In College-- Need advise on apartments (Minneapolis, St. Paul: rental, dorms, safe area)

[GSL-NE]

I am 17 and will be attending college in either minneapolis, or st. paul. I have lots of family in the area and have spend some time in minnetonka as well as southwest minneapolis. Both schools are downtown, and do not offer dorms/residence hall. If you have any advise on where some good apartments are within 15 minutes from downtown min/sp I would really appreciate it. I am not looking to exceed much more than 550 a month. Just a one bedroom, condition eh. In a safe area. My uncle is on the case but if you know of anything I would appreciate it! Thanks y'all.

I realize that was kind of confusing. I meant there is one college in downtown Minneapolis and one in downtown St. Paul. I am looking for apartments in either.

[Libby01]

The standard advice would be to look at Craig's list for options, but you are looking for something at the very low end of rental prices. Thinking back to my college days, I never could have afforded an apartment on my own (especially when you factor in utilties), nor would have I wanted to live by myself. Have you thought about trying to find one or two roommates? Or living with a relative temporarily until you make friends who would become roommates?

[gweilo845]

You're probably not going to be able to find a decent (as in clean and safe) 1 bedroom apartment for $550 or under in the core areas of either city. That's even pushing it for a studio. You should also keep in mind that most buildings will pay for gas, water, and trash, but you're going to have to pay for electric and extras like cable and internet, so you might have to tack on an extra $100 or so per month.

I just moved form the Loring Park area and you could get a decent studio apartment for around $500-$550 (base rent) depending on the building. You could walk to downtown Minneapolis from there and it would be a short drive or bus ride to downtown St Paul.

[uptown_urbanist]

I agree --- consider the studio option. You'll have far more options in your price range with a studio (although it's still going to be tight). Otherwise get a roommate. Loring Park is very near many of the downtown schools (MCTC/Metro State, plus some others, I think) and, as mentioned, you could get a studio in your price range and walk to school.

I think the roommate option is probably the best, though, although perhaps I'm biased because I never knew any entering students who had their own places -- that's a big luxury, financially-speaking, plus it's often nice to have a roommate, at least for a couple of years, while you're just starting out.

[golfgal]

Have you considered other school options that would have dorm living?

[Carterr]

When are you moving? we could be room-mates if your cool..

But serius, 550 is stretching it, dorm-rooms are the best