Possibly relocating to TC, seeking advices for places to live within reasonable commute to Chanhassen (Minneapolis: real estate, apartment complex)

[Further North]

Hi everyone,

I’m interviewing for a job with a company in Chanhassen and I’m hoping that some of you can give me some advice on places to live in the Twin Cities area and potential commute times.

Fortunately I can say that I’ve visited the Twin Cities on many occasions in the past, I have a decent network of friends in the area, and it’s definitely one of my favorite Midwest areas. While I have probably grown “soft” by having lived in Long Island, NY and NE Indiana for the last 8 years where there is much less snow, I AM an Upper Peninsula of Michigan native so I am definitely no stranger to snow. I’ll be pissed if I have to live through some April snow storms, but it won’t make me run away screaming back to a warmer climate.

For some extended background info I’d like to mention that I am a 40 yr old single male, no kids, no pets, and I don’t have an immediate interest in buying a house. My priorities are more lax given the single no kids part, so I’m not worrying about which area has the best school district, etc. and I’m probably more inclined still at this stage in my life to want to be around some night life (when the ‘Rona is over and we can all go back to bars again). I’m into cars (which I have lots of connections to for friends in the area), art, craft beer, and live music.

The only thing I would say that I’m going to be picky about as it pertains to a place to live, is that I’m mostly looking for someplace with at least 1 garage parking space. And hopefully not a stuffy apartment complex with all kind of rules against vehicle maintenance on the premises. I currently have 2 cars. One of which is and older car I restored that I refuse to get rid of. That needs garage space. My daily driver can be parked outside all year long for all I care. So my ideal place to rent would probably be something like an older duplex or smaller 2 bedroom home.

I can’t see myself giving up garage space to live in a studio or one bedroom in the “trendiest neighborhood” in the middle of either city. I’m past that stage in my life. I’m just not 100% ready for the burbs either. On the other hand, if there’s actually a “cool part” of Eden Prairie or Bloomington, etc that has some decent nightlife, restaurants, etc. I’m not going to insist that I live in Minneapolis or St. Paul either.

My past trips to the Twin Cities have mostly to downtown Minneapolis or the North East and centered around car shows or concerts, so I’m definitely lacking on a good feel for the lay of the land for the rest of the area. Especially how that pertains to commuting time and neighborhoods or burbs that I would find the easiest to live in and commute from.

The company I’m interviewing with is located in Chanhassen near MN-5 and Dell Rd in a big industrial park. My “threshold of pain” for commuting time would probably be 45 min to an hour max.

So given that info, here’s where I need some help.

What suburbs or Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods would you recommend I look into for living in?

What am I likely going to pay for rent to get a 1 or 2 bdrm with at least 1 garage space?

Besides 35 or 94, what routes would I want to avoid if I can on my way to work?

Would MN-5/494 out of St Paul to Chanhassen be any better then 94 or 35?

If I’m looking for apartments to rent thru a real estate agent, do they generally charge you for their help?

[MsBall]

Originally Posted by Further North

My past trips to the Twin Cities have mostly to downtown Minneapolis or the North East and centered around car shows or concerts, so I’m definitely lacking on a good feel for the lay of the land for the rest of the area. Especially how that pertains to commuting time and neighborhoods or burbs that I would find the easiest to live in and commute from.

The company I’m interviewing with is located in Chanhassen near MN-5 and Dell Rd in a big industrial park. My “threshold of pain” for commuting time would probably be 45 min to an hour max.

So given that info, here’s where I need some help.

What suburbs or Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods would you recommend I look into for living in?

What am I likely going to pay for rent to get a 1 or 2 bdrm with at least 1 garage space?

Besides 35 or 94, what routes would I want to avoid if I can on my way to work?

Would MN-5/494 out of St Paul to Chanhassen be any better then 94 or 35?

If I’m looking for apartments to rent thru a real estate agent, do they generally charge you for their help?

No advice regarding that area as I live in a NW suburb. But do want to say you may want to reconsider your “threshold of pain”. When it snows, your drive time will double. I have a 20 minute commute but there have been times in inclement weather when it took an hour.

[wamer27]

Look around St Louis Park, Hopkins, eastern Edina. The monthly cars and coffee car shows still exist, but now you gotta sign up for them. The crowds got too big and businesses around it complained a ton. I’ve gone to many over the years.

https://automotorplex.com/locations/medina/

[Rhody2Mn]

Depending on your budget, I recommend checking out Excelsior. Excelsior is a suburb but has a great, walkable downtown with shops and restaurants and is on Lake Minnetonka. It is only about 5 miles from Chanhassen as well, so your commute would not be bad.

[Further North]

Originally Posted by wamer27

Look around St Louis Park, Hopkins, eastern Edina. The monthly cars and coffee car shows still exist, but now you gotta sign up for them. The crowds got too big and businesses around it complained a ton. I’ve gone to many over the years.

https://automotorplex.com/locations/medina/

Good to know!! I'll definitely have to check those out. I probably know about 2 dozen people in the area in the VW/Euro car scene so I'll be in good company there. Some of them I'll hang out with quite a bit for sure. Will be awesome to go to Back to the 50's, Back to the 80's, etc too.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Further North

Good to know!! I'll definitely have to check those out. I probably know about 2 dozen people in the area in the VW/Euro car scene so I'll be in good company there. Some of them I'll hang out with quite a bit for sure. Will be awesome to go to Back to the 50's, Back to the 80's, etc too.

I’ve been to back to the 50’s many times and carcraft, but both were cancelled this year. But once the condo’s for cars opened up years ago and had free shows 1st Saturday of each warm month, that made both back to 50’s and craftcraft look like crap in comparison. I prefer newer high end German cars. Some local guy has 3 918’s and a P1 which he’s brought to cars and coffee. Usually a 959 goes to the Oktoberfest at Condo place, but I haven’t seen it yet or if they even had it this year?

[Further North]

Originally Posted by wamer27

I’ve been to back to the 50’s many times and carcraft, but both were cancelled this year. But once the condo’s for cars opened up years ago and had free shows 1st Saturday of each warm month, that made both back to 50’s and craftcraft look like crap in comparison. I prefer newer high end German cars. Some local guy has 3 918’s and a P1 which he’s brought to cars and coffee. Usually a 959 goes to the Oktoberfest at Condo place, but I haven’t seen it yet or if they even had it this year?

Nice! I'll have to keep an eye out for those.

This is my 84 GTI:

[SpoonieLuv]

On the topic of cars and the Automotorplex... the 'original' is actually in Chanhassen not too far from your new office. Chanhassen AutoPlex – Home of Cars and Caves Auto Shows

They still hold some car shows there called "Cars and Caves" but the MN Cars and Coffee (arguably one of the best attended in the nation) moved from that location to Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee because it became too big. mncandc.com

Back to your question about where to reside. I would also vote for Excelsior or Saint Louis Park. If SLP,"The Shops at West End" or "Excelsior & Grand" areas would be a couple to look into. Otherwise, Uptown or Downtown Minneapolis would still be within your commute zone. It really depends on what demographic and 'vibe' you are after.

[WoodburyWoody]

Originally Posted by Further North

Nice! I'll have to keep an eye out for those.

This is my 84 GTI:

I’m fan of the A2 VWs. Had a couple of A2 Jettas. An A1 Rabbit before that.

[TXRunner]

Chanhassen itself is a great place to live, no need for a big commute. All the towns nearby are great, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, or Chaska.