really concentrate on and visit. We want to be in a new neighborhood, but without the cookie cutter all-beige homes and tiny lots. I really like the houses I've seen in Cobblestone Lake in Apple Valley, but I think those lots are really small and the whole development looks a little bit too overwhelming (I think there will be something like 2500 homes when it's all said and done). So something along those lines as far as style of home but on at least a half acre. I don't want to be on top of my neighbors, but I don't want to be too isolated either. Somewhere with a lot of kids and a good community feel to it. Needless to say, we also want great schools and a commute into downtown during rush-hour to be around 30-40 min. I think I've narrowed it down to mainly western and southern suburbs. What are the Osseo schools like in Maple Grove? It seems like that district covers a wide range and nobody seems to talk about that district like they do about Wayzata. I get the sense that if you're going to live in Maple Grove, you want to be in the Wayzata school district. Any and all thoughts and input would be great. We will be coming in on Thursday of this week. I'm really excited. Oh - one last thing - we're coming from Rochester Hills, Michigan, so if anyone is familiar with that area (Oakland Co) would love to know which cities are similar. Thanks in advance for all your help!

The western suburbs are great and have wonderful schools....BUT they are spendy! Esp Wayzata, Orono and Minnetonka areas... good schools but pricey homes!!! Good luck on your search...I am using www.ziprealty.com and it's such helpful site!

[jaex2027]

Thanks for the info. I've read on here somewhere that the Parade of Homes is going on right now. What exactly is that? Is it worth doing? If our budget is in the mid $500's would we be better off in the southern suburbs where our money would go further? I looked up Evermoor in Rosemount and it looks nice. So we will probably check that out. I have a question about the school of choice situation. If we don't find a house until like right before school starts in Sep, is my son guaranteed a spot in the school assigned to our neighborhood or could it possibly fill up and he'd have to go somewhere else? Also, what about preschools? Do those fill up pretty fast? Do most people do private preschools? That's kind of the norm around here. If anyone from Metro Detroit can compare suburbs like Rosemount and Apple Valley to areas here in Oakland Co. that would be great. Thanks again for the info.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by jaex2027

Thanks for the info. I've read on here somewhere that the Parade of Homes is going on right now. What exactly is that? Is it worth doing? If our budget is in the mid $500's would we be better off in the southern suburbs where our money would go further? I looked up Evermoor in Rosemount and it looks nice. So we will probably check that out. I have a question about the school of choice situation. If we don't find a house until like right before school starts in Sep, is my son guaranteed a spot in the school assigned to our neighborhood or could it possibly fill up and he'd have to go somewhere else? Also, what about preschools? Do those fill up pretty fast? Do most people do private preschools? That's kind of the norm around here. If anyone from Metro Detroit can compare suburbs like Rosemount and Apple Valley to areas here in Oakland Co. that would be great. Thanks again for the info.

I can't speak for every town but the budget for the 196 schools (Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan) is such that they are able to create classes as needed. They don't finalize anything until a few weeks into the school year and even then there is quite a bit of influx into the community. One thing with Rosemount, even if for some reason you don't get into your neighborhood school the other schools are about a mile away. I do know that they won't enroll you in the district until you have a signed purchase agreement on a home or a rental contract for an apartment.

I know nothing about Detroit so I can compare neighborhoods for you but Rosemount is a GREAT town. We love it here. It is a very laid back community, not much of the 'keeping up with the Jones' thing going on. The kids are for the most part GREAT. The schools are EXCELLENT. Evermoor is a great area. You will get a LOT more house for your money in Rosemount then you will in Wayzata or the western suburbs.

Preschools, my kids are way past that age but yes, most people do private preschools. Minnesota also has ECFE, Early Childhood Family Education. The classes are a GREAT way to meet people with kids of similar ages. They also have a preschool program that is very popular. The high school also has a child development class that they are always looking for preschoolers for so that is nice too. I think that is free or very low cost ($20 for 12 weeks or something like that).