Good schools, family friendly possibly in more "rural" areas?

[Teak]

Originally Posted by wamer27

If needing to be in either downtown for work, North Oaks would be perfect. Current prices are in $600k (the latest $600k range is pending) to $3.5m. Each lot is larger and city is private. All homes are on wells and septic and association fee of $113 per month for street plowing, maintenance, etc…90% of the city is thick woods with windy streets with no street lights. In a great school district too, Mounds View. The eastern part is in White Bear school district.

I wonder how long those North Oakers will get away with private wells. For example, in Shoreview the Department of Health will not approve any new domestic wells since there is a city water line down the streets. If connecting to city water, one does not need to seal the old domestic well if using for yard and garden watering.

When I did research on this (I connected my Shoreview house to city water in 2019), I saw where around 520 Shoreview homes still had private wells, but that number is likely to shrink. I had a renter moving in so I didn't want to risk the pump quitting in the middle of winter and having to call out a well driller for $$$$$$!

And as for private septic systems? Wow. North Oaks is built around several lakes and we'll see how long before eutrophication kicks in big time. Putting in city water and septic could send those HOA fees soaring.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Teak

I wonder how long those North Oakers will get away with private wells. For example, in Shoreview the Department of Health will not approve any new domestic wells since there is a city water line down the streets. If connecting to city water, one does not need to seal the old domestic well if using for yard and garden watering.

When I did research on this (I connected my Shoreview house to city water in 2019), I saw where around 520 Shoreview homes still had private wells, but that number is likely to shrink. I had a renter moving in so I didn't want to risk the pump quitting in the middle of winter and having to call out a well driller for $$$$$$!

And as for private septic systems? Wow. North Oaks is built around several lakes and we'll see how long before eutrophication kicks in big time. Putting in city water and septic could send those HOA fees soaring.

I have 4 clients in North Oaks and these are not upper class homes. One guy bought for $354k in 2011 and he put $100k or more into it. Sold for $795k in 2022. The other three houses are worth less. The friend who sold was on the city board, he said the city was offered to go on city water and sewer with each house paying in $50k range. Everyone was against it!!! He was dumbfounded on everyone not wanting to pay it. Guess he wasn’t the typical North Oaker and maybe why he sold?

The client with the oddest house worth the least, he’s a land barron. Owns three lots next to his house, plus he owned all the land where 96 meets 35E, and I guess where 96 and 35W are, he owned a giant chunk at both locations. He’s very elderly and fun to talk to, he’s in 1% but you’d think he’s far from it (owns a penthouse on beach in Santa Monica).

[Teak]

Originally Posted by wamer27

I have 4 clients in North Oaks and these are not upper class homes. One guy bought for $354k in 2011 and he put $100k or more into it. Sold for $795k in 2022. The other three houses are worth less. The friend who sold was on the city board, he said the city was offered to go on city water and sewer with each house paying in $50k range. Everyone was against it!!! He was dumbfounded on everyone not wanting to pay it. Guess he wasn’t the typical North Oaker and maybe why he sold?

$50k?? Ouch!

Because Shoreview city water line runs down my street, it only cost in the $4k range to get connected. There are curb stops which weren't that difficult to find. But a sewer line would be very expensive since they need sewer line boxes and lift stations to go with all of the house and line connections.

[Tyryztoll]

We just moved to Lindstrom and this area fits OP’s description perfectly, plus the whole Chisago Lakes/St. Croix river valley is one of the most beautiful regions not only in the state, but the entire Midwest. In our neighborhood there are homes ranging from 300K to close to a million.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Teak

$50k?? Ouch!

Because Shoreview city water line runs down my street, it only cost in the $4k range to get connected. There are curb stops which weren't that difficult to find. But a sewer line would be very expensive since they need sewer line boxes and lift stations to go with all of the house and line connections.

Now imagine running an entire new system through the whole city! A companies dream job!!!

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by wamer27

Now imagine running an entire new system through the whole city! A companies dream job!!!

They’d then have to put a water tower in, a whole water department staff/building etc...it’s a big deal and huge city upfront expense (friend of mine works in Minnetonka water department).