St. Paul

Saint Paul

As the state’s capital, Saint Paul is the scenic and historic home to almost 300,000 residents. The neighborhood feel of the city is one of the most distinctive personality traits that sets it apart from its sister city, Minneapolis. Because of this, Saint Paul tends to attract a slightly older population than its western counterpart; many people who have spent a number of years in the Twin Cities often find Saint Paul to be a satisfying location when they are looking to settle down with a family. Lately, it has been particularly popular amongst former Twin Cities residents who had left the area for awhile, but are now looking to return to the area. Saint Paul provides a comfort and familiarity to people of all walks of life, which is probably why so many find it difficult to leave behind. Whether you are relocating back to the Twin Cities, or are moving here for the first time, Saint Paul offers a great deal in terms of terrific real estate. A big city with a small town charm, Saint Paul certainly offers the best of both worlds.

The area surrounding Grand Avenue and Snelling is one of the most exciting spots in the city. Featuring a blend of brand-name stores and local shops, tourists are commonly attracted to this area for its shopping. It also features some of the more gorgeous vintage homes you will find around. Many of these are popular for hands-on buyers who enjoy the art of remodeling, while many other for-sale homes have recently been redone. Additionally, the Cathedral Hill area is a popular attraction both for visitors and for prospective homeowners. Between Selby and Western Avenues, you’ll find a great location, thick with top-notch restaurants and a buzzing nightlife. Many apartments, condominiums, single family homes and multi-story homes are available here as well.

Much like Minneapolis, Saint Paul offers great opportunities in terms of arts and entertainment. Noted authors F. Scott Fitzgerald (the namesake of the famous Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul) and August Wilson were rooted here, while the ever-popular Garrison Keillor still plays host to his nationally syndicated radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, at the historic Fitzgerald. The annual Minnesota State Fair is always a top draw in August, offering a sprawling carnival, agricultural shows and competitions, and countless booths illuminating the historical tradition of Minnesota (and, of course, endless stands of fried-food-on-a-stick). The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is one of the most elite small orchestras of its kind, entertaining sell-out crowds on a regular basis. Additionally, the city is home to several notable museums (including the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children’s Museumn, and the Schubert Club Instrument Museum), the ever popular Minnesota Wild NHL hockey team, and a number of tremendous outdoor parks along the Mississippi River.

If you are considering a career change, many public and private colleges and universities are located within Saint Paul. The University of Minnesota stretches its campus along the border of both of the Twin Cities, and is consistently ranked one of the highest in the nation in terms of student population. Concordia University and Hamline University offer widely celebrated program offerings, while other institutions such as Saint Paul College and Metropolitan State University are more geared toward non-traditional students. Plus, with a mere ten to fifteen minute drive into Minneapolis, its extremely easy and accessible to find a school that best fits your needs.