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Neighborhoods--Reading the Want Ads
St. Paul is a city of neighborhoods, places where people still talk over fences, know the local dry cleaner and pay attention to what is ocurring on their blocks. This is great for residents but can make searching for an apartment tough - all the ads are not by address but by neighborhood! The neighborhoods close to the college include:
Macalester - Groveland - this is where Mac is located and it is typically abbreviated MAC-GROVE in the ads. It is all within walking distance to the campus and recently rated the second safest area of the Twin Cities, suburbs included.
Union Park is the neighborhood immediately to the north of campus, beginning at Summit Avenue. There are a number of smaller apartment buildings on pretty residential streets scattered throughout Union Park. As you get closer to the University of St. Thomas you'll find increasing numbers of student apartment type buildings. Union Park is also somtimes referred to as Merriam Park, Snelling Hamline and Lexington Hamline.
Crocus Hill is immediately east of campus and has a number of condos for rent as well as apartments ranging in size from 300 to 3000 square feet. The neighborhood technically ends at Summit Avenue on the north, but apartment ads often include buildings north of Crocus Hill in less desirable blocks. Between Summit and Selby, east of Lexington (addresses of @1100 and lower), apartments and safety varies a lot. It is a somewhat gentrified community mixed with traditional middle class housing as well as occasional neglected houses. Look at the individual location, the building security, and talk to the neighbors if you find an apartment between Summit and Selby, Victoria to Dale.
To the south of campus is Highland Park. It is more similar to the first ring suburbs of eastern cities than an inner campus city neighborhood. There's some newer construction to be found in Highland than in other local neighborhoods with occasional townhouses available. Highland Park begins one mile south of campus.
Some listings are by street name, specifically check out Grand, St. Clair, Summit, Marshall, and Randolph - all main arteries with lots of 1920's vintage apartment buildings, many nicely renovated.
There are also suburban areas within 3-5 miles, the City of Minneapolis to the west about 10 minutes by car, and some people even drive in from Wisconsin. We're biased. We'd like to see you live close to campus to share the many oportunities and activities Macalester offers.
We hope this helps in your search. If you need additional assistance, contact the High Winds Office, Monday through Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (651) 696-6552
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