Homebuyers: Buy Smart. Buy Near Transit.
As homebuyers consider where to purchase a home in the Twin Cities, experts encourage folks to Buy Smart, Buy Near Transit. Purchasing a home or condo or buying into a housing cooperative that is near transit can save you money, deliver a better return on your investment, and bring a higher quality of life.
Transit is more convenient as Metro Transit, one of the country’s largest transit systems, has made a long-term commitment to higher frequency transit service on select routes. (Find details in "Overview" below).
Local news and national research discuss the dollars-and-sense importance of living near transit in the Twin Cities. A Brookings Institution study found significant savings for Twin Cities residents who live near and use transit for commuting. (See "Articles and Research" below).
Overview
Buy Smart. Buy Near Transit (pdf, 1 page, 103 KB) - general information and Smart Commute Program
Metro Transit High Frequency Routes (pdf, 1 page, 215 KB)
Articles and Research
"The Affordability Index: A New Tool for Measuring the True Affordability of a Housing Choice," (pdf, 24 pages, 3.54 MB) Brookings Institute study
"Cost of the commute: time and money," (pdf, 3 pages, 833 KB) Star Tribune article, June 24, 2006
"For some, commuting costs more than housing," (pdf, 2 pages, 517 KB) Star Tribune article, Oct. 11, 2006
Transportation Links
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization (TMO)
Last updated May. 1, 2012