Best neighborhoods for renting near the university (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartments, condos)

[xz2y]

I'm hoping to relocate to Minneapolis next month and wondered what areas of the city would be best for renting near the university. I'm not a student, but an early retiree and want to enjoy the activities, lectures, of the university, but don't want to live in the "student" area (Dinkytown). I'd like to be close to U of M but not in the middle of student housing. I'm looking to rent a studio ($700-800) in a safe area. Thanks!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I have a friend who lives with his wife in the Como neighborhood and from what he tells me it is a quieter family oriented area. I have no idea how much rent is there for a studio though.

[Minnehahapolitan]

The further upriver you go from Dinkytown, the less student-y it gets.
The riverfront area is close (a good busline goes down Univ./4th Street) and is orientated towards an older (and increasingly wealthier) crowd. Lots of riverfront condos and newly built apartments. There is alot of activity in the area around Main Street. There are retaurants, a theater, et cetera.
The Prospect Park area is home to alot of the faculty and professors. A quiet area, somewhat more expensive. It is generally the area around the Witch's Hat water tower.
I would lean more towards the Riverfront/Main Street area as there are more options in terms of housing and you are near more things.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

The further upriver you go from Dinkytown, the less student-y it gets.
The riverfront area is close (a good busline goes down Univ./4th Street) and is orientated towards an older (and increasingly wealthier) crowd. Lots of riverfront condos and newly built apartments. There is alot of activity in the area around Main Street. There are retaurants, a theater, et cetera.
The Prospect Park area is home to alot of the faculty and professors. A quiet area, somewhat more expensive. It is generally the area around the Witch's Hat water tower.
I would lean more towards the Riverfront/Main Street area as there are more options in terms of housing and you are near more things.

Good info. Can you tell me what streets border the Prospect park area? Where is the Witch's Hat water tower?

[Minnehahapolitan]

Prospect Park, Minneapolis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/abou...ghborhoods.pdf

The City defines it as the area south of the railroad and downriver from Oak Street. The core area is where the streets are ungridded. The Witch's Hat is in Tower Hill Park, the highest point in the City. The area will be well served in a few years by the Central light rail line.

[Bongopercylou]

Excellent post, Minnehahapolitan. Prospect Park would be a great area to live in if you need access to either Mpls or St Paul campuses. Another great choice (which has a heavy professor/retired professor population is Saint Anthony Park, adjacent to the St. Paul Campus.

[golfgal]

Another option would be the Highland Park area in St. Paul. It is a quick and easy jump over to the U, the general population in the area will be closer to your age and you have St. Thomas, St. Cate's, Hamline and Macalaster near by for the activities on campus as well, not that you couldn't get all of that living on the Minneapolis side either, but just another option to consider.

[Bongopercylou]

Good call. Everyone assumed the poster meant University of MN. There are certainly lots of other schools in Highland Park area with a campus feel.