Son moving to Minnesota in August

GopherNole

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My boy is moving up North to study Audiology at UM-Twin Cities. Anyone have advice on Apartments, neighborhoods around the University, or do most folks live out a ways and take light rail. As you can see, we know precious little about the area. We are going up in June to look around but I though I would ask the locals on here to perhaps get a good head start on research.

Thanks in advance
 

My boy is moving up North to study Audiology at UM-Twin Cities. Anyone have advice on Apartments, neighborhoods around the University, or do most folks live out a ways and take light rail. As you can see, we know precious little about the area. We are going up in June to look around but I though I would ask the locals on here to perhaps get a good head start on research.

Thanks in advance
The U currently offers students a free ride on the Light Rail ... but only for a very limited section of stops. Basically just West Bank through Stadium Village.

But I've heard they're considered folding in a free universal Metro Transit pass for students (ie included in student fees). Currently they offer such a pass at a reduced price, something like $100-200 per semester, I think? That would be unlimited free rides on light rail and all bus routes.


It all depends on what type of experience you're looking for. I assume your son is going to be an undergrad? Have you considered on-campus housing? (I don't know how that works, if there is a lottery or how they do it)
 

My boy is moving up North to study Audiology at UM-Twin Cities. Anyone have advice on Apartments, neighborhoods around the University, or do most folks live out a ways and take light rail. As you can see, we know precious little about the area. We are going up in June to look around but I though I would ask the locals on here to perhaps get a good head start on research.

Thanks in advance
On campus housing is expensive. But I felt living in the dorms for at least one year was part of the college experience. Lots of new or newish apartments on campus now, but all pretty expensive.

My best experience was living in Roseville my senior year and just driving to school. Way cheaper.
 

Anything near campus is going to be $$$. Like, they advertise apartments per bed, not even per room. Unless you want to pay $$$ x2.
 

Thanks for the reponses. I had to pick him up from Iowa this weekend (long story) so he will be in Florida for the summer. He will actually be a graduate student and he is paying the bills (refusing help from mom and dad) so we will be looking for starving student rents...to Nax5 above, how far out is Roseville. Was it a multiple roommate deal? If I am asking anything to personal let me know. Maybe there is an off-campus housing office at the University..Of course, he will be checking with the Audiology department as well to see what the current students are doing. I'm not going up there but I am very excited that he will going to Twin Cities. Again I appreciate your responses
 


There is a lot of housing that is reasonable with roommates that is very doable with a bike. In the winter, you gotta catch the bus of course unless you're brave and have the right bike.

Good idea to have him ask around in the dept. That's the best bet, see if he can get someone who lives up there to recommend a place. If he's lucky, it will work out that someone in the dept will have an open room and hopefully that will work out at least the first year. By then he will have the lay of the land and know who he really wants to room with.
 

Thanks for the reponses. I had to pick him up from Iowa this weekend (long story) so he will be in Florida for the summer. He will actually be a graduate student and he is paying the bills (refusing help from mom and dad) so we will be looking for starving student rents...to Nax5 above, how far out is Roseville. Was it a multiple roommate deal? If I am asking anything to personal let me know. Maybe there is an off-campus housing office at the University..Of course, he will be checking with the Audiology department as well to see what the current students are doing. I'm not going up there but I am very excited that he will going to Twin Cities. Again I appreciate your responses
I had one roommate at the time. We maybe paid $500/month each. Roseville isn't too far, depending on how close to the highway you are. I think my commute when driving myself was like 15 minutes at most.
 

If he is a Freshman, living in a dorm, is a great way to meet a ton of people. Then in year 2, he can figure out, where and who to live with. Enjoy the U of M.
 

I had one roommate at the time. We maybe paid $500/month each. Roseville isn't too far, depending on how close to the highway you are. I think my commute when driving myself was like 15 minutes at most.
Was curious if parking was a nightmare? I think he plans on using public transportation.
 



Was curious if parking was a nightmare? I think he plans on using public transportation.
Parking on campus seems to get progressively worse in terms of price/spots available/access, having somewhere within biking distance is nice for the 4 months per school year that the weather is nice enough for it
 

I seem to recall graduate student on-campus housing on the St. Paul campus. That might be a good option, though maybe it's more geared towards people with kids. I agree with others; living on/near campus his first year is a good idea.
 

I seem to recall graduate student on-campus housing on the St. Paul campus. That might be a good option, though maybe it's more geared towards people with kids. I agree with others; living on/near campus his first year is a good idea.
Heh... My memory holds up! Found this on the UMN website.

 

On campus housing is expensive. But I felt living in the dorms for at least one year was part of the college experience. Lots of new or newish apartments on campus now, but all pretty expensive.

My best experience was living in Roseville my senior year and just driving to school. Way cheaper.
Those on campus apartments are the worst quality buildings I’ve seen in the city. All a facade. Charge a grip too.
 



Was curious if parking was a nightmare? I think he plans on using public transportation.
The light rail has no security. It is poorly done when compared to other cities train systems.

I know a lot of guys (from the roughest parts of town) who refuse to take it any longer. My buddy from Brooklyn thinks its worse here than when he was theee in 80s. I cannot confirm that as I stopped using it.
 

The light rail has no security. It is poorly done when compared to other cities train systems.

I know a lot of guys (from the roughest parts of town) who refuse to take it any longer. My buddy from Brooklyn thinks its worse here than when he was theee in 80s. I cannot confirm that as I stopped using it.
Thanks for the heads-up. He may need to get himself a bike for the "warm" months as was mentioned above.
 

Was curious if parking was a nightmare? I think he plans on using public transportation.
It wasn't. But I'm recalling now it was because we were in a parking lottery and got a spot in a ramp right on campus. So without that, you'd end up looking around. Very little street parking on campus. Usually have to go just outside and park in a neighborhood.
 

The light rail has no security. It is poorly done when compared to other cities train systems.

I know a lot of guys (from the roughest parts of town) who refuse to take it any longer. My buddy from Brooklyn thinks its worse here than when he was theee in 80s. I cannot confirm that as I stopped using it.
I still ride regularly. At commute times anyone with street smarts should be OK.
 

I still ride regularly. At commute times anyone with street smarts should be OK.
Appreciate the response. I’m a huge train guy, but had gotten bitter about the Degradation coupled with reports from friends. This is nice to read.
 

A really cool place to stay for students and is quite new is The Hub. Very clean, nice amenities, close proximity to campus. One of my daughters stayed there this year. I would recommend to any year two or beyond students.

 

Thanks for the heads-up. He may need to get himself a bike for the "warm" months as was mentioned above.
The buses are "better" in a sense because you actually have to pay to get on and get past the driver. Not that that is a big deal. But each bus is a limited unit.

The light rail is a big freebie. None of the troublemakers pay a cent to get on, and they do whatever they want.
 


Could you elaborate on "street smarts"? ;)
My definition of downtown Minneapolis "street smarts" is knowing that "Avenues" run parallel north-south and "Streets" go east-west. For whatever reason downtown 1st Avenue is then separated by Hennepin, Nicolet and Marquette before getting to 2nd Avenue. An exception to north-south Avenues are Washington & University which merge just east of the U Campus (Stadium Village) and connects to St Paul.

Downtown St Paul, lived here for 50+ years and still prone to taking a wrong turn now and then when venturing off 7th St. Thank god for the Google maps app.
 

My definition of downtown Minneapolis "street smarts" is knowing that "Avenues" run parallel north-south and "Streets" go east-west. For whatever reason downtown 1st Avenue is then separated by Hennepin, Nicolet and Marquette before getting to 2nd Avenue. An exception to north-south Avenues are Washington & University which merge just east of the U Campus (Stadium Village) and connects to St Paul.

Downtown St Paul, lived here for 50+ years and still prone to taking a wrong turn now and then when venturing off 7th St. Thank god for the Google maps app.
Oh, you were talking about something like "geographical wherewithal" in the sense of being able to take side streets to avoid traffic.

I was thinking you were talking about something like "knowing when 's__t is about to really go down on the light rail' and how to avoid that" ;)
 

Oh, you were talking about something like "geographical wherewithal" in the sense of being able to take side streets to avoid traffic.

I was thinking you were talking about something like "knowing when 's__t is about to really go down on the light rail' and how to avoid that" ;)
I can't speak for saintpaulguy, but yes perhaps there was a different interpretation. Though I suppose it's good to be well versed in both types of "street smarts" and 1 can impact the other.
 
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A really cool place to stay for students and is quite new is The Hub. Very clean, nice amenities, close proximity to campus. One of my daughters stayed there this year. I would recommend to any year two or beyond students.

Thanks for this. We have booked a trip to Minneapolis on July 8th so we have a few days to try to get the lay of the land. We will check this out
 

I'll add my $0.02.

One small bit of knowledge- in our neck of the woods, the University of Minnesota is known as "The U". Yes, I know you have your own "The U" in Florida, but we all affectionately refer to ours as "The U".

From an outsider's perspective, relying on the train seems like a good idea. However, it has it's limitations. It's SLOW as it's at grade and has to stop at lights occasionally. As others have stated, outside of daytime hours it can get a bit squirrely, usually because there is little policing of people paying before they get on; it's basically the honor system. If you want to rely on the train, I would focus on the apartments along University Avenue between the Minneapolis campus and St. Paul (so east of campus). Short ride to campus, should be reasonably safe, and likely cheaper apartments than directly adjacent to campus.

As others have stated, parking on campus isn't great. It is very much an urban campus, and parking is priced (with availability) accordingly. If you don't have a contract spot, ramps often fill up by mid-morning. So dependent on his schedule of when he needs to get there, he could be parking out a ways or trying to find street parking.

It will be more expensive, but getting an apartment near campus IMO is worth the cost. You can live a bit farther and get a bike or electric scooter and save the hassle of parking your car. Another option to consider is a place near the St. Paul campus. The Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses are not directly next to each other, but are connected by a transit way with free University buses. Takes 10-15 minutes on a (free) bus to get from - campus to campus, depending on which stop you're going to. Used exclusively by students, so extremely safe. Housing near the St. Paul campus is a cheaper alternative. If he's going to be on campus for the majority of the day (not a lot of back-and-forth), this could be a good option.
 

^^^ agree that if you plan to take the train, I would stick to trying to get on at Prospect Park, Westgate, maybe Raymond.

If you instead go west on University/4th (Uni goes East, 4th goes West, when you're west of the football stadium), there is a lot of rental housing that direction. No train there, but busses could actually be a bit better.
 

Well, we made the trip to MSP last weekend. We found our son a place in Prospect Park, basically a stone's throw from the football stadium. We took a ride on the Green Line between St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is within walking distance of his department so, all in all, we are happy with his future digs. Thanks to all on here for the advice and information.
 

"Within walking distance" will quickly turn into "I'll catch the light rail" when the weather turns to crap here. :cool:

Glad it worked out!
 

Well, we made the trip to MSP last weekend. We found our son a place in Prospect Park, basically a stone's throw from the football stadium. We took a ride on the Green Line between St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is within walking distance of his department so, all in all, we are happy with his future digs. Thanks to all on here for the advice and information.

I just read this thread. Where is he moving from out of curiosity?
 




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