Moving to Minneapolis or St. Paul: A Practical Neighborhood & Commute Checklist

If you’re moving to the Twin Cities, the hardest part isn’t finding a listing—it’s choosing a location you’ll still love after the novelty wears off.

This checklist is designed to help you narrow neighborhoods quickly, compare rentals intelligently, and reduce “move-in regret.”

Step 1: Define your non-negotiables

Before you even browse listings, decide what actually matters:

• Commute time ceiling (e.g., 25 minutes max)

• Parking requirements (street vs. garage)

• Pet needs (dog size, nearby green space)

• Walkability (groceries, coffee, gym)

• Noise tolerance (busy street vs. residential)

Write them down. If you can’t articulate them, you’ll keep saving apartments that don’t fit your real life.

Step 2: Build your commute map (not just your neighborhood list)

Many renters pick a neighborhood first, then realize the commute is the dealbreaker.

Instead, pick:

• Your top 2–3 “anchor points” (work, school, family, routine)

• Your acceptable commute windows (rush hour and off hours)

• Your preferred travel mode (car, transit, bike)

Then shortlist neighborhoods that hit your commute criteria.

Step 3: Choose your lifestyle lane

Different renters want different versions of “a good neighborhood.” Decide which one you are:

• City-core convenience: walkable, lively, close to everything

• Balanced residential: quieter streets, still close to amenities

• Suburban ease: more space, parking simplicity, calmer pace

The right lane makes decision-making faster.

Step 4: Compare units using the same scorecard

When you view multiple listings, use a repeatable checklist:

• Monthly cost (rent + estimated utilities + parking)

• Laundry situation

• Storage space

• Natural light

• Noise exposure

• Lease terms and flexibility

• Building vibe (quiet vs. social)

The “best unit” is usually the one that wins the scorecard—not the one with the prettiest photos.

Step 5: Apply and filter your results

Once you’ve identified several listings you’d seriously consider, applying through a platform like Awayish can help you quickly get to a filtered set of matches that align with your qualifications and preferences.

From there, you favorite your top picks and match with the partner properties you want to tour—keeping the process focused and intentional.

Final takeaway

A great Twin Cities rental search isn’t about seeing everything. It’s about narrowing quickly to what fits your actual routine.

If you treat your search like a checklist, you’ll move faster—and land somewhere you’re excited to live, not just somewhere you found.