Near North

Despite the name making the location of this neighborhood obvious, Near North is quite the popular residential area. It is a little less than a mile from downtown Minneapolis and is also close to both I-94 and the Mississippi River. A variety of green spaces are within easy reach, including Wirth Park, North Commons, Hobbs Field, and Hall Park. The neighborhood is also home to numerous public and private schools such as the North Community High School and the WISE Charter School, making this a suitable place for families. Near North has many amenities ranging from restaurants to clinics, from nonprofit organizations to political offices.

Though this community is very close to downtown, it manages to preserve a semi- suburban feel. Residents, however, often have to suffer through the noise of the nearby freeway. Another downside to Near North is the occasional crime, which comes with being near the center of the city. This neighborhood is like many others in Minneapolis, with the majority of homes being small historic houses dating back to the 1920's. The prices for living in these homes are very affordable, rarely exceeding $130,000. Residents are also a short bike ride to trendy communities like Bletrami and Bottineau.

The rather common and uncreative name doesn’t really do justice to this north Minneapolis neighborhood. While there are no spectacular sights within this community, there are some historically significant sites that are worth visiting, such as the Sumner Community Library which dates back almost 100 years. It is also an uncommon neighborhood because of the low prices on homes that are quite good condition and located within close proximity to the heart of Minneapolis. Most of the homes are single-family, and there are several rental units available as well. One stretch of historic homes in the neighborhood has block after block of buildings with the Victorian Queen Anne style painted ladies homes that still exist. Other homes in the area are more contemporary cul-de-sac in design, giving is a suburban feel.
Even though Near North is not an affluent community, its residents do take pride in their neighborhood and it shows through the development of the Northside Resident Redevelopment Council that works to improve the communities of Near North and Willard Hay. The group is a non-profit that promotes community activities and involvement. It also works to improve housing in the area and helps small businesses to grow. The crime rate in this area is not quite as high as in other north Minneapolis neighborhoods, perhaps due to this community push.