Life in Isanti, Chisago, and Washington counties... (Duluth, Edina: real estate, rental)

[Tyryztoll]

So we moved to Lakeville last April and are planning to buy a home in the spring. We knew Lakeville would be pricey but I had to find us a rental on short notice and so this is where we landed to kick off our life in Minnesota. Unfortunately, there seems to be very little stock in our price range (we need 4BR, 2BA with a 250K budget) on this side of town, but seemingly much more available up in Isanti , Chisago, and even parts of Washington counties. We would prefer to be in a more rural area anyway, and after visiting towns like Cambridge, North Branch and Forest Lake we think we could definitely live up there, although I currently work in Edina and would have to transfer to one of my companies facilities in either Wyoming or Princeton in order to make it happen. Has anyone lived in any of these areas or have any knowledge of them that they could pass along as advice for our potential relocation? We would have no problem staying on this side of town, but there just doesn't seem to be much available, even in the rural areas right now, and we want to settle and start putting down roots by next summer.

[Ghengis]

are you looking for house with land (barn?), in town or something in between like a development outside of town? plenty of each throughout the area and the best value in any direction from the TC. Approx budget?


Do you have a preference or choice of if you end up working in Wyoming or Princeton? The further north you go, the best value you will find.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

are you looking for house with land (barn?), in town or something in between like a development outside of town? plenty of each throughout the area and the best value in any direction from the TC. Approx budget?


Do you have a preference or choice of if you end up working in Wyoming or Princeton? The further north you go, the best value you will find.

Budget is approx 250K. We want to be rural with as much land as possible (don't necessarily need a barn), but not so rural that it necessitates a lengthy drive to get to the towns for groceries and other stuff. From what I've seen our budget would possibly allow up to a half acre of land or a bit more in rare instances. We don't want to live right on top of our neighbors if we can help it.

As for my preference between Wyoming or Princeton I would probably give a slight edge to Wyoming at this point because that opens up more territory to choose from (Forest Lake, North Branch, Cambridge, etc.) than Princeton does, because we really don't want to be any further west than Cambridge in correlation with the house. We love the area lakes and proximity to Duluth and the St. Croix that comes with living in that Cambridge to Forest Lake stretch. We spent some time in Cambridge yesterday and were surprised to find the town had much more to offer than we had expected from a somewhat isolated spot so far north of the Cities. Living in that area would allow me to work in either Princeton or Wyoming, while living anywhere east of there would likely necessitate my working in Wyoming.

[Ghengis]

have seen Leo Kottke play at the Cambridge PA Center in the past and they get other significant artists there.

Don't know if you stumbled upon KBEK 95.5 out of Braham, but it may be one of the best radio stations I've ever listened to. Use to be part of the MPR network but they're kinda out there now doin' their own thing which is quite literally anything you can think of. Can only pick it up north of the 35 split in Forest Lake but if you want to hear Johnny Cash, Dean Martin and John Mayall all in a 15 minute stretch, it's worth the search. They also have built their own concert venue that I've yet to check out but will make a point to before too long.

Wiese Auditorium/Tickets - KBEK 95.5 FM

and Hinckley keeps the assorted Casino acts churning thru on a regular basis.

several wineries have popped up here and there tho I can't say that's much of my thing.

there is a network of pottery studios that is going strong and stretches between Stark and Taylors Falls, they have a big show every Mother's day weekend as well as shows throughout the year, the studio close to me seems to be open most every weekend.

https://www.minnesotapotters.com/

if you wouldn't mind the 20 minute drive to Wyoming, you'll find that Rush City will give you the most bang for the buck, close to I35 anyway. You'd probably be able to find something with at least 10 acres (or more) within your budget. For a bucolic setting closer to the TC, I would search around Scandia tho it may be tough at your budget. Lots and Lots of options anywhere in between those locations.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

have seen Leo Kottke play at the Cambridge PA Center in the past and they get other significant artists there.

How funny you mention Leo Kottke. I was just watching clips of a tour he did with my all time favorite guitar player, Michael Hedges, back in the late 80's or early 90's. Two amazing talents (Hedges tragically died in a 1997 auto accident).

We go to the Scandia area routinely to swim at the Big Marine Reserve beach. Great swimming spot for little kids and the facilities are well kept and clean. We love that place and don't mind the 45 minute drive there and back from Lakeville at all.

[BryaninMSP]

If you end up at the Princeton facility, consider Zimmerman. There are more homes to choose from in your price range than in some of the other towns you mentioned, and the housing stock is newer. Put 14338 289th Avenue NW in Zimmerman into your favorite real estate site as just one example — built in 2004, 4/2 on 2.5 acres.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by BryaninMSP

If you end up at the Princeton facility, consider Zimmerman. There are more homes to choose from in your price range than in some of the other towns you mentioned, and the housing stock is newer. Put 14338 289th Avenue NW in Zimmerman into your favorite real estate site as just one example — built in 2004, 4/2 on 2.5 acres.

Good suggestion and will consider, although that is way further west than we want to be. We also weren't too impressed by the awful traffic jam in Rogers to get on I-94 from 169 coming south from Zimmerman. Is that the actual interchange to get on 94 over there? We were there on a weekend, I can't imagine how bad it is during weekday rush hour.

[asitshouldbe]

I lived in North Branch and parents live in Cambridge, what would you like to know?
North Branch has newer schools and housing but lacks everything besides the convenience of the highway.
Cambridge has everything but lacks newer housing, it has some newer housing but not as much and the traffic in Cambridge is rough, it's all built on the the structure of 1890 town , they need to widen 95 but that wont happen.
The development of Cambridge is nonstop but infrastructure is not holding up to the population growth.
When we lived in North Branch,for shopping the drive to Cambridge was to slow and annoying so I'd jump on 35W and head to Forest Lake for most of my shopping even though Cambridge does have a few more stores, they both basically have the same stores.
Forest Lake has more restaurants.

[asitshouldbe]

If you worked in Wyoming, every city in the area would be an easy drive.

[Tyryztoll]

Unfortunately, positions at our facilities in Wyoming and Princeton don't come available too often, so should we decide a home on the north side is what we want I would likely have to commute for work from there to Edina 5 days a week - albeit 2nd shift hours (3pm to 11pm)........until I could transfer. It would be a roll of the dice, because I'm a super easy 20 minutes from work down here right now and would hate to put myself in a position where I'd have a murderous commute for longer than I'm willing to endure.

Lots to consider.