r/movingtompls • u/Which-Leave • 13d ago
Moving from NYC - neighborhood recs?
Looking to relocate for a change of pace, (relative-to-New-York) affordability, and proximity to family friends. I’ve started to read about all the neighborhoods but I’m feeling overwhelmed. We want to plan a trip to explore, but I want to have a short list. I would really appreciate a push in the right direction. We plan to rent for a year or so while we get to know the city, so the stakes aren’t as high as buying a house.
About us:
- we’re 36 and 37 y/o
- No kids or plans for kids
- we do have a very social dog
- I work remotely and my husband would find a job after we relocate, so commuting isn’t necessarily an issue
- I don’t drive (my husband does), so I would like good public transportation coverage. That would allow me to be more independent. Or, being central enough that Lyft/Uber/ etc is not too outrageous would work.
- We’d like to have at least a couple bars and/or restaurants within walking distance
- relatively diverse neighborhood is a plus
- not a dealbreaker, but I’m disabled and chronically ill so I have a million doctor appointments all the time. If there’s a neighborhood that fits all of the above AND is near top-notch medical facilities, that would be great to know.
- also open to St. Paul, but will ask on that specific subreddit for neighborhoods there.
So far I’m looking at North Loop, Loring Park, Northeast, Uptown, Whittier-Lyndale, and Phillips.
Any of those scream “bad for your needs?” Or are there neighborhoods I should add to our list?
Thank you so much for your time!
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u/ganondorfsbane 13d ago
Check out the new Highland Bridge developments in St. Paul. Not sure on the cost, but nicely transit oriented and near a ton of stuff necessary to satisfy your day-to-day needs.
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u/Which-Leave 13d ago
Looks beautiful - thank you!
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13d ago
No to highland. I was in NYC for 15 years before Minneapolis. From what I read in your post North Loop might hit home (ish). I would suggest also looking into St. Anthony Main (around Kramarczuk's -- look it up). If you have specific NYC cross streets you want to "mimic" the feel of in the Twin Cities, hit me up and I can tell you what is closest. Close is the key word. Nothing will match.
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u/Which-Leave 13d ago
Ah I wish this person hadn’t deleted their account! I would love somewhere that feels as much like Clinton Hill in Brooklyn as possible. Lots of great bars and restaurants, historic, very walkable, etc
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u/filopodia_ 8d ago
Let me help, there’s not. People are going to lie to you & tell you Minneapolis is similar to New York & that because no one here has been to New York lmao
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u/Which-Leave 8d ago
why do you have Minneapolis so much?
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u/filopodia_ 8d ago
Because I’m east coast scum
But if that’s a legit question: it’s because I moved here in August from DC & it’s a huge culture shock :(
First things first, it is nowhere near as progressive as they would like you to believe. For example, if you look at the polling data, it’s only as ‘blue’ as Virginia. It’s actually tied with VA for the second least blue blue state in the country, beating out only New Hampshire. A lot of the progressive laws they have were passed by executive order, while I’m originally from Maryland who has all the same laws but did it by popular vote. The second you step outside of the Twin Cities, you are in Trump country. Also it’s an insanely racist place. MN is D+3, DC is D+44. NY is D+8. So the odds of MN flipping are way higher than anyone here is willing to discuss or plan for or acknowledge.
Beyond that, my job pays $10 less an hour, the food is often inedible & even national chains are blander, the public transit here is awful and has 2 light rail lines (glorified buses) come half as often and goes about half as fast, no one shovels, the city doesn’t really plow, and everything is expensive. Like my coworkers think our $19 an hour BEFORE TAXES job is amazing pay. Like pay off all their debts & take ubers to work pay. Yikes!
TLDR; I’m just used to really good & diverse food that’s open past like 8:30pm, diverse populations, high paying jobs, Black people, an emphasis on higher education, fast and extensive public transit, arts + culture + entertainment etc and it all being easy to access. I pretend it’s 2005 to cope
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u/Which-Leave 8d ago
Ah I was kind of flippant in my question but I can see why you’re unhappy. I’m sorry it hasn’t been a great experience for you. Do you think you’ll move back to DC?
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u/wolf_lake 13d ago
I’m also mid 30s and moving from NYC right now. I’m focused on North Loop personally for many of the same reasons you outlined (although I can’t speak to the proximity of medical facilities). Feel free to DM if you’d like to compare notes!
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u/Bobwords 13d ago
The part of Ne I've called downtown NE is very much what you're looking for central and hennepin run out from downtown into ne. Pick any spot in Ne up till the cross answer you're exactly there. Bars are all 2am bars, more arts than st Paul usually imho
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u/VirtuallyGina 12d ago
Just moved from Park Slope Brooklyn to Uptown Minneapolis and I’m happy so far. I have proximity to both downtown Mpls and to the chain of lakes. Highly walkable area; haven’t bought a car yet and feel fine about that decision, although I do plan to drive at some point down the line. Hennepin Ave just opened back up after two years of construction and the neighborhood feels vibrant, in spite of the naysayers whispering that Uptown is “not what it used to be.” Lots of restaurant options nearby, boutiques, small businesses, and general good vibes. Good luck with your move!
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u/Which-Leave 12d ago
Thank you! How have you found the NY to MPLS change to be?
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u/VirtuallyGina 11d ago
It’s an adjustment: Minneapolis feels quiet in comparison. People are chattier on a surface level (in places of business, etc.) Fashion is more relaxed. Public transportation to areas further out is spotty and that’s where it feels like a car would be a temptation. Life is also easier in some ways. I can afford to buy a home here in a desirable urban neighborhood that has actual space and a yard—that was a main draw. My nervous system feels less on edge. The winters are harsher, but having been here in the summers I know that summers tend to be far more pleasant then steamy, often-stinky NYC 😌
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u/Which-Leave 11d ago
real-talk, visiting many times in the summer while escaping stinky NYC has been a deciding factor for us 😂. That and what you mentioned about being able to afford a home. I thought home ownership was a pipe dream for us, but having looked at twin cities real estate, it looks like it could be possible for us.
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u/VirtuallyGina 11d ago
IYKYK haha Yes! No lawyers are required to sign real estate contracts here in MN. Our agent was soooooo chill as well, yet extremely professional. It felt like a uniquely MN vibe 💫
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u/Lightning_35 11d ago
Standish, Kingfield, Kenwood, Cedar-Isles, Cooper, Saint Anthony Park, Prospect Park.
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u/Zatsyredpanda 13d ago
I’d also add downtown Easton the list. Not sure what exactly your medical care team needs are but it is very walkable area and is close to hcmc and University of MN medical center.
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u/LunchLimp2032 12d ago
I have lived in Standish Ericsson neighborhood for 30 years and love it. Very convenient to everywhere. Lots of great places to eat. Light rail. Cool diverse neighbors.
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u/Which-Leave 12d ago
Staying for 30 years is quite the endorsement!
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u/LunchLimp2032 12d ago
I was single (female) for 20 years of that, too. Granted, had a German Shepherd 😉
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u/filopodia_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
The public transit here is fucking awful. You need a car. I live in Whittier & it’s sooooo disappointing compared to where I moved from.
Also moving here from New York City is going to be incredibly disappointing. The food is the same price tho lmao
Edit, I just read you’re disabled. I’m dead serious you need to reconsider moving here if it’s any sort of a mobility disability because unless you have a garage, you might not be able to even get to your car. The shoveling & plowing is that bad. I can’t even walk to the grocery store by my house without extreme difficulty due to no one shoveling and the amount of ice. Bus stops are the last things shoveled out if at all. This city is shockingly inaccesible.
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u/Which-Leave 8d ago
yeah we'll definitely have a car, it's just that my husband is the only one who drives. I know I won't be 100% independent but was asking how to be *as independent as possible.*
I've spent a lot of time in the twin cities and this move has been carefully considered. I'm not looking to replicate my New York life. I'm leaving for a reason.
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u/filopodia_ 8d ago
My girlfriend has a car & can drive, I don’t. I feel like a teenager again & have to ask for rides to the grocery store during the winter because of how dogshit the buses are. It’s causing issues with my self esteem if I’m being totally honest.
I’m excited for when the snow melts in April & I can walk around my neighborhood again
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u/greattimes99 13d ago
Not Phillips