Is Stillwater, MN the right choice for me? (St. Paul, Woodbury: apartment complexes, rentals)

[PBZ1113]

I am a young, professional single man in my mid 20's. I happen to be a southern gentleman from Tennessee who is friendly and outgoing. Although I am aware that Minnesotans are more reserved, I can always adjust myself so I can avoid making the social scene more awkward or turning people off. I have been told not to discuss politics or religion unless the topic comes up or if I am asked.

I do have a job opportunity in Downtown St. Paul working for the state government. I have never lived in Downtown of any big city before. I prefer to live in a nice, attractive suburb that is commutable to work where I can easily be part of the social/dating scene in the city.

My hobbies include running, boating, fishing, ATV riding, dining out at ethnic restaurants in the city, visiting various types of museums, and attending sporting events and theater (plays, musicals, opera, comedy clubs, etc.) I am not much of a partier or into the nightclub scenes.

I also enjoy volunteer work and being politically active.

Based on my research, Stillwater sounds like an ideal town with a townhouse within my price range (below $900 per month) around Orleans Street neighborhood.

Do you recommend Stillwater for me based on my descriptions above?

[iNviNciBL3]

Sounds like your gonna be commuting to the Cities alot, have you looked into White Bear Lake? pretty similar to Stillwater, just replace a river with a big lake and your closer to Downtown St. Paul.

[PBZ1113]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Sounds like your gonna be commuting to the Cities alot, have you looked into White Bear Lake? pretty similar to Stillwater, just replace a river with a big lake and your closer to Downtown St. Paul.

I have looked into White Bear Lake, Roseville, and Woodbury. I'm shocked that most rentals are around $1200.00 for two bedrooms/1-2 baths. I couldn't find any rental that is within my price range (less than $900).

As a friendly and outgoing southern guy, do you think it is a possibility that I would struggle in making friends in Minnesota?

Is the dating scene in the Twin Cities really that bad for singles I heard?

[iNviNciBL3]

Friendly and outgoing are great for making friends and dating, it'll be even better if you have a southern accent.

[PBZ1113]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Friendly and outgoing are great for making friends and dating, it'll be even better if you have a southern accent.

That is good to know. I do have the accent. Anyway, I asked because I was thinking about "Minnesota Nice." I guess I don't know what it really means.

By the way, I really do not mind commuting from Stillwater to Downtown St. Paul. It's about 23 miles (30 minutes). It is good that there is 4 lane highway with the option of taking the interstate to work.

I'm concerned about the commute during winter time but if I leave early enough for work, I should be fine. I heard that Minnesota does a great job of clearing snow off roads and putting salt on them.

Please correct me about the commute if I underestimate the hassle of it from Stillwater to St. Paul during winter.

[iNviNciBL3]

It's only bad when there happens to be a big snow storm durring rush hour. most of the winter is just fine for driving.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by PBZ1113

I have looked into White Bear Lake, Roseville, and Woodbury. I'm shocked that most rentals are around $1200.00 for two bedrooms/1-2 baths. I couldn't find any rental that is within my price range (less than $900).

As a friendly and outgoing southern guy, do you think it is a possibility that I would struggle in making friends in Minnesota?

Is the dating scene in the Twin Cities really that bad for singles I heard?

I don't think you'll have an issue making friends. Have no idea about the single scene.

[golfgal]

The commute from Stillwater to St. Paul is pretty easy. I wouldn't worry too much about that, especially being that you are working on the north side of 94. Stillwater actually has a pretty active downtown and "night scene". You will probably be on the young side during the winter months but in the summer, downtown Stillwater has a very young, busy crowd. Given your outdoor side, I think you will really enjoy Stillwater. You will easily be able to find people to run with, etc. Depending on where on Orleans though, you might want to look further for a place to live. North of 36 you will be fine. There are a couple apartment complexes south of 36 that aren't all that great.

White Bear Lake is nothing like Stillwater. You won't find the same mix of people, etc. there. It has a smallish downtown area but again, nothing like Stillwater.

[dravogadro]

Are you definitely set on a 2 bdrm? It just seems to me that Stillwater is a good fit for being near outdoorsy stuff but I don't know about it for the other stuff. There is a growing crowd of young adults in downtown St Paul and in the Summit/Grand Ave area of St Paul. It just seems like you would burn through the options in Stillwater pretty quickly where there is a much wider selection of things to do in St Paul itself. Why not pay a bit more to live in the city and not blow all that $$ on gas?

[Govie]

Actress Jessica Lange lived in a big house basically right in downtown Stillwater for some time, or at least lived there part of the year. She was somewhat Hollywood big time and she loved it so much she decided to live there. Lange's Stillwater house has sold for $1.825 million | StarTribune.com

I am pretty familiar with Stillwater and honestly that would be very high on my list to raise a family when that comes up, as I've lived in St. Paul my whole life but would no longer want to raise my kids here.

The commute? I personally don't think it's that bad. Baring a huge snow storm, 36 moves relatively smoothly from Stillville to North St. Paul, IMO. Get to 61 though and it can get a bit congested heading west into 35E rush hour. I worked in Stillwater for a year (third shift) and would commute from there to St. Paul every morning after work and it was always smooth.

Taking into account your other info, I wouldn't really suggest Forest Lake; White Bear Lake might work for you, and they have a similar type of small downtown as Stillville. Woodbury? Maybe. I wouldn't be against living in Woodbury at all. It has a different type of feel than Stillville though as it is the fastest growing suburb in the state. Stillwater has a sort of far-enough-from-the-city feel to it, yet close enough, too (if that makes sense).

Also, talking politics or religion with anyone you don't know was inappropriate etiquette I always thought. There is a right time and place for everything.