Downtown living vs. Uptown living (Minneapolis: neighborhoods, price, to move)

[manbylake]

Which do you prefer and why?

[StilltheSame]

Downtown - easier to navigate parking; nicer selection of housing; less congested traffic.

[xandrex]

I technically haven't lived in either, but my next move is to one of those locations (North Loop or Uptown). I currently in Northeast Minneapolis (give or take a block or so...haha).

I'd say the general vibe of Uptown is younger, while most of the people I see in the North Loop are young, but maybe skewing a bit older. This is likely because nearly all downtown housing is fairly new (read: expensive), while Uptown has a range of price options.

Additionally, while I definitely think Uptown has a stronger neighborhood-y and natural vibe. By that I mean that downtown/North Loop just generally don't have great access to parkland right now. There is, of course, the river, but most much of the neighborhood is currently cut off (but it's getting better, slowly). Uptown has tree-lined streets, grassy lots, and the Chain of Lakes. It's a gem of an area.

In regards to living there, I sort of disagree with StilltheSame. I think Uptown parking is actually easier to navigate if it's daily, on-street parking you're looking for. The North Loop is pretty much all subject to paying for street parking or finding creative ways to move your car around all the time (or getting off-street parking). That's one benefit of Uptown: even though streets can be tighter, parking is free on most of those, including some resident-permit only streets.

I now feel like I've sold Uptown in my post, but really I love both pretty equally.

[rzzz]

I used to like Uptown better, but now prefer the North Loop. For day to day living, the North Loop is more convenient, especially if you work downtown. Uptown isn't really convenient to anywhere besides Uptown. Uptown also seems to have lost a little bit of character over the past 20 years. The North Loop never had any character, so all the stuff popping up over there is an improvement.

[manbylake]

Originally Posted by rzzz

I used to like Uptown better, but now prefer the North Loop. For day to day living, the North Loop is more convenient, especially if you work downtown. Uptown isn't really convenient to anywhere besides Uptown. Uptown also seems to have lost a little bit of character over the past 20 years. The North Loop never had any character, so all the stuff popping up over there is an improvement.

I like Uptown for its close proximity to several lakes. There is so much outdoor stuff one can do. It is a very scenic area with great neighborhoods and a dense urban feel.

But Uptown isn't very convenient with regard to access to major freeways. Traffic is also very bad. For an area this vibrant, it's interesting that the southwest light rail won't run through the center of it. The old streetcar did many decades ago.

[manbylake]

Originally Posted by xandrex

I technically haven't lived in either, but my next move is to one of those locations (North Loop or Uptown). I currently in Northeast Minneapolis (give or take a block or so...haha).

I'd say the general vibe of Uptown is younger, while most of the people I see in the North Loop are young, but maybe skewing a bit older. This is likely because nearly all downtown housing is fairly new (read: expensive), while Uptown has a range of price options.

Additionally, while I definitely think Uptown has a stronger neighborhood-y and natural vibe. By that I mean that downtown/North Loop just generally don't have great access to parkland right now. There is, of course, the river, but most much of the neighborhood is currently cut off (but it's getting better, slowly). Uptown has tree-lined streets, grassy lots, and the Chain of Lakes. It's a gem of an area.

In regards to living there, I sort of disagree with StilltheSame. I think Uptown parking is actually easier to navigate if it's daily, on-street parking you're looking for. The North Loop is pretty much all subject to paying for street parking or finding creative ways to move your car around all the time (or getting off-street parking). That's one benefit of Uptown: even though streets can be tighter, parking is free on most of those, including some resident-permit only streets.

I now feel like I've sold Uptown in my post, but really I love both pretty equally.

The problem with downtown is that it still feels like a place where people work, not live. It does not have great parklands, trails, and a neighborhood feel. It doesn't have that much retail except select streets. It feels empty and cold. It's not a good place to take a walk, not enough trees and trails. Too many crosswalk lights and traffic. Uptown has quiet neighborhoods.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by manbylake

The problem with downtown is that it still feels like a place where people work, not live. It does not have great parklands, trails, and a neighborhood feel. It doesn't have that much retail except select streets. It feels empty and cold. It's not a good place to take a walk, not enough trees and trails. Too many crosswalk lights and traffic. Uptown has quiet neighborhoods.

I don't totally disagree with you. Downtown does feel like a place to work. And the North Loop does lack access to parkland (as I noted).

However, there are many streets in the North Loop that feel positively residential. Go through First or Second Street in the neighborhood. They're quiet and residential.

And there aren't a ton of businesses, but you do have First Avenue, some stuff on First and Second Street, and Washington Avenue. Arguably Uptown doesn't have business on many streets except for Hennepin, Lake, and Lagoon. It's in the same sort of situation. But business is definitely more developed/consistent in Uptown.