Best Ideas: Bryn Mawr, Longfellow, Saint Anthony Park, Brookside
“East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.”
–Rudyard Kipling
“North is North and South is South, and never the twain shall meet.”
–corollary, Ross Kaplan
As a Twin Cities Buyer’s agent, when you’re working with a client whose job is in Bloomington (or Maple Grove, or Woodbury), and who doesn’t want a long commute, you focus on housing in (or at least near) . . . Bloomington, Maple Grove, or Woodbury.
Ahhh, but what if the Buyer is a couple, and their jobs straddle opposite ends of town?
Then, the trick is to find a neighborhood that’s a good geographic compromise.
The ideal characteristics: centrally located; convenient access to major freeways, and — ideally — affordable housing.
Also key: whether the couple is on an “east-west” axis or a “north-south” one.
East-West Corridor vs. North-South
Why does that matter?
Because until the Lowry Tunnel bottleneck gets addressed, moving from the east side of town to the west (or vice versa) — at least on 394/94, anytime near rush hour — is a huge pain.
Meanwhile, the Twin Cities’ main north-south artery, 35W, is also congested much of the day.
Taking all that into account, here are the neighborhoods I like best for what I’m calling “straddle” Buyers:
1. North-South “Straddle”
Bryn Mawr (Minneapolis): just west of Downtown Minneapolis, North Bryn Mawr is on the north side of 394; South Bryn Mawr is on the south side. Easy access to 100 and 94 (via 394) for north-south travel.
Brookside (St. Louis Park): pocket neighborhood just west of Highway 100 and south of Excelsior Blvd. Smaller, more affordable housing stock.
2. East-West “Straddle”
Seward (Minneapolis): due south of the main (East Bank) campus of the University of Minnesota. Close to Franklin Ave. eats and Seward Co-op; ideal for couples with jobs in Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Saint Anthony Park (St. Paul): Beautiful neighborhood just east of 280, between 94 and Highway 36. Como Ave. serves as SAP’s Downtown, couldn’t be more charming.
Of course, such variables as housing style (and era), price point, and local schools can also be factors in any housing decision . . .
See also, “Mpls St. Paul Magazine 2016 Cover Story: 28 Great Places to Live in the Twin Cities“; “Minnesota Monthly’s 12 Great Twin Cities Neighborhoods“; “Twin Cities Metro’s 30 Best Neighborhoods“; “A Quick Guide to Twin Cities Neighborhoods“; and “Name Brand Minneapolis Neighborhoods: Linden Hills vs. Northrup (Northrup??).”
