Let's talk about NE Minneapolis (Eagan, Apple Valley: renting, houses, neighborhood)

[Repubocrat]

I have lived South of the River most of my life and really enjoyed living in Apple Valley and Eagan. I am living in Dinkytown now and I am considering renting a place in NE Minneapolis by The Quarry. I am starting to venture more around NE Minneapolis and I am starting to enjoy the NE side more that I would ever imagine. I went to Target on New Brighton Blvd last night and although it ain't Eagan, it is not too bad, I guess, people from the suburbs tend to categorize the entire city of Minneapolis as a big ghetto but I did not see any problems around that neighborhood. I am not a big fan of Columbia Heights and Hilltop but I went up to the Lifetime Fitness in Fridley and it was really outstanding.I am kind of happy to be back in the city after living in my suburban bubble for so long!Anyways, any comments, positive or negative about NE Minneapolis, let me know!

[MplsTodd]

Although I live in SW Mpls, I enjoy exploring NE Mpls. It's a grittier part of the city (but in a good way). It has a polyglot mix of homes, churches, bars, and warehouses. Some of my favorite areas include:

1. 13th Street between 4th St and Marshall: This area includes several restaurants, the Ritz Theater, a few bars and several cultural organizations, plus the renovated Grain Belt Brewery.
2. Central Ave: The number of ethnic restaurants has increased in the past ten years--lots of Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Middle-Eastern, plus a new Porky's Drive-in
3. University & East Hennepin: This is effectively an extension of downtown, but technically its part of NE. Lots of great restaurants and bars, plus some nice shops and a Lunds Grocery. Easy access to the river and historic Main Street.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Repubocrat

I have lived South of the River most of my life and really enjoyed living in Apple Valley and Eagan. I am living in Dinkytown now and I am considering renting a place in NE Minneapolis by The Quarry. I am starting to venture more around NE Minneapolis and I am starting to enjoy the NE side more that I would ever imagine. I went to Target on New Brighton Blvd last night and although it ain't Eagan, it is not too bad, I guess, people from the suburbs tend to categorize the entire city of Minneapolis as a big ghetto but I did not see any problems around that neighborhood. I am not a big fan of Columbia Heights and Hilltop but I went up to the Lifetime Fitness in Fridley and it was really outstanding.I am kind of happy to be back in the city after living in my suburban bubble for so long!Anyways, any comments, positive or negative about NE Minneapolis, let me know!

NE has a lot to offer. I lived in SW and was lucky enought to buy before prices went insane and equally as lucky to get out before the market went into the tank. I think NE is up and comming much like SW was in the early 90's. That is stricly and opinion so it may not be worth much!

[Astron1000]

I'm rather surprised that some suburbanites might think of Minneapolis as "ghetto." Wow. Maybe they need to visit New Orleans, St. Louis, Cleveland or Detroit.

Anyhow, I think NE Mpls is a great neighborhood. Lots of terrific ethnic restaurants along Central Avenue. Lots of nice houses. It's arguably the epicenter of the art galleries in the city and home to the annual Art-A-Whirl (http://www.art-a-whirl.org/art_a_whirl.php - broken link) in the spring.

Trivia: NE Minneapolis is the one neighborhood in which the East-West roads are Avenues and the North-South roads are Streets. This is the opposite of the rest of the city. This is because NE Minneapolis was originally the independent City of St. Anthony, which later merged with the City of Minneapolis (and is not to be confused with the Village of St. Anthony, which is a suburb!).

NE does have a definite divide. The "Hill" (generally north of Lowry Ave and East of Central) is an area of more relatively expensive homes, especially along St. Anthony Parkway and Columbia Parkway. Easy access to Columbia Park and the Francis Gross Golf Course is a big plus. NE Middle School is the symbolic community center of the Hill.

The "Valley" is more industrial and blue collar yet contains the vast majority of arts institutions, precisely because those institutions have gentrified the old indusrial buildings in the area. Sheridan Global School is the symbolic community center of the Valley. This area also has the advantage of containing a strong mix of bars and churches.