Minneapolis or St. Paul (West St. Paul, Grand Rapids: hair salon, crime, houses)

[CJG228]

My boyfriend and I are moving to the area this summer. My job is in downtown St. Paul, so my first question is, is it better to live in St. Paul or in Minneapolis? How is the morning/afternoon commute between the cities?

We are both in our twenties, appreciate being able to walk/bike to restaurants, bars, libraries, bike paths, stores, etc. We like areas with a little historic character, but still want to safely walk around at night.

[northstar22]

It's not about "better," both cities are equally good. I prefer St. Paul over Minneapolis, but that's strictly personal preference. St. Paul is a bit more laid back than Minneapolis, it has more of a historic vibe and it feels less like a major city. If you like small Midwestern cities along the lines of Toledo, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids (Michigan), Ft. Wayne, Madison (Wisconsin), and Dayton (Ohio) then you'll like St. Paul. If you want more of an urban, major city experience then Minneapolis would probably be your best choice.

There will be traffic on 94, which is the main route between Minneapolis and St. Paul, especially during rush hour.

From what you posted, it sounds like the Cathedral Hill neighborhood in St. Paul would work for you. It is very historic, and also has the libraries, bike paths, cafes, restaurants and stores that you're wanting. Rents will be a little expensive. St. Paul is, as a whole, safer than Mpls, but there are shady areas of STP and safe areas of Mpls. Most of St. Paul is very safe, but avoid the "West Side" (actually the south side) and the east side of town. The north side and areas of the south side in Minneapolis are bad, as well.

[CJG228]

Thanks flyingwriter! After some further research we were looking into Cathedral Hill, so it's good to hear it backed up by some locals.

[K-Luv]

People who were born in or around St. Paul will say that St. Paul is the better city.

People who were born in or around Minneapolis will say that Minneapolis is the better city.

By 'around', I mean a suburb of. I lived in Minneapolis for ten years and will say that St. Paul has more of a neighborhood feel to it as opposed to feeling more city-like, where as Minneapolis definitely feels like a city and has tons more going on. Since you are in your twenties, you might have more fun in Minneapolis. The majority of people that I know who live in St. Paul hang out in Minneapolis, but sleep in St. Paul. But I guess that it really depends on what you want/like to do for entertainment. Both cities have plenty of what you are looking for, but Minneapolis has the better bar/music scene.

I have walked all over Minneapolis at all times of the day and night, and I wasn't really phased. Then again, I am over 6' tall and am originally from California, so I thought that Minneapolis was rather tame compared to where I came from. However, I also didn't do anything stupid and was always aware of my surroundings. St. Paul is slightly safer, but both cities are safe for the most part as long as you practice common sense.

West St. Paul is not that bad, unless you have a fear of Mexicans. It gets a rap for being the sort-of barrio of the Twin Cities, but it is not like you are going to see a bunch of cholos on the corner with AK-47s.

North Minneapolis is either not that bad, or mad crazy depending on who you talk to. There are decent parts to North Minneapolis that will make you think that people are out of their mind to suggest that the area is dangerous, while there being parts that you would not want to be in after dark. As a whole, Inglewood it is not.

South Minneapolis is not that bad. There are some shady areas, but unless things have changed over the last year or so, it is not as bad as it was fifteen years ago.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

People who were born in or around St. Paul will say that St. Paul is the better city.

People who were born in or around Minneapolis will say that Minneapolis is the better city.

By 'around', I mean a suburb of. I lived in Minneapolis for ten years and will say that St. Paul has more of a neighborhood feel to it as opposed to feeling more city-like, where as Minneapolis definitely feels like a city and has tons more going on. Since you are in your twenties, you might have more fun in Minneapolis. The majority of people that I know who live in St. Paul hang out in Minneapolis, but sleep in St. Paul. But I guess that it really depends on what you want/like to do for entertainment. Both cities have plenty of what you are looking for, but Minneapolis has the better bar/music scene.

I have walked all over Minneapolis at all times of the day and night, and I wasn't really phased. Then again, I am over 6' tall and am originally from California, so I thought that Minneapolis was rather tame compared to where I came from. However, I also didn't do anything stupid and was always aware of my surroundings. St. Paul is slightly safer, but both cities are safe for the most part as long as you practice common sense.

West St. Paul is not that bad, unless you have a fear of Mexicans. It gets a rap for being the sort-of barrio of the Twin Cities, but it is not like you are going to see a bunch of cholos on the corner with AK-47s.

North Minneapolis is either not that bad, or mad crazy depending on who you talk to. There are decent parts to North Minneapolis that will make you think that people are out of their mind to suggest that the area is dangerous, while there being parts that you would not want to be in after dark. As a whole, Inglewood it is not.

South Minneapolis is not that bad. There are some shady areas, but unless things have changed over the last year or so, it is not as bad as it was fifteen years ago.

West St. Paul is fine but the west SIDE of St. Paul is NOT a nice area. They are two different areas (although they share a common border, Annapolis St.). The west side has a lot of crime, a lot of run down houses and in general is NOT a good area.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by golfgal

West St. Paul is fine but the west SIDE of St. Paul is NOT a nice area. They are two different areas (although they share a common border, Annapolis St.). The west side has a lot of crime, a lot of run down houses and in general is NOT a good area.

It is run down in parts but I wouldn't consider the area dangerous. We periodically hang out in the area along Cesar Chavez to walk around and check out shops and restaurants. My wife uses the hair salon over there. I probably wouldn't buy a house in those neighborhoods but it's an interesting area to walk around in every now and then.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

It is run down in parts but I wouldn't consider the area dangerous. We periodically hang out in the area along Cesar Chavez to walk around and check out shops and restaurants. My wife uses the hair salon over there. I probably wouldn't buy a house in those neighborhoods but it's an interesting area to walk around in every now and then.

They have some great Mexican restaurants there but again, the residential areas are not nice.

[uptown_urbanist]

Since you're working in St. Paul, I'd live in St. Paul. They're both nice cities, and you'll be able to find something that fits what you're looking for in both places. Might as well save yourself the commute and live near work. The commute between downtown Minneapolis and downtown or near downtown St. Paul isn't bad, either, so if you were, say, to live in Cathedral Hill and your boyfriend ends up with a job in downtown Minneapolis it wouldn't be a big deal. St. Paul is full of historic character and safe neighborhoods, so you should have no problems. It's generally a bit cheaper than Minneapolis, which is another plus.

[Radical_Car]

Originally Posted by CJG228

Thanks flyingwriter! After some further research we were looking into Cathedral Hill, so it's good to hear it backed up by some locals.

Cathedral Hill is beautiful
can't comment on crime or anything but it is a beautiful neighborhood

[northstar22]

Also, the area around University Avenue (east of Snelling Avenue) in St. Paul is pretty ghetto. It's fine if you go a few blocks north or south of University, but the actual strip (east of Snelling, west of Snelling is nice) is really sketchy.