Young Professional Planning Move Early (Minneapolis, St. Paul: apartments, rentals, condos)

[stein_b_12]

Hello,

I am a young professional currently living and going to school in Minneapolis. I've resided in Minneapolis for a year and a half, living in two different rentals.

I will be graduating in a few months and want to plan early for my next home with the hopes of moving into a location that I want.

I've lived in a different rentals every year for the past 6 years. Those rentals ranged from 2-4 bedroom apartments and duplexes. None of them have really been what I wanted. Here is what I wish for in my next rental. I am posting in this forum to see if what I want actually exists on the terms I am specifying.

I expect to remain in the TC when I graduate to begin my career. Beyond that, I am not sure if my location of work will be north, west, east, south of or in the TC. If the job hunt goes well, I should know within a couple of months. I understand I am asking these questions early (i.e. I won't be moving until my current lease ends at the end of August).

Anyway, I enjoy the outdoors and working on things. To do this, it would be nice to have a garage or enough space inside to do so. What I want in my next rental is as follows:
1. Garage (for storage: motorcycle, canoe/kayak, bikes, etc.)
2. 1-2 bedroom (living alone, extra room for office)
3. Condo or townhome
4. Maximum rent around $900 before utilities
5. plenty of parking for vehicle and motorcycle
6. possible yard

Being experienced with this rental process, I've utilized all kinds of sources for searching. I've used craigslist (with the most success), rentals.com, roommates.com, and local listings.

I'm interested in getting feedback on the following general questions.
1. Do places that satisfy my needs/wants exist?
2. How much may I need to adjust my rent budget or how much farther from the TC would I need to move to get within my current budget?
3. Could you suggest other ways of finding places that may not get advertised as much?
4. Could you recommend any particular suburbs?

I have been looking on craigslist a little lately to see what is available, although I'm not actively searching. I have found some townhomes that may be what I want, but the list is very limited.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[golfgal]

I think the problem is that condos aren't going to have what you want at all here, you MIGHT get a one car garage or a parking space in a ramp type set up at most of the condos around the metro. Townhomes are possible but they are going to have covenants about parking on the street, excess cars, vehicles, etc. Next your price range is on the low side for a 2 bedroom anything in the metro area, especially something with a garage and a 2 car garage at that.

I think you really need to look for a house to rent to meet all of your needs and there is pretty much zero chance of finding a house to rent with off street parking and a 2 car garage in the $900 range.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

To OP, so you're looking for something like these?

Recently Constructed 3 BR, 2.5 BA Home (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/apa/2770531157.html - broken link)
Cute Home 4XXX Upton Ave North (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/apa/2767265325.html - broken link)
2 bedroom APT great spot near U of M St. Paul on bus line. Updated! (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/apa/2749045464.html - broken link)
Grand Avenue Remodel (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/apa/2755453550.html - broken link)
Small single family home for rent! (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/apa/2770022884.html - broken link)
Blaine 1st Month $375 (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/apa/2733024892.html - broken link)
Great 1 Bedroom Townhome by 212 & New Medical Center! (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/apa/2738774535.html - broken link)

Looks like there are quite a few options available in your price range...

[stein_b_12]

Thanks for your replies. It looks like I am just going to need to keep an eye out for places and devote some time to looking at them in person when it gets closer.

golfgal, my price range can probably go up a bit, but as Slig's links reflect, there are options available within my price range. Even within Minneapolis. 2 bedrooms is not a necessity, but I don't want to have cramped living quarters and a spacious 1 bedroom or small two bedroom will be nice. I'm also not looking to pack in a bunch of vehicles. I'll just need space for my one vehicle and storage for a motorcycle. A garage would be reserved for the motorcycle and any outdoor toys I might have. An outside parking space is all I'd need for my vehicle. A 1 stall garage is sufficient. A 2 stall or more will have to wait until I buy my own place.

It will help out a lot when I know what part of the metro I will be working. That, of course, is if I even work in the metro. Odds are I'll be in a suburb, possibly in Minneapolis or St. Paul themselves. I suppose if I happen to find a job farther out, the chances of me finding something I like for the price I want will be greater. My industry is pretty concentrated in the metro area though.

It will probably be better for me to re-post when I find out what city I will be working in. Then I can ask questions about a particular suburban area instead of the entire metro area.

Thanks again!