It is a somewhat gentrified community mixed with traditional middle class housing as well as occasional crack houses. Look at the individual location, the building security, and talk to the neighbors if you find an apartment between Summit and Selby, Victoria to Dale. To the south of campus is Highland Park. It is more similar to the first ring suburbs of eastern cities than an inner campus city neighborhood. There's some newer construction to be found in Highland than in other local neighborhoods with occasional townhouses available.
Highland Park begins one mile south of campus.
Some listings are by street name, specifically check out Grand, St. Clair, Summit, Marshall, and Randolph - all main arteries with lots of 1920's vintage apartment buildings, many nicely renovated. There are also suburban areas within 3-5 miles, the City of Minneapolis to the west about 10 minutes by car, and some people even drive in from Wisconsin. We'd like to see you live close to campus to share the many oportunities and activities Macalester offers. We hope this helps in your search.