Rosemount or Lakeville? (Duluth, Eagan, Burnsville: appointed, new home, neighborhoods)

[amerycat]

Would you recommend Rosemount or Lakeville, with a budget of 300-520k, and looking at new construction or a nearly new home? My husband and I are late 30's with three kids 5 and under. We are hoping for a newer neighborhood, maybe with a pool, and a welcoming community. I'd appreciate any and all information!

Thank you!

[Glenfield]

If I recall correctly, Rosemount is pretty much the best place ever. Plus they have a great band program!

[Rhody2Mn]

Either Rosemount or Lakeville would be a great choice if you're looking for a nice suburban environment with excellent schools (ISD 196 in Rosemount is particularly well regarded). Both even have walkable downtowns (nothing like a Stillwater or White Bear Lake, but still nice). Neighboring Apple Valley is another good suggestion.

In general, any of the south of the river suburbs are very nice and offer the newer construction you're seeking. I live in Lakeville and I also gravitate to newer construction - I prefer the newer houses you'll find here compared to the older, smaller homes in the Twin Cities proper or inner ring suburbs. These communities are all very child friendly as well.

Is a commute to work a factor at all in your decision? Walkability? If you have more specific criteria we may be able to direct you further, but in general, if you want a great suburban locale with easy access to the Twin Cities outside of rush hour, you can't go wrong with Rosemount, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Eagan, or even Farmington.

[Citykid3785]

I live in AV on the Lakeville/Rosemount border. Both are huge from a land perspective, so depending on where within each makes a big difference. Southern Lakeville is almost a different city than the Lakeville along CR 46 for instance. Where are you commuting to?

Evermore/spirit of brandtjen farms/Cortland/cobblestone all have community pools.

D196 (Rosemount) schools are slightly better, but we are splitting hairs. Both have small downtown and poor highway access unless you are near highway 35 in Lakeville. If you have more specific questions I'd be happy help, I've lived in the area for 20 years

[amerycat]

Thanks very much for the replies. It sounds like both school districts are exceptional. This is a difficult decision.

We're moving here from Wisconsin. We have family in Lakeville and Burnsville. The commute will be to Burnsville. We've found some nice listings in the neighborhoods with pools mentioned by CityKid3785 - Evermoor, Brandtjen Farms, Cobblestone. And we also like the area around Dodd and Holyoke in Lakeville. Since everything else is coming up pretty even - good schools, newer homes, fits the price point, floorplans/home features we like, I guess it comes down to which neighborhood.

I am hoping someone might have some inside knowledge of the communities in these areas.
Maybe coming for a visit and taking a walk and asking around might be the best course of action?

Thanks again!

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by Citykid3785

Both have small downtown and poor highway access unless you are near highway 35 in Lakeville.

Wait.....what? A good bit of Lakeville is 5 minutes from either 35 to the west (straight shot to Burnsville) or Cedar Ave to the east......2 major thoroughfares linking us to the Cities. Cedar doesn't technically become a highway until you go north a bit, but it takes no time at all to get up there. It's one of the best things about living here.

Can't speak to Rosemount, but Lakeville is nice. Really nice. It's a perfect spot for raising kids (we have 4) in a quiet suburban setting and still being super close to so much the metro has to offer.......great schools, shopping, lakes, parks (tons of parks), food, doctors offices, hospitals, airport, MOA, casinos.... you can be in either of the cities downtowns in well under 30 minutes if traffic is moving, and it's also within easy striking distance of beautiful spots like Red Wing and Lake City if that tickles your fancy as it does ours. Even Duluth and the North Shore aren't that far from here (under 3 hours) as it's all freeway to get up there. I work 2nd shift in Edina and my commute is 20 minutes nearly every day. It's great......and it's beautiful here, too. At least we think so, because we spent the previous 2 years living in the blahscape of North Texas. Probably won't be much different from where OP is coming from in Wiscy, though, in that aspect.

I guess the only real negative I can think of would be that homes are pricier here than many other spots (not a problem in OP's price range), but it's safe, quiet suburban living with all the amenities, so that's to be expected.

So I can't offer a take on Lakeville based on 20 years experience, as we've only been here 4 months, but I can tell you we're pretty damn impressed so far.

[Rhody2Mn]

Originally Posted by amerycat

Thanks very much for the replies. It sounds like both school districts are exceptional. This is a difficult decision.

We're moving here from Wisconsin. We have family in Lakeville and Burnsville. The commute will be to Burnsville. We've found some nice listings in the neighborhoods with pools mentioned by CityKid3785 - Evermoor, Brandtjen Farms, Cobblestone. And we also like the area around Dodd and Holyoke in Lakeville. Since everything else is coming up pretty even - good schools, newer homes, fits the price point, floorplans/home features we like, I guess it comes down to which neighborhood.

I am hoping someone might have some inside knowledge of the communities in these areas.
Maybe coming for a visit and taking a walk and asking around might be the best course of action?

Thanks again!

A commute to Burnsville from any of the cities mentioned will be a piece of cake as it close by.

My parents live in Brandtjen Farm and love it! The community pool is a good size and very nice but the neighborhood is growing so fast a second pool is soon going to be added. There are also wonderful walking/running trails around East Lake (which borders a portion of the subdivision) and a terrific park as well. I definitely recommending coming for a visit and walking around to see the area for yourself!

Best of luck in your decision!

[Rhody2Mn]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

Wait.....what? A good bit of Lakeville is 5 minutes from either 35W to the west (straight shot to Burnsville) or Cedar Ave to the east......2 major thoroughfares linking us to the Cities. Cedar doesn't technically become a highway until you go north a bit, but it takes no time at all to get up there. It's one of the best things about living here.

Can't speak to Rosemount, but Lakeville is nice. Really nice. It's a perfect spot for raising kids (we have 4) in a quiet suburban setting and still being super close to so much the metro has to offer.......great schools, shopping, lakes, food, doctors offices, hospitals, airport, MOA, casinos.... you can be in either of the cities downtowns in well under 30 minutes if traffic is moving, and it's also within easy striking distance of beautiful spots like Red Wing and Lake City if that tickles your fancy as it does ours. Even Duluth and the North Shore aren't that far from here (under 3 hours) as it's all freeway to get up there. I work 2nd shift in Edina and my commute is 20 minutes nearly every day. It's great......and it's beautiful here, too. At least we think so, because we spent the previous 2 years living in the blahscape of North Texas. Probably won't be much different from where OP is coming from in Wiscy, though, in that aspect.

I guess the only real negative I can think of would be that homes are pricier here than many other spots (not a problem in OP's price range), but it's safe, quiet suburban living with all the amenities, so that's to be expected.

So I can't offer a take on Lakeville based on 20 years experience, as we've only been here 4 months, but I can tell you we're pretty damn impressed so far.

I agree with all of this!! I'm always amazed at people who think Lakeville and the south metro are so far away from everywhere, but the reality is unless you're traveling at peak hour, it is a very good location and easy to get virtually anywhere. From my home I can be in either downtown in 20-25 minutes on the weekends, and it is much easier to get to the airport from here than the west or north metro.

[Citykid3785]

Originally Posted by amerycat

Thanks very much for the replies. It sounds like both school districts are exceptional. This is a difficult decision.

We're moving here from Wisconsin. We have family in Lakeville and Burnsville. The commute will be to Burnsville. We've found some nice listings in the neighborhoods with pools mentioned by CityKid3785 - Evermoor, Brandtjen Farms, Cobblestone. And we also like the area around Dodd and Holyoke in Lakeville. Since everything else is coming up pretty even - good schools, newer homes, fits the price point, floorplans/home features we like, I guess it comes down to which neighborhood.

I am hoping someone might have some inside knowledge of the communities in these areas.
Maybe coming for a visit and taking a walk and asking around might be the best course of action?

Thanks again!

I live in Cobblestone and have friends in Brandtjen farms. As a native of NJ, I have been disappointed by the lack of a warm welcome in every MN community i've moved too, Cobblestone is no exception. The problem with cobblestone lake is that with the exception of the townhowns and newer cookie cutter homes that backup to 160th, it's a lot of old people. Old people are fine, but we have young kids and thus it's taken awhile to get to know neighbors. So do look into the demographics of the neighborhood as well.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

If I recall correctly, Rosemount is pretty much the best place ever. Plus they have a great band program!

YouTube has one of their pep rallies also.