Saint Cloud, MN

[Spiesie]

Hi all!

 

I'll be moving to St. Cloud this summer or early fall. Does anyone have any insights about living here? How is is safety-wise? Are there any decent (inexpensive!) apartments close to campus? Thanks!

Edited April 7, 2015 by Spiesie

[IOGraduate]

Hey Spiesie-

 

I'll be graduating in a few weeks (thesis gods willing), and I've been living here for about two years. I'm very comfortable here, but I don't spend much time in the spots directly around campus, and downtown CAN get a little dicey if you're out until 3am. I live on the east side of the town, right over the river. Apartments here are very affordable in general compared to what I'm used to back home in New York. I have a 775sqft apartment for 575/month. I love my apartment. It's big, clean, safe, out of the way of the undergrads who live here, and super cheap. Heat included, which makes a huuuuge difference in the winter. I'd be happy to PM you my complex if you're interested.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

Edited April 7, 2015 by IOGraduate

[ChasingMavericks]

Would love to revive this thread! St. Cloud State University is one of my top 2 choices, so I would love to start gathering information about the area to help aid with my decision making.

 

[GeographyOSU]

Speaking as a former SCSU student (got my bachelor's degree there), I would generally recommend against renting in the areas directly surrounding campus---a lot of rundown homes owned by slumlords, and apartments that are marketed towards undergrads, meaning loud parties. The area has also gotten more seedy over the years, meaning more police activity. Like IOGraduate mentioned, there are a number of nicer apartment complexes across the river from campus and downtown, as well as out in the western parts of the city and in Waite Park (a suburb of St. Cloud). Bus service is relatively good in the city, and if you do plan on driving, traffic can be a bit hairy at times but the travel time from campus from most areas of the city is not long at all.

[ChasingMavericks]

If I end up attending SCSU then I will be living in on-campus housing (hopefully as a graduate resident assistant, if not then just as a resident). But I'll be sure to keep my eyes open if I do end up attending. As for traffic, I'm coming from Southern California so as long as it doesn't take me 3 hours to travel 15 miles then that's totally fine St. Cloud is a pretty small town though, only about 60,000 people? 

Are people generally nice (in town and on campus)? What is the campus community like? I've lived in a few different states, but haven't spent much time in Minnesota at all. I am hoping to make a visit if I get accepted before I make any decisions. Any suggestions for things to check out or to pay particular attention to? 

[sunnyskies13]

I lived in Minneapolis/St. Paul for a majority of my life. California wise, yes it's a small town. Minnesota wise it's considered normal sized. Have you ever been to MN? I would be concerned about whether or not you would like MN during the winter. St. Cloud is about 2 hours north of the Twin Cities. Pretty good sized suburban community. Has been having some recent problems with race related hate crimes against Somali refugees :/ Crime increases around bar close. Otherwise it's a good city. 

[ChasingMavericks]

Well I'm not from Southern California originally, but I would have to get used to the snow again! I grew up in the dreary PNW and then spent many years living in Montana and New York, so I have a lot of experience with snow and the dreaded wind chill, but like I said it's just a matter of getting used to it again   

 

[sunnyskies13]

Oh good, yes NY and Montana winters are similar. If you need a new car now is the time to get 4WD/AWD  I would have hated to see you end up stuck in a winter situation you didn't know about and end up hating life. 

[ChasingMavericks]

I'm also the same person who was posting on the Mankato city post, so thank you for replying to that as well! I'm all set with a Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD  My plan/hope is to go up to visit Minnesota in early January for about a week to get a feel for the harsh winter weather, area, and people. Spend some time visiting SCSU and MSU Mankato and my cousin in MSP.  Something about Minnesota seems like it might be a good fit for me, but we shall see! I'm constantly on the search for that perfect place. This might be a weird question, but do you know much about medical stuff in the area? Hospitals, doctors, etc? Depression can definitely be hard in the winter and I always like to make sure I am prepared for that.

I appreciate all your postings!

[sunnyskies13]

Mayo Clinic in Rochester is recognized as one of the best in the country. There are plenty of medical options throughout MN and mental health is considered an important medical field among MN residents.