Minneapolis Clones

dabears32

Well-Known Member
Nov 23, 2009
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I am exploring potential career options in the Minneapolis area. Probably getting ahead of myself but oh well, its the internet...

Any recommendations on places to live? Preferably downtown or close to it by light rail or whatever.

One spot I am looking for work would be in Golden Valley. How bad of a commute would that be?

Thanks!
 
I would say don't plan on using the light rail. I've never been a fan and unless it's gotten much better in the past couple years it is not the way to get around.
 
The ultimate goal is to live and work downtown and basically never drive but the chances of that happening are slim.
 
Minneapolis is not conducive to being able to solely exist downtown. While there are more people moving down town than there were10 years ago, there still doesn't exist all the ancillary services needed. Until recently, there were no grocery stores downtown. Shopping is also limited and primarily high-end stores. (Minneapolis is not like NY, Chicago, etc.)

Golden Valley/ St. Louis Park are cool west side burbs with lots of young professionals & families. 10-15 minutes to downtown. The new development at the West End is really cool.

Northeast (pronounced Nordeast) Minneapolis is the place I'd go. Same commute, but there are tons of cool bars and restaurants there and it is a very lively and revitalized area with mostly young folks.
 
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I lived in Uptown Minneapolis and worked in Plymouth then lived in Saint Louis Park and worked in Medina over a 3 year period after graduating. Also lived downtown while doing a summer internship. Uptown was a lot of fun (go to Lake Calhoun during the summer, you're welcome) but the drive back into the city every night sucked, especially during the winter. I wouldn't rely on the Lightrail for anything. There's a set of restaurants/bars in Saint Louis Park called the West End that's really nice.

The bar scene in Minneapolis got old, full of beautiful women but you can't hear ****. Outside of Brits Pub the bars in St Paul are much better
 
Minneapolis is not conducive to bring able to solely exist downtown. While there are more people moving down town than there were10years ago, there still doesn't exist all the ancillary services needed. Until recently, there were no grocery stores downtown.

Golden Valley/ St. Louis Park are cool west side burbs with lots of young professionals & families. 10-15 minutes to downtown.

Northeast (pronounced Nordeast) Minneapolis is the place I'd go. Same commute, but there are tons of cool bars and restaurants there and it is a very lively and revitalized area with mostly young folks.

I will agree with all of this, just watch yourself in North Minneapolis (which is a different community than Northeast)
 
I live in Oakdale... Don't really like it as it's waaay too suburbia after living in Brooklyn for 8 years. That being said, I love my neighbors (except 1 whiny lady that everyone else also hates), and I love my 3/4 acre wooded lot, and most of all, I love paying half of what I used to for rent for a house that is literally 6 times as big as my old 1 bedroom apartment...

A lot of my friends live in Uptown and love it, but housing definitely costs more there.
 
I live in South Minneapolis and love it. I'd suggest driving around a bit and investigating the 'feel' of different neighborhoods. There can be huge differences when you cross over major dividing lines (I94, Franklin Ave, Lake Street, I35, etc). I absolutely love Minneapolis and don't think there is anywhere else I'd rather be.

Great biking, hiking, shopping, music, people (for the most part), diversity, food, etc.

Good luck!
 
I would say don't plan on using the light rail. I've never been a fan and unless it's gotten much better in the past couple years it is not the way to get around.

I'll go ahead and disagree here. I live ~8 blocks away and it is a great way to get downtown or to the airport without needing a ride or taxi. For the price it is great, and there is a new east/west line to St Paul opening next year.
 
I don't understand the anti-light rail talk. There's many people who use it to commute to work. It's pretty much like taking the bus to work.

As for places to live, Northeast, Uptown, Downtown, South Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Golden Valley would all be places I would recommend.
 
Thanks for the input. Most places that I have been looking are in the Downtown/Golden Valley area.