The graduate campus at UST, including the Law School, is located in downtown Minneapolis. Therefore, choosing to live in downtown Minneapolis can offer proximity, and decrease transportation costs. In addition, downtown Minneapolis provides a host of restaurant, entertainment, and shopping options. One drawback however is the often higher rental rates. There are many high-rise apartment buildings in downtown, most of which are within blocks of the Law School, and some of which are connected to the Minneapolis skyway system. Below are comments from current UST Law students on their experiences with downtown living:

• I would encourage students not to limit their housing options to downtown Minneapolis.
• The only negative thing is that living right downtown can be noisy at times.
• The UST security officers have also been wonderful about offering escorts home at night if I have to stay at school late.
• If I had to do it again, I would absolutely live in Minneapolis. Law school can be—if you allow it to be—an all-consuming endeavor and being close to the school is an important part of the experience
• I really discourage students from living downtown unless proximity to the law school is your number one priority. The cost of living is high. The apartments downtown do have several amenities, but you can get similar ones in other locations. 
• Downtown is convenient for school, but not convenient for much else.  You need to leave the city for items such as groceries, and shopping for other items is limited as stores usually close sometime after rush hour. However, that problem has been somewhat remedied now that they have Simon Delivers (grocery ordering and delivery service).
• Noisy and full of traffic almost 24/7.  I don't remember a single night where I didn't hear police sirens.
• It's not a bad neighborhood by any means just like any part of downtown at night, be careful. 
• I would recommend living in one of the high rise apartments within a couple of blocks of school (110 Grant, Laurel Village, etc.).
• My best recommendation is to live WALKING distance away from school.
• My advice is that a person will be more involved and happier if they live close to campus…as in a few minutes drive or in an apartment downtown.  I have noticed that people who chose to live farther away tend to not come to events, evening get-togethers, etc. and have more trouble integrating into the student body.
• I have lived in Dinkytown. This is really hit or miss. You can end up living next to a big party house.  The quality of the housing seems over priced for the places. They are usually pretty run down.
• I like living close to downtown. You are always going in the opposite flow of traffic so it is nice. Also, you are very central so most things are not too far away.
• St. Anthony Main is over the river from downtown, but still within the downtown bus fare zone - so it's only 50 cents a ride! I own a condo - but there are lots of rentals, a grocery store, and everything you need within walking or bus distance. I live there without a car - and have no problem getting around.

The Buckingham
www.buckinghamapts.com/buckingham.html

• Now that I am done with the bar exam, I wanted to send you a quick note to recommend my former landlord to UST students. I personally had a great experience, and I think you may have a list of landlords that you give to students looking for housing:

• Lisa Siegel
  The Buckingham
  1500 LaSalle Avenue
  Minneapolis, MN
  (612) 870-7664
  lasiegel61@hotmail.com

• Living at the Buckingham is great!  I walk to and from school and the cost is less than at the other nearby apartments.  The management is always helpful and responsive to needs.  Parking is available for an additional cost, though there is usually a waitlist.  Rent includes all utilities except electric; also includes cable.  Apartment includes airconditioner.  I would highly recommend the Buckingham (1500 LaSalle) to new students.

East Village Apartments

• Last year we lived in the East Village Apartments. It located in downtown Minneapolis, adjacent to North Central University and HCMC. In short, it was not a good place to live. The apartments are fairly new and relatively nice, but there are some real tenant problems. We had an extremely loud neighbor, we called the police several times to quiet her down. Management did nothing, we called the office over twenty times. Eventually, they let us out of our lease rather than do anything about the noise. That is just one of the problems. If you learn of anyone that is considering this place please, please discourage them.

Grant Park Luxury Condominiums
www.grantparkhomes.com

• 500 E Grant Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Elliot Park Neighborhood (7 blocks east of school)

• Condos available for rent or purchase, High-end upscale living, Extremely secure building

  • 1 bedrooms rent around $1,400-$1,700/month
  • 2 bedrooms rent around $1,900-$3,000/month  *depends on the supply, unit, and luck

• Amenities Include:

  • Indoor Pool, Hot Tub, Steam Room, Fitness Center, Massage Room, Tanning Bed
  • Business Center, Board & Party Rooms
  • Secured Lobby w/24 attendant
  • Building Management & Caretakers
  • Free Basic Cable, Gas (Heat/AC/Grill/Stove)
  • Indoor Car Wash & Air Pressure & Heated Indoor Parking

• It is very close to the law school and is a condo community that I rent from the owner.  I have had a great experience living there; there are several common amenities including: pool, steam room, workout facility, business center with internet, party room, rooftop deck, and indoor guest parking.  The building is very secure and many units have great views of downtown.

Haverhill Apartments
32 and 36 Spruce Place
www.haverhillapts.net

• Great experience- only two blocks away from the law school and it's relatively reasonably priced for downtown Minneapolis.  The management company has always been responsive and accommodating to any requests. One drawback is parking with only 4 parking spots available for the building…they are rented out based on a lottery system, and street parking is metered.
• The management is excellent, and they granted me a nine-month lease just because I asked for it.  I am blocks away from School, Uptown, Downtown, groceries, Target, the YMCA, Loring Park, and the Basilica, and I am never afraid to walk home from school late at night.
• Good location - 3 minute walk to school, 5 minutes to Subway.
• Good value - cheap small one-bedrooms (~600), moderately priced large one-bedrooms (~750)
• Great management - prompt about fixing problems, understanding when the rent check is a couple of days late.
• Right next to the park
• Relatively quiet for the area.
• Recent problem with bedbugs - many units in 32 Spruce Place had infestations in autumn of 2007.
• Parking situation is horrible - parking in front of buildings is metered.  Nearby street parking has 2 hour limit during weekdays.  Recommend parking in the school lot.

Laurel Village
1400 Laurel Avenue
612-375-1000

www.laurelvillage.com
laurelvillage@greatlakesmc.com

• Laurel Village - great location (two blocks), good management, very nice apartments, and young tenants

• Laurel Village Swinford Town homes - 2 blocks from school. It is close to school, can walk anywhere downtown pretty easily. Coming from out-of-state it was a nice ease into getting to know the area.

• I have heard great things about Laurel Village from classmates and friends not in law school.

• It's a great location with lots of amenities. also easy to accommodate different numbers of roommates  there are a lot of floor plans to choose from.

• Laurel Village- good

• Laurel Village- super close location, pseudo-expensive

• Laurel Village. clean, safe and a very short walk to the school.  I do recommend it and with the new grocery store coming in, it will be even more convenient. 

• Laurel Village, (Wilson Park Tower) I would highly recommend looking into the complex. It's close to the school, I walk every morning, there is a good exercise facility in the building and because I was a St. Thomas student I didn't have to pay a deposit.

  Some difficulties with the management in terms of getting answers to questions when I first moved in (like where to park, where trash disposal is located, where laundry facilities are located, etc.). They seem a bit unorganized, but genuinely willing to help in any way they can

• Laurel Village Apartments - decent apartments -building security and upkeep needs work -staff and management are not helpful and seem to take pleasure in annoying tenants -the visitor parking lots are reserved for guests of tenants, but require buying a permit - in advance - in sum, I wouldn't recommend anyone to live there, its expensive ($1100/month), and you don't get what you are paying for”  

• Laurel Village. Location is excellent - so close to school, but I think residents pay a lot for the actual apartment gotten. The apartments are old and have not been updated since they were built (including appliances). Holes in the carpets and a lot of cosmetic issues in the apartments (I have holes in all of my doors, the edging along the carpet in the bedroom is falling off, etc.). Management can be rude and a pain to deal with. If I were to move, I would be looking for an apartment in Uptown.  Still close to school, but rent is more affordable and the buildings tend to have more character.

  Drawback is that it is pricey and the management is sometimes difficult to work with.

• You would be doing a great service to incoming students if you not recommend living at Laurel Village apartments.  If they are willing to pay that kind of money, there are half-dozen better alternatives in the downtown area.  From personal experience, dealing with the management is an absolute nightmare.  If the students are expecting to have visitors, there is no free parking and the management loves nothing more than to tow your car.

• I live at Laurel Village.  Although it is expensive for the Twin Cities area, it is very convenient.  It takes me 5 to 10 minutes to walk to school.  I also live in the dog friendly apartment building, and it has an attached park to the building, which makes taking my dog out convenient and safe.

• I live currently in Laurel Village in downtown Minneapolis.  The location is ideal, since it's easy to walk to class. The management is eager to help with repairs and other concerns about apartment life. However, living there is expensive, and parking can sometimes be a problem.  Security usually likes to tow your car for questionable reasons at 3 am, and not tell you until you find it missing later that day. It's a nice place to live, overall, if you can stand the management.

• My first year, I lived in Downtown Minneapolis at a complex called Laurel Village. I lived a block away from school, and coming from out of town, that was really helpful. I could walk to school every day (saved a lot of money on gas!). The neighborhood is relatively safe and if you are worried about walking home, a UST security guard will walk you home. All you have to do is ask. Laurel Village was pretty pricey ($65 for parking, $935 for rent for a big 1BR 1BA.) If you're coming from out of town and have the means, it's a good option. Also, Laurel Village gave me 10% off my rent when I told them I was a UST Law Student.

• Laurel Village-Hennepin Crossing (1150 Hennepin Ave) I have a one bedroom that cost me $1030 with underground parking. The apartment is not very big, about 650sq ft.  It is really nothing special as far as the interior, but does have a washer/dryer in the unit, as well as a dishwasher, microwave, and garbage disposal. The amenities include fitness center, pool, sauna, tanning, and 24 hour security. There is also a garbage shoot on each floor. The building is located 1 block away from the law school. The building is managed by Great Lakes Management, which is the worst management company ever. They are rude and very unprofessional. Pretty much from the day I moved in there, I have felt like they have been on a quest to make my life as miserable as possible. They towed my car on Christmas Day and "donated" my bike because they were "cleaning out" the bike cage. If you are considering living at Laurel Village, check out a website called apartmentreviews.com and read up on this complex. From what I have personally experienced here, I would say that those reviews are right on. I cannot wait until my lease is up so I can finally get out of Laurel Village. 

Marimark Apartments
1226 Marquette Avenue

• A few blocks walk from school, and it is really safe, considering that it is located right by the Hyatt and the Millennium Hotel. A studio is very small, but I'm never there, so it really doesn't matter. No parking, The building is a bit older and it looks run-down, so it might not be all that appealing to many. However, the building works for me and I can walk to school, work, and any bars/clubs in downtown Minneapolis. $480/month for my studio, but there are more expensive options and two-bedroom apartments available there.

Marquette Place Apartments
1314 Marquette Avenue
612-339-9600
www.marquetteplace.com/Home.htm
leasing@marquetteplace.com

• Nicest apartment I've ever lived in or seen -great staff, very friendly -expensive ($1300/month) underground parking is a must

Oakwood Apartments
9th St. S and LaSalle Avenue
Oakwood Apartments website

• Incredibly convenient in terms of proximity to school... 3 blocks. Connected by skyway - you don't even need to go outside!! Close to a lot of the downtown entertainment scene. A lot of amenities that are not available in other buildings. A 12-month lease comes with a free YMCA membership. Additional services (rental cars and dry cleaning) for reduced rates, and discounts at a lot of the neighboring stores. The downsides are you do not get much space for your money. A 600 square foot studio that I rented at a reduced rate of $770/month (its normal list price is $960). Also no parking.

Oakwood Symphony Place
12th St. S and Marquette Avenue

• Incredibly close to school; 2 blocks. Lot of amenities. Has a parking ramp with contract parking for $90/month. However this ramp is connected to the Orchestra Hall public ramp making it impossible to get out of during rush hour or after a concert. Pricey apartment. 1000 square foot 2 bedroom for $1550/month. It wasn't worth even half of that. Numerous structural problems with our apartment, including doors falling off their hinges, broken pipes, water damage to floors and cabinets, etc. Apartment staff is mean and nasty. I would strongly discourage anyone from living here.

One Ten Grant Apartments
110 West Grant Street
612-342-0110

www.110grant.com/Home.htm
leasing@onetengrant.com

• Nice because they are close and offer student discounts - many UST Law students live there.
• I relocated to Minneapolis from New York City and had to move in site unseen. I chose 110 grant because they had a nice website, and the leasing agents could not have been nicer or more accessible. I am currently signing my 3rd lease here - I absolutely love it. It is less than a 5 minute walk to school, has TONS of amenities and really friendly staff. It is pretty expensive, but doable. So I recommend it 100000%!
• Very good: within walking distance, they provide breakfast, a pool and a weight room, they have a parking garage, and a view. A little pricy, but they do offer a discount to St. Thomas law Students (or at least they did to me).The support staff and maintenance is excellent, laundry facilities are not super, comparable to any other Laundromat and located in the building, but the dryers don't always work. 
• It's convenient to walk to school and all downtown locations (for mentor experiences, etc). They have lots of services, including a business center with computers and copy machines, a (very) small gym, and good management that takes care of problems quickly. It's a bit high priced so I would recommend living here with a roommate. Also, at the time I moved in they were giving a 10% discount to St. Thomas students, but I'm not sure that they are doing that anymore.
• One Ten Grant is the business! It is nearby (three blocks), offers UST students a discount (10%), and has the nicest management in town. The workout facilities aren't as nice as some similar buildings (Oakwood, Laurel Village), but that means they're empty most of the time and you have the place to yourself because a lot of people belong to bigger gyms. Great pool (outdoor in summer, indoor in winter), free continental breakfast every morning, dry cleaning delivery service, extremely responsive maintenance staff, concierge services available. I have lived there my entire law school experience and have never been dissatisfied about any aspect of it.
• Rent is high, but it is extremely convenient being close to school. Service staff is great there as well. Also, St. Thomas students get a 10% discount. Highly recommended if you aren't afraid to spend some money.

• I live at 110 W. Grant St. The apartments are very nice with amenities including pool, gym, parking, weekday continental breakfast, concierge, etc. The location is just over the Greenway so it's within a couple blocks. They offer a 7% discount to St. Thomas students. The rent includes heat, a/c, DSL internet, basic cable, and water but is a bit more expensive then surrounding complexes.

Yale Place Apartments
1212 Yale Place
Yale Place website

• Positives: Cheap (studios starting at $490/month) and close (just across the street), mostly quiet neighbors.
  Negative: it's an older building with "character? 

• I had a one bedroom that cost me about $650. The building is family-owned by Dennis Investments, and they own a number of other properties around the law school area as well. Their rental office is located onsite. They are by far the best landlords/management people that I have ever met. They were very accommodating, flexible, and just genuinely good people. The place is right across the street from the law school, at the intersection of Yale Place and 12th Street. Cons: Only on-street parking available, which is metered, and the location doesn't qualify for a critical parking sticker. No amenities.

Other Properties

• Apartments managed by The Park Apartments, I did not have good experiences with the management.
• I live in Park Terrace Apartments.  There are 20 apartments per floor with 10 floors of apartments in the building.  All apartments are either Studio or 1 bedroom apartments.  There is also a small (not great) exercise room, laundry facilities ($1.75/machine), and a nice party room available.  There is off street parking both outdoors and in underground parking ramps.  The management has been very friendly and helpful.  There is a Dunn Brothers coffee shop right in the building and copies of CityPages and the Onion are available for free each week (although you'd find those papers most anywhere).  Furthermore, you are literally across the street from Loring Park, which I am told is particularly nice in the summer time.  Lastly, you're within walking distance of Nicollet Mall and the Law School and within biking/driving distance of Uptown/Lakes Calhoun & Harriett.
  
  On the down side, you can tell that this is something of an older building (built cerca 1950).  My apartment has some older carpet and white walls which you are forbidden to paint another color.  Counterspace in my apartment is quite limited but nonetheless manageable.  All doors in the apartments, oddly, are metal as opposed to wood.
  
  Overall, the place has been fairly nice to live in.  I wouldn't give it less than a B anyway.  I pay $740 per month to live in my studio apartment there (includes heated underground parking [nice in the winter]).  Hope this helps!  Good luck!
• I live downtown in the Warehouse District, 10 blocks north of school. The complex is called Riverwalk Apartments. Riverwalk is an awesome location - a block away from the Mississippi River which means miles of trails for the runner or cyclist. It's an old train depot so the ceilings are 18 feet high and have large wooden beams. Close enough to walk when it's warm out, but I drive in the winter. You could get into the skyway 3 or 4 blocks away from school if you wanted to walk inside. It's still pretty expensive to live downtown in the warehouse district (I pay $860 per month for a 1BR 1 BA which includes parking), but it's worth it for me to be close to school and close to downtown where everything is happening and I don't have to worry about driving home from the bars or being out downtown with my friends
• Stevens Community Apartments (3rd Street and 18th Avenue area near the Convention Center). I'm quite satisfied. It's well within walking distance to downtown and law school.
• 121 West Grant Street (Spruce and Grant) just a few blocks from school. Rent is cheap ($529 for a studio) and management is good. The neighborhood is a little dodgy and not for the skittish. Just need to be sensible when going out at night.
• 127 West Grant St runs my apartment building and another in the area - both a couple blocks from school. Their rents are reasonable and they seem to be pretty responsive to problems with apartments. Units are older but pretty well maintained. I would recommend them to others, even though they are not amazing or perfect, but still very livable for a reasonable price and very convenient. I know at least a couple other students have lived in them also.

The Loring Park neighborhood is located on the southern edge of downtown within walking distance of the law school. The Loring community is one of the most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods in Minnesota and is home to the Walker Art Center and the Sculpture Garden.

• Anything within the Loring Park area is really convenient, I never have to use my car, which saves a ton of time and money.
• Great place to live! Loring Park is well-fitted for students, especially students on a budget. Most places are a 10-15min. walk from campus and downtown. Rents (if you are willing to shop a little bit) are cheaper than downtown apartments just five blocks away. Only word of warning, be careful. Larger complex's can be more expensive. Though they may take a little longer to find, the smaller buildings and rental offices may offer better apartments at better rates with better service. 
• I live right next to Loring Park, and MCTC.  The location is great:  2 blocks from school, 3 blocks from the Basilica, 4 blocks from the YMCA, 6 or so from Target and also very near Uptown.  Parking/having a car is difficult, if not expensive, so I gave it up when I started law school.  Though I am male, I never feel unsafe walking home from school at any time of night.  

Brentwood Apartments
117 W. Grant Street
www.brentwoodapts.net

• Brentwood Apartments(117 W. Grant Street, near Loring Park). Relatively cheap and pretty small, but also in good condition and the management is excellent. Close to the law school, which allowed me to sell my car.
• I live in the Brentwood Apartmentcomplex near Loring Park. I know of several other law students from UST who have lived there. Overall, the apartments are good, and the management is very attentive. However, unless you are living alone, the apartments are quite small. I very much enjoy walking to school and work, and have done so at all hours of the day without ever fearing for my safety.
• The Brentwood- Loring Park Area - 117 W Grant
  • Good location - approximately 5 minute walk to school.  Right next to gas station/convenience store, dry cleaner, liquor shop, and great cheap Vietnamese restaurant.
  • Great value for the location - one bedroom apartments are a couple hundred bucks cheaper per month than the surrounding buildings.
  • Parking situation is horrible - parking in front of buildings is metered.  Nearby street parking has 2 hour limit during weekdays.  Free permits are available, but it is still a hassle.  Recommend parking in the school lot.
  • One block away from Loring Park.
  • Great management team.  Friendly, prompt, returned most of my deposit, even though I left the place in terrible shape.
  • Being situated immediately between the park and the liquor shop, the building sees a very high flow of bum traffic during the warm months. 
  • Many noisy nights during the summer.  Seems like people were always settling domestic disputes right outside my window.

Copenhagen Apartments
Oak Grove and LaSalle
http://www.copenet.com/

• It was about a 5 block walk. The apartment was okay for the price range. But it was the walk to and from school that I did not like. I lived by myself and often times I would walk home when it was dark out, but not late.There is a block that was very uncomfortable to walk.

Loring Park City Apartments
1300 Yale Place
888-513-0878

www.loringparkcityapartments.com/default.htm
lor@villagegreen.com

• Perfect location! studio - it's small but perfect. New building, Workout room, Party room, Coffee shop, Good management. Only criticism is that it is a bit expensive.
• I am living at the Loring Park City Apartments at 1300 Yale Place. I really like it there. It is conveniently located a block away from school. The building itself is very safe, there is secured access to the building and security cameras that I can view from my television. There is a gym in the building, laundry machines inside of each apartment, and an underground heated garage. The only downside is that rent is very pricey. I decided it was worth the extra money to have convenience and safety. Living alone and very far away from home (CA), safety was my biggest priority moving to a city where I did not know anyone.

• I live in a studio apartment here in downtown Minneapolis (Loring Park City Apartments).

  • It is very expensive for a student but I like being so close to school.
  • I also enjoy being within 1.5 miles of Lake of the Isles.
  • I can walk anywhere downtown.
  • Safety was an issue when I chose my apartment downtown (and still is).

• Loring Park City Apartments- very, very nice- 1 block from school, pricey.

• The Loring Park City Apts have been great.

• I've heard really good things about Loring Park Apartments

• I have really enjoyed living in Loring Park because it gives me the opportunity to walk to class, go home between classes, while still being affordable.  Although, I do wish I would have at least considered finding an apartment in the suburbs because the buses are amazing.

Park Terrace Apartments

• Very safe and secure.
• I lived in an older apartment building in Loring Park for the first two years of school (209 W. 15^th St.).  It was an older, slightly run down building, but the price was right at about $900 for three of us.  The Park Apartments was an alright management group, but they were slow on the repairs and left me without heat for a few very cold evenings.  The neighborhood is a little questionable at night, but I never felt threatened or anything like that. 

Oak Grove Towers
215 Oak Grove Street

• About a dozen other UST law students live in Oak Grove Towers. Within walking distance of school (5 blocks) and 1 block from Loring Park. Management is great, we have a weight room, rec room, outdoor grill area. The rent for a 2 bedroom runs between $900-1000 and includes everything but phone and cable, and they are fair sized, new-looking apartments. I highly, highly recommend this spot. I looked all over the downtown area, and this was the most reasonable price for a nice-looking apartment.
• Not too far from campus (about 5-6 blocks). The location was very convenient, as it allowed me to either walk or bike to school, and the proximity to downtown Minneapolis (given the relatively low rent we paid) was stellar. It was a well-managed property, and I'd highly recommend it to any incoming students.
• I've lived here for all three years of law school. I'd recommend it. Rent isn't too high by any means--my roommate and I pay $507.50 each per month, inclusive of parking and it's only a fifteen minute walk from school.
• It's about a 12 minute walk to campus. The rent is cheap ($1000 for a two bedroom, includes parking and all utilities). Not fancy but fine. Many other law students live there. I would definitely recommend the building as it is clean, relatively new building (built in the 70's) and is not that bad of a walk to class.
• The building I live in is Oak Grove Towers. It is a little more expensive than some other nearby places available, but not nearly as expensive as others. One thing I like about it is that everything is consolidated into one monthly bill. Heat, air, electric, and parking are all included in the monthly rent. It is within walking distance of school (about 15 minutes). The parking garage is an excellent feature, as many apartments only have street parking available. If you have a car at school, I recommend living somewhere with a good parking garage. Outside parking is a real pain because of the weather (when it snows, you have to move your car for the plow trucks) and you also risk having your car broken into. I like having a secure safe place to keep my car. Incidentally, because I always walk to school, I typically only drive anywhere on the weekends. This is great because I save money on gas and wear and tear on my car.
• Oak Grove Towers is a safe building. The entrances and parking garage require an electronic key. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There is an office on the first floor and someone is always there until 10 pm on weekdays and during the day on weekends. The mailroom is very organized and clean. All packages are held for you to pick up in the office. The apartments have a good amount of square feet compared to the other places I looked at. I have a one bedroom and I think it is just shy of 600 sq. ft. The heat in the building is excellent. It is very warm in the winter, even when it's -20 outside. There is a small workout room too, which is a nice convenience, especially for runners. The other people in the building are all very friendly. Taking all things into account, I'm very satisfied with the choice I made.

Oak Grove Properties
1402 Spruce Place

• Great apartment and was reasonably priced. It was also close to school, so I could walk everyday.

St. Paul is full of quaint neighborhoods. The undergraduate campus at UST is located in St. Paul on Summit Avenue, lined with historical architecture including the Governor�s Mansion and the St. Paul Cathedral. Nearby Grand Avenue is lined with coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping. UST Law students have access to all of the amenities on the undergraduate campus, including work-out facilities, student health services, and the libraries. In addition, a shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes between the two campuses, and is free for students, faculty, and staff. For these reasons, many of our law students choose to live in St. Paul.

Highland Park

• Highland Park area - near the undergraduate campus there. great area - full of restaurants, shops, and lots of life, and the UST Shuttle makes it a nice commute to the law school.
• Highland on the Park Apartments (in Highland Park) - nice because it is close to Minneapolis and 10 minutes from the Airport. The one bedrooms are $750 or more, a two bedroom is only $975. It is perfect to split and only pay $487.50 each in a very large apartment.
• MacGroveland and Highland Park area - a great spot. many grocery stores, restaurants and fun shops; Grand Avenue is great for little boutiques. Trees, parks, and a little more green space than downtown. (We rent a home here and we love it - we have a little girl - great area if the relocating student has a family!)
• Highland Park (Cleveland & Randolph) - I LOVE it!. Easy access to facilities - exercise, health clinic, etc. shuttle - especially when it snows! close to the freeway - I have about a 15 min. drive to school.
• Highland Park is GREAT - extremely safe, picturesque, friendly, diverse, urban, great restaurants & shopping, close to everything. Very family-friendly neighborhood
• Highland Park isn't for everyone: It's expensive. Houses are $$$$, apartments can be fairly pricey too. However, there is a lot of student housing available, though you do compete with students at St. Thomas, St. Kate's, and Macalester.

• I have lived in the Highland Park area of St. Paul for my entire three years in the Twin Cities (for law school).  My first two years were spent in an apartment near the Mississippi River and Ford Parkway; I have since moved with my wife to a condo "down the hill" toward West 7th. 

• Highland Park is a great "neighborhood-y" place to live, with great old homes and cozy apartments.  I chose the area because I am not interested in big buildings and concrete; rather, I love the mature trees and the path along the river.  Also, most of the residents have lived there for generations, so they take pride in keeping their neighborhood nice and safe.  As for getting to the Law School, I either ride a bike to the undergraduate campus or take a city bus up to the campus, where I can then take the free shuttle to Minneapolis.  It has worked out quite well.  (Another benefit of living near the undergraduate campus is that you have access to the main UST library, which is much less stressful than the law school library!)  You could also commute with your own car to the parking garage in Minneapolis.
  The biggest complaint I would have is that traffic can get congested on the Ford Parkway during nice weekends and during bad snow storms; just avoid it and you'll be OK.

• I live at Woodstone Apartments at 23XX Stewart Avenue in St. Paul and I know that several other law students do as well. Apartment coordinators are extremely nice (they took care of our cat over Thanksgiving break!), there's a balcony/patio for every unit, dish washer, etc. Things get fixed very quickly. It was probably built in the last decade or two, has carpet, all appliances work, etc. One perk - we were allowed to paint our walls. It has a party room, an outdoor pool, and a small workout facility. The neighborhood is West 7th - directly south of Highland Park, north of the river. Highland Park has a Chipotle, Blockbuster, bars, etc. West 7th is a vibrant neighborhood as well. Noise is not a problem. Transportation: I take the St. Thomas shuttle, which runs every 20 minutes between campuses. I had to buy a parking permit for the St. Paul campus, but it's much cheaper than parking/driving to Minneapolis.

• I have been living in St. Paul for the duration of law school and it has been a great experience.  I also lived in St. Paul while attending St. Thomas undergrad and am a very big proponent of the Mac Groveland, Meriam Park, and Highland areas for prospective students.

Near the UST St. Paul Campus

• You can rent either apartments or houses in the area, as well as purchase. Best option of all: live within walking distance of the St. Paul campus - free shuttle bus is great for students on a budget; no hassle; reliable and easy.
• The St. Thomas neighborhood in St. Paul is a great option. It's cheaper than downtown Minneapolis, safer, a short drive to the law school (about 15 minutes), and if you don't have a car the shuttle is nearby, reliable, and also a quick ride.  Grand Ave also has a ton of things to do, so it's a fun place to live.
• I enjoy living in St. Paul, near the undergrad campus.  The shuttle bus is usually very convenient, and I like living a little ways away from school, in a more residential neighborhood.  However, people who like to study at the law library until very late, or party in Minneapolis often, may find this location less ideal.
• Knowledge of the Shuttle service between campuses was critical in my choice to live in St. Paul. I found the neighborhoods around the St. Paul campus to be quieter and more affordable. I do wish I knew about the change in the shuttle schedule during breaks and J-Term. I think it would have expanded my apartment search beyond walking distance of the St. Paul campus.
• There is more bang for the buck in rent in St Paul and the shuttle seems real convenient.
• Off Cleveland and Randolph Ave. in St. Paul - UST campus is a mile away. can ride the UST shuttle to school and don't have to worry about Minneapolis parking. great local coffee shops, quiet places to study, clean, low crime, close to churches, best of all, it's not Minneapolis 4 blocks away from the Mississippi River trail system that runs from downtown St. Paul to the U of M to downtown Minneapolis. It's nice to live away from school.
• The brief commute has generally been no problem, though it wasn't always ideal on snowy days when mixed with 9:00 classes and professors who didn't appreciate latecomers. 
• Live near the UST undergraduate campus - easy access to workout facilities - can use the library there for free internet, printing, etc. Can ride the shuttle if you don't feel like driving - can eat at their cafeteria. - rent is much cheaper, houses are available, and St. Paul is not as busy as Minneapolis.
• I really like not living right next door to the law school- I have a built-in cool-down period every day where I am forced to leave law school and can enjoy my ride to and from school. But you can't zip home between classes or for meals so you do have to plan ahead (especially when it snows!).
• I bought a Condo in St. Paul and I love it over there. The commute is easy with the St. Thomas shuttle,
• Lived in St. Paul near the undergrad campus for awhile.  While rent prices are a bit higher around this area, you can take the shuttle from the St. Paul campus for free and it's very convenient.  Consider this when figuring rent prices, it's around a $75/month (minimum) savings on parking and bus expenses if you commute from somewhere else.
• I lived at an apartment about 6 blocks away from the St. Paul campus (near Grand and Fairview) and loved it.  The neighborhood is quiet and clean with easy access to entertainment and dining as well as the UST undergrad campus.  The undergrad campus is in one of the best areas of St. Paul, so if you can live close by and take the UST shuttle you're in good shape.
• I live on Grand Ave. in St. Paul near the undergrad campus.

  • Good: My building is quiet, rent is less expensive, it's near the St. Thomas shuttle bus, great places to run and near neat coffee shops, restaurants and bars

  • Bad: Older building with old appliances, area has lots of college students, so could be loud; parking can a problem, although I have a parking spot.

• I lived on Grand Avenue in St. Paul near St. Thomas undergrad.  I took the Commuter bus back and forth to save money.  This proved to be a huge hassle carrying all my stuff so I found someone to carpool with.  My apartment was $750 per month plus all utilities and included an off street parking spot.  The place was nice but tooooo expensive for what it was.
• I live on Grand Avenue near the St. Paul St. Thomas campus.  It's very convenient.  I like that I can walk to the St. Paul campus and take the free shuttle to Minneapolis.  However, there is more crime in this area than I had anticipated.
• I live at 20XX Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN  55105
  • Positives:  Great location.  8 minute walk to the St. Thomas shuttle.  Close to downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the airport.  Lots of good eating and shopping nearby. 
  • Negatives:  Should not walk alone after sunset (thefts and assaults are common).  Old building.  Parking is tough (they only give one off-street parking spot per unit).

Other St. Paul Neighborhoods

• I live in St. Paul.  I rent the basement of a house on Summit Ave.  I have two bathrooms, laundry, and a full kitchen with dishwasher.  There are available units to rent on Summit Ave.  Also there are many efficiencies and apartments in the Summit/Crocus/Capitol Hill areas.  This area is along Grand Avenue which has all the necessary shopping to live (grocery, pharmacy, gas, restaurants, shoe store, clothing stores, and coffee shops) this area is very trendy and has a celebration every summer (Grand Old Day) which is a festival that overtakes the Grand Avenue Area.  I love living here as it is out of the downtown bustle, but has the entertainment of a big city

• I live in the area in St. Paul (the border between St. Paul and Minneapolis) around the intersection of Highway 94 and 280. Emerald Garden. is a pretty good environment and takes around 10 minutes driving to law school.

• I live in St. Paul near Oxford and Ashland streets - its just off of Summit and Lexington in the Grand Ave. area.  Its a very nice neighborhood- I always feel very safe.  Last year I took the bus to school- it was fairly easy to catch a city bus down to the St. Paul campus and then take the school shuttle to Minneapolis.  However, if people really want to take the shuttle over to Minneapolis to avoid driving/parking, I would recommend living within walking distance of the St. Paul campus.  It gets a little tricky to coordinate the two bus schedules to avoid having to wait outside for long periods of time.

• I lived in St. Paul at a small apartment complex called Carroll Court apartments near the corner of Fairview and Marshall.  The place was incredible!!!  $595 per month for an immaculate building and apartments.  Building manager was amazing.  Would have stayed here but went to Uptown to room with a friend from college.  I did not take the bus anymore and bought a parking pass.

• For the last two years I have been living at 8XX Berry Street in a very nice apartment complex that straddles Minneapolis and St. Paul.  For students who have ties to both cities, 8XX Berry Street is a great option.  My fiance works in Midway and I have been commuting to Minneapolis, but this location has left us both with a sub 10 minute commute.

• We currently live in a house in St. Paul, close to Roseville and Como Park. We love our neighborhood. There are grocery stores, malls and plenty of restaurants. We can get to I-94 easily and can take Larpenteur (which turns into Hennepin) all the way to school and avoid a lot of traffic delays. Como Park, in my opinion, is one of the nicest parks in the Twin Cities. There is a free zoo, a golf course/ cross country ski loop, a midway type kid's park, plenty of open grass and a pedestrian path around Como Lake. There are plenty of neighborhood churches and schools. We found our rental house on craigslist.com.

Bloomington

City of Bloomington website

• We live in the NW corner of Bloomington (SE corner of the intersection of 494 and 169).  The neighborhood offers great parks and recreation (summer and winter) for both adults and kids. The ski hill is 5 minutes away. There is a nature center 5 minutes away. The schools are top-notch, if you have kids, and the Edina and Eden Prairie schools are options if you prefer.
• Taxes are moderate to slightly high end. City services are very good. We have two community theaters in the municipal center, as well as a good local orchestra.
• Drawback:  Not a lot of restaurants, and you have to drive to everything (but nothing is very far).
• We live in the center of over 3 square miles of connected parks. Because of bike/pedestrian underpasses, our kids can get to most of it without crossing a street.
• Costs in the west end of town are high; moderate in the center and cheaper out east.
• Pluses: Relatively close to school (about 10-12 miles) – an easy ride in, even on clogged 35W. There is a lot of shopping options - we are really close to Southdale and Mall of America. There are affordable apartments throughout the city. We were able to find a spacious 2 bedroom apartment for $825 including heat which is pretty good for the area. The city park system is really nice. In the summer there seems to be a lot of activities that are planned for families. There are quite a few churches nearby. Our neighborhood is friendly, generally clean and safe to walk around at night.
• Cons: Metro transit stinks at least in comparison with the service provided by Southwest metro. Most routes leave you on 2^nd Ave which is 4 blocks away from the school. Although we don’t think our neighborhood is necessarily “unsafe,” our home was robbed the first month of law school. My wife had her laptop stolen. More than anything it tells you that no matter how careful you are in selecting the “ideal” place, bad stuff still can happen.
• I lived in Bloomington 1st semester and didn't like really it. It might be a great place to live if you have a wife and kids, but I always felt sort of disconnected because I lived so far away.

Burnsville

City of Burnsville website

• Coventry Court Apartments (townhouse styled) and Grande Market Place Apartments (townhouse and apartment styled apartments) - both are in Burnsville right off 35W. Its about a 20 minute commute to the law school but its a great area for those with young children. Its perfect for those who want the Suburban and City lifestyle. Both are located close to multiple health clubs and shopping but close enough to the city for the times when you want to go out downtown. Both apartments are in the 900's for a two bed/ 2 bath - Coventry Court has private attached garages and Grande has private underground parking and storage. Grande is also a block away from the Burnsville Transit Station and I know the buses go within a block or two of the law school.
• Willow Pond
  Pros: Price is significantly less $$ than a comparable space in Minneapolis.
  Management: Not great, but not terribe either. No real problems, maintenance is addressed quickly. Typical suburbian proximity to retail, grocery, etc. Winter Energy Costs (heat included).
  Cons: Commute. 25 minutes at best. Tends to be closer to 40 in the AM, 45 during the evening rush hour. Proximity to school: social events are centered at school or downtown. Summer energy costs.

Eden Prairie

City of Eden Prairie website

• Living in Eden Prairie has been a good option for me and my family and I would recommend it to other people with families. We looked at many condos downtown within close proximity to the school but for far less money we were able to buy a townhouse in Eden Prairie with twice the square footage and an actual yard. Eden Prairie is safe. Initially I was concerned about a long commute to school. However, Eden Prairie has a bus station (Southwest Station) that offers direct, express rides into the city. The bus to and from Eden Prairie then drops me off right behind the school and picks me up right in front of the school at the end of the day. The bus ride takes 20 minutes in light traffic but only 30 minutes in heavy traffic. The Southwest busses are not like city busses - they are all new with cushioned reclining seats so I can relax and read or listen to music during my commute.
• Great suburb, though can be difficult to get around if you are unfamiliar with the area. Lots of parks, with some nice trails for hiking and biking/rollerblading. Lots of restaurants and coffee shops to choose from. Really nice public library with quiet study room.
  
  Transit: Best public transit in the metro area: park at Southwest Station and be to school in 25 minutes or less, with the most comfortable bus seats, your own little reading light and air vent! Also, the Southwest buses are the only ones painted black, so they're easy to distinguish. Downside: we're the last stop out of downtown, so rush hour buses can get full (standing room only). Driving to/from school can take considerably longer in traffic, around 50 minutes in rush hour.

Edina

City of Edina website

• Edina Seasons (in Edina) - right off of highway 62 (literally) and across the street from Southdale Mall, with all other essentials (Target, Walgreens, Restuarants, Hollywood Video) within a few miles. It is a great location. I take the bus to school. The express bus takes about twenty minutes and drops me off a few blocks from school. When I do drive to school, commute time obviously depends on traffic (no traffic about 10 to 15 minutes. With traffic -- 20 to 30 minutes) Rent is a little on the high side, but it comes with perks. There is exercise equipment, an indoor pool, free laundary, a screened in porch in each apartment, pets allowed (including small dogs), two walk-in closets, and heated underground parking. The rent for a one bedroom is $900, plus water bill, trash, and gas bill. There are studios available. All in all, I am very happy with my living arrangement and especially considering I have a dog. Finding a good place in the area when you have dog is impossible! We don't even have to make any pet deposits, which is rare.
• I grew up in Edina and Bloomington and lived there first two years of law school. Stable, convenient drive, shopping, restaurants, etc. are a great bonus. Beautiful landscapes.

Minnetonka

City of Minnetonka website

• Regency Woods (in Minnetonka) - just off of 394 by Ridgedale Mall. It is a really nice complex with friendly management and a fitness center, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and is connected to the Minnetonka park system by running trails. There is an express bus that runs to 12th and Hennepin that stops outside the complex and it is within 5 miles of other park and rides to take the bus downtown.
• Regency Woods in Minnetonka. The rent is a little pricey compared to some apartments, but is less than the luxury apartments downtown like Laurel Village.
  
  Many of the units have fireplaces or wet bars, and all have balconies, dishwashers, air-conditioning, and in-unit laundry - it ranges from studios to two bedrooms. There is also underground heated parking and a free storage locker. The complex itself has a swimming pool, gym, and tennis courts and is on the Minnetonka trail system for biking, running, and walking. You also get standard cable (about 70 channels) included in your rent. There are pet-friendly buildings which is great - I live in the "puppy palace" and neighbors don't complain about dog noises because everyone has a dog! However, even my building is very quiet since there aren't a lot of students living here. The maintenance crew is really responsive to any problems and have fixed any issues within 24 hours. The complex abuts Meadow Park, which includes a wetlands preserve, so the views are wonderful and it's very quiet. However, it's less than a mile from 394 and is near a Byerly's and a Target, as well as Ridgedale Mall and several restaurants including Bruegger's, Caribou, Champs, and Subway. There's also a Hennepin County Library within walking distance with free wireless and great study areas. It's within walking distance of the 671 and 675 busses and within driving distance of all the park and rides on 394 and the school. It's usually about a 15-20 minute bus ride downtown and between a 15-30 minute drive, depending on the time of day.

New Brighton
City of New Brighton website

• I live in New Brighton.  For those who are not from the Twin Cities area, New Brighton is a northwestern suburb of St. Paul.  Specifically, I live in Lakeview Apartments which has three buildings located on 10th Street.
• New Brighton has been ideal for my (and my husband's) situation.  My husband and I married only months before I began school.  We wanted to live in a community that would enable us live with one car and a low rent payment.  My husband would need to be able to readily commute to work, and I would need to be able to rely upon public transportation to take me to school.  Lakeview Apartments attracted us because it is within 1.5 miles of on-ramps for both 35W and 694 and within two blocks of a bus route running to Minneapolis. Its reasonable rent has allowed us to afford a two-bedroom apartment--something I would advise for any newlywed pair featuring one full-time law student.  The separation of working, living, and sleeping spaces lent considerable ease to balancing both our first year of marriage and "our" first year of law school.
• Our apartment building is one of three in the complex.  Each building features 17 units--all one- and two-bedrooms.  Garages are available but at a fee of $50 a month.  Plenty of off-street parking is available.  Heat, water and garbage are included in the rent.  There are no dishwashers.  The laundry facilities were remodeled this winter.  The building have been around since at least the 1960s, but they are well maintained.  Both the management office and its maintenance staff have been helpful and prompt when responding to any concerns.
• The apartment is within walking distance of community center with an indoor track, a weight room and other exercise facilities.  It is also within walking distance of Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran churches and a few small restaurants. 
• There are a few setbacks to this location though.  Highway 694 is practically our backyard. The public safety garage is 5 blocks away, and a set of railroad tracks runs immediately to the east of building.  The combination is a bit noisy--particularly when the apartment windows are open--but the sounds became white noise in a rather short period of time.
• The other setback lies in the public transportation options.  The 4G is the only bus route that runs in the area.  A weekday trip to Minneapolis takes approximately 50 minutes, but no transfers are required.  I can get to UST Law as early as 6:15 A.M on a weekday, but I cannot stay at school any later than 6:00 P.M. without missing my last bus home.  Similarly, I cannot get to school any earlier than 11 A.M. on a  Saturday or 10 A.M. on a Sunday.
• Finally, if you crave city life and a community of young 20- and 30-somethings, New Brighton may not be the best home for you.  Senior citizens noticeably predominate the population. The city has maintains a small-town feel--something I love but others may find isolating or constraining.
• For those who wish to buy, New Brighton also has many newly constructed townhouse and condominiums.

Plymouth
www.plymouthmn.gov/

• The commute is longer than if you lived downtown, but able to save money on rent. I would suggest people take a quick look at the metro bus routes IF they are interested in using the bus system. Park and Rides can be very useful.
• I currently live in Plymouth, which is about a 15 minute drive to school without traffic. The apartments are called Shadow Hills Estates. They are rather new and kept up really nice. The amount I pay is not too bad considering that cable, internet, and underground parking are included in the rent. I also have my own washer and dryer inside my apartment. There is a small gym/work out facility which is convenient, but it is not Ballys by any means. The only down side would have to be the drive in morning traffic.

Richfield

City of Richfield website

• Despite the construction, living in Richfield is nice. Very accessible to downtown, also close to Mall of America, Southdale, MSP airport.  Lots of smaller parks in neighborhoods.  Airport noise can be a downside depending on how much studying you plan to do from home. 
• Transit: Express buses at rush hour times are great, but otherwise can be on the bus for up to an hour (the 4 or 6 bus), and not the nicest of buses.  Driving to/from school takes anywhere between 10-35 minutes, though typically under 20. Will be faster once (if?) Crosstown/35W construction is completed

Roseville

City of Roseville website

• Village of St. Anthony (about five miles outside of downtown) - outside of the city but only be about a 10 minute drive, it is nice. It is right by Rosedale Mall and is convenient to many restaurants and stores. It is right on 35W North of downtown. There are quite a few apartment and town home complexes around.
• Dale Terrace Apartments in Roseville.  It is a great complex and is the average rent for the size apartment in the area.  I like the convenience of my location I am within 2 miles of many restaurants and malls.  When traffic is light it is only a 10 minute drive to school, but most of the time I get stuck in rush hour.  The building managers are great and are very willing to take care of their residents.  If a student is looking for a suburb that is convenient Roseville is great.

St. Louis Park
City of St. Louis Park website

• Louisiana Oaks Apartments (in St. Louis Park). I highly recommend it. It is an excellent, clean building with underground parking. It is close to school and on major roads. All the necessities (i.e. grocery store and target) are close by.
• I am living with a fellow law student in St. Louis Park. The name of our complex is "Louisiana Oaks" and we absolutely love it! The location is perfect...we are located on the corner of Louisiana Avenue and Hwy 7. It is roughly a 10-15 minute drive to school and the complex is affordable, new, and clean! We are close to Hwy 100 and 394 and are right across the street from Park Tavern restaurant/bar/bowling. The property managers are extremely kind and helpful and each apartment comes with an underground parking space.
• I would recommend this complex to anyone!
• I live in St. Louis Park and have since coming to the Twin Cities for law school.  It is a great place to live.  It is close to school, has many necessary amenities, and has a great feel to the community.  I used the realtor recommended by UST to find  my apartment building, Louisiana Oaks, which I would also highly recommend.  The facilities are new, the people are friendly, and it is a building with a  lot  of young professionals.
• Cityscape Apartments (in St. Louis Park) - about a fifteen minute drive.  I live with a roommate and spend about 550 per month.  It is very nice, maintenance is excellent, and lots of young professionals live there.  I would recommend it if people do not mind a short commute.
• My roommate and I live in a two bedroom apartment at City Scape Apartments on highway 100 and Highway 7 in St. Louis Park. It was the cheapest place we could find with the amenities we wanted, such as a washer and dryer and two bathrooms. The commute downtown isn't bad at all- I find it faster and more convenient to drive then bus. There are also great bike paths for running and commuting.
• I am living in St. Louis Park in Tamarind Apartments.  I have been totally satisfied with this location - it is right off of 100 and 394 which makes it convenient to get downtown or out of town.  It's close enough to bus or commute and it's very quiet and safe.  There are also some great running and bike trails if that is of interest.  Most importantly it is much more affordable than most spots downtown or uptown and parking is not a problem.
• I am currently living in St. Louis Park just off of 394 on Hampshire Ave S.  It is a great neighborhood to live in and very close and convenient to school.  It is much cheaper than living downtown.
• I own a house in St. Louis Park. If a student owns a car, St. Louis Park is a wonderful area. It's extremely convenient to downtown (a straight shot on 394) and there are a number of nice homes for rent in the area.

White Bear Lake

City of White Bear Lake website

• I live in White Bear Lakeand have nothing but good things to say about the area.  Rent is affordable, not cheap but not expensive, and it is a great and safe area.  My only gripe is the commute, which usually isn’t that bad, but can sometimes take an hour or more to get to or from school.  If willing to travel, WBL is a great spot, close to so much but tucked away enough to be a fun and safe area.
• I live in White Bear Lake, so the burbs.  Great area, apartment, 1000 sq ft for $880, plus about $200 utilities a month.  Commute takes usually between 25-45 minutes, depending on the time of the day.

Woodbury

City of Woodbury website

• We live in Woodbury.  If you have children, but aren't sure you are going to stay in the Twin Cities, so you don't want to buy a house, this is a good area to rent in (and maybe even to buy).
• The commute is theoretically long, but compared to some of the other 'burbs, the travel time isn't bad at all: usually around 30 minutes (though it's considerably longer during the worst part of the evening commute).  Our neighborhood boasts everything (I mean everything) including "extras" like a Carter's store (great for stocking up on infant/young children's wear when they run a clearance).  Because we have an infant son and two cats, we needed a place that allowed our cats to keep their claws and had enough green space (and quiet) for our son.  We easily found that in Woodbury.
• Additionally, Woodbury isn't really a student center, so your neighbors will probably be working professionals.  We never hear our neighbors and almost everyone seems to be working during the day, though there are some stay-at-home moms.  Another bonus is that Woodbury is a "newer" suburb in that it used to be much, much smaller, so any apartments or homes you'd look at are probably relatively new.  The local Catholic church, St. Ambrose, has a childcare center and school that takes infants through 8th grade, and the parish is also new (since 1998).
• We have a few minor issues with our neighborhood.  We prefer to drive a little farther for our grocery stores for better prices.  As such, we sometimes go "over the border" to the Econofoods in Hudson or to the closest SuperTarget which is in South St. Paul.  Also, our Barnes and Noble is a "baby" one, but it's really easy to get to bigger ones (or the Half-Price Bookstores) within fifteen minutes.  Childcare is expensive (Minnesota in general is known for having a high childcare cost, so this may be a Twin-Cities-wide issue).  Rent here is pricier than in some areas, but the amenities make up for it.  Expect to pay more if you want to live in Woodbury, but expect to have things like a full size washer/dryer and two-car garage.  We specifically live at the Grand Reserve, and we love it. 

Other nearby suburban communities include:

Brooklyn Park http://www.brooklynpark.org/

Cottage Grove http://www.cottage-grove.org/

Eagan www.cityofeagan.com/live/default.aspx

Golden Valley http://www.ci.golden-valley.mn.us/

Hopkins http://www.hopkinsmn.com/

Inver Grove Heights http://www.ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us/

Maple Grove hyperlink to http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/

Maplewood http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/

New Hope http://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/

Oakdale http://www.ci.oakdale.mn.us/

Shoreview http://www.ci.shoreview.mn.us/

South St. Paul http://www.southstpaul.org/

West St. Paul http://www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us/

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