Why are Minneapolis area mansions so bland? (Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka: home, neighborhood)

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Where do you live that people don't have landscaped yards? Almost every house on our block has exactly what you outlined-edging, bark (or rock) with interesting arrangements. No, they aren't fancy but they are certainly nicer looking then anything I have seen in Arizona. Here is one example from my back yard:

Great photo, and I agree that you see a bunch of yards like this in MN depending where you are located. As far as comparing it to AZ, again not exactly apples to apples. My mother has a very nice yard in AZ, but it has cacti, palm trees, rocks and a trickle irrigation system. Very nice in a different way. In my opinion, not a matter of better or nicer, just an example that people in both places spend time and effort to make the home a special place.

I wondered as well where exactly in MN you can't find help with landscaping and fuel tanks in the yard are common.

[jasper1372]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

Great photo, and I agree that you see a bunch of yards like this in MN depending where you are located. As far as comparing it to AZ, again not exactly apples to apples. My mother has a very nice yard in AZ, but it has cacti, palm trees, rocks and a trickle irrigation system. Very nice in a different way. In my opinion, not a matter of better or nicer, just an example that people in both places spend time and effort to make the home a special place.

I wondered as well where exactly in MN you can't find help with landscaping and fuel tanks in the yard are common.

I'm in a semi-rural area of northern minnesota. You'd be shocked how many shabby yards you see....some even surprisingly with newer homes.

Obviously this landscaping subject is a "thing" with me for whatever reason. It started early with me threatning to spread fertilizer on my parents lawn to improve the grass. All my dad ever said was "don't you dare....we'll have to mow it more often". Sooooo....I was off and running early :-)

Oh well, all I can control is my own lawn which we have a lot of pride in....to each their own I guess.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by jasper1372

I'm in a semi-rural area of northern minnesota. You'd be shocked how many shabby yards you see....some even surprisingly with newer homes.

Obviously this landscaping subject is a "thing" with me for whatever reason. It started early with me threatning to spread fertilizer on my parents lawn to improve the grass. All my dad ever said was "don't you dare....we'll have to mow it more often". Sooooo....I was off and running early :-)

Oh well, all I can control is my own lawn which we have a lot of pride in....to each their own I guess.

The rural deal is a different deal. People have more land to take care of, less rules to deal with, and a fair amount of natural stuff in place. Here is my lot up North. I try to keep it simple, but nice.

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

Hey acstar, here's some Lake Minnetonka homes you might be interested in:


(the owners of this one ship in a fresh batch of palm trees every spring)

nice pics, but the second one clearly has the ocean behind it. Not sure that is in Minnesota

[Cruz Azul Guy]

There's a good chance that is Lake Minnetonka, not the ocean.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Slig

There's a good chance that is Lake Minnetonka, not the ocean.

If you consider zero to be a good chance.

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Where do you live that people don't have landscaped yards? Almost every house on our block has exactly what you outlined-edging, bark (or rock) with interesting arrangements. No, they aren't fancy but they are certainly nicer looking then anything I have seen in Arizona. Here is one example from my back yard:

That's lovely Golfgal!

[MNNative]

Re: Jasper's comments about landscaping-
Personally, I think a lot of people can do better with upkeep on their homes and landscaping...but that's not for me to dictate. I love interior design and my husband enjoys landscape design...I'm sure for many people it's just not a priority or interest. Bummer, but what do you do? Some will chalk it up to not needing to impress anyone. I think people who say that are just making excuses for not feeling worthy of nice things. But that's a whole other issue --one that leads me to address the original OP.

Re: the bland mansions-
This is obviously an issue of preference/taste. When I think of "mansion", I picture something more grandiose and focused more on detail and architecture...you know the buildings that are pretty much museums now. They're absolutely gorgeous but to me, nothing I could live in day in and day out...too fragile for a growing family. I think that's what sets MN mansions apart from the mansions in your head. Practicality. A blend between everyday life and luxury living/lifestyle. 24 karat gold walls just doesn't shout out "playroom". But then again, not everyone has kids romping around...maybe the owners are just not interested in parting with their 24 karat homes quite yet. Anyways, I'd hope that we Minnesotans have better sense & taste than to go wacky with gold.

Quickly browsing the listings for "Exceptional Properties" priced over $1 million...I'm content. They're spacious, nice features (lovely staircases, upscale materials, huge windows), thoughtful landscaping... Yeah, you'll find your share of over-the-top amenities (heli-pad??), not that it seems to be a concern for you... but really the only reason you wouldn't appreciate these homes (aside from their price tags) is...location...either you're too good for the "elitists" in the west suburbs *and I say that will all sarcasm* or you aren't looking to live in the city limits. (shrug)

What's the popular consensus definition of a "mansion"? Is it price? Is it size?

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by MNNative

What's the popular consensus definition of a "mansion"? Is it price? Is it size?

Dictionary def is more about size. If you look at wikipedia, it seems both size and style are both factors. Interestingly, price is not mentioned, but safe to assume it is implicit

Mansion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[knke0402]

ha, ive been a landscaper for 4 years. and i can tell you that if you are going to hang out in new suburban sub divisions, than no, there isnt any landscaping.

Go into well mature weathy neighborhoods nad the landscaping is breathtaking.

Londonderry Rd. and 169 in edina. Try those neighborhoods.