ThinkDifferent

  • Local Expert 72 points
  • Reviews 0
  • Questions 0
  • Answers 0
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Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
Just now

"Underdog close to everything"

We love our street. We think it is under appreciated and overshadowed by nearby popular neighborhoods like Como Park, St. Anthony, and Mac-Groveland. It's a bike route and an emergency route--that means lots of bikes and it's the firt street around to get plowed in winter, but also fire trucks at 1 AM.

Most homes were built in 1910-1930, sprinkled with a few earlier and some post-war homes. Similar to parts of Highland. You'll find few big victorians (more on West end, toward Hamline University), but many bungalows and working-class vernacular homes. Many homes have craftsman-era details and woodwork. Others were "remuddled" in the 50s and 60s, but many of those have been rescued and restored by home buyers who appreciate a "not-so-big" home. Most homes are well kept, but garages tend to get short-shrift.

Home values have taken a dip lately due to the economy, dropping 10-12%, but have been more stable than areas to our east and south. A fair number of rental units dot our street, as Hamline University is at the west end of Minnehaha, and Concordia is just across I94 from us.

This area is close to everything--smack dab between St. Paul and Minneapolis--offers great value and friendly neighbors. A new light rail route will pass down nearby University Ave in a few years. We are within walking and biking distance to Como Park, Como Lake, Como Zoo and Conservatory. Great place to hang out in the summer. We love to go there to walk the dogs and go to cool special events like the Japanese Lantern Festival and the tree climbing competition on Arbor Day. The pavilion there hosts free plays and concerts most summer evenings.

The street is very diverse, racially and economically. A true cross section of America. On our street live kindergarten teachers, Web developers, social workers, graphic designers, woodworkers, stay-at-home parents, seminarians, college professors, archeologists, blue-collar workers and paralegals. The street is changing as older residents who have lived here for decades are moving out and younger couples are moving in.

Outside folks think we are a high crime area (because of the sad garages, no doubt) but that's not the case.
Recommended for
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  • Singles
  • Retirees

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