East Isles

East Isles gets its name from being located right next to the Lake of the Isles, which is part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes in the southwestern portion of the city. This area is a popular day vacation spot for people throughout the metropolitan area; and the density of businesses as well as the housing prices reflect that. Hennepin Ave. lies just a few blocks east of the Lake of the Isles and has dozens of high end dining and shopping corridors. The streets here do not follow the standard checker board pattern found throughout most of Minneapolis, but instead follow the contours of the lake.

Minneapolis has its expensive neighborhoods and then it has its ridiculously expensive millionaire exclusive communities like East Isles. Here, houses exceed $400,000 and often reach seven figures. Such is to be expected for a lakeside enclave that is only a two to five minute drive from downtown and hundreds of spot for eating, shopping and entertainment. East Isles was one of the first upscale communities in Minneapolis with many homes having bee built at the beginning of the 20th century. For those who can afford to live here, East Isles is just a short of absolute paradise.

The East Isles neighborhood of Minneapolis is situated on the eastern side of Lake of the Isles, within the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes region. Lake of the Isles is a regional park area consisting of Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Cedar Lake, and includes more than seven acres of historically designated wetlands and parkland. It also happens to be one of the most popular destinations in the Metro area for recreation and day-vacations. Included in this outdoor splendor is the influence of the Midtown Greenway, a bike trail and walking path developed over an older existing rail line. It runs through the southern portion of the neighborhood and eventually connects with the Mississippi River to the east.

The residents of East Isles have a long history of non-agricultural residency in that particular part of the city, with the first homes constructed on a boulevard in 1907. This history has provided a solid foundation for a neighborhood of affluence and amenities. Residents have everything from boutiques to upscale dining to quaint ice cream shops at their disposal. This neighborhood is extremely sought after and the housing market reflects those desires. The low-end housing begins around $400,000 for a small or modest size single-family home, and can reach well into the 7-digit price range. The impression in East Isles is that you get what you pay for, and it appears that plenty of people are willing to pay for that luxury of nature among urban splendor.