Uptown...it's rather yuppified, and getting pricey. Northeast is good in terms of studio/living spaces, but if you're going to school in St. Paul you might want to look for a place in Midway. The neighborhood might be considered a little sketchy, but as the name suggests, it's a halfway point between St Paul & Mpls. Near the Turf Club!

I run 42/16 on my fixie. We have fewer hills than Seattle, so fear not. Skinny tires cut through snow quite well, but people ride all kinds of bikes here, through all seasons. My favorite shops are One on One & Kenwood Cyclery, but there's a bike shop in virtually every neighborhood. In St. Paul, there's the Sibley Bike Co-op, which is very cool.