Seward

Seward is a small neighborhood bordering the Mississippi River near the University of Minnesota that has a Bike Score of 98 and walk scores in the 80's! A biker's paradise, its location makes it popular with people associated with the University... and its walkability makes it a dream for people with a car-free lifestyle.

There are not many places in the Twin Cities where you can walk to almost everything you might need... Seward is one of them. In the words of a recent seller who lived in her Seward home nearly 23 years, this is what she loves about living there...

•Stable neighborhood with mostly long-term residents of all ages
•A small, friendly community where neighbors know each other
•Most importantly, it is a safe neighborhood
•Extremely convenient location... can walk/bike to everything from shopping, restaurants, bank, University of Minnesota, to hospitals and churches
•East River Road walking/biking trails and parks
•Neighborhood involvement in issues affecting the neighborhood
•Neighborhood activities such as Seward Art Crawl, annual neighborhood garage sales, King’s Fair

Seward it at the center of urban activity with Hiawatha Ave., I-94 and the Mississippi River forming its boundaries as well as routes for easy travel in and out of the area. The light rail runs alongside the neighborhood, connecting it to almost every corner of the Minneapolis Metropolitan Area, A portion of the land along the railroad tracks is dedicated to industrial spaces while other streets contain historic homes ranging from those built during prewar era to those erected within the last thirty years. Almost all the properties are listed at affordable prices, with those closer to the river being more expensive. I-94 separates Seward from the University of Minnesota while Hiawatha Ave. forms the divide between this community and Ventura Village.

The area has a low crime rate, which many would find surprising given it is so close to downtown. Residents have access to more restaurants, bars and shops than they will ever need, with a strip center located at Hiawatha Ave. and Country Road 48. One can stay active with the many outdoor activities available at Matthews and Brackett Parks, as well as alongside the river. Seward Elementary School borders Matthews Park and offers a reason for families to relocate here and mingle with the already occupying professional and artist crowds.

The new light-rail transit line now connect the Minneapolis neighborhood of Seward to places such as the Mall of America, Downtown, and the airport. Settled alongside the Mississippi River, Seward gets its name from William Seward, who served under President Lincoln. The history of the neighborhood includes the preservation of the rail workers houses that were built in the late 1800s. It is in a beautiful setting right along the Mississippi River, specifically near the Gorge.
The modern community of Seward sits on almost 400 acres of land, and about half of that is dedicated to residential areas. The closer you get to Interstate 94, the more modern the homes seem to look in this neighborhood. There are more multi-resident dwellings in this area, too. The rest of the homes throughout the community are an eclectic mix of bungalows, two-story homes, and Tudor inspired architecture. The homes are reasonably prices and are probably just around or barely below what you would find in a similar Minneapolis neighborhood. There is little crime in the area, and residents seem to appreciate the urban village feel that the community has. There is a large secondary community of artists who live in Seward and help coordinate the Seward Community Arts Network. Residents can usually find the basics of what they need without travelling to the heart of the city, as there are restaurants, shops, bakeries, and a co-op within the neighborhood.