College Grad Moving to Twin Cities - Where to Live? (Minneapolis: rent, houses)

[TheSpartan]

I will be moving to the Twin Cities for a new job in the late spring once I graduate from college, and I am looking for any input on possible areas/neighborhoods to look at for where to live. I will be working in Maplewood, and I am 22 years old/single. Would like to keep rent under $1200/month, and the commute under 45 minutes.

Also, any other input on what life is like in the Twin Cities for a young professional would be appreciated! I've lived my whole life in Michigan (metro Detroit) up to this point, so I am used to the cold but I am not sure what else to expect!

Thank you!

[CCbaxter]

Maplewood is a huge suburb, which part are you working in? 3M? Also, what do you like to do?

[TheSpartan]

Yes I will be at 3M. I like some outdoors activities like bike riding and skating in the winter, live music, going to coffee shops. I like hanging out with people around my age/going out.

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by TheSpartan

Yes I will be at 3M. I like some outdoors activities like bike riding and skating in the winter, live music, going to coffee shops. I like hanging out with people around my age/going out.

You should check out the Gateway State Trail that starts in St. Paul and goes through Maplewood, then ends in Pine Point County Park just north of Stillwater. The historic town of Stillwater on the St. Croix River also offers a lot to explore and do, especially for a small town.

www.traillink.com/trail/gateway=state-trail.aspx.

I also recommend going to a game at the new CHS field in St. Paul, home of the St. Paul Saints baseball team.

There are plenty of live music venues and festivals in the Twin Cities. The City Pages magazine available in most news rack locations will provide plenty of options. Music is plentiful in the region and so is live theater. There are plenty of coffee shops, too. There is a nightclub/music venue named The Myth right in Maplewood proper you might want to check out.

I recommend living in the east metro where your work is to keep the commute reasonable. There should be plenty of options in that price range in Maplewood and most of the east metro area. Also check out options in the nearby city of Roseville, just north of Maplewood. You will still be easily close enough to Minneapolis to visit its attractions, restaurants,culture and nightlife on the weekends without having to travel very far. Unlike so many other "twin city" metros, the two cities' downtowns are just 10 miles apart. (In contrast, Dallas to Fort Worth is about 30 miles, Washington DC to Baltimore is 25 miles and I think Tampa to St. Petersburg is also 25 miles).

[MnMomma]

I'd check out the Highland area of St. Paul.

[Minnesota Spring]

I would also check out Downtown St. Paul, specifically Lowertown. Lots of good things happening in that area and a quick jaunt to the 3M campus.

[WoodburyWoody]

Will you have a car?

[MplsTodd]

I'll second the Lowertown area of St. Paul, if a downtown setting interests you. I'd also suggest you look around the area between downtown St. Paul west towards the Mississippi River along Summit/Grand and Selby Avenues. Several colleges around here (Macalester, St. Thomas, St. Kate's , William Mitchell Law and Concordia). The area at Snelling & Selby has a good collection of businesses including Whole Foods, coffee houses, bike shop and bars.
You could also look into the Marcy Holmes area of Minneapolis, which is a worse commute, but close to the river trails and has good access to restaurants and bars in and around dwtn Mpls. It'd probably be easier to live initially in St. Paul (which provides an easier commute) and get to know the cities better.

[TheSpartan]

Thanks all! And Yes I will have a car.

[cheddar]

Check out the facebook page for "Twin Cities Spartans" where they seem to always be making plans to get together and watch MSU games at a local bar.