Shakopee up and coming? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: middle-class, foreclosures, HOA)

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I'm not disagreeing with you. In fact, I said in that very post that it is the case in nearly all Twin Cities exurbs.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Slig

I'm not disagreeing with you. In fact, I said in that very post that it is the case in nearly all Twin Cities exurbs.

But you were complaining about it. I don't get it.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

But you were complaining about it. I don't get it.

Sorry for the confusion, I should have worded it "Much like all Twin Cities exurbs, Shakopee lacks diversity "" "" "". It was just one of the other points I wanted to throw out there for not liking Shakopee, not to say that it is the only place in the Twin Cities that falls under that category.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Slig

Sorry for the confusion, I should have worded it "Much like all Twin Cities exurbs, Shakopee lacks diversity "" "" "". It was just one of the other points I wanted to throw out there for not liking Shakopee, not to say that it is the only place in the Twin Cities that falls under that category.

Oh, okay. That makes much more sense. The way you said it before sorta confused me ... it wasn't really "in character", if that makes any sense.

[sat832]

Originally Posted by Slig

Not to mention it sports a gross lack of diversity that plagues nearly all the Twin Cities exurbs (over 90% white).

You might want to check that %. The amount of Russian and Mexican immigrants (not always legal) is HUGE!!! The non English speaking % in one of the elementary schools is 25%+ That is NOT a typical subur.

We lived in SHakopee for three years and hated every minute of it. We moved there from Savage and buildt in 2003 because lots were cheap. Never stopped to look at the schools because we had a baby. When he appropriated school age and we started to check it out, yikes! Wasn't going to send my kids to that district! So we moved out asap, unfortunetly we moved to Lakeville (which we love) at the peak of the market. Huge mistake to ever have built in Shakopee and a shame we remedied it at the pricest time in real estate. Anyway.....

I would really suggest you take a long hard look at the town because it really doesn't have a lot to offer. I get the impression that many in the twin cities don't have a very good impression of it either.

good luck

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by kim825

You might want to check that %. The amount of Russian and Mexican immigrants (not always legal) is HUGE!!! The non English speaking % in one of the elementary schools is 25%+ That is NOT a typical subur.

I remember a number of folks with Russian accents working at the Perkins on 1st avenue in Shakopee, and I think a couple also working at the place with the wonderful popovers. Dangerfield's? But they would count as white, methinks.

You're right that the large number of Russian immigrants would make it somewhat unique. A number of smaller southern Minnesota towns are starting to accumulate a Hispanic population, however.

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by Slig

This is completely my own personal opinion, but Shakopee appalls me. It's the epitome of urban sprawl in the Twin Cities. It's flat farmland converted to a sea of cheaply built townhouses and uninspiring single family homes. It's completely car dependant and not conveniently close to the city.

I recently visited my brother who just moved to one of those cheaply built townhouse complexes out there in Shakopee. I left Mpls. in 1994 and hadn't been out that way since then, and I was not just appalled, but horrified, at the mindless car-dependent sprawl that continues to plague the Twin Cities.
Where is it finally going to end? The South Dakota or Iowa state line?

Gee! When you count the miles from the northernmost point of the Twin Cities to the southernmost point, east and western points, and given the "sparse" population, it makes Los Angeles seem condensed, in comparison.
If you ever drive through one end of the Twin Cities sprawl to the other sometime, you'll never speak of Los Angeles sprawl ever again.

Is there someone up there with a brain that's trying to put the brakes on the continual sprawl up there?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Is there someone up there with a brain that's trying to put the brakes on the continual sprawl up there?

Not to my knowledge. I think they are actually promoting more sprawl with the Northstar Line that is opening in a few weeks. The best way to fight it is to not buy into the new developments and invest in the core cities, although I also kind of wish the state would put a cap on outward development like states have in other metropolitan areas.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Slig

Not to my knowledge. I think they are actually promoting more sprawl with the Northstar Line that is opening in a few weeks. The best way to fight it is to not buy into the new developments and invest in the core cities, although I also kind of wish the state would put a cap on outward development like states have in other metropolitan areas.

Even looking at a more modified and relaxed version of a future development vision for outlying agrarian areas like a Portland, OR would be a start. Why must we needlessly pave over excellent farmland?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Is there someone up there with a brain that's trying to put the brakes on the continual sprawl up there?

Until someone reigns in real estate developers, you will never see it end.

The Atlanta metro is the same way, or was until the real estate crash hit here.