Most "Up & Coming" Neighborhoods in Mpls/ St. Paul? (Minneapolis: sales, real estate)

[Camden Northsider]

So you hear a lot of talk about neighborhoods "on the upswing" or being the "most up and coming" neighborhoods in Mpls/ St. Paul or surrounding area in terms of popularity/ desirability/ upward mobility. If one forgets about the current metrowide slow-down to home sales and general decrease in property values, what are people's votes for neighborhoods they feel are 'moving on up' in the world? (although I always disagreed to an extent, I used to hear Northeast listed in this category a lot).

And as a related secondary question- if you were planning on real estate investing in today's market, what neighborhood would you choose/ feel has the most potential to earn dividends?

[Jeanie Hoholik]

Here's the scoop from Chris Gallar, one of the Minnesota Association of Realtor gurus...based on statistics, demographics for home buyers are changing. There will be one or two person households in the future. This is just a tiny snapshot of what's to come. Therefore, my thoughts are that Minneapolis proper will prosper. The "big boxes" in the affluent suburbs are going to sit empty much longer than, let's say, a town home or a condo.

If I had a personal choice, I'd love to have a quaint 2 bedroom single family home in southwest. I am in that demographic and will not exceed it. (Hopefully!) ~ Jeanie

[nickmgray]

I would have to say the the Mills district is one of the most exciting areas in the cities right now. If you have not driven along Washington Ave lately, I'd encourage you to take a drive andf check things out. The guthrie recently moved here, there's the new gold Medal Park, Mill city Museum, and the McPhail Center of the arts just opened last fall. The bridgewater lofts replaced the old Liquor Depot and there's the new aLoft hotel and Zenith condo's (phase 1) which are expected to open later this year.

I have lived in thei area for 7 years now and many people still think it's littered with block after block of surface parking. Things have really changed.

[nick is rulz]

The Liquor Depot ruled. Boo to gentrification.

Powderhorn has turned around quite a bit. There will probably be more development in Whittier in the coming years similar to the Franklin-Nicollet intersection.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I'm not a fan of wanton gentrification. However, the Liquor Depot was on prime real estate. I would rather have $500,000 condos than asphalt parking lots and a liquor store. It really isn't gentrification if there was so little there in the first place. Plus, since the people who promote gentification can move there instead of into Whitter or Powderhorn.

[Eco84]

Elliot Park seems to be at a crossroads right now, but will probably be completely gentrified within the next 10-15 years.
As far as St. Paul goes, if the Central Corridor LRT actually gets built, expect gentrification to hit the Midway or Frogtown.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by Eco84

Elliot Park seems to be at a crossroads right now, but will probably be completely gentrified within the next 10-15 years.
As far as St. Paul goes, if the Central Corridor LRT actually gets built, expect gentrification to hit the Midway or Frogtown.

I disagree with this statement - as a former resident I loved Elliot Park, but it serves too great of a need for affordable housing and residential health facilities in the area, and IMO there are way too many slumlords that will be too unwilling to give up any of their properties and/or perform any of the needed repairs/ renovations for their buildings to "gentrify".

[Simple Living]

Originally Posted by nickmgray

I would have to say the the Mills district is one of the most exciting areas in the cities right now. If you have not driven along Washington Ave lately, I'd encourage you to take a drive andf check things out. The guthrie recently moved here, there's the new gold Medal Park, Mill city Museum, and the McPhail Center of the arts just opened last fall. The bridgewater lofts replaced the old Liquor Depot and there's the new aLoft hotel and Zenith condo's (phase 1) which are expected to open later this year.

I have lived in thei area for 7 years now and many people still think it's littered with block after block of surface parking. Things have really changed.

Any decent studio apartments in the area? Near a grocery store? (No car.)

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

I disagree with this statement - as a former resident I loved Elliot Park, but it serves too great of a need for affordable housing and residential health facilities in the area, and IMO there are way too many slumlords that will be too unwilling to give up any of their properties and/or perform any of the needed repairs/ renovations for their buildings to "gentrify".

I see that too; but quite a bit of Elliot Park is gone. Once the parking lots are infilled, it will be economic for those slum lords to sell.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

Any decent studio apartments in the area? Near a grocery store? (No car.)

The Mill Area doesn't have a lot of everyday retail within the area. The nearest grocery store is across the river. I would be hesitant to live there sans car. Loring Park or the downtown core would be more convenient.