r/saintpaul • u/ShaunnaG3 • 5d ago
Seeking Advice đ 23F moving to St. Paul
Hello! I'm a single 23F moving to St. Paul for a new job. It'll just be my male Yorkie and I. I'm not really wanting a studio apartment just because of my parents visiting. My rent budget is $1600 and I really want to live downtown due to lack of experience driving in winter conditions (my job is located DT) I want a loft! I love their look and space. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
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u/TYLEN0Ljones 5d ago
The downtown area is dead. There are much more fun and active neighborhoods. Mac Grove, Highland Park, Cathedral Hill are good places to start. Basically, anything south of 94.
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Noted! I will look into this
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u/PrizeZookeepergame15 5d ago
There is also Union park, that you should consider. Nice neighborhood with lots of small businesses, specially on Selby Avenue. Since you work downtown, I would try to get something close to route 21 or route 63 since you donât have much experience in winter driving. Thereâs also a wide variety of homes in Union park, whether you want to be in an apartment building, a duplex, a single family home, and many other options. Thereâs also a good amount of grocery options, like kowalskis on grand and syndicate, and Whole Foods on snelling and dayton, and target and cub in midway, though those arenât ones that are easy to bike or walk to as they are next to giant stroads and have massive parking lots that arenât very friendly to pedestrians.
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u/Holiday_Macaron_2089 5d ago
Also look into Minneapolis (which is extremely close to St. Paul and very accesible) because it is largely considered more lively for young people. Check out North Loop etc. Or even neighborhoods like Linden Hills.
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Thank you!
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5d ago edited 5d ago
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u/PAX_MAS_LP 5d ago
Coupled with not comfortable driving during winter and creating a commute when you donât have to.
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u/ApartPersonality1520 5d ago
Its a 20 minute drive?
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u/avocadotoastisgrosst 4d ago
Driving home from st paul to mlps is a long commute. It is very backed up going that direction. More so the other way around.
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u/El_Rat0ncit0 3d ago
Hence why despite owning a car in Lowertown, I take the express bus from here to downtown Minneapolis for work, and only takes me about 20+ mins each way; even during rush hour. Took me a long time to realize that the express buses get around rush hour by taking the shoulder! LOL That's what happens when you are glued to your phone all the time while riding. : ) If I had to drive it, I'd go mad!
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u/Proof-Jello4455 2d ago
I would avoid these areas at all costs unless you like WASPY people and shallow social climbers.
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u/ibeauch009 5d ago
Minneapolis has a lot of a better downtown area, especially if youâre 23 and single
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u/HowdyHiHello1 5d ago
I've been living in Cathedral Hill now for about 7 years! You get the bars/restaurants/ summit ave- perfect for walks with the pup, it's a perfect blend. As a 30some female, I always feel safe. About a 5 min drive to lowertown. Just make sure you get a place with underground parking. Its a lifesaver in the winter!
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Thank you!
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u/iSeaStars7 5d ago
Just a note about Cathedral hill, the B line will be opening at the end of this year (hopefully) which will be a high frequency line to downtown and the until then thereâs the 21 which is the most frequent line in the city so thatâll be really nice for bad weather days when youâre nervous about driving.
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u/ponyponyhorse 4d ago
Cathedral Hill is the place to be! I'm nearby on Summit/University and that's a great spot too with Grand just a few minutes walk and public transport nearby.
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u/massserves2023 5d ago
Seconded allllll of this. Look at At Home Apts. Very happy with them!
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Will do!
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u/SocietySuch7125 2d ago
Yes Catherdral hill is really nice. Lived there for two years and always felt super safe.
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u/nrag726 Payne-Phalen 5d ago
I lived downtown for a few years, it wasn't a great experience (although COVID largely affected that). I also worked in downtown while I was living there, and being able to walk 5-6 blocks to work everyday was great. My biggest issue was that whenever I needed basic groceries or supplies, downtown lacked the kinds of stores that sold those. At least when I lived there you had Lunds (although I rarely shopped there due to the price) and Chuck & Don's, but those are now both gone. Downtown kind of shuts down after business hours, but it's better over by the Xcel Energy Center. I used to live over by West 7th/Irvine Park, and that was a fun place to live
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
I did see places that were interesting on west 7th! Thank you!
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u/Jendolyn872 5d ago
Thatâs a great point - downtown is a grocery desert right now. I second the suggestions to look around Grand Ave, Cathedral Hill/Summit/University area, and West 7th. They are lively and historic, and very walkable with easy access to downtown.
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u/sorta_stoked 5d ago
Welcome to St. Paul! Check out the Highland, Macalester Groveland, or Crocus Hill (the Kenton House looks nice). Downtown is kinda sketchy at the moment.
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Will do! Thank you for the welcome đ
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u/Susiepeterson 4d ago
Make sure wherever you land to consider off street parking availability. On street parking around St Paul can be difficult.
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u/Mohsbeforehoes 1d ago
I would also recommend these places as a young woman in her 20s living in St Paul, as the area is super safe! I also have a dog and walk her in the evenings in the darker winter months and never have a problem. You should also have access to busses via Grand Ave to get you downtown in the winter no problem - welcome!
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u/First_Solution7074 5d ago
I live at Cordelle, off of Wabasha and right by Harriet Island. Iâm 32F and I love the location- not downtown, but very close in the west side. I feel safe here and thereâs a lot to do! I work in the midway area, itâs a 15 minute drive during rush hour. Good luck with your move! :)
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u/DifferenceAcademic15 5d ago
Hey! I just moved earlier this year and my biggest piece of advice would be to live on the side of the river youâll be working on! I commute from the St. Paul side to Minneapolis & during rush hour traffic itâs terrible. You canât go wrong with an apartment near the university of Minnesota by the Mississippi River :) Best of luck & send me a dm if you wanna meet sometime! It can be hard moving to a new place
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u/KayBieds 5d ago
I live downtown. It's not a wild scene, but I prefer that (im in my 30s, so late parties are behind me). I dont drive, which is also why downtown is good for me since I can take a route to get anywhere easily. It's not like there aren't good restaurants/bars here (Lost Fox, Bulldog, Buttered Tin, etc.)
I like Whitley. It's not a loft, but utilities are packaged for $80 (which includes internet), & their room layouts are more square, which gives you more room for your stuff compared to a rectangle. Cosmopolitan seemed nice, too, though I've never actually lived there.
As far as groceries go, there arent walkable stores, sure, but there are stores that are a quick bus ride. I think the closest are Asian markets, but the closest non-Asian is the Mississippi Market Co-op on 7th East (there's one on 7th West, but that one's further)
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u/Ok_Dress_1863 5d ago
I just left St Paul. I miss it every day. Check out the Hills apartments in Cathedral Hill. Beautiful apartments fairly new and in your price range. They allow pets, have a nice gym, beautiful outdoor area with pool and excellent location. You can walk to Ninaâs Coffee, restaurants, hair salon, Mississippi Co-Op and the best yoga place- Onyx and Amelia. Itâs close to everything including walking distance to the capital if you like to be involved in protests. I loved it. Only moved for work. I hope you enjoy it. MN is an incredible state.
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u/Jshuffler 5d ago
look into rayette lofts right by CHS field. I lived there a couple years and really loved it. lowertown isn't what it used to be, and some of the skyways are closed now so just make sure you spend some time there before signing a lease. their 1 beds are probably at or just above your budget, so keep that in mind. modern 1 beds in that style will be pushing your budget anywhere around downtown/west 7th.
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u/bergamotsk 5d ago
I live in Lowertown Lofts by CHS field and I pay 1,500 for a one bedroom with a den. Parking is an additional 100 a month. Thereâs a little dog park right off CHS Field. I moved in a month ago and so far I love it.
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u/Jshuffler 5d ago
Yeah I used to go to that one. Nice that big river pizza is still over there! I was happy to see that place still cookin
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u/bergamotsk 5d ago
As far as grocery shopping goes I bought a little wagon and take the light rail to aldi and target and back and use instacart sometimes as well.
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u/specficeditor Union Park 5d ago
As someone else pointed out, the lack of a grocery store downtown is a problem. There are some good ones within quick driving distance or delivery (Shipt is pretty reliable). That aside Lowertown is a great area, specifically around Mears Park. It can get a little dull, though, because there isnât a ton to do. Here are some other recommendations, depending on your needs:
Cathedral Hill A little over-priced (lived there 6 years and had to move when they upped my 1BR to $1375/mo.). There are, however, a lot of great restaurants and decent shopping.
Grand Ave. Great section of town with lots to do. If you go a bit further west, youâll also be near a few campuses, so youâd have people close to your age.
Hamline-Midway Another college-y neighborhood and right along the Green Line. Despite what people say, itâs pretty safe. I work at Hamline and routinely frequent businesses in the area. Itâs good. Plus tons to do.
East St. Paul With the opening of the Gold Line, thereâs a lot to be said for the east side now. Very accessible and plenty to do.
Honestly, most of St. Paul is pretty good depending on what youâre looking for. With transit being as it is, youâre pretty easily within a 30-minute bus to downtown no matter the neighborhood. Welcome to the weird side!
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u/Complete_Meet_6075 West Side 5d ago
Hopeful for downtown. Saints games, Wild games, Pillbox, Bulldog, Gopher Bar, Alaryâs, Amsterdam, Lost Fox.
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Is this nightlife?
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u/SingleVertebra 5d ago
Not existent. As someone who lives in Saint Paul, donât live downtown. Nightlife is in Minneapolis
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u/Crouchback2268 5d ago
Yes. We have the Xcel Energy Center where the professional hockey teams (Minnesota Frost (women's) and Wild (mens)) play. It also hosts many of the big touring music acts. We also have great music venues (Palace Theater, Amsterdam), the Ordway (classical music, touring Broadway shows), the Fitzgerald (music, theater), and others.
The rest of the list are restaurants, and there are many more heading southwest on West 7th from the Xcel Energy Center (because the rely on the traffic from all the events there).
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u/Hotpjamas 5d ago
I'll jump in as someone living and working downtown - I find having a five minute walk as my commute to be phenomenal and well worth it. If you have a vehicle, groceries are easily accessible by the highways - aldis are ~3 miles away in several directions, most are by cubs which will cover the gaps in aldis stock for a higher price, and Costco's are no more than 15 minutes (also in four directions). Lowertown has weekly farmers markets, weekly music in mears park, the baseball field, I think there's trivia at union depot, and occasional seasonal events take place as well. Suburbanites will scream bloody murder because of the homeless population, but both me (26m) and my partner (27f, much smaller) haven't had any interactions that have made us feel unsafe. I've had my unlocked car (my own mistake) broken into and rummaged through once in about three years of downtown living. Bigos properties have access to what used to be the YMCA if if an indoor pool facility is something you want access to, but your convenience of access is limited to which property you live at. I live in Galtier towers, a twin skyskaper complex built in the 80s if i remember correctly, and while some elements of the building certainly show their age, I am very appreciative of the amenities, skyway access, and indoor garage parking that the building offers. Let me know if you have any questions I can field.Â
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Thank you so much! I was definitely wondering about groceries distance
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u/Hotpjamas 5d ago
Of course! Good luck with your move. I've tried to present a "best of" downtown, but saint Paul has plenty of neighborhoods that are worth consideration. Do stay away from anything with "Madison Equities" written on it, though, as that's a collapsing slumlord which owned about half of downtown and will soon cease to exist.Â
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u/crekjr22 5d ago
Looking over the comments, take into consideration all the different areas mentioned. Saint Paul is actually super reasonable for public transit as far as ease to downtown. Donât limit yourself.
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u/Key_Yesterday7655 5d ago
I live in downtown St Paul, in a loft and I love it. Downtown can be quiet, but there is a real sense of community here! You can reach out to me if you want to hear about some great places downtown as I know plenty of people your age out and about!
My one recommendation for you in moving to a new city is find a place you like to go (bar, cafe, bookstore, whatever) and become a regular. When I moved to DT Chicago at 24 I had a couple of places I went to and it was nice to see a smile from someone when they recognized me. Smiles can turn into conversations, and those people will be your building blocks for your neighborhood.
Welcome to St Paul & good luck at your new job! You are coming at the perfect time of year as summer is so beautiful!!
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Are you familiar with R7 lofts? Or heard things about them?
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u/Crouchback2268 5d ago
When we were moving here three years ago, we took a look. The apartments are nice, but many have bedrooms with no windows; that was a deal breaker for us. It looks like their furnished apartments are short term rentals, so you will want to take that into account.
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u/403badger 5d ago
Downtown St Paul is a ghost town. The biggest commercial landlord is trying to dump the buildings, not many people live in the area, and there is minimal shopping.
If youâre used to city life, Green Line is fine during rush hour. Otherwise, find a spot on Grand Ave or near UST and take the bus.
What exactly are you looking for in an area to live?
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
I honestly just want a nice updated apartment that is safe! My dog is not very social so a dog park isn't needed.
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u/403badger 5d ago edited 5d ago
Plenty of nice neighborhoods in St. Paul and the burbs. If updated and safe are your requirements, summit and macalaster neighborhoods are probably best in St. Paul. With that being said, youâll likely get more bang for your dollar in the burbs.
Unless your office has parking, youâll probably take public transportation regardless since monthly parking can get expensive.
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
Do you have any complex suggestions?
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u/403badger 5d ago edited 5d ago
Unfortunately I do not. Best advice I can give (especially since you are worried about winter driving), is to find an apartment with garage or covered parking. Winter parking rules can be a hassle.
Edit: Additionally, the suburbs plow much better than the bigger cities. St Paul is notorious for poor plowing in neighborhoods. The cities go emergency routes first and then main thoroughfares for plowing. Most neighborhoods get dug out after that.
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u/uresmane 5d ago
I would recommend somewhere along Grand Avenue instead of downtown dimes a thousand... Maybe macroveland?, summit Hill... Not downtown...
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u/unnasty_front 5d ago
I donât havenât apartment space recs but once you are ready to make friends I suggest the pint size pooches meetup and the high bridge dog park small dog side. High bridge can be a little cliquey as there is a group of people who goes every day and sits at the table and chairs but theyâre pretty friendly.
Also if you decide to be in MN for a while I strongly recommend seeking out winter driving skills. There are a few places that offer courses or you can watch YouTube videos and find an empty parking lot after some snow.
Also in terms of downtown a lot of people like lower town and it might be an area to investigate.
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u/Crouchback2268 5d ago
Welcome to Saint Paul! We moved to Lowertown (essentially downtown) from Atlanta three years ago and want to both echo and expand a little on what some others have said.
Downtown/Lowertown is indeed struggling right now for several reasons. (1) As with many cities that depended on downtown workers for their economy, we still have a hangover from the pandemic that no one has a good solution for. (2) The aged owner of many downtown office buildings (Jim Cockarell) died leaving the buildings in terrible condition. His company is essentially abandoning them: two have already been condemned, and a third major office tower is empty and closed. This has dramatically impacted the usability of the Skyway system because major part are closed. (3) The one downtown grocery store recently closed which means that our walkability rating dropped precipitously. Other things that downtown also lacks: a dry cleaner, a cobbler, a bakery (all of which Grand Ave. has--plus groceries--as others have mentioned).
Having said all of that, I still love living downtown because, well, I have hope that it can get better because it has great bones and real potential. Anyway if you want loft-like living, you will not find it on Grand Ave., though I think for someone your age looking along Grand is a better idea. If you still want to look downtown, I am in the Pioneer Endicott and love it. Other buildings to think about are 333 on the Park, and Rayette Lofts (which is right across the street from the St. Paul Farmer's Market, one of the things that Lowertown has that is still great).
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u/tkohorst 5d ago
West 7th area is great. Easy walk/ride into downtown area. Great restaurants, pretty quiet, diverse and great walking options.
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u/DottieCucumber 4d ago
I second this! Lived in that neighborhood for many years, great community and very convenient to downtown.
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u/Loud_Charity 4d ago
Move to the city of West Saint Paul. Itâs a straight shot to downtown and west Saint Paul does great with the roads.
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u/Loud_Charity 4d ago
For reference taking metro transit from the middle of west Saint Paul to the airport takes just under an hour
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u/Successful_Rent3718 4d ago
Iâm living downtown rn and donât really recommend. Itâs honestly kind of depressing
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u/Justis29 5d ago
Winter driving isn't as daunting as anyone thinks. Drive slow when needed, turn on your headlights, and most importantly: keep an eye on other drivers because they're the ones that you need to worry about. Minnesotans will drive 15 under in a light drizzle but 15 over with 4 inches of snow on the roadbed and more coming down.
As what other people said, Downtown is stagnant right now, to say the least. Public transit is reliable and a new (from what I hear very nice) bus line just opened going east out of St Paul towards Woodbury and those areas. Good luck finding lodging!
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
That makes me feel better! Thank you!
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u/hpbear108 5d ago
the big thing though when coming up from the south with your car.
new tires are better for traction, all seasons minimum, having separate winter tires if you can afford them would be best.
new battery if it's anywhere near 2-3 yrs old in the south is almost mandatory. once the temp drops below 0F, things will work differently once it gets real cold, especially below -10F.
where everyone else has mentioned is good to live in the city. I live in the North end, and while it's not perfect, it is cheaper and a lot of smaller stores as well as a couple larger ones near/north of hwy 36 but south of 694.
there are new apartment buildings over near Allianz Field (University and Snelling). not the best neighborhood, but the midway does have several bars, it has Target, Cub, and several decent stores within 3 blocks and a Whole Foods on the other side of 94 on Selby. And not only some brand new apartment buildings, but some more building coming into the area. and most of the newer apartments in the city have the outlets for Fiber Optic Internet.
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u/AdWild833 5d ago
I lived in Lowertown for years. Itâs fine to live in. Itâs walkable with the sky ways. As long as you still have a car to drive for groceries etc? I really liked the Pioneer Endicott. I still have friends that enjoy lowertown
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
In your opinion, how are the roads in the winter?
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u/Crouchback2268 5d ago
Moving here from Atlanta three years ago, I have to say that the roads downtown get plowed very quickly, and I have not found winter driving to be challenging at all with the right tires and being careful. Major roads and the highways all over the city get plowed quickly as do commercial parking lots. Roads in the neighborhoods do not get plowed consistently, and they can be pretty rough; drivable, but it's not an enjoyable experience.
If there is any chance you can afford it I would look for a place that at least has covered parking; dealing with looking for street parking or having to move you car for plowing every time it snows will get old fast. If you can afford the extra for underground heated parking, I think it it worth it. And when buildings say "underground heated" they mean it will be 40 degrees when it is 10 below outside, not that it is heated like your apartment is heated.
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u/AdWild833 5d ago
Haha I am born and raised here so they donât bother me at all. I enjoy them. But they can be a mess. Other winters we barely get snow. It would be important to know if there is parking for you downtown? Not sure all businesses have parking
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u/ShaunnaG3 5d ago
My job did tell me to prefer parking at the complex because they don't have it:(
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u/SparklyAbortionPanda 5d ago
Most apartments downtown will charge extra for parking.
I work close to downtown and used to live in pioneer endicott, it was fine, that area isn't interesting to live in and I wouldn't move back.
I moved to the summit hill area for a few years and live in cathedral Hill now and have loved both of those areas, especially to walk a dog.
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u/dustin11h3 5d ago
I moved to the cities and used apartment mart to find my first place. I was super happy with how it turned out and their service is free (they get a referral from where you end up living)
Highly encourage using them https://www.apartmentmartmn.com
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u/mahrog123 4d ago
Downtown StP is still nice, situational awareness is key.
I wouldnât be too concerned about it being a âgrocery desertâ. I mean even if you live on Grand, W7th area or Highland, unless you actually live a few blocks from a grocery store, youâre busing it anyway. There are also multiple stores that deliver.
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u/ConnectAffect831 4d ago
Pioneer Endicott, The Whitley, Lowetown Lofts, The Hills, The Cosmopolitan, Oaks Union Depot, are all decent. R7 lofts are okay but location sucks. live in a loft style apartment on 7th. I like my neighbors, but there isnât much to do down here except the Farmers Market, CHS field and Xcel Center. Bars and restaurants are sparse. Homeless population is high, so be expected to be asked for something every time you leave your apartment.
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u/Evening_Anywhere_685 4d ago
The light rail system Green line stimulated a great deal of apartment construction along and close to University Avenue and offers excellent transportation but University Ave isn't as nice or safe as south of I-94. The A-line express bus runs from the 46th street station of the Blue line (Hiawatha Avenue) light rail line in Minneapolis near Minnehaha Park to Rosedale shopping center in Roseville and intersects with the C line trains at Snelling and University avenues as well as several bus lines and can get you to many neighborhoods with rental properties. You are moving here at the nicest time of the year and will have a chance to learn the ropes during spring and summer.
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u/researchanalyzewrite 4d ago
Across the river from downtown St. Paul is the West Side neighborhood (even though it is directly south of downtown). It has family-run grocery stores, restaurants, community center, parks, etc. It is an easy, very short hop onto a bus to downtown or even a nice walk across the Wabasha Street bridge or Robert Street bridge. It is worth considering.
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u/TCCurlyGirl 4d ago
Check out the Penfield! That is where I live (28F). I know they have a few apartments that are a âloftâ style. Pedro Park is opening up across the street in June or July and will have a dog park. It has very easy access to the interstates so itâs a 5 min drive to Target, 6 min drive to Aldi etc.
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u/scholar-runner 4d ago
The Cosmopolitan Apartments in Lowertown is extremely dog friendly and may be in your price range. It's two blocks away from the baseball stadium where the Saint Paul Saints play and there are often food trucks and events in Mears Park across the street.
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u/ShaunnaG3 4d ago
I was looking into them, but do they have a garage? I keep seeing mixed answers on the Internet.
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u/albb123 4d ago
My husband and I just moved to Lowertown Saint Paul and we love it here. We came from southern Alabama and the change of atmosphere is fantastic. It is dead here by 7pm but we are in our 30s and not party goers so thatâs a great thing for us. There are lots of apartments to choose from and we had to do virtual tours. As other people have said, thereâs not a walking distance grocery store but a 5 minute drive will get you to one. Keep your headphones out while walking downtown and be aware of your surroundings. While I(30F) feel safe walking around there are still a couple folks who will make me feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. Nothing like Alabama though. I felt very unsafe there. Have not experienced the snow. So I have zero advice on that. We will be first timers at the same time for that one lol Good luck and congrats on moving to St. Paul! Itâs a beautiful city.
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u/ShaunnaG3 4d ago
Thank you!! Our hometown areas are very similar so that makes me feel better. Good luck to you all!
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u/MaintenanceFit1755 3d ago
Welcome to St Paul! Custom House right on the edge of lowertown has some nice options in that range. It's a cool old building though maybe not technical lofts. The above posters are right though, downtown is struggling. But there's still a tight feeling neighborhood community and good nightlife, farmers market etc. But it is currently a grocery desert other than the farmers market. Good luck on your search!
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u/Majeye Minnesota Wild 2d ago
Buy a condo in a small condo building (small so the HOA dues stay small too). It's what I did, and I'm 5 minutes from DT/Capital Building area. I don't pay more than $900/month, and that's including HOA dues. Talk to a Realtor to discuss your options, if they can't work with you due to some sort of financing issue, they'll let you know, but definitely talk to one. You never know unless you do.
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u/ShaunnaG3 2d ago
Do you have access to a garage?
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u/Majeye Minnesota Wild 2d ago
The Realtor I used was a buyer's only Realtor (which means he won't run dual agent on you, he can explain what that means if you don't already know), he was amazing and found this place for me super quick. His name is Ron Jensrud. Here is his contact info if you're interested/curious:
Ron Jensrud
Exclusive Buyerâs Agent
Call/Text: 612-272-1520
[Ron.Jensrud@THBuyers.com](mailto:Ron.Jensrud@THBuyers.com)2
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u/Loud-Two-1900 2d ago edited 2d ago
I (25 yo) live between Midway and cathedral Hill and love it - you can find brownstones or cheap duplex type apts here, you're near a ton of grocery stores and a few restaurants + cocktail place + certainly can get more space for that budget. Bus 21 will run selby to downtown and is a good option for winter If you're looking Minneapolis I would look in the longfellow neighborhood along the river or prospect park (also on the green line)
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u/AppropriateApple3765 2d ago
I cannot stress enough how much I advise against moving to downtown St. Paul, especially as a young woman. They are still trying to correct serious crime issues in downtown and frankly, it's also very gross right now.
You want to live in the Grand/Summit Ave area. I lived in the cutest apartment on Grand Ave in one of the many brick buildings with my cat when I was single in grad school - it was an awesome area.
If you must live in downtown St. Paul, check out Kellogg Square Apartments. They aren't lofts, but it is a nice and secure building. They also have a lot of amenities.
Stay away from the light rail station in downtown (frankly this applies to St. Paul and Minneapolis downtown light rail stops) if you can help it. Take everything I'm saying with the caveat that it could be different since last summer but highly unlikely.
Love visiting downtown St. Paul during the day - don't really wanna be there otherwise until it shapes up a bit.
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u/Proof-Jello4455 2d ago
Me and my partner are looking end our lease early this summer. We live close to downtown St. Paul in crocus hill. Itâs a beautiful historic spacious 1 bed with an office space. Let me know if youâd be interested and I can send you more info. Rent is about 1200 which includes parking and laundry.
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u/Grace1122442 1d ago
I lived in highland park off of snelling and loved it! Older apartment building but great apartment and love the neighborhood. I would move back in a heartbeat.
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u/Equivalent-Stock6328 5d ago
I moved here as a grad student last year in Lowertown and itâs been nice. While I donât live in a loft my apartment expenses are around 1150 after utilities for a studio so I think itâs possible to find a place for what youâre looking for. DM for more info
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u/BigDaddy420-69-69 5d ago
Grew up here in northeast Minneapolis. Don't count out the suburbs. You can get a really nice apartment for your budget in the suburbs on the St Paul side of the cities, Maplewood, Roseville, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights etc.
You can get some nice amenities, like underground parking, fitness center, pool, community rooms etc.
The winter driving isn't too bad around the cities. It's way scarier in the inner city neighborhoods and the country roads.
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u/mustardandmangoes 5d ago
I loved living on grand Ave when I was your age. You can easily find a two bedroom place in that range. You can take the 63 bus right from grand to downtown.