Moving to Minneapolis (St. Louis Park, St. Anthony, Wayzata: for rent, condo, buy)

[austllw]

Hi, I am potentially moving to Minneapolis and my job will be based near Wayzata

I am a single person in my mid 30's who earns reasonably good money and wants to live in an interesting area. I dont mind driving upto 30 mins even little more for the right place. I am not sure if where I am going to work will rule some of those wants out.

On that note, how far is Wayzata to the city of Minneapolis, abt 30km?

Thanks for you help.

[nick is rulz]

well it depends on how you define reasonably good money. Will you buy or rent? Do you prefer city or suburban life?

[austllw]

Well I will be on expat salary so I am not sure of the equivalent but maybe around 100-130k. I will be renting. I would prefer city living, I should have mentioned I wld be moving from Australia and the part I am from has european flavour so a good coffee culture, good restaurants , nightlife. Having said that an inner city suburb with leafiness would be great.

Thanks for help

[MplsTodd]

There's a wide range of attractive places to live. My recommendations are as follows:

Downtown Mpls: Provides a convenient reverse commute to Wayzata via I-394. Areas to consider include: Loring Park (check out the Eitel City Apts, Loring City Apts, or (a bit older, but with high-rise views: Marquette Place). These areas are convenient to the lively South Nicollet Mall area with great restaurants, pubs and Target. Also consider the St. Anthony/Riverplace area across the Hennepin Ave Bridge from Dwtn: There are fewer apt options (though you may find a condo for rent). Again close to the riverfront/Stone Arch Bridge plus the shops and restaurants (and Lunds Grocery) of east Hennepin.

Uptown/SW Mpls: Uptown is a high amenity area for restaurants, high walkability, and close to the lakes district and Midtown greenway. A high end apt to look into would be Calhoun Beach Apts on the north shore of Lake Calhoun, or several new Apt complexes near Lyn-Lake (Lyndale and Lake Street): Blue, Murals of Lyn-Lake...
Linden Hills may also be an interesting area to check out: a quieter, more family oriented area, but with a cool little business district at 43rd & Upton and very close to both Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet.

Suburbs:

St. Louis Park: Excelsior & Grand is a nice mixed-use development along Excelsior Blvd east of Hwy 100. It has Trader Joes and a few restaurants, plus is close to the City park & Pool. Its also close to Uptown and the Mpls Lakes District.

Excelsior: If you want to live further out: this is a great little town along Lake Mtonka with a nice main street and great lakeside park.

[Haver]

I wouldn't do anything on Lyn-Lake (Lake St & Lyndale Avenue South) until they're finished with construction and road improvements, especially if you're a short-timer.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Based on your salary level and preferences I would recommend SW Minneapolis. You'll have urban lifestyle but the area is full of lakes and parks, is close to nightlife in uptown and downtown, and would be a low traffic and relatively low distance commute to the Wayzata area.

[austllw]

Thanks so much for all of your feedback, great appreciated.

[talktobrent]

yes, most of SW minneapolis seems to fit your mold. look at a map, the closer to the lakes (calhoun, harriet, isles) the nicer it gets. If you are correct about your salary you should be able to rent your ideal place very easily.