city-like suburbs (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan: apartment, houses, neighborhoods)

[RO720]

Hi,
My husband and I just relocated from DC and are looking to buy a house. We currently have an apt in the Grand Ave neighborhood because we thought it was the closest to the DC life we had. It is expensive here, so we are looking to move out to the 'burbs or find a find another city neighborhood. We are looking to start a family soon, so family friendly is important. Hoping people could give specific neighborhoods/burb (we are not opposed to Minneapolis-no Twin City rivalries here).
My list:
-things to walk to
-trails, parks
-good for kids
-good community center
-close to a library
-price range around $400


So overwhelmed. Two cities means twice as many neighborhoods and suburbs.

Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks!

[golfgal]

Stillwater

[Astron1000]

Apartment price range of $400? Or do you mean a house for $400k? Good luck with the former. That might get you a studio in a 100-year-old building . A $400k house will give you lots of options. As Golfgal pointed out, Stillwater may be good for you. Closer in would be downtown Hopkins or any number of neighborhoods in Southwest Minneapolis such as Kingfield or Linden Hills. Morningside in Edina or perhaps Merriam Park, Highland Park or Mac-Groveland in St. Paul. Drive around those areas and see if they feel right to you.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by Astron1000

Apartment price range of $400? Or do you mean a house for $400k? Good luck with the former. That might get you a studio in a 100-year-old building . A $400k house will give you lots of options. As Golfgal pointed out, Stillwater may be good for you. Closer in would be downtown Hopkins or any number of neighborhoods in Southwest Minneapolis such as Kingfield or Linden Hills. Morningside in Edina or perhaps Merriam Park, Highland Park or Mac-Groveland in St. Paul. Drive around those areas and see if they feel right to you.

Pretty much this, except 400k house in Linden Hills is unlikely and not doable in Morningside. Look in other SW Mpls neighborhoods like Armatage, Kenny, etc. Stillwater, Hopkins, St. Louis Park are all good suburban options.

[jzeig104]

Stillwater, Woodbury, and Eagan have great schools, great libraries, lots of parks, and interesting areas to explore.

[northsub]

Maybe the Harbor Place area of Shoreview? It's a short, easy walk to the community center and library. Within a half mile you will also find a pedestrian friendly strip mall in North Oaks with a bakery, Brueggers, an ice cream/candy shop, Caribou, and a bunch of other stuff. You would also be along trails for Snail Lake which would give you miles of wooded trails with ponds and a public beach. Houses look to sell for more-or-less your price range. Probably more than $400k on average, but with some under $400k.

[ocsid]

Where do you work? That would help us with advice.