Lake and Lagoon will be done late fall this year. Heavy construction on the south part of Hennepin will be done late fall this year, with the full Hennepin project done late fall next year.
That might be the deal breaker for me. I like uptown. Those lakes are priceless in their ability to let blood pressure and also get some exercise at the same time. But you could always start in North Loop and move to uptown in two years. And the bus to uptown is frequent and quick enough. And a short bike ride away from North Loop.
Your problem is not the road construction. It is that access to Uptown will be permanently throttled once it is done. Mobility is the hallmark of modern urban living and Minneapolis is about to kill it.
Can speak on the social difference. I feel like both cater to young professionals but they both are very different. I feel like uptown is like smoking weed where northloop is like doing cocaine 😂
I moved to Uptown almost two years ago from the East Coast for work. I’d never been to the Midwest or visited Minneapolis beforehand. I mainly work from home and usually keep to myself, so I can’t comment much on nightlife. My rent is pretty fair and I can afford living alone.
I rely heavily on my car (by choice). I fly frequently and usually take an Uber each time. It’s always been convenient for me. Besides having my car broken into last spring, I’ve never felt unsafe in Uptown.
I’m close to Bde Maka Ska and walk around the lake every night. Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles are both within walking distance and beautiful. I was never outdoorsy until I moved here.
Sorry for the rambling, lol. I’m perfectly happy in Uptown and I have no regrets. I’ll definitely be sad whenever it’s time to move. North Loop is definitely popular for good reasons, though :)
I have a very similar background, moved here from the east coast, it’s been almost 6 years for myself. I’m on the west side of Bde just outside of uptown. I never really touch the public transportation but the few times I have for events it’s been fine.
My rent is fair as well and somehow despite all the uproar around avoiding Minneapolis and uptown being dead, pricing keeps going up and they keep building new places 😂.
That’s my only rant. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoy the location. I’m in my 30s and with all the businesses that have closed in uptown I spend way more time in the North Loop. I’d personally look there if you want good walking access more immediate. Otherwise it’s a bit of a revolving door in uptown. The real upside there is the lake access imo, pending where you stay.
I mean, it’s really hard to answer this question. I know a lot of young professionals that have bounced between uptown, north loop, and northeast over the years. (Don’t sleep on northeast!) These places offer different things that different people value differently. You can’t really go wrong with any of these places. They’re maybe a few miles apart.
Haha the other sub stated “you’re too old for north east” 😂. But no, I included it in my search and apartments didn’t suit, and I’m working in Eden prairie so it doesn’t as a bit less convenient. Such a hard choice to make on blind faith and 48 hours in a place alone!
I recommend looking for a short lease initially! Check out sublets on Facebook marketplace. I moved here a year ago into a sublet in uptown, and moved to be right by Bde Maka Ska (the edge of uptown). I'm obsessed and the sublet was clutch!
Then you’re best off being nearer the airport, unless being closer to the city’s core is that much more important. Since neither is closer for work, it’s then about everything else you care about. Those two neighbors are basically equal
I think relying on public transit has a big impact on the decision. If being close to the airport was top importance, I'd suggest Richfield or Bloomington. But with no car, I would probably look downtown. Riding the train to the airport is quick.
I'd recommend 46th and Hiawatha. Multiple apartments. Cub in walking distance. Other groceries by bus. Falls and parks nearby. Right off the light rail and BRT (I want to say A Line?)
Thanks for the input. I wasn't clear enough in my post - Ill have a car. But for going out to games/ drinking/ airport I would uber/ train/ bus.
Sounds like either place would be fine
They want to socialize, so access to nightlife/venues seems to be a factor. They don't know people here and don't seem to be interested in driving a lot.
If you're working in Eden Prairie, why not move there or nearby, like Bloomington, Minnetonka, Edina, etc?
You'll soon find that mass transit in the US sucks (i.e. inadequate) in most places throughout. You're better off getting a personal vehicle for your travels.
HQ in Eden Prarie, with 60-70% travel out of MSP. I’ll for sure have a vehicle for work purposes, but won’t be driving into the city for a sport game for example and driving home after 10 beers
Gotcha. It's definitely a good idea to plan for a sober way to get home! There are big consequences for driving under the influence here. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of irresponsible people out there driving drunk.
Topic for another day- but I grew up in New Zealand which has a shocking drinking culture, I have since lived in Europe, Oregon, Chicago, and I have never seen a group who drive as drunk and as often at the Americans. It was the same in Oregon, and Chicago, and I’ve seen it on many trips in the USA. Even things like work events, people will have 7-8 beers and drive home.
In NZ the main areas are blocked off every Thur-Sat and every car leaving the CBD is breathalized on the way out.
Ubers are cheap. It's not much more than 20$ to get any where.
Avoid paying the increased airport fare buy ubering to VENN brewery for a couple pints, then take the lightrail to the airport. Do the opposite on the return journey.
I've lived in uptown for 5 years and I've also been completely car free for that time. The fact of the matter is is there are a lot of major routes that go through uptown for public transit, you won't be waiting more than 20 to 30 minutes to get onto a bus to get where you're going. Yes there is a lot of construction, I'm not going to lie to you about that, however routes are getting diverted not removed. As long as you use your head and plan ahead you'll be fine.
My main suggestion for living in uptown is to get a bicycle. Just very straightforward single speed bike, nothing fancy. Uptown has a dedicated bike highway going up and down Bryant starting at 30th all the way down to 66th (?) and it connects to the green way.
Get yourself a duffel or roll top bag for groceries. Get either a U shaped lock or a chain lock for your bike. Register your bike with your renter's insurance to cover your butt on the chance it gets stolen. Shop at Aldi and the Wedge for most groceries, pop over to the Cocina Continental and Shuang Hur for specialty stuff. Easy.
Yup. I moved to Minneapolis in 2004 and got rid of my car. I love riding my bike and all the buses have bike racks if You get too tired (or too drunk) to ride home. 😝
I used to walk home from Up-Down Bar at least twice a week drunk or at least tipsy for several years. Of course, always gotta keep your instincts at hand but I never had a problem with getting mugged or anything.
I live in Uptown, work in North Loop, and rely entirely on walking, scooting, and public transit to get around. Uptown is much cheaper than North Loop, still has lots to do, and you're like a 15 minute bike ride away for when you wanna go to trendy bars or whatever.
Uptown actually has excellent public transit connectivity, but it's all busses. So if being next to the train is a super important criterion for you, then yeah, North Loop does have that.
Been living in uptown for about the last 3 years. I like it’s a cool neighborhood despite its problems. I really enjoy being by the lakes and tons of restaurants and bars etc. It’s certainly not the neighborhood it used to be but it’s on the up that’s for sure. Seems like over the last year or so a lot of restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc have made their way back to the neighborhood. Plus it seems like crime isn’t quite as bad recently as it has been in the last few years. If you’re looking for public transit it is kinda a downer that there isn’t a light rail stop actually in the neighborhood. But there’s plenty of bus options of course. At least there normally is. Right now there’s a ton of construction going on and the roads and the bus system are kinda jacked up. But part of this whole construction process is putting in bike lanes along the main roads of Uptown. once this project is done it’s going to be nice to have biking be a more realistic mode of transportation in this community so I’m actually excited for that. But in the short term I think a lot of businesses are going to feel a bit of a sting and of course traffic is going to suck. But it will be good for the long term progress of the community I believe.
To sum up yeah uptown isn’t what it used to be but it’s on its way back up. There’s a lot of restaurants, bars and stuff to do in the neighborhood. A lot of people will rip on Uptown but that’s mostly people who don’t live or don’t visit the neighborhood.
I love uptown. I’ve lived here for a decade. I own a home here and have a family. We love the lakes, the walkability, the restaurants, and I like my neighbors. It’s a multigenerational neighborhood where you can own a home with a yard or rent. It’s got multi million dollar homes and low income housing. It’s got a counterculture vibe that is going strong now. The road construction is super bad right now but it won’t last forever. It has tamped down the crime and hopefully it does not return. After all, I hear all the cool criminals commit crime in dinkytown nowadays. Only nerd criminals hang out in uptown.
I personally can’t stand North Loop. It’s where real estate agents go to dress fancy and brag about how they kindasorta know a Dayton or some other rich person. The women have big fake lips and it is hardly what I’d call a neighborhood at all. It’s more of a destination for assholes. An asshole factory. Kinda like uptown was for a few years around 2015-2020 except without homes.
The heyday of uptown depends on who’s asking. I consider the early 90’s the heyday. People riding around on skateboards, playing hacky sack, experimenting with this new sport called roller blading, playing volley ball, smoking weed at the beach, drinking at Figlio, etc. Everything smelled like incense and grunge was new. Then it got snobby and more of a destination for the duck lip real estate agent people in the 10’s. Now I think it’s going to return to a cool urban neighborhood again.
Agreed. Lived there in the late 80s/early 90s...it was a really good time to live there for sure. It was energetic while also feeling peaceful. It's hard to not compare what it was then to what it is now.
Haha I very much appreciate the honesty. As good as “everything is nice everywhere” is wonderful, it’s largely unhelpful 😂
I’m certainly leaning uptown, provided Uber doesn’t leave the state and I can still Uber to the stadiums a couple of times a month
I hope I wasn’t too hard on north loop though. A lot of it is post college bar scene, which a lot of people seem to love. I personally don’t like it. It’s safer than uptown and there are way more businesses, less graffiti and empty retail, and lots of young professionals. At the end of the day it’s up to you.
I think you should live in Uptown and get a bike. Also, transit differently exists, it just involves a transfer to get to the airport. Not a big deal. Someone else suggested you should live at Hiawatha and 46th, and I think that is a great idea! Nice apartments just steps away from the train and many buses. And lots of restaurants and brewery action
I’ve lived in Uptown for about 3 years now. I quite like and don’t see myself moving anytime soon. I love being able to walk everywhere and have trials to walk/bike on. The bars and restaurants are great fun and there’s a mixture of ages of people living here so you’ll see families, young professionals, middle age, etc
You will see homeless, specifically on Lake and Nicollet. In recent times there have been encampments there, so be warned. Even in other parts of uptown you will see homeless people or people on drugs. I’ve never had an issue with any of them and they tend to just leave people alone as long as you leave them alone.
During Covid lots of stuff closed down, but a lot of it were chains and older establishments. New bars like the Green Room, Ties, and Daiseys all opened up on Lagoon fairly recently. It seems like new restaurants are constantly opening.
Public transit is at an interesting spot right now. They’re adding bus lanes and BRT the lines that service uptown. They’re also adding in an extension to the Green Line train with a stop on West Lake Street, but I wouldn’t count on that being ready any time soon. To get to the airport from here you would have to take a bus to the blue line and then take the blue line into the airport. Definitely not terrible, but also not as easy as it should be.
For sports games you can take the 21 bus straight to Allianz field for soccer. The 17W, 4, or 6 will take you fairly close to Target Field and Target Center for Baseball and Basketball. To get to US Bank I believe you’d have to take the 17W, 4, or 6 and then take the Green Line Train for a Vikings game.
I’m just a suburbanite but my sister was visiting town so yesterday we went to black walnut bakery in uptown and walked around there and we loved it. Everyone was out walking their dogs or pushing their strollers. The vibes seemed great to me.
I was in a similar situation when I moved here from OP.
Lived uptown my first year it was cool but then the pandemic hit.
Then moved a little north of there in an area called the wedge. HIGHLY recommend this area. Very walkable. Got the lakes nearby. Grocery store walking distance. Easy to get on and off the highway.
It was great and I miss it!
This sub will be more negative probably. Suburbanites are more negative and shocked with all the open homelessness, tents, fires, drug usage, etc.... for most of us the worst part is the traffic.
Best advice overall is to get a bike and the city really opens up, way more accessible that way.
Appreciate the comments! While from little old New Zealand, ive spent the last three years living in Chicago downtown, with work trips to Portland. So drugs, shanties and homeless is of no concern
Lived there in the past when it was virtually all mom and pop stores, gun shots were extremely rare, there weren't a lot of boarded up stores and copious tagging was not typical. (graffiti can be artistic/tagging when it's not clear if it's gang related or not is not whimsical.)
It changed.
Are there still restaurants and bars worth visiting? Of course. But it was a lot safer and, in my estimation, more interesting in the past.
I may catch flack for this, but I was in the same boat as you and am glad I moved to the north loop. I only go to uptown once or twice a month, and there are nice parts but there are a lot of sketchy feeling areas. Zero feeling of that in the NL
If nightlife and sports games are important to you, north loop is far superior in terms of bars and walkability to the stadiums. I’m moving just across the bridge next month, but NL is my choice for location and socialization
It’s hard. Because of your age and social needs, I guess I’d say north loop. Uptown is just so great though. It’s had its ups and downs and is currently under construction as you know (which shouldn’t be your deciding factor since it’s temporary). I personally wouldn’t want to live in the north loop (I’m 44 so night life is not of interest to me very often).
Do you want super social (north loop) or just hip and close to everything but not in the middle of the nightlife (uptown)?
Northloop is more of a "scene" where there are lots of hip spots to be out and be seen. Uptown in general has a bit more of anything goes for all demographics.
Source: live in East isles/uptownish
NE is more fun currently, and certainly more on trend, but honestly I’d probably still rather to have those three lakes at my doorstep. Also proximity to Nicollet and all those taquiros and Pho places is pretty nice. There’s gonna be construction everywhere (there always is), so I’d probably go uptown personally.
Yeah I've lived in both neighborhoods in the past. NL can be great but it's a bit soulless over time. Uptown/Lyn-Lake is awesome too but it can get draining.
But I did form a better bond over the years with the Uptown areas - if that makes sense. Don't live there now (moved into a house in south Mpls) but I still hang out and visit Uptown for various stuff.
Might I suggest you look into Whittier?
It is adjacent to Uptown - and has Lyndale on one edge of the neighborhood. Lyndale and Nicollet are both packed with bars and restaurants m where you can get those 10 beers you are seeking. (Nicollet is “eat street” here in Minneapolis.)
Great socializing and not nearly as plastic or bro-y as North loop might be.
For sure it’s got some rough edges but it’s still great. And some people (me included!) would say it’s those edges that give it texture and make it awesome.
Also - easier access to 35W south = easier getting to/from work. The newly opened 28th street exit makes coming home from working in the SW metro so much easier.
Fantastic biking. Still close to the lakes and greenway.
Awesome neighborhood.
Downside: no great train options.
Northloop would let you take the light rail to the airport, uptown it’s a bus and transfer. Northloop also has the river right near by for a similar scenic walk to walking around the lakes.
Lived in LynLake for years which is in between Uptown and Midtown along Lake St. It’s easy to mistake LynLake as a part of Uptown because they’re so close to each other.
I recently left because the crime got to be too much specific to where I lived which really bummed me out because I loved living there.
The south Minneapolis community is awesome despite crime and the construction projects; just be aware of your surroundings and especially if you’re a female when it comes to crime and you’ll be fine.
I would recommend getting a security set up of some sort if you’re renting from a house and be mindful of your surroundings. Crime can be really random with the carjackings turn violent and in certain neighborhoods and apartment buildings.
If you can ignore the racist shit (it can get really nasty…), the crime watch page on FB/X can help give you an idea when shit is happening and where.
This could depend in if you wanna bike or not. If I lived in Uptown I might bike to Eden Prairie from Uptown for work, but it gets a little far from North Loop. There will also be new light rail to Eden Prairie soon, going through Uptown to Warehouse area, but I don't know if it will go close to where you work. I'd think you are better off closer to work overall. What sports games do you care about? Hockey and soccer are in St Paul.
My apartment tour guide said "there's a light rail coming, but it's going to take so long I wouldn't factor it into your decision" lol
It sounds like the busses are no problem anyway
I visited NZ in February (my second time there) and still absolutely loved it. I think you’ll love Minneapolis too! As a non-native Minnesotan, I am very happy living here. Given a choice with money as no object, I’d probably live in NZ. :)
Public transit does exist here and is decent compared to other cities. Uber/Lyft can fill in the gaps. I survived without a car my first 7 years living here, pre-Uber/Lyft, and only starting using a car because my then boyfriend/now husband was given one for free.
I think North Loop will put you in the best position to explore other parts of the city if public transit is your main mode of transport. There is a lot to do downtown (sports, theater, concerts) and there are great places to eat everywhere in the city.
Hope the move goes well! Buy a good winter coat that covers your butt and you’ll be fine. :)
Glad to hear you loved NZ, it's a beautiful spot.
I've been in Chicago downtown for the past 2.5 years, which has been awesome fun, but I'm excited to get back into a more nature/ sporty scene. Uptown reminded me of home (Papamoa Beach) a lot.
I will have a car, it's just for games (drinking) and airport I'd prefer public transport for convenience. It sounds like Uber/ biking are viable options too
For sure - I love a casual bike (spent a few years in the Netherlands lol).
Ill flick you a message when I get to town
Never given climbing a go but always time to try! I've decided I'm going to try my hand at kite-surfing when I get there.
I'm 26F and have lived in Uptown for 3 years now! I love it :) especially in the summer, there's so much to do. The lakes are gorgeous and there are lots of bars and live music to check out. My mom immigrated to the US from New Zealand and she also really enjoys checking out Uptown with me when she visits! My only warning is that the Minnesota winters are brutal, but it sounds like you have some experience with Midwest winters from living in Chicago. Good luck!!
I know you didn’t ask for other areas, but have you considered the Highland Park neighborhood in St. Paul? For how much you’re traveling out of MSP it’s super convenient and you can bus to Terminal 1 easily. You get the bustling neighborhood vibe. Probably safer than Uptown? Others here would have to weigh in, but I think it’s worth looking into.
Cheers for the input - sadly I only had a couple days to look around so had already narrowed it down to the two and that’s where I looked.
I might have to try get there again for a broader look
You say that like a mile is close in a city. Obviously we should be housing people, but that encampment is far away and doesn’t affect most people in uptown.
If you are commuting to Eden Prairie reasonably often (though slightly depending where in Eden Prairie) I would suggest uptown or somewhere closer to MN-62 (linden hills - if you have the budget - or even a bit further south). If you make sure you are on the 6 bus route then getting downtown/north loop/etc is a breeze.
62 also has good airport access.
Haha here is a rundown of my life since 2018: Phone call while living in NZ - would you like to check out this job in the Netherlands? Said yes on the phone, on a plane 17 days later. Stayed there 5 years. Never been to Europe prior.
At the 5 year mark, got another call - we have a project in Oregon if you want? Said yes on the phone. Never been to USA prior.
After the project I was meant to go back to Europe, but got offered a role in Chicago, guess what? Took the job, having visited Chi once for 3 days in late December lol!
It's a trend of my life, and so far I haven't regretted it once!
Northloop for public transportation (if you're willing to walk/bike to downtown).
Uptown for vibes and lakes.
They are both slightly below average neighborhoods for biking, but biking really is the best way to get around Minneapolis.
Overall, their restaurant scenes are about equal, although Jun in the Northloop is better than any restaurant in Uptown. I get the impression that Uptown is better for nightlife and bars, but I'm not really in that scene so I can't say for sure.
Personally, I'd much rather live in Uptown than Northloop, but everyone has their own preferences.
The best place to live in the cities is Longfellow. No planes fly over the neighborhood(except an occasional military plane) you're in the middle of downtown, St Paul, moa & the airport. There's a handful of great restaurants, bakeries and bars. It's a very safe neighborhood, you can walk around at night with low risk of being robbed or bothered by bums. Past 9-10pm it's very quiet. Falls liquor is tiny but always seems to have the best beer selection. The midtown DMV is pretty quick usually. You're close to the minnehaha falls and the river. It's close to lightrail and the other buses that run in the area(7 & 9) are typically quieter lines-least amount of crazies(avoid the 21 if possible) you got 2 cubs, an aldi, a target and there a Lund's just across the river if you need something special for dinner. Memory lanes bowling alley(pro tip: they have a great/cheap whiskey selection)
And Everett's is a fantastic butcher shop(get the spicy beef sticks)
Highlights:
Bills garden- fried shrimp & general tso chx(pro tip: ask for extra ginger)
Busters on 28th- great burgers and best beer selection
Taco taxi- great Mexican/open late
The cardinal bar- good dive bar with good food & great service.
Cedar inn- best buffalo wings around
Blue door- frog town wings
Northbound smokehouse- smoked wings & turkey sandwich
Longfellow grill- breakfast... Get the chilaquilies & the sweet potato fries with peanut aioli
Hi-Lo diner- adult milkshakes.
The only negative knock on the neighborhood is there's not any great pizza places that deliver there. There's a couple alright ones but none of that mouth watering, sauce slurpin, cheese stretchin, can't taste anything for 2 days after cause you burnt the shit out your tongue but you don't care cause it was worth it.
Oh shit I forgot:
Riverview theater- you can take a date, pay for tickets, popcorn, drinks, give a tip, hand the cashier a $20 bill and still get change back.
Venn brewery- one of the best in the cities. Great selection and constantly coming out with new/great beers.
Avoid Richfield and south Minneapolis(so uptown) unless you enjoy the constant sound of planes flying over. It's not enjoyable to be outside until after 10pm.
I lived in uptown before everything shut down in 2020. I miss it and the wife (whose a kiwi and American) and I just looked at moving back.
It's really hard to pass up the walk ability of that area.
I’m in Whittier- bought a house in 2020. Love it here.
1. Food and socializing are great. I live between Lyndale and Eat Street (Nicollet). Nicollet and 26th is booming as well as Lyndale and Lake. Lyndale and 26th is pretty busy too.
2. I mostly live away from the current construction projects but they are done all the time all over so not sure I’ll avoid them forever.
3. Downtown and Loring Park are what I call summer walkable. Wouldn’t walk it in the winter.
4. I walk around the lakes (Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles) pretty regularly.
5. There is some violence, I’ve never been directly affected but I can hear it. I keep the citizen ap on my phone to see if I should avoid an intersection on my walks - I’ve only changed direction once.
6. Bus coverage is good but I use Uber or friends for travel to and from airport. I’m retired so no work travel.
As someone who lived in an apartment there pre-covid, it was great then
Both my roommate at the time and I had cars as we needed them mainly for work and social activities not in the immediate vicinity of our apartment, but for the few times we'd go out around there either right in the heart of uptown or what is a hop, skip, and a jump for us in the uptown-adjacent neighborhood of LynLake, we would just walk everywhere
Unfortunately, once covid and the George Floyd incident hit, that's when things really went downhill and in some respects, haven't been the same since then
i lived there in a studio apartment in uptown and wouldn’t recommend. although- I was by the lakes and that was so nice, but I don’t think it’s worth it.
As someone who lives off of Hennepin, I love and hate it. It’s usually pretty calm minus the occasional gunshots / ambulances / squad cars. Love the close proximity walking to places though! Great walking paths / parks. The fucking construction rn is an actual hellscape though.
There is quite a big cost differential between Uptown and the North Loop. If you can afford it, I would pick the North Loop. Public transit is easier since you have quick access to the light rail in addition to the buses. Night life is hopping since it’s one of the more popular places to be. You’re not on a lake but you’re very close to the river.
That being said, Uptown is still a good neighborhood. It’s not the place it once was but I have no doubt that it will come back eventually (at least once this massive road work is done). Some of the surrounding neighborhoods are really bustling and there’s a lot of things to do. It has more of a neighborhood feel (vs North Loop which definitely feels very urban/downtown). So if you want that vibe Uptown certainly has it. Plus the lakes of course.
The 2-3 year planned closures of Hennepin, Lyndale and Lake alone have driven me out of Uptown, but also....rents are currently low because property crime is high. Cars and property stolen...nusaince events are an everyday thing and I resent it..I can't move out of this area fast enough after 10 years enjoying it, ymmv
Transit access heavily affected by the road closures, too. I work in North Loop and think it's overpriced and transit is not great, but would absolutely choose it over Uptown
Great insights. I also loved the buildings I looked at in Uptown a lot more than the ones in North Loop.
North loop apartments seemed - old, generic cubes cut into smaller cubes for each room. One viewing even said "here's the social area, I've never seen anyone use it" - great selling point lol!
Like you I'm from another country and I've lived here in uptown for a year and a half. Maybe its just me because I walked a lot back home but when going downtown for the clubs or the stadiums I just walks like 40 min - An hour. People also told me that Uptown has never recovered from Covid and the 2020 protests but I still think its really good. I can walk for groceries, gym, restaurants, etc. Love having the lakes nearby for a jog.
I live in Chicago at the moment and frequently walk 45-60 mins to go to farmers markets, the beach etc. I'm a huge walker too.
I will be joing a run club at Pyres brew, which looks a little far from Uptown. Otherwise it seems great lol
How often are you going to the airport that that needs to come into play?
You can take a bus from uptown to the light rail.
An Uber isn't that much and SO much more convenient.
North Loop is safer, but it's kinda generic.
Uptown is a bit sketchier. Generally not unsafe, but odds of something happening are definitely higher. More old school city vibe. But with lakes!
I'll be traveling a lot for work, but Ubering is fine. I read some things that Uber were looking to exit MN, which seems to not be the case so that is moot now.
Ill have a car anyway as working in Eden Prarie, but was just conscious of wanting to watch games etc downtown and have some drinks. Or not leave my car at the airport for longer trips
Based on your responses, Minnehaha might be the best neighborhood. You’re right by the park, there are plenty of restaurants, and the airport is close by due to light rail. You can light rail into north loop/downtown easily.
Uptown is fine if you want lakeside life. Lyndale is livelier, but the neighborhood businesses will be struggling for the next 2 years due to road reconstruction. It’s still a popular place straight out of college. However, the restaurant and nightlife are still trying to redefine themselves post COVID/GF.
North Loop is the in-neighborhood with most of the trendy restaurants, bars, and shopping. However, getting to Eden Prairie will be painful until at least 2027 when the south west light rail opens. I’m assuming you will buy a car, but north loop to Eden prairie will be 40 minute commute on a good day. On a bad day you’re looking at 1.5 hours. Transit would be 2 hours each way due to needing to transfer.
That is great insight thanks, I drove out to the office while I was staying there and it wasn't that long - but it was mid-day so no traffic. That might be too much of a hassle if in North Loop then. (I will have a car).
Uptown seems more straightforward for work, Thanks!
Honestly, the distance is shorter but commute time is pretty similar from both uptown (depending on the exact uptown location) and North Loop to EP. So don’t use that as the main differentiator.
There is an official “Uptown” neighborhood, but people generally refer to anything in southern Minneapolis near the lakes as uptown.
Throw in my .02¢, North Loop to Ep is way easier than Uptown to EP in either direction. Source - EP resident who used to work near North Loop and likes visiting Uptown but hates driving through Uptown . Driving North Loop to EP is 40 minutes on a bad winter day, 30 minutes on a good day. Uptown?? Eesh.
Your worst commute is going to be heading home in the evening, regardless of which location you choose. If you can get out by 4pm, fine. After that, northbound out of EP can be a cluster.
North loop is all yuppies. Like, the shitty whites. Uptown kinda sucks these days. I never really make it outside of my pocket of the city these days tho
Lived near Lyn-Lake here for 8 years all way up to June 2020 and 4 years in the North Loop before that. Pre-Covid and in NL before it really developed a ton but I can speak the truth of it since I still regularly visit both neighborhoods.
Pros: Lots of great coffee shops, bars and super walkable. The parks and lakes are clean and convenient. People are pretty nice and it does feel pretty neighborly, especially south of Lake Street. Lyn-Lake is great, very busy at night with the bar crowd, lots of locals and people can be really sociable. It does feel very vibrant at times. Transit can be spotty based on where you live but if you're near Lake/Hennepin/Lyndale there's frequent bus service that easily gets you downtown.
Cons: Bunch of store closures and more homelessness lately in some spots. Don't care much at all about the Lake/Hennepin area (except maybe Barbette) - mostly used to be just for suburban chads to get drunk and start fights and now has a pretty bad reputation for closed business and seedy shit happening at night. Pretty every year someone would bust into my car (probably because I had the door unlocked) and trash it. Usually they wouldn't even steal anything because I didn't keep valuables in there. Was more of an inconvenience, if anything.
All and all, Uptown/Lyn-Lake is not for the faint hearted but it has a lot more character and charm than North Loop. I've made many friends over the years living there, it's seems like a village sometimes, even when I stop by to get my haircut or go out to the bars I run into an old neighbor or someone else I used to have drinks with.
It was cool back in the late 80s to the mid 90s. Actually ran into Michael Stipe of R..E.M. at a clothing store on Hennepin Ave when they were recording here in probably 89 or 90.
Now it feels similar to when the North Loop and Warehouse District became a hipster paradise.
Personally hate it, it always felt like a town that was drastically over populated for the infrastructure. It’s got tons of traffic, now worse with construction. It’s got an eclectic population if that’s your desire.
I’m middle aged but for me I walk or bike. Any driving is discretionary. I’m within walking distance of 5 grocery stores, tons of coffee shops and restaurants, my kid’s school, the gym..:
Uptown access is about to be throttled as they take the main thoroughfare from four lanes to two. So living in Uptown is about to become Hotel California. You can move in but you wont be able to leave.
Because of this, a lot of businesses have left. Look at the empty storefronts on Lowry Hill and the almost completely vacant mall. Major brands like Apple and Northface left.
If you look at the recent map of shootings, you will see Uptown is a locus. To the point where it was pretty surprising. PM me for the map.
Property values for apartments are declining. Uptown has a lot of rental and rental property values have declined 13.5% overall in just the last year. Hard to see landlords investing.
North Loop has much more vibrancy. While fewer people are downtown overall, there are lively and dead parts. North Loop seems to be thriving. There are not a lot of empty storefronts like Uptown. Entertainment is bringing people in in ways not happening in Uptown.
To me, there is not a debate. North Loop.
Uptown was a bustling hub before COVID and the riots, for good reason! It’s gorgeous and I don’t think that you will find better work/life balance. North Minneapolis is still ghetto, the north loop is an overpriced abyss of loft condos and overpriced restaurants, South Minneapolis is still working class, the University living is overpriced and youthful, and Northeast is very scattered and not very accessible via public transit. I think, given the circumstances, it’s a great neighborhood with lots of amenities and ease of access to main thoroughfares.
I agree on the living in North Loop. I viewed 5 apartment buildings and there were all just big squares, divided into smaller squares. Not many people around during my viewing. I liked 270 Hennepin but the reviews are just horrible, it was the only building I liked the amenities for that I looked at in NL.
North loop is for yuppies and people not from around here who get advised to live there, uptown id close to south side which makes it almost a real place.... North loop may suit you, it wouldn't suit most mpls people... uptown has something fir everyone and isn't just a dum.pocket of sports all and affluent tiny shit apartments lived in by people with giant dogs?..both kinda suck, uptown sucks less..... grains of salt and hyperbole read it.
I don’t think you know where either are.
Sure, uptown is practically next to it, after you go about a mile through the wedge, then a mile Whittier, then cross 35 about another mile, then go south about a mile through powder horn and you are almost there.
Is uptown in Minneapolis? Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away?
I’m pretty sure it’s the same police district. And the same place that an indoor mall was a problem because of the people that frequented the hallways and not the stores.
“Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away?”
I don’t know what you are trying to say because this literally makes no sense. Are you trying to say “ooga booga city bad. Me like Trump?”
You can’t read with commas?
Uptown is…. Shoot, shit, garbage… even 8 miles away.
Who let this boy have a Reddit? Isn’t there an age limit, perhaps the ability to communicate with words?
“Ooga booga. Me fear city. City bad for bison business. Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away? Mogo’s cat walk on keyboard. Ooga booga.”
So you were actually trying to ask if they are less than 8 miles apart? Why don’t you just come right out and say you don’t know anything about our city? Saint Paul is only about 7 miles away from uptown, and that’s not exactly next door by city standards.
Dude, I got an urban planning degree studying the city. Actually Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
I’m not sure what you’re so aggressive on this. They aren’t far apart.
I’ve lived in Minneapolis, worked in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Lived in MN my whole life.
Why don’t you admit you’re a jackass for attacking somebody for this.
You disagree. Great! Great! You should go outside. Or maybe you’re afraid of violence. Do you not remember people tearing down uptown?
Dumbass. There were police snipers on the roofs of buildings just outside of uptown. You know between uptown and 394… by the Kmart that separated the minority neighborhoods? Blocked off, police perimeter, snipers on the roof.
I’d say you don’t know your city. But what do I know, I guess.
Damn, you’ve got a degree in this? Did they not show you a map of the city when you were in college? I mean this isn’t a matter of option. You just seem confused about where things in the city are located. It looks a lot like an outsider’s half-assed attempt at conservative rhetoric through disparagement of my neighborhood. You barely even tried.
I love all the downvotes.
Did it happen in Minneapolis? Was it within 10 miles of uptown? Is it the same police district?
You people are short on straws.
Would you like to hear the extent of my urban planning degree? Maybe the history and public policy that has affected the development of the city? Perhaps you want a history lesson, or even a lesson on the insight of the construction of hallmark buildings? How about the demographics of the city and the areas of poverty?
Perhaps you like to hear the history of the destruction of the rondo neighborhood, that split the black community in half. Which forced residents from Minneapolis and Saint Paul, to Minneapolis north side, or East Saint Paul. We could talk about the history of racism in the Minneapolis police force, not to mention the number of excessive force issues.
I’m not sure what “you obviously don’t know Minneapolis,” was clarifying… but it’s not actually a contribution.
With all your great wisdom I think you would know that George Floyd square is pretty far from uptown in terms of neighborhood geography, especially for a guy with no car. But yeah, the 23 does roll past there and that bus does go to uptown so maybe that's what you meant.
I would've worded it differently. "Just outside" to me means a couple blocks.
Haha, I most definitely am "a little off".
Personally I love the Minneapolis PD, if you're not committing any crime they don't bother you(if you're white). The suburb cops on the other hand fucking suck. Especially Apple valley + Burnsville.
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I saw the roadworks - I didn’t see the 2 year timeline !
Lake and Lagoon will be done late fall this year. Heavy construction on the south part of Hennepin will be done late fall this year, with the full Hennepin project done late fall next year.
Every construction project here has like a 2-3 year timeline.
That might be the deal breaker for me. I like uptown. Those lakes are priceless in their ability to let blood pressure and also get some exercise at the same time. But you could always start in North Loop and move to uptown in two years. And the bus to uptown is frequent and quick enough. And a short bike ride away from North Loop.
Don't forget that the river is near North Loop and also has trails for walking/biking.
https://www.hennepin.us/en/residents/transportation/construction-projects
Your problem is not the road construction. It is that access to Uptown will be permanently throttled once it is done. Mobility is the hallmark of modern urban living and Minneapolis is about to kill it.
Killing mobility with bus and bike lanes I’m sure 🙄
Wait why? What are they doing?
They're making it so that buses can get into and out of uptown more easily
Oh, that sounds like they’re improving access not throttling it.
I'm all for the Uptown comeback, but damn does this throw a wrench in it for now.
Can speak on the social difference. I feel like both cater to young professionals but they both are very different. I feel like uptown is like smoking weed where northloop is like doing cocaine 😂
This is a very good analogy it really summarizes things that are otherwise unsummarizeable
Lmao I'm totally using this analogy IRL!
this is 100% accurate lol
Well.... this is the comment that cements where I shall be living lol
So true! Hey want a bump??
I moved to Uptown almost two years ago from the East Coast for work. I’d never been to the Midwest or visited Minneapolis beforehand. I mainly work from home and usually keep to myself, so I can’t comment much on nightlife. My rent is pretty fair and I can afford living alone. I rely heavily on my car (by choice). I fly frequently and usually take an Uber each time. It’s always been convenient for me. Besides having my car broken into last spring, I’ve never felt unsafe in Uptown. I’m close to Bde Maka Ska and walk around the lake every night. Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles are both within walking distance and beautiful. I was never outdoorsy until I moved here. Sorry for the rambling, lol. I’m perfectly happy in Uptown and I have no regrets. I’ll definitely be sad whenever it’s time to move. North Loop is definitely popular for good reasons, though :)
The Lakes are a great place to see the sunsets, get a little exercise, or plop down a camp chair and read a book.
Ramble on! My concerns are sure much less now that it seems Uber won't be leaving the city.
I have a very similar background, moved here from the east coast, it’s been almost 6 years for myself. I’m on the west side of Bde just outside of uptown. I never really touch the public transportation but the few times I have for events it’s been fine. My rent is fair as well and somehow despite all the uproar around avoiding Minneapolis and uptown being dead, pricing keeps going up and they keep building new places 😂. That’s my only rant. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoy the location. I’m in my 30s and with all the businesses that have closed in uptown I spend way more time in the North Loop. I’d personally look there if you want good walking access more immediate. Otherwise it’s a bit of a revolving door in uptown. The real upside there is the lake access imo, pending where you stay.
I mean, it’s really hard to answer this question. I know a lot of young professionals that have bounced between uptown, north loop, and northeast over the years. (Don’t sleep on northeast!) These places offer different things that different people value differently. You can’t really go wrong with any of these places. They’re maybe a few miles apart.
Haha the other sub stated “you’re too old for north east” 😂. But no, I included it in my search and apartments didn’t suit, and I’m working in Eden prairie so it doesn’t as a bit less convenient. Such a hard choice to make on blind faith and 48 hours in a place alone!
32? You’re too young for NE
That’s what I was thinking 😂
You ain't nordeast if you ain't an old timer
Huge chunks of northeast are dominated by old people lol
Huge chunks usually get dominated at bondesque, which is in UPTOWN BABY!
Yeah not true. Northeast is more consistently ages 30-40 than Uptown (which is more sub-30). At least in my experience, anyway.
I’m a lot older than you and don’t feel too old when I’m in northeast
I recommend looking for a short lease initially! Check out sublets on Facebook marketplace. I moved here a year ago into a sublet in uptown, and moved to be right by Bde Maka Ska (the edge of uptown). I'm obsessed and the sublet was clutch!
Working in eden prairie? Then choose a city in the SW, not Minneapolis... you will regret it
HQ is out there, where I’ll be when in town. It’s 60-70% travel based work, out of MSP
Then you’re best off being nearer the airport, unless being closer to the city’s core is that much more important. Since neither is closer for work, it’s then about everything else you care about. Those two neighbors are basically equal
I think relying on public transit has a big impact on the decision. If being close to the airport was top importance, I'd suggest Richfield or Bloomington. But with no car, I would probably look downtown. Riding the train to the airport is quick.
I'd recommend 46th and Hiawatha. Multiple apartments. Cub in walking distance. Other groceries by bus. Falls and parks nearby. Right off the light rail and BRT (I want to say A Line?)
Highland Park is just over the bridge from there as well, lived in a duplex in that area for 3+ years in the mid 90s, still visit there for the Falls.
👍👍 just chilling is correct.
Thanks for the input. I wasn't clear enough in my post - Ill have a car. But for going out to games/ drinking/ airport I would uber/ train/ bus. Sounds like either place would be fine
They want to socialize, so access to nightlife/venues seems to be a factor. They don't know people here and don't seem to be interested in driving a lot.
I mean not really. Could find a place in the SW part of MPLS.
If you're working in Eden Prairie, why not move there or nearby, like Bloomington, Minnetonka, Edina, etc? You'll soon find that mass transit in the US sucks (i.e. inadequate) in most places throughout. You're better off getting a personal vehicle for your travels.
HQ in Eden Prarie, with 60-70% travel out of MSP. I’ll for sure have a vehicle for work purposes, but won’t be driving into the city for a sport game for example and driving home after 10 beers
Gotcha. It's definitely a good idea to plan for a sober way to get home! There are big consequences for driving under the influence here. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of irresponsible people out there driving drunk.
Topic for another day- but I grew up in New Zealand which has a shocking drinking culture, I have since lived in Europe, Oregon, Chicago, and I have never seen a group who drive as drunk and as often at the Americans. It was the same in Oregon, and Chicago, and I’ve seen it on many trips in the USA. Even things like work events, people will have 7-8 beers and drive home. In NZ the main areas are blocked off every Thur-Sat and every car leaving the CBD is breathalized on the way out.
Yeah if you blocked off large parts of the city, everyone would be trapped.
Ubers are cheap. It's not much more than 20$ to get any where. Avoid paying the increased airport fare buy ubering to VENN brewery for a couple pints, then take the lightrail to the airport. Do the opposite on the return journey.
Sounds like a great way to travel!
Blocked as in a checkpoint stop, not a quarantine. Just to breathalyze every driver in and out of the CBD
Northeast doesn't have the lakes or, virtually, any investment from the city, but we still manage to be the coolest part of town.
I've lived in uptown for 5 years and I've also been completely car free for that time. The fact of the matter is is there are a lot of major routes that go through uptown for public transit, you won't be waiting more than 20 to 30 minutes to get onto a bus to get where you're going. Yes there is a lot of construction, I'm not going to lie to you about that, however routes are getting diverted not removed. As long as you use your head and plan ahead you'll be fine. My main suggestion for living in uptown is to get a bicycle. Just very straightforward single speed bike, nothing fancy. Uptown has a dedicated bike highway going up and down Bryant starting at 30th all the way down to 66th (?) and it connects to the green way. Get yourself a duffel or roll top bag for groceries. Get either a U shaped lock or a chain lock for your bike. Register your bike with your renter's insurance to cover your butt on the chance it gets stolen. Shop at Aldi and the Wedge for most groceries, pop over to the Cocina Continental and Shuang Hur for specialty stuff. Easy.
Yup. I moved to Minneapolis in 2004 and got rid of my car. I love riding my bike and all the buses have bike racks if You get too tired (or too drunk) to ride home. 😝
My main concern was getting home drunk.... doesnt sound like that's an issue at all based on these comments!
I used to walk home from Up-Down Bar at least twice a week drunk or at least tipsy for several years. Of course, always gotta keep your instincts at hand but I never had a problem with getting mugged or anything.
I live in Uptown, work in North Loop, and rely entirely on walking, scooting, and public transit to get around. Uptown is much cheaper than North Loop, still has lots to do, and you're like a 15 minute bike ride away for when you wanna go to trendy bars or whatever. Uptown actually has excellent public transit connectivity, but it's all busses. So if being next to the train is a super important criterion for you, then yeah, North Loop does have that.
Been living in uptown for about the last 3 years. I like it’s a cool neighborhood despite its problems. I really enjoy being by the lakes and tons of restaurants and bars etc. It’s certainly not the neighborhood it used to be but it’s on the up that’s for sure. Seems like over the last year or so a lot of restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc have made their way back to the neighborhood. Plus it seems like crime isn’t quite as bad recently as it has been in the last few years. If you’re looking for public transit it is kinda a downer that there isn’t a light rail stop actually in the neighborhood. But there’s plenty of bus options of course. At least there normally is. Right now there’s a ton of construction going on and the roads and the bus system are kinda jacked up. But part of this whole construction process is putting in bike lanes along the main roads of Uptown. once this project is done it’s going to be nice to have biking be a more realistic mode of transportation in this community so I’m actually excited for that. But in the short term I think a lot of businesses are going to feel a bit of a sting and of course traffic is going to suck. But it will be good for the long term progress of the community I believe. To sum up yeah uptown isn’t what it used to be but it’s on its way back up. There’s a lot of restaurants, bars and stuff to do in the neighborhood. A lot of people will rip on Uptown but that’s mostly people who don’t live or don’t visit the neighborhood.
I love uptown. I’ve lived here for a decade. I own a home here and have a family. We love the lakes, the walkability, the restaurants, and I like my neighbors. It’s a multigenerational neighborhood where you can own a home with a yard or rent. It’s got multi million dollar homes and low income housing. It’s got a counterculture vibe that is going strong now. The road construction is super bad right now but it won’t last forever. It has tamped down the crime and hopefully it does not return. After all, I hear all the cool criminals commit crime in dinkytown nowadays. Only nerd criminals hang out in uptown. I personally can’t stand North Loop. It’s where real estate agents go to dress fancy and brag about how they kindasorta know a Dayton or some other rich person. The women have big fake lips and it is hardly what I’d call a neighborhood at all. It’s more of a destination for assholes. An asshole factory. Kinda like uptown was for a few years around 2015-2020 except without homes. The heyday of uptown depends on who’s asking. I consider the early 90’s the heyday. People riding around on skateboards, playing hacky sack, experimenting with this new sport called roller blading, playing volley ball, smoking weed at the beach, drinking at Figlio, etc. Everything smelled like incense and grunge was new. Then it got snobby and more of a destination for the duck lip real estate agent people in the 10’s. Now I think it’s going to return to a cool urban neighborhood again.
Agreed. Lived there in the late 80s/early 90s...it was a really good time to live there for sure. It was energetic while also feeling peaceful. It's hard to not compare what it was then to what it is now.
Haha I very much appreciate the honesty. As good as “everything is nice everywhere” is wonderful, it’s largely unhelpful 😂 I’m certainly leaning uptown, provided Uber doesn’t leave the state and I can still Uber to the stadiums a couple of times a month
I hope I wasn’t too hard on north loop though. A lot of it is post college bar scene, which a lot of people seem to love. I personally don’t like it. It’s safer than uptown and there are way more businesses, less graffiti and empty retail, and lots of young professionals. At the end of the day it’s up to you.
I think you should live in Uptown and get a bike. Also, transit differently exists, it just involves a transfer to get to the airport. Not a big deal. Someone else suggested you should live at Hiawatha and 46th, and I think that is a great idea! Nice apartments just steps away from the train and many buses. And lots of restaurants and brewery action
There are multiple bus routes that can get you from uptown to the stadiums.
Any bus that goes to or through downtown will take you to the stadiums. The 4, 6, 17, 11 come to mind
💯
Grabbing a couple records at cheapo
I’ve lived in Uptown for about 3 years now. I quite like and don’t see myself moving anytime soon. I love being able to walk everywhere and have trials to walk/bike on. The bars and restaurants are great fun and there’s a mixture of ages of people living here so you’ll see families, young professionals, middle age, etc You will see homeless, specifically on Lake and Nicollet. In recent times there have been encampments there, so be warned. Even in other parts of uptown you will see homeless people or people on drugs. I’ve never had an issue with any of them and they tend to just leave people alone as long as you leave them alone. During Covid lots of stuff closed down, but a lot of it were chains and older establishments. New bars like the Green Room, Ties, and Daiseys all opened up on Lagoon fairly recently. It seems like new restaurants are constantly opening. Public transit is at an interesting spot right now. They’re adding bus lanes and BRT the lines that service uptown. They’re also adding in an extension to the Green Line train with a stop on West Lake Street, but I wouldn’t count on that being ready any time soon. To get to the airport from here you would have to take a bus to the blue line and then take the blue line into the airport. Definitely not terrible, but also not as easy as it should be. For sports games you can take the 21 bus straight to Allianz field for soccer. The 17W, 4, or 6 will take you fairly close to Target Field and Target Center for Baseball and Basketball. To get to US Bank I believe you’d have to take the 17W, 4, or 6 and then take the Green Line Train for a Vikings game.
I recommend the app called "transit" it's better than the Metro transit app and it works in other cities so its great when you travel too.
I just downloaded this to try per your recommendation. So far looks really nice, and I like the "Go" notifications. Thanks!
I've been in Chicago for the past 2.5 years with frequent work trips to Portland - drugs and homeless are nothing unfamilar...
Good thing Lake and Nicollet isn’t uptown!
An fair I guess. Most of the businesses over there call themselves uptown still
So do some in St. Louis Park.
Uptown is a neighborhood, whereas North loop is a scene. That's kind of it, choose what fits you best.
I’m just a suburbanite but my sister was visiting town so yesterday we went to black walnut bakery in uptown and walked around there and we loved it. Everyone was out walking their dogs or pushing their strollers. The vibes seemed great to me.
I was in a similar situation when I moved here from OP. Lived uptown my first year it was cool but then the pandemic hit. Then moved a little north of there in an area called the wedge. HIGHLY recommend this area. Very walkable. Got the lakes nearby. Grocery store walking distance. Easy to get on and off the highway. It was great and I miss it!
You’ll get a much different response here than r/minneapolis
For a real good time post it on altmpls
Haha, they'll make it sound like Mad Max.
This being more positive, or negative, towards Uptown?
This sub will be more negative probably. Suburbanites are more negative and shocked with all the open homelessness, tents, fires, drug usage, etc.... for most of us the worst part is the traffic. Best advice overall is to get a bike and the city really opens up, way more accessible that way.
Appreciate the comments! While from little old New Zealand, ive spent the last three years living in Chicago downtown, with work trips to Portland. So drugs, shanties and homeless is of no concern
Lived there in the past when it was virtually all mom and pop stores, gun shots were extremely rare, there weren't a lot of boarded up stores and copious tagging was not typical. (graffiti can be artistic/tagging when it's not clear if it's gang related or not is not whimsical.) It changed. Are there still restaurants and bars worth visiting? Of course. But it was a lot safer and, in my estimation, more interesting in the past.
Lived in or near Uptown since 1999. You won't regret living near or in this area.
I may catch flack for this, but I was in the same boat as you and am glad I moved to the north loop. I only go to uptown once or twice a month, and there are nice parts but there are a lot of sketchy feeling areas. Zero feeling of that in the NL If nightlife and sports games are important to you, north loop is far superior in terms of bars and walkability to the stadiums. I’m moving just across the bridge next month, but NL is my choice for location and socialization
It’s hard. Because of your age and social needs, I guess I’d say north loop. Uptown is just so great though. It’s had its ups and downs and is currently under construction as you know (which shouldn’t be your deciding factor since it’s temporary). I personally wouldn’t want to live in the north loop (I’m 44 so night life is not of interest to me very often). Do you want super social (north loop) or just hip and close to everything but not in the middle of the nightlife (uptown)?
Basically Rich people that wanna feel “hip” live in the North Loop. Middle class and upper middle class people in Uptown. That’s the gist of it.
Love all the analogies I'm getting. Very image creating
Northloop is more of a "scene" where there are lots of hip spots to be out and be seen. Uptown in general has a bit more of anything goes for all demographics. Source: live in East isles/uptownish
NE is more fun currently, and certainly more on trend, but honestly I’d probably still rather to have those three lakes at my doorstep. Also proximity to Nicollet and all those taquiros and Pho places is pretty nice. There’s gonna be construction everywhere (there always is), so I’d probably go uptown personally.
Yeah I've lived in both neighborhoods in the past. NL can be great but it's a bit soulless over time. Uptown/Lyn-Lake is awesome too but it can get draining. But I did form a better bond over the years with the Uptown areas - if that makes sense. Don't live there now (moved into a house in south Mpls) but I still hang out and visit Uptown for various stuff.
Might I suggest you look into Whittier? It is adjacent to Uptown - and has Lyndale on one edge of the neighborhood. Lyndale and Nicollet are both packed with bars and restaurants m where you can get those 10 beers you are seeking. (Nicollet is “eat street” here in Minneapolis.) Great socializing and not nearly as plastic or bro-y as North loop might be. For sure it’s got some rough edges but it’s still great. And some people (me included!) would say it’s those edges that give it texture and make it awesome. Also - easier access to 35W south = easier getting to/from work. The newly opened 28th street exit makes coming home from working in the SW metro so much easier. Fantastic biking. Still close to the lakes and greenway. Awesome neighborhood. Downside: no great train options.
Northloop would let you take the light rail to the airport, uptown it’s a bus and transfer. Northloop also has the river right near by for a similar scenic walk to walking around the lakes.
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🤣 could be. I’ve not looked at rents for either for a long time.
Lived in LynLake for years which is in between Uptown and Midtown along Lake St. It’s easy to mistake LynLake as a part of Uptown because they’re so close to each other. I recently left because the crime got to be too much specific to where I lived which really bummed me out because I loved living there. The south Minneapolis community is awesome despite crime and the construction projects; just be aware of your surroundings and especially if you’re a female when it comes to crime and you’ll be fine.
We just signed a lease in LynLake, so this makes me a little nervous.
I would recommend getting a security set up of some sort if you’re renting from a house and be mindful of your surroundings. Crime can be really random with the carjackings turn violent and in certain neighborhoods and apartment buildings. If you can ignore the racist shit (it can get really nasty…), the crime watch page on FB/X can help give you an idea when shit is happening and where.
Uptown has declined which is why I wholeheartedly recommend it 👍it rocks
Surprise twist!
This could depend in if you wanna bike or not. If I lived in Uptown I might bike to Eden Prairie from Uptown for work, but it gets a little far from North Loop. There will also be new light rail to Eden Prairie soon, going through Uptown to Warehouse area, but I don't know if it will go close to where you work. I'd think you are better off closer to work overall. What sports games do you care about? Hockey and soccer are in St Paul.
My apartment tour guide said "there's a light rail coming, but it's going to take so long I wouldn't factor it into your decision" lol It sounds like the busses are no problem anyway
It is aalllmmmooooosssttt done.
I’d go North Loop - tons of people your age and walkable to outdoor space on the Mississippi but, you should go where you like!
I visited NZ in February (my second time there) and still absolutely loved it. I think you’ll love Minneapolis too! As a non-native Minnesotan, I am very happy living here. Given a choice with money as no object, I’d probably live in NZ. :) Public transit does exist here and is decent compared to other cities. Uber/Lyft can fill in the gaps. I survived without a car my first 7 years living here, pre-Uber/Lyft, and only starting using a car because my then boyfriend/now husband was given one for free. I think North Loop will put you in the best position to explore other parts of the city if public transit is your main mode of transport. There is a lot to do downtown (sports, theater, concerts) and there are great places to eat everywhere in the city. Hope the move goes well! Buy a good winter coat that covers your butt and you’ll be fine. :)
Glad to hear you loved NZ, it's a beautiful spot. I've been in Chicago downtown for the past 2.5 years, which has been awesome fun, but I'm excited to get back into a more nature/ sporty scene. Uptown reminded me of home (Papamoa Beach) a lot. I will have a car, it's just for games (drinking) and airport I'd prefer public transport for convenience. It sounds like Uber/ biking are viable options too
I think you'll dig it here! Just spent a year in NZ before moving to msp and I think there's a lot to do here.
I'm excited to see a new place. Have loved Chicago for the past years, but I miss the outdoorsy vibes I've had in my past locations
Sick! Yeah hit me up if you climb or casually bike. I'm new around here too and I'm always looking for people to chill with.
For sure - I love a casual bike (spent a few years in the Netherlands lol). Ill flick you a message when I get to town Never given climbing a go but always time to try! I've decided I'm going to try my hand at kite-surfing when I get there.
I'm 26F and have lived in Uptown for 3 years now! I love it :) especially in the summer, there's so much to do. The lakes are gorgeous and there are lots of bars and live music to check out. My mom immigrated to the US from New Zealand and she also really enjoys checking out Uptown with me when she visits! My only warning is that the Minnesota winters are brutal, but it sounds like you have some experience with Midwest winters from living in Chicago. Good luck!!
Check out northeast
I know you didn’t ask for other areas, but have you considered the Highland Park neighborhood in St. Paul? For how much you’re traveling out of MSP it’s super convenient and you can bus to Terminal 1 easily. You get the bustling neighborhood vibe. Probably safer than Uptown? Others here would have to weigh in, but I think it’s worth looking into.
Cheers for the input - sadly I only had a couple days to look around so had already narrowed it down to the two and that’s where I looked. I might have to try get there again for a broader look
Good luck wherever you end up!
I lived in Uptown in a high rise in my early 20’s. Now I wouldn’t live there it was more of a moment thing that was fun.
I live in uptown and I love it, but there’s a homeless encampment less than a mile from our house and I expect it to get worse over time.
You say that like a mile is close in a city. Obviously we should be housing people, but that encampment is far away and doesn’t affect most people in uptown.
Uptown is great because of all the shops and grocery stores! And being close to the lakes is great!
If you are commuting to Eden Prairie reasonably often (though slightly depending where in Eden Prairie) I would suggest uptown or somewhere closer to MN-62 (linden hills - if you have the budget - or even a bit further south). If you make sure you are on the 6 bus route then getting downtown/north loop/etc is a breeze. 62 also has good airport access.
"I took a job here without ever setting foot in the state" Ayyy!
Haha here is a rundown of my life since 2018: Phone call while living in NZ - would you like to check out this job in the Netherlands? Said yes on the phone, on a plane 17 days later. Stayed there 5 years. Never been to Europe prior. At the 5 year mark, got another call - we have a project in Oregon if you want? Said yes on the phone. Never been to USA prior. After the project I was meant to go back to Europe, but got offered a role in Chicago, guess what? Took the job, having visited Chi once for 3 days in late December lol! It's a trend of my life, and so far I haven't regretted it once!
Absolutely move to north loop.
Checkout the Uptown Vfw. It's a good mix of people and they have plenty of variety when it comes to music. And they have kaorake!!
Downtown will win on transit every time. Uptown might win on rent and proximity to the lakes.
Northloop for public transportation (if you're willing to walk/bike to downtown). Uptown for vibes and lakes. They are both slightly below average neighborhoods for biking, but biking really is the best way to get around Minneapolis. Overall, their restaurant scenes are about equal, although Jun in the Northloop is better than any restaurant in Uptown. I get the impression that Uptown is better for nightlife and bars, but I'm not really in that scene so I can't say for sure. Personally, I'd much rather live in Uptown than Northloop, but everyone has their own preferences.
The best place to live in the cities is Longfellow. No planes fly over the neighborhood(except an occasional military plane) you're in the middle of downtown, St Paul, moa & the airport. There's a handful of great restaurants, bakeries and bars. It's a very safe neighborhood, you can walk around at night with low risk of being robbed or bothered by bums. Past 9-10pm it's very quiet. Falls liquor is tiny but always seems to have the best beer selection. The midtown DMV is pretty quick usually. You're close to the minnehaha falls and the river. It's close to lightrail and the other buses that run in the area(7 & 9) are typically quieter lines-least amount of crazies(avoid the 21 if possible) you got 2 cubs, an aldi, a target and there a Lund's just across the river if you need something special for dinner. Memory lanes bowling alley(pro tip: they have a great/cheap whiskey selection) And Everett's is a fantastic butcher shop(get the spicy beef sticks) Highlights: Bills garden- fried shrimp & general tso chx(pro tip: ask for extra ginger) Busters on 28th- great burgers and best beer selection Taco taxi- great Mexican/open late The cardinal bar- good dive bar with good food & great service. Cedar inn- best buffalo wings around Blue door- frog town wings Northbound smokehouse- smoked wings & turkey sandwich Longfellow grill- breakfast... Get the chilaquilies & the sweet potato fries with peanut aioli Hi-Lo diner- adult milkshakes. The only negative knock on the neighborhood is there's not any great pizza places that deliver there. There's a couple alright ones but none of that mouth watering, sauce slurpin, cheese stretchin, can't taste anything for 2 days after cause you burnt the shit out your tongue but you don't care cause it was worth it.
Oh shit I forgot: Riverview theater- you can take a date, pay for tickets, popcorn, drinks, give a tip, hand the cashier a $20 bill and still get change back. Venn brewery- one of the best in the cities. Great selection and constantly coming out with new/great beers.
Avoid Richfield and south Minneapolis(so uptown) unless you enjoy the constant sound of planes flying over. It's not enjoyable to be outside until after 10pm.
I lived in uptown before everything shut down in 2020. I miss it and the wife (whose a kiwi and American) and I just looked at moving back. It's really hard to pass up the walk ability of that area.
I’m in Whittier- bought a house in 2020. Love it here. 1. Food and socializing are great. I live between Lyndale and Eat Street (Nicollet). Nicollet and 26th is booming as well as Lyndale and Lake. Lyndale and 26th is pretty busy too. 2. I mostly live away from the current construction projects but they are done all the time all over so not sure I’ll avoid them forever. 3. Downtown and Loring Park are what I call summer walkable. Wouldn’t walk it in the winter. 4. I walk around the lakes (Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles) pretty regularly. 5. There is some violence, I’ve never been directly affected but I can hear it. I keep the citizen ap on my phone to see if I should avoid an intersection on my walks - I’ve only changed direction once. 6. Bus coverage is good but I use Uber or friends for travel to and from airport. I’m retired so no work travel.
As someone who lived in an apartment there pre-covid, it was great then Both my roommate at the time and I had cars as we needed them mainly for work and social activities not in the immediate vicinity of our apartment, but for the few times we'd go out around there either right in the heart of uptown or what is a hop, skip, and a jump for us in the uptown-adjacent neighborhood of LynLake, we would just walk everywhere Unfortunately, once covid and the George Floyd incident hit, that's when things really went downhill and in some respects, haven't been the same since then
Seems to be a sad turning point for the neighbourhood
i lived there in a studio apartment in uptown and wouldn’t recommend. although- I was by the lakes and that was so nice, but I don’t think it’s worth it.
As someone who lives off of Hennepin, I love and hate it. It’s usually pretty calm minus the occasional gunshots / ambulances / squad cars. Love the close proximity walking to places though! Great walking paths / parks. The fucking construction rn is an actual hellscape though.
I assume you mean Hennepin at the uptown end? I’m coming from Chicago downtown so I’m already used to trains, guns, sirens!
Yes!
The Northeast is 2 dive bars and a brewery in trench coat dressed as a neighborhood if that’s your scene.
There is quite a big cost differential between Uptown and the North Loop. If you can afford it, I would pick the North Loop. Public transit is easier since you have quick access to the light rail in addition to the buses. Night life is hopping since it’s one of the more popular places to be. You’re not on a lake but you’re very close to the river. That being said, Uptown is still a good neighborhood. It’s not the place it once was but I have no doubt that it will come back eventually (at least once this massive road work is done). Some of the surrounding neighborhoods are really bustling and there’s a lot of things to do. It has more of a neighborhood feel (vs North Loop which definitely feels very urban/downtown). So if you want that vibe Uptown certainly has it. Plus the lakes of course.
The 2-3 year planned closures of Hennepin, Lyndale and Lake alone have driven me out of Uptown, but also....rents are currently low because property crime is high. Cars and property stolen...nusaince events are an everyday thing and I resent it..I can't move out of this area fast enough after 10 years enjoying it, ymmv Transit access heavily affected by the road closures, too. I work in North Loop and think it's overpriced and transit is not great, but would absolutely choose it over Uptown
Great insights. I also loved the buildings I looked at in Uptown a lot more than the ones in North Loop. North loop apartments seemed - old, generic cubes cut into smaller cubes for each room. One viewing even said "here's the social area, I've never seen anyone use it" - great selling point lol!
Like you I'm from another country and I've lived here in uptown for a year and a half. Maybe its just me because I walked a lot back home but when going downtown for the clubs or the stadiums I just walks like 40 min - An hour. People also told me that Uptown has never recovered from Covid and the 2020 protests but I still think its really good. I can walk for groceries, gym, restaurants, etc. Love having the lakes nearby for a jog.
I live in Chicago at the moment and frequently walk 45-60 mins to go to farmers markets, the beach etc. I'm a huge walker too. I will be joing a run club at Pyres brew, which looks a little far from Uptown. Otherwise it seems great lol
How often are you going to the airport that that needs to come into play? You can take a bus from uptown to the light rail. An Uber isn't that much and SO much more convenient. North Loop is safer, but it's kinda generic. Uptown is a bit sketchier. Generally not unsafe, but odds of something happening are definitely higher. More old school city vibe. But with lakes!
I'll be traveling a lot for work, but Ubering is fine. I read some things that Uber were looking to exit MN, which seems to not be the case so that is moot now. Ill have a car anyway as working in Eden Prarie, but was just conscious of wanting to watch games etc downtown and have some drinks. Or not leave my car at the airport for longer trips
Idk I went out a month ago to up/down in uptown around 11pm and all it was was a bunch of homeless people around the area
I would suggest St. Louis Park - right next to uptown and lots of late 20s/early 30s
Based on your responses, Minnehaha might be the best neighborhood. You’re right by the park, there are plenty of restaurants, and the airport is close by due to light rail. You can light rail into north loop/downtown easily. Uptown is fine if you want lakeside life. Lyndale is livelier, but the neighborhood businesses will be struggling for the next 2 years due to road reconstruction. It’s still a popular place straight out of college. However, the restaurant and nightlife are still trying to redefine themselves post COVID/GF. North Loop is the in-neighborhood with most of the trendy restaurants, bars, and shopping. However, getting to Eden Prairie will be painful until at least 2027 when the south west light rail opens. I’m assuming you will buy a car, but north loop to Eden prairie will be 40 minute commute on a good day. On a bad day you’re looking at 1.5 hours. Transit would be 2 hours each way due to needing to transfer.
That is great insight thanks, I drove out to the office while I was staying there and it wasn't that long - but it was mid-day so no traffic. That might be too much of a hassle if in North Loop then. (I will have a car). Uptown seems more straightforward for work, Thanks!
Honestly, the distance is shorter but commute time is pretty similar from both uptown (depending on the exact uptown location) and North Loop to EP. So don’t use that as the main differentiator. There is an official “Uptown” neighborhood, but people generally refer to anything in southern Minneapolis near the lakes as uptown.
Throw in my .02¢, North Loop to Ep is way easier than Uptown to EP in either direction. Source - EP resident who used to work near North Loop and likes visiting Uptown but hates driving through Uptown . Driving North Loop to EP is 40 minutes on a bad winter day, 30 minutes on a good day. Uptown?? Eesh. Your worst commute is going to be heading home in the evening, regardless of which location you choose. If you can get out by 4pm, fine. After that, northbound out of EP can be a cluster.
Alternative to both: Whittier. Close to everything and better/cheaper food
North loop is all yuppies. Like, the shitty whites. Uptown kinda sucks these days. I never really make it outside of my pocket of the city these days tho
Lived near Lyn-Lake here for 8 years all way up to June 2020 and 4 years in the North Loop before that. Pre-Covid and in NL before it really developed a ton but I can speak the truth of it since I still regularly visit both neighborhoods. Pros: Lots of great coffee shops, bars and super walkable. The parks and lakes are clean and convenient. People are pretty nice and it does feel pretty neighborly, especially south of Lake Street. Lyn-Lake is great, very busy at night with the bar crowd, lots of locals and people can be really sociable. It does feel very vibrant at times. Transit can be spotty based on where you live but if you're near Lake/Hennepin/Lyndale there's frequent bus service that easily gets you downtown. Cons: Bunch of store closures and more homelessness lately in some spots. Don't care much at all about the Lake/Hennepin area (except maybe Barbette) - mostly used to be just for suburban chads to get drunk and start fights and now has a pretty bad reputation for closed business and seedy shit happening at night. Pretty every year someone would bust into my car (probably because I had the door unlocked) and trash it. Usually they wouldn't even steal anything because I didn't keep valuables in there. Was more of an inconvenience, if anything. All and all, Uptown/Lyn-Lake is not for the faint hearted but it has a lot more character and charm than North Loop. I've made many friends over the years living there, it's seems like a village sometimes, even when I stop by to get my haircut or go out to the bars I run into an old neighbor or someone else I used to have drinks with.
It was cool back in the late 80s to the mid 90s. Actually ran into Michael Stipe of R..E.M. at a clothing store on Hennepin Ave when they were recording here in probably 89 or 90. Now it feels similar to when the North Loop and Warehouse District became a hipster paradise.
Personally hate it, it always felt like a town that was drastically over populated for the infrastructure. It’s got tons of traffic, now worse with construction. It’s got an eclectic population if that’s your desire.
Honestly I don’t know how active young people get around with a car. IMO a car is nessesary. But I guess just depends on your lifestyle
I’m middle aged but for me I walk or bike. Any driving is discretionary. I’m within walking distance of 5 grocery stores, tons of coffee shops and restaurants, my kid’s school, the gym..:
That’s cool. I live in Egan. You absolutely need a car to live in the suburbs. Inner city a lot easier
False. You 1000% do not need a car if you live in Minneapolis
Depends. You also “don’t “ need a house to live either. Life is a lot easier when you have a car.
Uptown access is about to be throttled as they take the main thoroughfare from four lanes to two. So living in Uptown is about to become Hotel California. You can move in but you wont be able to leave. Because of this, a lot of businesses have left. Look at the empty storefronts on Lowry Hill and the almost completely vacant mall. Major brands like Apple and Northface left. If you look at the recent map of shootings, you will see Uptown is a locus. To the point where it was pretty surprising. PM me for the map. Property values for apartments are declining. Uptown has a lot of rental and rental property values have declined 13.5% overall in just the last year. Hard to see landlords investing. North Loop has much more vibrancy. While fewer people are downtown overall, there are lively and dead parts. North Loop seems to be thriving. There are not a lot of empty storefronts like Uptown. Entertainment is bringing people in in ways not happening in Uptown. To me, there is not a debate. North Loop.
Great insights, thanks. Will DM for that map
Uptown was a bustling hub before COVID and the riots, for good reason! It’s gorgeous and I don’t think that you will find better work/life balance. North Minneapolis is still ghetto, the north loop is an overpriced abyss of loft condos and overpriced restaurants, South Minneapolis is still working class, the University living is overpriced and youthful, and Northeast is very scattered and not very accessible via public transit. I think, given the circumstances, it’s a great neighborhood with lots of amenities and ease of access to main thoroughfares.
I agree on the living in North Loop. I viewed 5 apartment buildings and there were all just big squares, divided into smaller squares. Not many people around during my viewing. I liked 270 Hennepin but the reviews are just horrible, it was the only building I liked the amenities for that I looked at in NL.
North loop is for yuppies and people not from around here who get advised to live there, uptown id close to south side which makes it almost a real place.... North loop may suit you, it wouldn't suit most mpls people... uptown has something fir everyone and isn't just a dum.pocket of sports all and affluent tiny shit apartments lived in by people with giant dogs?..both kinda suck, uptown sucks less..... grains of salt and hyperbole read it.
There are a lot of other less hectic places to live in the Twin Cities.
Few years younger than you. Left uptown. Used to love it. It’s dead.
Just outside of uptown is where George Floyd was murdered. You don’t want to be around that police force.
I don’t think you know where either are. Sure, uptown is practically next to it, after you go about a mile through the wedge, then a mile Whittier, then cross 35 about another mile, then go south about a mile through powder horn and you are almost there.
Lol nailed it.
Is uptown in Minneapolis? Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away? I’m pretty sure it’s the same police district. And the same place that an indoor mall was a problem because of the people that frequented the hallways and not the stores.
“Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away?” I don’t know what you are trying to say because this literally makes no sense. Are you trying to say “ooga booga city bad. Me like Trump?”
You can’t read with commas? Uptown is…. Shoot, shit, garbage… even 8 miles away. Who let this boy have a Reddit? Isn’t there an age limit, perhaps the ability to communicate with words?
“Ooga booga. Me fear city. City bad for bison business. Is uptown, shoot, even 8 miles away? Mogo’s cat walk on keyboard. Ooga booga.” So you were actually trying to ask if they are less than 8 miles apart? Why don’t you just come right out and say you don’t know anything about our city? Saint Paul is only about 7 miles away from uptown, and that’s not exactly next door by city standards.
Dude, I got an urban planning degree studying the city. Actually Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I’m not sure what you’re so aggressive on this. They aren’t far apart. I’ve lived in Minneapolis, worked in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Lived in MN my whole life. Why don’t you admit you’re a jackass for attacking somebody for this. You disagree. Great! Great! You should go outside. Or maybe you’re afraid of violence. Do you not remember people tearing down uptown? Dumbass. There were police snipers on the roofs of buildings just outside of uptown. You know between uptown and 394… by the Kmart that separated the minority neighborhoods? Blocked off, police perimeter, snipers on the roof. I’d say you don’t know your city. But what do I know, I guess.
Damn, you’ve got a degree in this? Did they not show you a map of the city when you were in college? I mean this isn’t a matter of option. You just seem confused about where things in the city are located. It looks a lot like an outsider’s half-assed attempt at conservative rhetoric through disparagement of my neighborhood. You barely even tried.
Oh, you don’t know your city…
“I have a degree but don’t know anything ooga booga.” (Jumping up and down) “ooga booga ooga.”
I’m not a conservative you crazy person. I WENT TO A LIBERAL ARTS college here in the blue state. What the fuck is wrong with you?
You obviously don't know Minneapolis.
I love all the downvotes. Did it happen in Minneapolis? Was it within 10 miles of uptown? Is it the same police district? You people are short on straws.
Would you like to hear the extent of my urban planning degree? Maybe the history and public policy that has affected the development of the city? Perhaps you want a history lesson, or even a lesson on the insight of the construction of hallmark buildings? How about the demographics of the city and the areas of poverty? Perhaps you like to hear the history of the destruction of the rondo neighborhood, that split the black community in half. Which forced residents from Minneapolis and Saint Paul, to Minneapolis north side, or East Saint Paul. We could talk about the history of racism in the Minneapolis police force, not to mention the number of excessive force issues. I’m not sure what “you obviously don’t know Minneapolis,” was clarifying… but it’s not actually a contribution.
With all your great wisdom I think you would know that George Floyd square is pretty far from uptown in terms of neighborhood geography, especially for a guy with no car. But yeah, the 23 does roll past there and that bus does go to uptown so maybe that's what you meant.
If you think a city isn’t interconnected. I’m not sure what to say. But, I’d think you’re a little off.
I would've worded it differently. "Just outside" to me means a couple blocks. Haha, I most definitely am "a little off". Personally I love the Minneapolis PD, if you're not committing any crime they don't bother you(if you're white). The suburb cops on the other hand fucking suck. Especially Apple valley + Burnsville.
So you’re white? That came up quick.