Job offer in Shakopee? (Minneapolis, Bloomington: middle-class, amusement park, home)

[moving-again]

I am looking for a family area, close to retail, schools, not a long commute to Shakopee. I noticed that there is a charter school, Eagle Ridge, in Eden Prairie. Any comments on that school?

Is Shakopee seen as one of the least desirable areas? Why? What other areas would you suggest. Thanks!

[uptown_urbanist]

No, I don't think Shakopee is seen as a "least desirable" area, just as an area that's a long commute for anyone working in the city. It's a modern suburb that's exploded in population in recent years. If you're looking for stereotypical modern American suburbia, you can find what you want in Shakopee. You'll have lots of other families around, and all the standard retail chains. It's also home to Valleyfair, the local big amusement park.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Shakopee would be a run-of-the-mill modern suburb/exurb of the Twin Cities but it differentiates itself from other similar suburbs due to it also being an entertainment/tourism destination in the metropolitan area. Nearby attractions include Mystic Lake Casino, Cantebury Park and Valley Fair Amusement Park.

[golfgal]

Shakopee has a cute downtown area but overall, no, it is not a desirable area. The schools are so-so, just better options elsewhere. I would look to Chaska to start and also Prior Lake. New Prague is also a nice area with good schools, nice downtown area and not too bad of a commute to Shakopee. Eden Prairie has good schools but it is an expensive area. It depends on what you want to spend and what you really want in a town.

[DirtMagurt]

Just to throw it out there for consideration, you could easily live closer in to the city as commuting out towards Shakopee would put you against traffic. There are several very good options among the SW and W burbs that would fit the bill...Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Prior Lake, Savage. You could go further in and still have about a 30 minute commute from places like Edina and west Bloomington. All these areas have excellent schools with Edina, Eden Prairie and probably Minnetonka towards the top of the pile.

[moving-again]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Shakopee has a cute downtown area but overall, no, it is not a desirable area. The schools are so-so, just better options elsewhere. I would look to Chaska to start and also Prior Lake. New Prague is also a nice area with good schools, nice downtown area and not too bad of a commute to Shakopee. Eden Prairie has good schools but it is an expensive area. It depends on what you want to spend and what you really want in a town.

Is it more than the schools that make Shakopee undesirable?
Someone told my DH that Chaska has flooding issues, is that true?

I will have to check out New Prague and Prior Lake, thank you for the suggestions.

[moving-again]

Originally Posted by DirtMagurt

Just to throw it out there for consideration, you could easily live closer in to the city as commuting out towards Shakopee would put you against traffic. There are several very good options among the SW and W burbs that would fit the bill...Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Prior Lake, Savage. You could go further in and still have about a 30 minute commute from places like Edina and west Bloomington. All these areas have excellent schools with Edina, Eden Prairie and probably Minnetonka towards the top of the pile.

Is Savage known as more desirable than Shakopee?

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by moving-again

Is it more than the schools that make Shakopee undesirable?
Someone told my DH that Chaska has flooding issues, is that true?

I will have to check out New Prague and Prior Lake, thank you for the suggestions.

There is a corner of Chaska/Shakopee/Chanhassen that floods frequently because it is a very low lying spot by the river. You would have more issues in Shakopee because of this then Chaska. Oh, I guess 41 between 169 and Chaska has flooded in the past but they built up the road some and it would be record setting floods that would flood that spot now. Since they put in the new 212 that isn't really the issue it once was.

Originally Posted by moving-again

Is Savage known as more desirable than Shakopee?

The part of Savage in the Prior Lake district yes, the part of Savage in the Burnsville district, the are both not the best in the area.

Shakopee isn't horrible it is just that there are better options so close that why pick ok when you can have great?

[uptown_urbanist]

I didn't think Prior Lake was known for its stellar academics. Then again, that impression was formed partially on the now-outdated book (Another Planet, 2002), and a decade is a LONG time in exurban Minneapolis. For what it's worth, though, that author chose Prior Lake because of its averageness and traits in common with other similar communities across the nation, not because it's a standout (one way or the other). I think the test scores in the high schools are all pretty much in the same range, although I would, of course, be very wary about using test scores alone to evaluate a school.

I don't think most people DO consider Shakopee undesirable. I do, but then again, I consider all those outer 'burbs undesirable based on my interests and needs. If you're looking for a suburb with a short commute to work then I don't think there's any reason to cut it from the list. I don't think Shakopee has a much different reputation than the surrounding communities.

[west336]

I liken Shakopee to Schaumburg, IL, but without the immense office parks. There is a pretty solid middle-class there as well as an upper class, even a smattering of lower class. There are some developments that are downright moderately dense (for an exurb) but for the most part it's a sprawly city. Diversity-wise it fares well for a MN city, but it's probably closer to the national average than anything (~70%-75% white is my guess). There are fun things nearby like the casino, card room, race track and amusement park. The commute flat out sucks for this metro area, as you are a good 25 miles or so from downtown Minneapolis and you have very limited options of getting there -- which means other people have the same limited options and will be crowding on the same road you are on. Overall, I think it's a decent option for a young family.