Commute from Apple Valley / Savage to downtown? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: how much, house)

[skircher]

We are looking to relocate to Minneapolis. I like the Apple Valley / Savage / Rosemount / Lakeville areas for the schools and reasonable cost of living, but I am worried about the commute for my husband. He will be at Target HQ downtown.

Could he make it downtown in 30-40 minutes during rush hour? Is the park and ride a good option? What happens when it snows? Will my husband be in traffic for 2 hours?

[golfgal]

There is a transit station in Apple Valley with express buses leaving every 5 minutes to downtown Minneapolis. I have a couple friends that work at Target HQ that take the express bus and it is 40 minutes from AV to Mlps.

The AV/Rosemount area is a great area, yes, I am biased because I live here but it really is a great area. Top notch schools, all the amenities you need, etc.

How old are your kids and what do they like to do? Most people end up deciding on where to live based on the activities their kids are in because there is very little difference academically between the suburban schools here.

[skircher]

I have 4 kids. Oldest is 6, so they are interested in everything right now. Because they are sure to have different apptitudes, I am just looking for an overall great area with lots of opportunities.

My husband wants to get closer to downtown, but everything I can find closer is either...
1. Same commute time because traffic is worse
2. Not so great schools / neighborhood
3. House too small to fit our growing family
4. Way, way, way out of our price range.

Are their any better options or are the south burbs truly the way to go?

[golfgal]

There isn't much closer to Minneapolis that will fit your bill I guess. Eagan will get your closer by 5-10 minutes and the schools are good (most of Eagan is in the Apple Valley/Rosemount district) but it is more expensive then Rosemount or Apple Valley. Edina is great but you are looking at a million+ for housing. Eden Prairie is also an option but again, more expensive. The western suburbs are an easier commute, but more expensive.

Mahtomedi might be an option--I don't know what your price range is. Once Highway 36 is finished the commute to Mlps will be about 20 minutes. THat will be done next spring I think.

Anywhere north is pretty much out now for the next 2 years or more until they get the new 35W bridge built. That traffic was already horrible, I can imagine it is that much worse now.

West Bloomington is nice, closer to Mlps but you do need to scout your neighborhood out some as there are some sketchy spots there.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by skircher

I have 4 kids. Oldest is 6, so they are interested in everything right now. Because they are sure to have different apptitudes, I am just looking for an overall great area with lots of opportunities.

My husband wants to get closer to downtown, but everything I can find closer is either...
1. Same commute time because traffic is worse
2. Not so great schools / neighborhood
3. House too small to fit our growing family
4. Way, way, way out of our price range.

Are their any better options or are the south burbs truly the way to go?

How much do you want to spend? You could also take a look at a couple of the St Paul areas like Highland. I'm not sure how good the schools are but other people here will know. It's not too expensive to buy there, it's near the river and it has its own little "downtown" area with shops and a cinema. There is a street festival every summer, a couple of nice parks, a relatively easy commute over the river and up Hwy 55 into Minneapolis. I think the Macalester/Groveland neighbourhood is nice too, as is Merrian Park. The homes are older in these areas so will have a bit more character and garden.

[skircher]

Those areas are very nice, but not exactly what we are looking for. I think they are perfect for someone with no children who want a small yard and a house with turn of the century charm. I was hoping to stay in the low to mid $300's and get a large wooded yard, 4/5 bdrm 3000+ sq ft house under 15 yrs old. What I can find out about the St. Paul schools is very mixed. Test scores are low - I know that doesn't mean everything, but I found some questionable parent reviews that aren't subjective - buildings in disrepair, etc.

I really like the Eagan area, but realize that we will probably have to go to at least the high $300s to get what we want. I am hoping to maybe find a home with an unfinished basement or needing a little TLC or a desparate seller. My husband can get downtown on the park & ride in 30 minutes and the schools are impressive. Lots of parks around and it seems possible to get a home with woods behind you instead of neighbors.