St Louis Park or Bloomington?? (Minneapolis, Plymouth: ski resorts, apartment, to rent)

[CRNAstudent]

Hi I will be going to graduate school in St. Louis Park, and was starting to look at potential areas to rent or purchase a house/apartment around that area. I'd like to stay within the county, and I love skiing and want my daughters to start skiing as well, so I'd like to be as near to Hastings as I can (the only ski resort I know that's nearby).

I'm a single mom, will be bringing a friend with me as well as my two daughters. I'll be 30 when I move, she'll be 18, and my children will just be starting school. I'm looking for a quiet neighborhood that has extracurricular activities for my girls (specifically ballet and gymnastics would be great), not very expensive (I won't be able to work while in school, so will be living off grants, student loans, and savings), and still has some things for my friend to do.

Any ideas? I was thinking of either St. Louis Park because the school is there or possibly Bloomington because of the proximity to both the school and skiing.

[MNNative]

I'm not too familiar with "ski resorts" as you put it, but just as an FYI, there are other skiing options aside from Afton Alps (which is what I'm assuming you're referring to in Hastings). I've never been to Afton Alps so I'm not familiar with what they specifically offer, but I do know that Bloomington itself has Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area and a Season Pass can be shared with Elm Creek Park Reserve Winter Recreation Area Three Rivers Park District (http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/recreation/ec_winter_rec_area.cfm - broken link) as well which is a nice alternative to have. Then there's Buck Hill • Minnesota Skiing Snowboarding & Snow Tubing (http://www.buckhill.com/winter/main.shtml - broken link) also, just to name a few closer to the St Louis Park area.

I don't know if that changes your outlook on which areas to consider. Overall, Hennepin County isn't bad as far as finding a quiet neighborhood with things for you and your family to keep active. Affordability will be your biggest hurdle, I'd say. Considering your kids will be starting school, I'd maybe use that as a guide and compare your choices to proximity to school. Just suggestions, good luck!

[santos]

Excellent advice from MNNative. I lived in St. Louis Park and liked it. My friend has lived in Bloomington all of her life, so obviously enjoys it. Affordability will indeed be your biggest hurdle.

[stevie_2]

My aunt and Uncle have lived in SLP for as long as I can remember. My sisters and I often visited during the summers. As a child, I remember never feeling unsafe or not at home in the neighborhood, and we where outside, "running the neighborhood", most of the daylight hours. Quite a few years passed between visits, but the neighborhood seemed unchanged, well kept, but still the same. The oulying areas, shop and such, have developed with the times. I would check it iut seriosly,

[golfgal]

What graduate program is in St. Louis Park? I didn't know there was a university there?

Since your budget will be tight, live close to where you will be every day. Getting to Hastings from St. Louis Park is not hard on a weekend if you want to ski. Why drive 40 minutes every day when you can drive 5 every day and then take the trip to Hastings once or twice on a weekend. If you need a quick ski fix during the week you can hop over to Buck Hill in Burnsville.

With kids in school and you needing to be near St. Louis Park I would also check out the Plymouth area. It was just voted one of the best places to live in the nation. The schools are very good and it is an easy commute to SLP.

[CRNAstudent]

Thank you so much for your responses! And yes, I'd definitely be willing to try out some other ski areas around SLP

I'll be going to Minneapolis School of Anesthesia on Minnetonka Blvd. All the clinicals will be within 25 miles of the school.

[fashionjewelryforeveryone]

Have lived closed to St Louis Park, so my vote is for St Louis Park.