Need more info on suburbs (relocating)

utgirl2

Back with more questions. I am flying out next week to look at town homes to rent, and need to make the most of my 2-3 day trip. I have found town homes that I like, but they of course are scattered around in different areas. Could you maybe tell me which ones areas to stay away from? Or your favorites. I can go in any direction, but want to stay within 30 minutes of the airport(pilot husband).

If you care to share your favorite suburbs that would be great too. I like newer areas, with conveinent shops, grocery stores, and a great area for families( need parks nearby) and pre--schools.

 Just when I narrow down  my search, lakeville and Woodbury, I find another townhomen i like in another area. 

Thanks ladies. Sorry if I am repeating myself lately, but I am completely overwhelmed by this relocating process 20 hours away and to a place I've never seen. 

kate3636

I grew up on the west side of Minneapolis and I love it. I moved away for a 7 years after high school and as soon as I got pregnant, knew we had to come back as it is the best place to raise a family. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prarie, St Louis Park, and Edina are all great cities to raise a famiily. Lots of shopping options, new areas in all of the cities, great park systems, great schools. There are some great new town homes by 50th and France in Edina that would be amazing to live in, so much to walk to!

linds0130

I moved to the cities just over 6 years ago and I have always lived in Minnetonka, Eden Prairie or Plymouth.  Now that we are settled and bought a house, we choose Plymouth as its our favorite.  You'd probably want to stay on the south end of Plymouth for ease to get to the airport but where we live, we can jump onto 494 and that takes you right to the airport.

I know you mentioned you are renting so maybe school districts aren't a deciding factor yet since your kids look young but I've heard great things about the Wayzata school district (its actually a selling point for a lot of people) which is Plymouth is mostly in (there are some sections in the Robbinsdale school district) and I've heard great things on the Minnetonka schools.

One additional plug about Plymouth, its really easy to get anywhere because you have easy access to 494, 694, 394 and highway 55.  We love that everything is close and you can find any store or restaurant you need close by (but that is the case with a lot of suburbs!).

JessJ222

utgirl2:

Back with more questions. I am flying out next week to look at town homes to rent, and need to make the most of my 2-3 day trip. I have found town homes that I like, but they of course are scattered around in different areas. Could you maybe tell me which ones areas to stay away from? Or your favorites. I can go in any direction, but want to stay within 30 minutes of the airport(pilot husband).

If you care to share your favorite suburbs that would be great too. I like newer areas, with conveinent shops, grocery stores, and a great area for families( need parks nearby) and pre--schools.

 Just when I narrow down  my search, lakeville and Woodbury, I find another townhomen i like in another area. 

Thanks ladies. Sorry if I am repeating myself lately, but I am completely overwhelmed by this relocating process 20 hours away and to a place I've never seen. 

I would definitely look at Eden Prairie and Bloomington (west side).  Fits all the requirements you are looking for and I am sure there are plenty of townhouse people are looking to rent out.

bakemecakes

I grew up in Lakeville and it's really come a long way since I lived there....lots of newer shopping areas, etc.  It's got great schools and a very suburban feel.  That said, it could be a rough commute for your husband depending on when he goes to work.

SPK926

auroraloo:

If your husband is working at the airport, I would stay away from the west/northwest suburbs. The traffic will be horrendous at several times during the day (unless he works an off-schedule). I grew up in Plymouth, graduated from Wayzata, so I LOVE it, but I wouldn't live there and work at the airport.

I would stick to south/west places. Bloomington has great schools, Eagan has some wonderful areas, Lakeville has a large number of families who work at the airport, so the commute can't be that bad, Apple Valley is another I'd look at. Inver Grove Heights and Mendota Heights are two more options. 

I could've written this post! I agree with it all!! I also grew up in Plymouth (lots of family still there) and graduated from Wayzata. Great town but NOT if you work at the airport.

Currently I live in Farmington, which is next to Lakeville. I would highly recommend Lakeville as well as Eagan. GREAT towns with new areas, parks and trails and excellent schools. Also, your husband won't have the horrendous commute he would have from the western suburbs (Plymouth area). Again, I'm in Farmington but our next door neighbors are both air traffic controllers and work at the airport, so obviously it works out well for them.

kmpls

Love Eden Prairie, Minnetonka area. Great places to raise a family.

Eagan would be good for the airport. Also could check Edina, South Minneapolis. But they are likely to be more expensive.

ShopperKristi

IMHO I would stay away from the Western suburbs for for someone working at the airport - I used to drive from Woodbury to Edina (west on 494) for work and the traffic going the opposite way (from Minnetonka, Eden Prarie, etc.) was always pretty heavy.  I saw that you were looking in Woodbury before and I would say its a good 25 - 30 min from the airport but traffic isn't bad heading west on 494 until you get past the airport (which your hubs doesn't have to worry about).  That's where I live now and love it!  I also second the recommendation for Eagan - very similar to Woodbury in vibe (nice schools, shoppings centers, etc.) and not a bad drive to the airport.  I would avoid going much farther south than Eagan b/c 35 north can get pretty backed up when the weather is bad and that's probably what he would have to take to get to the airport.  Just my opinion though - I work 8-5 hours so if he is driving at off-peak times it may not matter at all!   Good luck!