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MazdaMINI
Guest
As you all know Tom and I are house hunting.. Just wanted to get others inputs of where they would like to live and why to maybe give us some more ideas! Thanks
LASERBLUE135
Active Member
Money magazine, best places to live in the whole USA...
2010
#1. Eden Prairie
#11. Plymouth (this was #1 in another survey by some magazine I remember)
#13. Woodbury
#15. Eagan
#20. Apple Valley
from 2009...
#2. Chanhassen
#20. Chaska
#39. Lino Lakes
I guess they were going for a more outer metro area thing that year.
Basically I would look at housing prices (should be similar) and commute times (because time is money). If someone has a great job that they see being a 5-10 year thing, I would look at the location closest to the job.
2010
#1. Eden Prairie
#11. Plymouth (this was #1 in another survey by some magazine I remember)
#13. Woodbury
#15. Eagan
#20. Apple Valley
from 2009...
#2. Chanhassen
#20. Chaska
#39. Lino Lakes
I guess they were going for a more outer metro area thing that year.
Basically I would look at housing prices (should be similar) and commute times (because time is money). If someone has a great job that they see being a 5-10 year thing, I would look at the location closest to the job.
AJ
110 HP of FURY!
I've always felt I wanted to work where I live and live where I work. You need to ask yourself what you want to be around and where do you spend most of your time. I love being where I am, convenience wise that is. We will probably look to the a bit more of the western burbs when we move next, how far out I have no clue.
The one thing I do know is that there will be multiple routes in and out of the area so one traffic jam or road project won't fuck my life up for an extended period of time.
Other than that, there is a reason Eden Praire, Edina, and Plymouth have been among the top places to live in not just the state, but the whole country on some of the national lists. Walking trails that are kept'd up. Low crime, job stability, and overall economic health are big factors and can vary heavily from burb to burb.
The one thing I do know is that there will be multiple routes in and out of the area so one traffic jam or road project won't fuck my life up for an extended period of time.
Other than that, there is a reason Eden Praire, Edina, and Plymouth have been among the top places to live in not just the state, but the whole country on some of the national lists. Walking trails that are kept'd up. Low crime, job stability, and overall economic health are big factors and can vary heavily from burb to burb.
Our biggest reason for buying where we are is friends. The majority have been in this area and will probably stay here. My friends are the reason I staying in MN 
Once we thought of that, we wanted to be close enough to all the shopping and secondly, close to a major hwy for ease of driving.
If I didn't stick to the IGH/WSP/Eagan area I would have looked at Apple valley. That place has everything! and I enjoyed living there.
Once we thought of that, we wanted to be close enough to all the shopping and secondly, close to a major hwy for ease of driving.
If I didn't stick to the IGH/WSP/Eagan area I would have looked at Apple valley. That place has everything! and I enjoyed living there.
YSOSLO
is the word, beotch
You're going to pay more for a great location, so if you're looking for the biggest bang for your buck, then looking a little bit farther out from the 694/494 loop will often net you more square footage for the price. A lot also depends on what you're looking for in the future. If you guys are contemplating kids, then a quality school district is going to mean a lot more than couples that aren't interested in having children. It might be worthwhile to make a Top 5 or 10 "must haves" for the new place and then see if you can find what you're looking for in a general quadrant of the metro. Just a thought.
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spek1098
Guest
First living close to work would play a huge part in my decision. Now I have a 20min drive to work, cut that down to 5, and that's 30min a day more time to dedicate to life. Over a year that's 5 days less spent in traffic.
Second is tied between easy access to freeways or just being close to things I like to and people I like to do things with. I've live near the 394/494 interchange and that brings most of the TC area within a 20-30min drive. I could also have most the people and things I like to do much of the time with a few minutes of me would be ideal.
Third would be crime. I've lived most of my life in Minnetonka and have never had to deal with any type of crime to speak of. I still lock all the doors at night, but if I do forget the garage door open overnight, I don't really have to worry about it being cleaned out by morning.
Since I have a kid, schools are a big consideration.
Since I know the west metro best, I'd say all the second tier suburbs on this side of town are ideal: Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Wayzata (not all mansions, lots of great starter homes) Eden Prairie, Edina, and some parts of Bloomington if you’re careful.
Second is tied between easy access to freeways or just being close to things I like to and people I like to do things with. I've live near the 394/494 interchange and that brings most of the TC area within a 20-30min drive. I could also have most the people and things I like to do much of the time with a few minutes of me would be ideal.
Third would be crime. I've lived most of my life in Minnetonka and have never had to deal with any type of crime to speak of. I still lock all the doors at night, but if I do forget the garage door open overnight, I don't really have to worry about it being cleaned out by morning.
Since I have a kid, schools are a big consideration.
Since I know the west metro best, I'd say all the second tier suburbs on this side of town are ideal: Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Wayzata (not all mansions, lots of great starter homes) Eden Prairie, Edina, and some parts of Bloomington if you’re careful.
mndsm
I'M OFFENDED!
That's a BIG part of my decision to stay in MN... that I actually have people I like here. I was originally bent on NOT staying in MN much longer than it took to have Taya finish school.Our biggest reason for buying where we are is friends. The majority have been in this area and will probably stay here. My friends are the reason I staying in MN
Once we thought of that, we wanted to be close enough to all the shopping and secondly, close to a major hwy for ease of driving.
If I didn't stick to the IGH/WSP/Eagan area I would have looked at Apple valley. That place has everything! and I enjoyed living there.
StealthSpeed3
Charge THIS!!
Having lived in the south metro since i moved down here in 2004 i'm partial to bloomington/burnsville/AV since it's close to work (whether it's at a cabinet shop or pizza place), close to mass transit for going downtown, and close to friends/family.
YSOSLO
is the word, beotch
lol....some great responses in this thread!
Northern 'burbs = workers...if you don't drink beer, you aren't welcome up here.
Western 'burbs = Yuppies in the traditional sense. Make sure you have a degree or you're the dummy of the neighborhood.
Southern 'burbs = Yuppie-wanna-bes. They know what's up, but they aren't quite ready to hang in the Western 'burbs
Eastern 'burbs = a mix of all of the other 'burbs. A trailer park across from Yuppieland with some nice places on the lake...all over the board.
Northern 'burbs = workers...if you don't drink beer, you aren't welcome up here.
Western 'burbs = Yuppies in the traditional sense. Make sure you have a degree or you're the dummy of the neighborhood.
Southern 'burbs = Yuppie-wanna-bes. They know what's up, but they aren't quite ready to hang in the Western 'burbs
Eastern 'burbs = a mix of all of the other 'burbs. A trailer park across from Yuppieland with some nice places on the lake...all over the board.
AJ
110 HP of FURY!
Living Downtown, it would be a toos up, but if it was directly Downtown, it would be a loft near freeway access, somehting connected to the skyway would be ideal. And I think I can only get that with MPLS and not St Paul.
Honestly, I would prefer to move further out west into a smaller town. Get a nice section of land, and get into a smaller school system for the kiddo. But job support would kill that, and I fucking hate driving to/from work for periods of 30+ min.
Honestly, I would prefer to move further out west into a smaller town. Get a nice section of land, and get into a smaller school system for the kiddo. But job support would kill that, and I fucking hate driving to/from work for periods of 30+ min.
ZoomZoom Diva
New Member
Personally, I think there are too many variables to really list one area over others. Personally, I like living in Apple Valley for the easy access to most of my daily needs, relatively low taxes in Dakota County, and a good balance of being able to get what I want easily without the disadvantages of being too close. I enjoy having a commute of 30 - 45 minutes each way because it provides me with quality time to separate my work and home lives.
I say look around everywhere. Find a place you really like to live. Then find where you like to work, and be willing to drive/bus/commute the difference. Time is not money, but some me time can be very valuable.
I say look around everywhere. Find a place you really like to live. Then find where you like to work, and be willing to drive/bus/commute the difference. Time is not money, but some me time can be very valuable.
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MazdaMINI
Guest
http://www.weichert.com/32930205/ Here is the house that bid #2 is in on. I appreciate all the great responses!!!! Thank you everyone
LASERBLUE135
Active Member
You and I would be neighbors! I've been in Richfield for 5 years now. Very small towny, GREAT commute times to everything...and 5 years ago I bought my similar house for 50+k more...ouch!http://www.weichert.com/32930205/ Here is the house that bid #2 is in on. I appreciate all the great responses!!!! Thank you everyone
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