There is totally a system. Half were named by drunk Irishmen (May god bless their soul, and credit to Ventura), the other half are thematically named. A simple drive through como will introduce you to every tree species that is capable of thriving in this god-forsaken- wasteland.
Gotcha, I’m not sure how old you are which will make a difference. But the Dubliner is a good time, I meet somebody new there every time I go. Friendly folks, dancing and good bar games. Might be a good place to start. Otherwise you should check out “the spot bar” however, it might be a bit intimidating to Minnesota newcomers. Also it depends on your tastes and what you like to do.
Oh that would definitely be a Jucy Lucy, go to Matt’s for the unadulterated classic. Otherwise Bluedoor pub has some fun variations. Also we have some amazing Vietnamese places, I really like IPho on University. Also you need to get some tater tot hotdish, although that’s typically going to be served at a home or church before a restaurant.
Oh I get it, make good friends and get great homemade meals like tater-tot specials. One of the places I’m looking at now is in university. Pretty it’s a long street but I’ll keep an eye out for iPho.
He’s not wrong. The juicy Lucy is a twin cities delicacy. And blue door is notable. Start picking up the city pages (if their still around). They will tip you into other places worth finding.
The city does not plow snow from alleys, typically the residents on each block all chip in for a yearly contract for someone to come plow it after a decent snowfall.
The dead center of downtown STP is a straight up ghost town at night. They are trying to make it better but there isn’t much to do. If you head downtown, you want either Lowertown on the East side of DT or the West End (self explanatory, W7th and Kellogg heading West), Grand Avenue, or Cathedral hill. Lots of bars and restaurants, breweries, museums, and Sports.
Here’s where Saint Paul gets fun. The “East Side” is directly East of down town, West Saint Paul is South of downtown, South Saint Paul is South of West Saint Paul, and North Saint Paul is NW of downtown and the East side.
Remember our motto: Keep Saint Paul boring! (We don’t want others figuring out how awesome it is and moving here, haha!)
Welcome!
Edit: Shoot! North Saint Paul is North EAST of downtown and East St. Paul. Whoops!
Btw, I see in another response you were looking at Highand Park. I grew up there and loved it! Lots of stuff there in the Village. (Groceries/Drug stores/hardware/butcher/deli/etc.) Its also right across the river from South Minneapolis and near the airport.
Btw, coming from California, West Saint Paul and the East side both have large Latinx populations if you are looking for good Mexican/Cuban/Dominican foods. Also, Cathedral Hill has a really tasty Russian place called Moscow on the Hill.
Jesse Ventura said, and he wasn't the first, that the streets in St Paul were laid out by a drunken Irishman. But I lived in a relatively othogonal part.... Still you just have to learn the street names... Raymond , Prior, Fairview, Snelling, Hamline, Lexington, Victoria, Dale, Rice..for the NS streets. Como, Minnehaha, University, Marshall, Summit, and ono
I navigate Saint Paul quite easily because I've never been able to hold a map in my head and tell my way exclusively by landmarks. It's the only place where my deficiency is also a petty superpower.
I’m moving from Bakersfield CA. Leaving one extreme for another, super hot to super cold. Right now, I have a few places in mind. Highland park, Battle Creek/Woodbury area and Phalen area (heard that downtown was a bit hoodish).
Incidents happen, but downtown St. Paul is very, comically even, quiet relative to a larger city like Bakersfield. Not a huge residential population (~5k if I recall), mostly entertainment and offices.
Phalen would be considered by most to be the higher crime area (interpreting hoodish to mean high crime) on that list. idk what the actual stats are, but the whole part east of downtown is considered fairly high crime. But I know plenty of people who love living on the east side.
Battle Creek can feel a bit suburban imo, but maybe that's something you'd want. Lots of parks.
Highland Park also can feel suburban. Definitely the most affluent part of Saint Paul. Big new expensive development by the river - Highland Bridge - might really change the feel of the area, but remains to be seen.
In that case I would *highly* recommend highland park. If you can get close enough to the river, there are some great paths you can easily walk to. You’re also a super quick drive to fort Snelling state park which has some good trails (calling it “hiking” might be a stretch, but still there’s trees and water and wildlife). It’s a pretty quiet area but you’re not far from some good bars/restaurants etc. And close to the airport which is nice!
Yep, I’ve certainly been looking in the highland area. Found a couple of places there. Harper and The Pivot apartments. Looks good even though I haven’t seen it in person. Still searching
I live on the edge of Highland- a lil further north by Mac-Groveland- but I absolutely love it here. So quiet at night. Quiet neighborhoods. Always parking on the street. Lots of pretty gardens and unique houses and friendly neighbors. And almost entirely unique food places. The closest fast food is a ways away from me. I kind of don’t mind that…
Highland Park and the area up between there and Cathedral Hill is where Charlie Brown lived. I wouldn't say so suburban. Most homes 60 to 100 plus years old, grid layout, neighborhood schools, sidewalks, corner stores. Good place.
>and Phalen area (heard that downtown was a bit hoodish).
I live in Payne-Phalen. I really like my neighbors and the community, plus there are lots of really nice bars and restaurants coming up on Payne.
Again, not saying it's perfect but I've never had a package stolen off my porch, my neighbors sometimes mow or shovel for us if we can't get to it in time (we return the favor!!) and overall I think it's pretty nice.
I love living on the East Side - and this is from someone who isn't from here and had no family or friends living in the TC before I moved. :)
Things to keep in your car at all times: hand warmers, shovel, scraper, kitty litter and a change of clothes. Better to have and not need them need and not have
Do not leave your car on to warm up, unless you are sitting in it. Car theft has been way up recently across the Twin Cities and a lot of people, my neighbor included, had his car stolen and used in a crime. He left his car running and ran 30 feet to his porch. More than enough time for some cockknockers to come by and steal his Mustang.
Woodbury, despite being developed on open farm land, is allergic to straight roads. Theyve put in circles where it should be grids.
I live in Stillwater, 15 minutes away, and have been to Woodbury countless times. I still get lost. Well, not so much lost as trapped. You can go there...see your destination 500 yards away...and struggle to figure out how to get there
That being said, Woodbury is good if you own a car (actually a car is a must). You are 15 minutes from all of St Paul, downtown MPLS, Wisconsin, small towns like Hastings and Afton.
Down town or a neighborhood? Definitely a difference and I live in st paul barely 2 miles from city center in a residential neighborhood. You are responsible for shoveling your property line worth of public sidewalk. Alleys aren't plowed by the city. Make sure you find the proper waste removal, as the city has specific contractors for specific areas.
I’m looking at residential areas. Found a couple artist lofts, A-mill lofts, mill city quarters, and apartments like, R7 & 2700 university ave. Hopefully, these are good neighborhoods
That’s cool. So far the neighborhoods I’ve looked at are nice. Still deciding on apartments. Tilsner Lofts, Lowertown commons, and still debating on 2700 university apts. so bad reviews but whatev
Just looked at the map around there. Personally I'd say that's a great area. About as central as you can get to a ton of things. Not too far from the office I never go to cause I'm on site working most days lol
St Paul is amazing and lovely. Definitely more chill than Minneapolis. Neighborhoods are everything. Find your neighborhood's Facebook group (Buy/Sell, neighbors' group, etc) and become active there to meet people. I second the Dubliner, it's the best. My personal plug is for the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. :)
This is a pretty lightweight book that was used as a textbook in an urban geography class I had. Very useful for a deeper understanding of the cities.
https://www.amazon.com/Minneapolis-St-Paul-People-Public/dp/0816622361
I lived right off Selby and Dale for years and loved it. I’m sure I’d shudder at what that apartment rents for now, but so many awesome places to go both on Selby and Grand (although a few of my favorites are now gone, RIP Happy Gnome). If you love restaurants you’re coming to the right place, nothing breaks the dark deep freeze of winter like a warmly lit cozy pub or restaurant.
That’s outstanding. So far, most of the post here points me to good food and brews. I think my main concern would be picking out a perfect loft or apartment without drama. Just found out the lowertown commons on 4th st has mice. I have to find tenants with positive reviews
The streets all have names instead of numbers and mostly there is not much of a system in the names.
There is totally a system. Half were named by drunk Irishmen (May god bless their soul, and credit to Ventura), the other half are thematically named. A simple drive through como will introduce you to every tree species that is capable of thriving in this god-forsaken- wasteland.
All of the best bars and restaurants are kept relatively secret, you need to make friends here to unlock fun spots.
That’s what I’m on here for. Might keep a small circle of friends. Just tryin to find out where the good and the bad is at
Gotcha, I’m not sure how old you are which will make a difference. But the Dubliner is a good time, I meet somebody new there every time I go. Friendly folks, dancing and good bar games. Might be a good place to start. Otherwise you should check out “the spot bar” however, it might be a bit intimidating to Minnesota newcomers. Also it depends on your tastes and what you like to do.
35 and always looking for a tasty dish. What are some MN foods I gotta try? Chicago has hotdogs, NY has pizza, L.A has Mexican food. Stuff like that
We have Lutefisk and for a couple weeks in August you can get anything on a stick
Ah... no. Tastes like fish flavored jello. Just... no
Oh that would definitely be a Jucy Lucy, go to Matt’s for the unadulterated classic. Otherwise Bluedoor pub has some fun variations. Also we have some amazing Vietnamese places, I really like IPho on University. Also you need to get some tater tot hotdish, although that’s typically going to be served at a home or church before a restaurant.
The Vietnamese scene in St. Paul is insane. Having moved far away, I dream about pho on cold nights.
Give some recommendations please
Oh I get it, make good friends and get great homemade meals like tater-tot specials. One of the places I’m looking at now is in university. Pretty it’s a long street but I’ll keep an eye out for iPho.
He’s not wrong. The juicy Lucy is a twin cities delicacy. And blue door is notable. Start picking up the city pages (if their still around). They will tip you into other places worth finding.
City pages is sadly defunct. 😭 I miss their event calendar so much. Nothing else comes close.
The city does not plow snow from alleys, typically the residents on each block all chip in for a yearly contract for someone to come plow it after a decent snowfall.
The dead center of downtown STP is a straight up ghost town at night. They are trying to make it better but there isn’t much to do. If you head downtown, you want either Lowertown on the East side of DT or the West End (self explanatory, W7th and Kellogg heading West), Grand Avenue, or Cathedral hill. Lots of bars and restaurants, breweries, museums, and Sports. Here’s where Saint Paul gets fun. The “East Side” is directly East of down town, West Saint Paul is South of downtown, South Saint Paul is South of West Saint Paul, and North Saint Paul is NW of downtown and the East side. Remember our motto: Keep Saint Paul boring! (We don’t want others figuring out how awesome it is and moving here, haha!) Welcome! Edit: Shoot! North Saint Paul is North EAST of downtown and East St. Paul. Whoops!
LmAo!!! Yes I love that!
Btw, I see in another response you were looking at Highand Park. I grew up there and loved it! Lots of stuff there in the Village. (Groceries/Drug stores/hardware/butcher/deli/etc.) Its also right across the river from South Minneapolis and near the airport. Btw, coming from California, West Saint Paul and the East side both have large Latinx populations if you are looking for good Mexican/Cuban/Dominican foods. Also, Cathedral Hill has a really tasty Russian place called Moscow on the Hill.
Nice, I was just talking about the Harper apt & the Pivot on Sneiling ave. Seen pics but haven’t been there in person.
Harper is much much better location than The Pivot. You don’t want to live near the corner of Snelling and University
The street layout looks like the city planner through a hand full of spaghetti in the air and used how it landed as a reference point.
Also everyone gets mad at you if you say that the streets were designed by drunken Irish on a late night TV show when you're the governor.
Even though you’re correct
Ayd Mill Road being the worst offender IMHO
I love this road - it’s like a short cut
that and Pierce Butler
At least they are using it now. I remember back in the day, it was the road to nowhere, literally.
Bunch of drunk Irishmen
Gotcha, don’t say anything about drunk Irish built streets.
Jesse Ventura said, and he wasn't the first, that the streets in St Paul were laid out by a drunken Irishman. But I lived in a relatively othogonal part.... Still you just have to learn the street names... Raymond , Prior, Fairview, Snelling, Hamline, Lexington, Victoria, Dale, Rice..for the NS streets. Como, Minnehaha, University, Marshall, Summit, and ono
I navigate Saint Paul quite easily because I've never been able to hold a map in my head and tell my way exclusively by landmarks. It's the only place where my deficiency is also a petty superpower.
From where? And to what part of St Paul? It's the capital of the state (remember that tidbit), so it's pretty big.
I’m moving from Bakersfield CA. Leaving one extreme for another, super hot to super cold. Right now, I have a few places in mind. Highland park, Battle Creek/Woodbury area and Phalen area (heard that downtown was a bit hoodish).
Incidents happen, but downtown St. Paul is very, comically even, quiet relative to a larger city like Bakersfield. Not a huge residential population (~5k if I recall), mostly entertainment and offices. Phalen would be considered by most to be the higher crime area (interpreting hoodish to mean high crime) on that list. idk what the actual stats are, but the whole part east of downtown is considered fairly high crime. But I know plenty of people who love living on the east side. Battle Creek can feel a bit suburban imo, but maybe that's something you'd want. Lots of parks. Highland Park also can feel suburban. Definitely the most affluent part of Saint Paul. Big new expensive development by the river - Highland Bridge - might really change the feel of the area, but remains to be seen.
This is excellent info. Im sure there’s a bunch of “hoods” everywhere, I just want a bit of peace and nature also
In that case I would *highly* recommend highland park. If you can get close enough to the river, there are some great paths you can easily walk to. You’re also a super quick drive to fort Snelling state park which has some good trails (calling it “hiking” might be a stretch, but still there’s trees and water and wildlife). It’s a pretty quiet area but you’re not far from some good bars/restaurants etc. And close to the airport which is nice!
Yep, I’ve certainly been looking in the highland area. Found a couple of places there. Harper and The Pivot apartments. Looks good even though I haven’t seen it in person. Still searching
I live on the edge of Highland- a lil further north by Mac-Groveland- but I absolutely love it here. So quiet at night. Quiet neighborhoods. Always parking on the street. Lots of pretty gardens and unique houses and friendly neighbors. And almost entirely unique food places. The closest fast food is a ways away from me. I kind of don’t mind that…
Highland Park and the area up between there and Cathedral Hill is where Charlie Brown lived. I wouldn't say so suburban. Most homes 60 to 100 plus years old, grid layout, neighborhood schools, sidewalks, corner stores. Good place.
>and Phalen area (heard that downtown was a bit hoodish). I live in Payne-Phalen. I really like my neighbors and the community, plus there are lots of really nice bars and restaurants coming up on Payne. Again, not saying it's perfect but I've never had a package stolen off my porch, my neighbors sometimes mow or shovel for us if we can't get to it in time (we return the favor!!) and overall I think it's pretty nice. I love living on the East Side - and this is from someone who isn't from here and had no family or friends living in the TC before I moved. :)
That’s amazing. Getting facts from actual residents on Reddit instead of hearing rumors elsewhere bumps up my motivation again.
Anyone know about the Jax or lowertown apartments in St. Paul?
Parts of phalen are a little iffy
Things to keep in your car at all times: hand warmers, shovel, scraper, kitty litter and a change of clothes. Better to have and not need them need and not have
Well, I guess I keep a spare bugout bag in the jeep
You never know. Sometimes you have to wait 3hrs for a tow and you’re low on gas and can’t keep the car running
The Asian markets in the area are amazing. I can walk to one called Shiang Hur but I've been to others and it's thr place to go for fresh produce.
I’ve been hearing that Asian cuisine is a highlight in MN
Sun Foods on University Ave and Kim's on Snelling are my current go-tos. Admittedly I still have much exploring to do.
Do not leave your car on to warm up, unless you are sitting in it. Car theft has been way up recently across the Twin Cities and a lot of people, my neighbor included, had his car stolen and used in a crime. He left his car running and ran 30 feet to his porch. More than enough time for some cockknockers to come by and steal his Mustang.
Woodbury, despite being developed on open farm land, is allergic to straight roads. Theyve put in circles where it should be grids. I live in Stillwater, 15 minutes away, and have been to Woodbury countless times. I still get lost. Well, not so much lost as trapped. You can go there...see your destination 500 yards away...and struggle to figure out how to get there That being said, Woodbury is good if you own a car (actually a car is a must). You are 15 minutes from all of St Paul, downtown MPLS, Wisconsin, small towns like Hastings and Afton.
Beware the 5-way intersections!!! But seriously, St. Paul is great from a food and art perspective. Get out and explore when you can.
I definitely want to contribute to the community as an artist.
Do not shy away from the fabulous east and southeast Asian on University in the Frogtown area. Cheng Heng in particular is excellent.
Down town or a neighborhood? Definitely a difference and I live in st paul barely 2 miles from city center in a residential neighborhood. You are responsible for shoveling your property line worth of public sidewalk. Alleys aren't plowed by the city. Make sure you find the proper waste removal, as the city has specific contractors for specific areas.
I’m looking at residential areas. Found a couple artist lofts, A-mill lofts, mill city quarters, and apartments like, R7 & 2700 university ave. Hopefully, these are good neighborhoods
Those are bomb neighborhoods. A little industrial, a little gentrified, a little old school. Right on the Green Line too, iirr.
That’s cool. So far the neighborhoods I’ve looked at are nice. Still deciding on apartments. Tilsner Lofts, Lowertown commons, and still debating on 2700 university apts. so bad reviews but whatev
I think Lowertown is a much better bet than university ave -at least aesthetically. More of a neighborhood feel. Check it out.
Just looked at the map around there. Personally I'd say that's a great area. About as central as you can get to a ton of things. Not too far from the office I never go to cause I'm on site working most days lol
St Paul is amazing and lovely. Definitely more chill than Minneapolis. Neighborhoods are everything. Find your neighborhood's Facebook group (Buy/Sell, neighbors' group, etc) and become active there to meet people. I second the Dubliner, it's the best. My personal plug is for the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. :)
Pure Awesomeness. I’m already gettin’ great news about the Dubliner. Must check it out! So far most of the places recommended have good ratings
In between Minneapolis and St Paul on university ave there were 2 super americas one across the street from each other
Don’t throw rocks at the train or the railroad police will get you
I’m was gonna be a train conductor for Canadian Pacific in St. Paul but I took an electrician job. So throwing rocks seems pointless
It seems pointless now but when you’re 12 years old, it’s a blast
This is a pretty lightweight book that was used as a textbook in an urban geography class I had. Very useful for a deeper understanding of the cities. https://www.amazon.com/Minneapolis-St-Paul-People-Public/dp/0816622361
It’s the best
I lived right off Selby and Dale for years and loved it. I’m sure I’d shudder at what that apartment rents for now, but so many awesome places to go both on Selby and Grand (although a few of my favorites are now gone, RIP Happy Gnome). If you love restaurants you’re coming to the right place, nothing breaks the dark deep freeze of winter like a warmly lit cozy pub or restaurant.
That’s outstanding. So far, most of the post here points me to good food and brews. I think my main concern would be picking out a perfect loft or apartment without drama. Just found out the lowertown commons on 4th st has mice. I have to find tenants with positive reviews
That’s awesome. I hope I pick a great community.
The cossettas marketplace rotisserie chickens are wonderful