Minneapolis Area Information

[sloneta]

Hi all!

We are contemplating a move from the Detroit area to the Minneapolis area. I would be getting the new job, and we would have my DH stay home at least for a few months to get DD3 acclimated. My job would be in the SW suburbs of Minneapolis. I have only been there for my interviews.

Can anyone give information good or bad about the area: which suburbs are affordable, who has the best schools, preschools, etc.? Also, information about traveling to WDW from there would be appreciated. We are DVC members and still want to be able to get our fix.

Thanks!

 

[connorlevismom]

What suburb exactly is your job located in? What do you consider affordable as far as housing? These two things will help me answer your question.

I live in the suburb of the cities called Maple Grove. It is a NW suburb and I really love living here. Lots of the school districts are great around the area with only a few to really be careful of, IMO anyway.

We travel to WDW twice a year (also DVC members) and we fly either Northwest (Delta) or Sun Country. We prefer Sun Country because they are nicer and still serve food with your flight. Also you take off out of Humphrey which is a smaller, quiter terminal than Lindburgh.

Feel free to PM me with any questions about the cities. I have lived here a LONG time so know the place pretty well.

Kristine

 

[sloneta]

The job would be in Minnetonka. Affordable - I would be looking to stay in the $300ks if at all possible - would like 3-4 bedrooms and 3 baths. But, I don't know what your property taxes are like (I pay about $7k per year where I am) and heating/cooling costs. Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated!

 

[jme829]

Hi...we just moved here from Toledo (oh) 2 yrs ago. We are actually in a Wisconsin suburb of Minn/St Paul (Dh got relo'd to his company in Woodbury) ...You will love it here...there is soooo much to do all within 20 min-hour drive! The Mall of America is in Bloomington, just south of the cities, there's 2 zoo's , the Twins, tons of museums, etc...

MSP airport is right across for the Mall (of America) so its pretty quick and easy to get to from just about anywhere in the twin cities area (again we are in WI just across the border and its only 25 min for us).

I'm honestly not familiar with all the areas , what specific city are you going to work in? Eagan is nice, WOodbury, Burnsville...also look into Hudson (wi), its not far to most areas of the city, its small town living with big city amenites close by (we are 15 miles from downtown St. Paul) and our schools are really good! But if you don't want to commute that far, there are tons of nice communities around the area. I'm sure someone here can give you ideas

Welcome! you will like it here!

ETA: I see your looking at MInnetonka. Its a nice area! I think you will be able to stay within your budget easily, ALthough we had a HUGE price shock when we moved here (we had a 60K house in TOledo, here the same is easily 180K...But for 300's, I think you'll be able to find something pretty nice. I know Hopkins (close to Minnetonka) has a beautiful HS (my dd played a vball tournament there). Just a comparison, our house in WI we payed 215K, 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage and taxes are 3200K a year and great schools.

 

[zulaya]

In general, SW suburbs are going to be most expensive. That's a broad statement, and there are definitely exceptions. In general, it's less expensive on the north end of town than the south end of town.

You will probably want to take your commute into account. Decide how far you want to drive and determine a radius from there. Then start looking for schools and such. If you can't find anything acceptable, then spread your search outward.

Schools in MN are typically well thought of. Most suburban districts are worthy of note. Of course, everyone will have something to love about their home district and something they don't care for. So, it can really be objective.

I know for me, preschools were not something I based where I lived upon. We ended up doing ECFE classes which was more than fine. So I can't give you a lot of help there.

I think if you end up on the SW suburbs, any of the school districts out there are fine. At least nothing where I would say, "Don't even think about going there!"

We also have a lot of charter schools in MN that are quite good. Both my kids attended a Spanish Immersion charter school through grade 6 and now are continuing with an extension program in a local middle school that's part of the public district.

If you really want to look at something to quantify, you can look at School Report Cards on the MN Department of Education website. But I'd look at that with an objective eye. That should not be the only metric by which you measure a school or its district.

As far as getting to WDW. MSP is easy to get to. I'm on the north side of town and it takes me 30-40 minutes to get there, depending on the time of day and how fast I'm speeding . Even if you are on the south end of town, you may have that long of a drive, depending on how far you are. But the airport is in Bloomington/Richfield on the south end of town.

NWA/Delta, Airtran and Sun Country fly non-stop to MCO. Be prepared to pay higher prices than Detroit though. You rarely get fares (including taxes) for less than $200. Lately, $250-$300+ has been the norm.

Public schools have a fall break in October. Depending on your school district, you'll get 2-3 days off - W-Th-F of Columbus week, typically. A lot of people head to WDW and the airlines know it. So if that's your travel time of choice, book early.

Spring Break varies widely. It can be anywhere from late February to early April. School districts can choose when to have their break.

We are one of 3 stupid states who have a law that says public schools can't start until after Labor Day. That means this year, we don't start until Sept. 8. In our district, our last day of school is June 10. Puke. Your ending day can vary as school districts individually have a set number of student-teacher contact days.

 

[connorlevismom]

Minnetonka is an expensive suburb as is most of the surroudning suburbs. But, that is not to say that you cannot find something you will like in your price range. Where does your husband plan on working. If I were you, I would go west of where you are a bit as it can be a little less expensive. The plus side is that all the districts surrounding Minnetonka are good school districts but the further you get out in the "country", the less desirable the school distrcits get.

Kristine

 

[zulaya]

Just to expound on Kristine's comment on "the country"...you'd really have to get pretty far out to not have a school district with good programs that you expect a suburban area to have.

If you are in Minnetonka, here are some cities to look into:
Maple Grove - Kristine is right...lots of good places up there and it's a straight shot down 494 most likely for you. And with all the businesses in Maple Grove, I'd imagine your property taxes may be lower than in a true bedroom community.

Plymouth
Eden Prairie
Edina
Wayzata
Mound
Bloomington
Hopkins
Chanhassen

If you expand eastward, you can look into Eagan, Apple Valley, Woodbury, Inver Grove Heights. But then you would be looking at a more lengthy commute if you work normal working hours. Rush hour on the south side of town can be brutal at times.

 

[connorlevismom]

Just to expound on Kristine's comment on "the country"...you'd really have to get pretty far out to not have a school district with good programs that you expect a suburban area to have.

If you are in Minnetonka, here are some cities to look into:
Maple Grove - Kristine is right...lots of good places up there and it's a straight shot down 494 most likely for you. And with all the businesses in Maple Grove, I'd imagine your property taxes may be lower than in a true bedroom community.

Plymouth
Eden Prairie
Edina
Wayzata
Mound
Bloomington
Hopkins
Chanhassen

If you expand eastward, you can look into Eagan, Apple Valley, Woodbury, Inver Grove Heights. But then you would be looking at a more lengthy commute if you work normal working hours. Rush hour on the south side of town can be brutal at times.

I would have to double check but my taxes in Maple Grove are around 7000-8000 a year. But I am in the Wayzata school district so that might have something to do with it.

Kristine

 

[SundancePass]

We've lived here for 10 years. Our kids graduated from Westonka "Mound" HS and both have excellent jobs. There is not a school disctrict in the Western 'burbs that is "bad" when compared to some of the districts in Michigan or other states.

The farther West you go, the more you are going to get for your money.

Most of Plymouth is in the Wyzata school disctrict....the most "hoity toity" one in the state. Wyzata is the Bloomfield of the Minneapolis side of the River. Edina is next and is the Bloomfied Hills counterpart..

Minnetonka is next and the property values there, in Plymouth, and Eden Prarie are all on the high side. If you have noticed, all of us have mentioned suburbs that either staddle I494West or are ono the West side of I94 West.

Stay out of Bloomington and points farther East as the commute is a killer. Drive it sometime at 8AM and again att 5PM.

Sine we have no kids at home any longer, welive on 0.50 acre of woods in Rockford about 15 miles West of Plymouth on Highway 55. We got a ton of home for the money and have to travel at least 10 miles to a grocery store. In all of the other towns mentioned, you are right in the middle of everything.

Chanhassen is lovely but beware the building codes for patios, etc.

As far as property taxes go, a rule of thumb is that your property taxes about 1.0-1.5% of the sales price of your home as it depends on which county you live in. I would definately stay out of Carver county as those are some of the most expensive taxes around.

Good luck!

 

[golfgal]

Just to expound on Kristine's comment on "the country"...you'd really have to get pretty far out to not have a school district with good programs that you expect a suburban area to have.

If you are in Minnetonka, here are some cities to look into:
Maple Grove - Kristine is right...lots of good places up there and it's a straight shot down 494 most likely for you. And with all the businesses in Maple Grove, I'd imagine your property taxes may be lower than in a true bedroom community.

Plymouth
Eden Prairie
Edina
Wayzata
Mound
Bloomington
Hopkins
Chanhassen

If you expand eastward, you can look into Eagan, Apple Valley, Woodbury, Inver Grove Heights. But then you would be looking at a more lengthy commute if you work normal working hours. Rush hour on the south side of town can be brutal at times.

While I am a huge fan of the South East suburbs-great schools, etc. the commute would not be fun. Stick to the SW side of the cities. Chaska would be another town I would consider--actually it would be one of the first I would look into with your budget and where you will be working. With the exception of a few school districts, most of MN Twin Cities schools are excellent. On the west side of the cities the only town I would probably not investigate is Shakopee. Burnsville is not my favorite district either. If you can find something you like right in Minnetonka I say go for that so you don't have any kind of a commute. Excellent schools, location, etc.

 

[sloneta]

I didn't expect so many replies so quickly. Hopefully the details of my offer come this week. So I may have many more questions once things get started. DH won't have a job right away - but we won't want his commute to be horrendous either. He has a masters in Finance so can pretty much apply anywhere.

Please keep the ideas coming!

Oh yeah - just how cold does it really get????

 

[zulaya]

Everyone overexaggerates how cold it is here.

Do we get temps below zero. Sure. But it's not like it's 90 days of straight below zero temps.

You will find that schools stay open for colder and snowier days than elsewhere. But it's because people and cities are more prepared for it here than other areas of the country.

If you look at averages, it's not that bad.

The average temp in January is 13, and that's the coldest average of the whole year.

Speaking objectively, I think Minnesota is a great place to experience all 4 seasons. We have true winter, spring, summer and fall. While we don't get in the triple digits often, we do get our share of 90 degree days, as evidenced by today!

 

[taitai]

In terms of school districts, you are going to have excellent, top ranked schools in Edina and Minnetonka. My children are in the Minnetonka School District and attend a Chinese Immersion School. You will find Chinese Immersion in Hopkins and Minnetonka, Spanish Immersion in Minnetonka and St. Louis Park and French Immersion in Edina. Minnetonka High School offers IB as well as AP programs. I know a lot of school districts have been cutting back over the last several years with the economy but the Minnetonka School District has been adding teachers and buildings.

The good thing about schools in Minnesota is not only their all over excellence but also the Open Enrollment program. What that means is that any child can open enroll into any public school they would like. So, you don't necessarily have to live in a certain school's catchment area to enroll there. You can open enroll.

Chaska and Chanhassen were both recently voted by Money (?) Magazine as the top small towns in America. In the SW suburbs, I would also look at Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St.Louis Park, Wayzata, Deephaven, Mound, Victoria, Minnetrista and Excelsior. Eden Prairie, too.

Don't worry about the cold. You just dress for it. My preschoolers went outside every day unless the wind chill was -10. My kindergartener went out every single day last year. Schools basically never close for snow and the airport very rarely does. People adapt. They go outside on even the bitterest days and run, cross country ski, snowboard, play pond hockey, snowmobile, etc.

We love it here. It is an excellent place to raise kids. I hope you will be happy.

taitai

 

[sloneta]

You all have given me lots of good information. Now I just need to see the offer.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Everyone overexaggerates how cold it is here.

Just my $0.02 about this...

I am a flight attendant, so I am in and out of MSP all of the time. I recall vividly a time last winter when it was -12 degrees in MSP and something like 20 very normal humid degrees in DTW... I would take MSP's -12 over DTW's 20 any day... it something of a dry cold or something in Minnesota. I just wasn't that cold.

 

[jme829]

In terms of school districts, you are going to have excellent, top ranked schools in Edina and Minnetonka. My children are in the Minnetonka School District and attend a Chinese Immersion School. You will find Chinese Immersion in Hopkins and Minnetonka, Spanish Immersion in Minnetonka and St. Louis Park and French Immersion in Edina. Minnetonka High School offers IB as well as AP programs. I know a lot of school districts have been cutting back over the last several years with the economy but the Minnetonka School District has been adding teachers and buildings.

The good thing about schools in Minnesota is not only their all over excellence but also the Open Enrollment program. What that means is that any child can open enroll into any public school they would like. So, you don't necessarily have to live in a certain school's catchment area to enroll there. You can open enroll.

Chaska and Chanhassen were both recently voted by Money (?) Magazine as the top small towns in America. In the SW suburbs, I would also look at Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St.Louis Park, Wayzata, Deephaven, Mound, Victoria, Minnetrista and Excelsior. Eden Prairie, too.

Don't worry about the cold. You just dress for it. My preschoolers went outside every day unless the wind chill was -10. My kindergartener went out every single day last year. Schools basically never close for snow and the airport very rarely does. People adapt. They go outside on even the bitterest days and run, cross country ski, snowboard, play pond hockey, snowmobile, etc.
We love it here. It is an excellent place to raise kids. I hope you will be happy.

taitai

LOL that's funny you say that. I tell people back in Toledo all the time that while Ohioans hunker down for the winter, up here they just change toys!

 

[Explodo]

We've lived in the cities since 2001. Our first place was in the downtown lakes area (CAlhoun, harriet, lake of the isles) We loved it down there. It's somewhat expensive for housing, but the location makes up for that cost in that you can walk to most resturants/groceries/entertainment. In 2005 we moved out to the NW suburbs (rogers) and I will agree with the above posters that MAple gorve is a great place to set up camp.

As far as the SW side of the cities, Eagan isn't bad...Neither is Apple Vally or Rosemont.

If I were you, and I had the money, I would look in the Lake HArriet/calhoun area. Once they get the I-35 corridor cleaned up, the commute would be a snap. And as far as the weather, Winter up here is wonderful. Summer is even better. And the fall...is everything fall is supposed to be. I won't mention spring in a positive manner...in that it has a tendancy to break your heart. It'll be warm..then the next day it will snow....rinse, repeat until the first week of may(sometimes june)

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

My brother lives in Stillwater but I think that's NE of where you're thinking, right on the banks of the St Croix River. What about Hudson WI? That city is on the other side of the St Croix River.

 

[golfgal]

My brother lives in Stillwater but I think that's NE of where you're thinking, right on the banks of the St Croix River. What about Hudson WI? That city is on the other side of the St Croix River.

Stillwater is a great town (I grew up there) but the commute to Minnetonka would not be fun, an hour each way probably, Hudson would be an hour and a half probably. They are on complete opposite sides of the metro area.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Teehee, just goes to show what I know...

Stillwater is a lovely city, so quaint & the view to the river is something else. I have no idea how far my brother drives but they do like it there.