Replies

1. 
   darrel | Jul 26, 2002 05:30am | #1

   I'm a homeowner, not a contractor, but I can say that it takes quite a while to get a call back from some construction people. Not sure if that means things are busy or not.

   There's been a lot of talk lately about the real-estate market finally levelling off. Houses are staying on the market for several weeks now as opposed to the few days like a year ago. That said, the better parts of St. Paul are still priced WAY high (we're talking $300,000 houses) so a lot of people are staying put for the long haul and simply adding on and remodeling.

   As for building, we're expecting another million people by 2005 in the Twin Cities, so I'm SURE there's going to be a few more houses built. Urban Sprawl is a big issue here, but nothing seems to be stopping it at all. Rural Wisconsin towns 60 miles from St. Paul are now turning into suburbs, so I'd say the outlook for homebuilding is just fine out here.

   Downtown St. Paul is seeing a huge flow of remodelled warehouses and new 'fake' warehouse condo building. The entire riverfront is going to turn into a housing development (DON'T ask me why we're building on a flood plain...)

   Where in St. Paul you headed to?

2. 
   RJT | Jul 26, 2002 05:47am | #2

   I use to live in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and numerous surrounding suburbs and got the heck out ten years ago and I'll never go back. But anyway, you obviously aren't moving there due to a job relocation but for some other reason, probably a woman. You need to do your homework, there are many job online resources out of the state and cities and the web sites for the newspapers and TV stations can be informative also. Do a search on them and see what you come up with. You didn't mention the line of work you are into, but the range of jobs in the TC area is unlimited.

   If you're an inner city type, check out the Grand avenue area south of Summit avenue. If you like tools, go visit 7 corners hardware in downtown St. Paul on 7th street. On your day off pay a visit to Como park zoo, the history museum, the science museum, the megamall in Mpls and a Twins game.

   Richard James Tolzman

1. 
   jc21 | Jul 27, 2002 05:10am | #3

   Thanks for the comments. Will be living in the SE side. I've developed an affinity for the Saints....... haven't been to a Twinkies game yet. Been to Seven Corners .......... hog heaven for me. You're right about the woman part ........ fiancee is a St Paul native. It will be a big change for me, living in the city. Over the years I've worked as a carpenter, painter, estimator, assistant superintendent so hopefully I will find something.

1. 
   darrel | Jul 29, 2002 04:04am | #4

   "and a Twins game. "

   Sounds like you are a smart man and realize that the only real baseball in St. Paul is the Saints. ;o)

   And don't forget that we have a hockey team now, too.

   I'm on the East side, as well. I'll see ya around...

2. 
   jc21 | Jul 31, 2002 02:18pm | #5

   RJT, you'd said you'd never go back- I'm curious as to why?

1. 
   mmoogie | Jul 31, 2002 09:14pm | #6

   I grew up on the Mpls./St. Paul Border. Moved to the east coast 20-some years ago, and am now back working in construction as of March. There is plenty of demand for good carpenters. Wages for lead-quality people hover around 22-25 bucks/hour.

   I liked it a lot here growing up, but after 20 years out east, it lacks a certain something. The architecture is less than inspiring if you are interested in historical stuff. Both cities have destroyed way too much of their past. The sprawl is awful. The lack of diversity is astonishing. The politics are parochial. The awareness of things going on in the rest of the country is minimal.

   Rush hour traffic is awful. If you are gonna work in the city, live in the city. If you are gonna work in the suburbs live there, but be prepared for a very insular life.

   It is comfortable here. Just less-than-inspiring.

   Steve

2. 
   RJT | Aug 01, 2002 06:22am | #7

   As to why I wouldn't go back, the following post says it well.  I've moved some 100 or so miles south and it seems to have been enough distance to have made a noticeable change in the climate, a little longer summer and a less severe winter.

   As the following post states, the traffic is incredible..... and I personally don't care for the liberal politics of the area. When we had our kids in grade school it was required, or rumored to be, for teachers to wear buttons that stated that  "it's okay to be gay". Whether it  is or not (okay to be gay) is one thing, but for that viewpoint to be required to be displayed for children to digest is another. That of course is only one example of many, many others of the overwhelming deluge of extreme leftist thinking that we just felt we weren't a part of. So we left and have no regrets. Richard James Tolzman

1. 
   jc21 | Aug 10, 2002 05:15am | #8

   Thanks again one and all for the heads up. One more question ....... whats a good local lumberyard (not a big box store ........ already checked out Menards)?