Can you help a friend find a apt.

Payne2B2008

My friend will be moving back to MN to start over. She is looking for 2 bedroom (she has a little one) for around $900 including all utilities. She will not have a car to start out with so being close to bus/train would be most helpful. She would also stay on the west side of the city. 

I know nothing about renting so I am hoping you can help.  

 

thanks 

 

Edited because I just saw I missed the word 'help' in the title ops Thanks so much for everyone who has helped with this post.  

Janell's Nest

If you find an apartment with all the utilities paid let me know...because they're nearly non-existent these days.  More apartments are going to "townhome' style, where you pay just about every utility...some are prorated based on usage, and others they get a total bill and divide it by the number of units.  Just wanted to let you know.

 

Payne2B2008

Thanks Janell I known you would know something Do you have any helpful hints that I can pass along to her? I really am clue less when it comes to finding a place to rent. Or do you know where she can go for help? She is in the proses of leaving her hubby so any little bit of advise would be so help full 

Elizabeth81

I've never had an apartment that paid for all utilities, either. Good luck to your friend.  

Steph0871

I haven't had an apartment include utilities since college.  However, I think it's fairly possible to find an apartment with low enough rent that total cost wil stay under $900 once utilities are factored in. 

Do you know which cities/neighborhoods she's interested in exploring?  H and I currently rent with Steven Scott Management, and have had only great experiences.  They have tons of properties, so their website may be a helpful place to start looking. (www.aaapartments.com) 

St Paul tends to be a little less pricey than Minneapolis, but busses aren't quite as convienent.  I've never had issues bussing within St Paul or within Minneapolis.  However, it can be a little bit of a pain in the ass to get between the two cities (other than via the 16 bus that goes down University or the 3 bus which goes along Como Ave.)

I used to work with new transfer students at the U, so I've done a lot of work researching and communication rentals near campus and bus routes, etc.  I've also rented/moved for the last 7 years.  Let me know if you have any other questions! Feel free to email me too instead  steph0871 (at) gmail

Good luck to your friend! What a hard situation to deal with on her own. 

smoo&brown

I just moved into an apartment in Hopkins about 10 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis. It's a 2 bedroom. We pay $800 plus electricity (about $25 a month). Free parking in a lot.  I think it's on a bus route but I'm not sure. She would have to check out the transportation first to make sure it works; I'm not really familiar.  Our limit was $800 and we didn't find any 2 bedrooms in the city for that much. She could try Plymouth. That's straight west of Minne in the same price range.

If she's interested email me at eramcowlas@aol.com.

destination09

smoo&brown:

I just moved into an apartment in Hopkins about 10 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis. It's a 2 bedroom. We pay $800 plus electricity (about $25 a month). Free parking in a lot.  I think it's on a bus route but I'm not sure. She would have to check out the transportation first to make sure it works; I'm not really familiar.  Our limit was $800 and we didn't find any 2 bedrooms in the city for that much. She could try Plymouth. That's straight west of Minne in the same price range.

If she's interested email me at eramcowlas@aol.com.

Just to add my 2 cents:  Plymouth will probably be out of the price range she is looking at.  I looked at several places in Plymouth before settling where we are.  We pay  well over the $900 just in rent for a one bedroom plus den.  Another reason Plymouth wouldn't be good is that public transportation is next to non-existent.  You can get to the city, but its a total hassle.  I'd say if public transportation is important, stay in mpls/st. paul.  Good luck to your friend!

Payne2B2008

Thank you all so very very much. I am going to pass this post on to her. 

ChelseaNelson

Ohhh.  I like apartment hunting.  I searched for ones in the price range, near public transportation w/ air-conditioning (no one should go without air-conditioning J ).  I don?t know which ones are available or what the neighborhoods are like, you could check these out a bit more.

Westview Park Apartments, West St Paul

2 BR starting at $775.  Says utilities paid, also says gas utilities paid?not sure if that means just gas. Also has a play ground and dishwasher.

Canabury Hill, Little Canada

2 BR starting at $795.  Says utilities paid, has a dishwasher

ChelseaNelson

Shamrock Court, Saint Paul MN

2BR starting at $658.  Includes heat and water (says paid utitilies), playground.

Wheelock Ridge Villa, St Paul

2BR starting at $775.  Includes  heat and water, sound proof design, dishwasher, pool and party room

Parkside Apartments, North St Paul

2BR starting at $685.  Says it includes utilities, but only lists water and trash.  It has short term lease options and playground.