As far as city names go, Oak Grove's is pretty straightforward! The city was named in 1857, when it became an organized township, and it was given the name because of the many vast groves of oak trees in the area. How creative!
Officially, Oak Grove is a relatively new town. It technically incorporated as a city in 1993. However, that doesn't mean the rich community history is lacking. In reality, the city has been around (as a township) since 1857, when the area received its first post office. Basically, Oak Grove is a suburban commuter town for nearby Minneapolis, which is about a half hour south of the city. People in Oak Grove spend much of their time traveling to and from their hometown, because of what the big city can offer. However, Oak Grove still has much, itself, to offer including residential streets, convenient amenities, and lots of great rental properties . Exactly what you might want out of a Minnesota suburb!
Moving to Oak Grove
If you want to find condos for rent in Oak Grove, the first thing to do is to think about what you want out of an apartment. Apartments range in size (like one bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom apartments for rent), and they also range in amenities offered, location, and the community around them. When you decide what you want in your rental home, the next step is to schedule appointments to see the potential rental properties. You're going to want to make as many appointments as possible, since landing your dream apartment is never a sure thing!
Once you've made appointments with potential landlords or realtors, the next step is preparing to apply for an apartment. The first part of an application is the application itself. For that, you'll need bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of income, and anything else that makes it clear that you're going to be able to pay your rent. If you're worried about paying your rent, consider getting a guarantor (or cosigner). A guarantor is someone who signs the lease with you that is financially responsible for the apartment, so that your landlord knows that no matter what you're going to pay your rent fully and on time.
The next part of an application, which ensures that your application is processed, is an application fee. This allows the landlord to pay for a credit check for you. Finally, one important thing to think about before moving is saving money. Of course, you'll have to pay the expense of movers and new home goods. But, once you're approved for your apartment, you don't get to take it off the market until you put a deposit down on it, so make sure your piggy bank is full beforehand! Deposits are sometimes as much three times the monthly rent, so pinching your pennies will definitely pay off.
Neighborhoods in Oak Grove
Another important part of the moving process is doing your research about the new place you're moving to. You're going to want to do a lot of research about your new town to make sure you end up living in an area that will put a smile on your face! Some things to consider about neighborhoods are amenities, convenience, and demographics. Want to know more about neighborhoods in Oak Grove? Check out the list below. This info could save you a lot of time and energy when it comes time to schedule your housing search with realtors in Oak Grove.
Southern Lake Grove: Southern Lake Grove is suburbia at its best, and it's a good place for commuters, because it's closest to Minneapolis. This part of town is also scenic, because it's home to the Cedar Creek Conservation Area.
Northern Lake Grove: Northern Lake Grove is a great place for people who like to spend time outside. It's home to the Lake George Regional Park, as well as Lake George itself. It's beautiful there! And you can partake in a ton of outdoor recreational activities, like fishing, playing ball, running, boating, and more. If you like to play golf, this is also a great part of town for you. Swing by Refuge Golf Course and check out its beautiful putting greens.
Central Lake Grove: Most of the businesses and happenings take place in the center of town here. There are also tons of houses, and another pretty lake (Lake Hickey), so it's a nice place to live if you like to be entertained and see nice scenery.
Living in Oak Grove
Most people in Oak Grove didn't choose to live there specifically. There's really not enough going on in Oak Grove proper to make it a destination unto itself. However, most people that do live there travel into and out of Minneapolis for work and play, because it's one of the most happening metropolitan areas in the entire U.S. One of the unsung cities of the country, the commute from Oak Grove is only about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there's no real public transportation between the two, so you're going to need your own wheels if you need to get around!
Once you're in Minneapolis, you can take advantage of world class entertainment like the Guthrie theater and Mall of America. If you want to be entertained in Oak Grove, you best like the outdoors! You can spend time outdoors at Lake George Regional Park, Cedar Creek Conservation area, or Rum River Woods Park. In addition to the golf course in town, you can have fun at local fitness hot spots like Curves or Anytime Fitness.