Last move! (Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka: apartment complex, to rent, house)

[MichWolverines1983]

Me and my fiance are moving to the Minneapolis area within a few years and plan on purchasing our forever home there. We've been there before and don't have one specific area of interest at the moment. We've went back and forth for a long time on whether we should move to Houston, back to Chicago, or somewhere else. I believe we've made our decision. We are looking for advice and suggestions but under this will be our decision. We just hope with some help we can narrow it down a little.

We will be moving from Nashville,TN. I've lived in Chicago for 10 years and she's from New Hampshire. No advice on winter needed. Just to get that out of the way. We do have a lengthy list of things so I figure I would just lay everything out and go from there. We will be renting at first.

We would prefer an apartment (we lived in a gated community and would like one there if possible but it's not a deal breaker!) but open to renting a house with a yard and garage. Looking for a 2/3 bedroom, 2 bath, fireplace, a pool and hot tub would be nice, gym, attached/detached garage, large balcony, and open concept floor plan. We want to keep it under $2,800.

We would like to be within 30 minutes of Downtown Minneapolis, close to plenty of shopping (Macy's, Nordstrom, Whole Foods etc...) and restaurants. It would be nice to have a cute downtown area with a few walkable options but doesn't have to have that while we are renting. We want to be close to walking and/or biking trail. I prefer to walk outside as opposed to a gym. I also enjoy canoeing and would love a regular spot to just get out on the water close to home. We do not have children and that is not in the future.

When it comes to purchasing a home, we are looking for something under $600K, 3br2ba, decent yard for garden, plants, hot tub and extra room to grow (5000 square foot lot, maybe?), sidewalks in the neighborhood are a must.

Any other questions? Just ask and I'll be glad to provide more info. This is important so we want to start making serious plans now. Cheers!

[LeisureSLarry]

I really liked Eden Prairie - lived there for a year for a contract gig a couple years ago.

Close to Lake Minnetonka - under 30 to downtown, lots of amenities, etc.

[wamer27]

Wayzata or Edina, both have nicer end downtowns.

[jennifat]

Gated communities aren't really a thing in the Twin Cities.

[MichWolverines1983]

Thank you to everyone who responded. After a very long, stressful, but very honest, conversation, we've decided to on another city that is not in Minnesota. Thanks again!

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by LeisureSLarry

I really liked Eden Prairie - lived there for a year for a contract gig a couple years ago.

Close to Lake Minnetonka - under 30 to downtown, lots of amenities, etc.

(realize no longer relevant, but others might find useful someday)

We live in EP now ("Golden Triangle"). It's about as soulless a stretch of suburbia as it gets, except there's a nice park nearby (Bryant Park). As far as a walkable downtown - forget it. Lots of amenities within a 10-minute drive, though.

We moved here from Highland Park, which is an area I would recommend with all my heart. Just don't live in the big white tower as you will hate your life every day and twice on sunny ones.

[MichWolverines1983]

Originally Posted by jennifat

Gated communities aren't really a thing in the Twin Cities.

It seems the conversation about Minneapolis isn't quite over. Me and my fiance are definitely considering Minneapolis at this point. We do not NEED a gated community. We are definitely NOT interested in any gated community when we purchase our home. We have had good luck with the apartment complex we are currently in and wanted to keep our options open while renting. Ideally, we'd love to rent a nice single family home with a yard and garage until we find the perfect home to purchase.

Thank you to all who responsed with their recommendations. We are definitely looking into those areas. Thanks again!

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

(realize no longer relevant, but others might find useful someday)


We moved here from Highland Park, which is an area I would recommend with all my heart. Just don't live in the big white tower as you will hate your life every day and twice on sunny ones.

I drove by the 740 yesterday. Guessing the Luxury in the name is in the likes of luxury vinyl flooring …there is nothing luxury about vinyl flooring. Did you at least have a place with a view? That Ford plant development is crazy huge!

[MichWolverines1983]

Originally Posted by wamer27

I drove by the 740 yesterday. Guessing the Luxury in the name is in the likes of luxury vinyl flooring …there is nothing luxury about vinyl flooring. Did you at least have a place with a view? That Ford plant development is crazy huge!

We've actually started looking into city neighborhoods partly because of this. The entire Nashville area is surrounded by new development that is CHEAP and STERILE. We do not want more of the same when we move. Absolutely no personality. Long-term, a city neighborhood will be a better fit for us.

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by wamer27

I drove by the 740 yesterday. Guessing the Luxury in the name is in the likes of luxury vinyl flooring …there is nothing luxury about vinyl flooring. Did you at least have a place with a view? That Ford plant development is crazy huge!

We had a view of the Ford site (with an edge of the river). But it wasn't worth what it cost - not by a long shot. Tired building with pleasant enough, but overworked (and overmatched by managing a sixty-year-old tower) staff and a decent community of mostly elderly people, most of whom have been living there for ages.

I'll write a google review for them soon. People need to know there are better options in the area and not enough of their residents or ex-residents bother to review the place.