MNative

Quaint restaurants and gift shops are sprinkled into this creative winding area of streets known as Tangletown. Like a name from a children’s story, Tangletown neighborhood is in the southwest portion of Minneapolis and shares a border with Diamond Lake Road and Lyndale Avenue South. Unlike traditional street layouts, as the name suggests these streets seem to have been thrown together on a whim, creating curved lines and angles where you would normally expect the rigid lines of a typical city block. The small Fuller Park sits in the community and is the place for community festival and events, as well as a serene flower garden.

Residents of the Tangletown community have schools in the area from which to choose, making it a great place for families. The cost of the homes in the community is higher than average for Minneapolis neighborhoods, but the community is located in a popular geographical location at the base of the lake region. While some of the area homes date back to the late 1800s, many of them are from the early 1920s and more recent. Newer residences are still being constructed as people take advantage of living in what feels like a suburb. There are some shops and restaurants in the area, making commuting to larger and more crowded areas of the city not as necessary. You can even go south to other larger suburbs for shopping and entertainment if you didn’t feel like dealing with the hassles of Downtown.

What’s in a name? When it comes to the neighborhood of University, it says it all. The heart and soul of the University of Minnesota’s campus, the University neighborhood is almost completely devoted to campus buildings and housing geared toward students. Even though the Mississippi River divides the neighborhood into two sections, the feel on both sides of the river is relatively the same – this is a college town.
The housing can be surprisingly expensive, but you pay for the prime location spots so close to campus buildings. Don’t even try to imagine a lush yard, as many of the homes seem to but right up the sidewalk. The typical older home has been converted into shared housing or multi-resident buildings. Parking can be extremely challenging, and to add to that dilemma, the streets can be quite narrow in some locations. Owning a car is a great thing for a college student, but it can mean some headaches, especially during snow removal season.
Even though it is primarily geared toward students, the University of Minnesota medical center also brings non-residents and non-students to the area. If you are one of them there are parking ramps near the clinic, but be prepared to walk. Within just a few minutes, however, you can be transported by transit from the University neighborhood to nearby communities where the nightlife, restaurants, and great shopping venues await.

Ventura Village calls itself “the neighborhood that works” and it is clear to see why the residents can make this claim. Over the recent years community members and organizations have made it a priority to improve the quality of life for all of the members of this community through varieties of projects. New, affordable housing has been built, and the streets have the look of community pride.
There are some fabulous and unique places to shop in Ventura Village, especially at the Ancient Traders Market. You can find restaurants, eclectic goods for sale, and signs of the strong influence of the American-Indian population. Ventura Village is home to the largest population of American-Indians in the city of Minneapolis and it is refreshing to see that heritage shine through in the community.
If you are looking to live in Ventura Village you are going to be close to great medical services, including Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Homes in this area range from very early 1900 style dwellings to more modern duplexes and apartment rentals. The bus and light-rail transit systems make commuting very easy and affordable. Being so close to Downtown makes it a great location for working in the city or at one of the nearby schools.

Although the name of the neighborhood of Victory is derived from the name given to memorialize World War I veterans and fallen soldiers, it also seems to represent the victory that the community has had in developing into a peaceful, nurturing community in which to live in northwest Minneapolis. The community is less than 20 minutes away from the downtown city life and accessible easily by bus or car on major highways and the interstate. It also lies among Victory Memorial Parkway and the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway that gives residents a great place to run, walk, skate, or bicycle amid the great views. The shoreline of nearby Ryan Lake is also being protected and restored so that it provides residents with another option for great recreation in nature.
The homes of Victory were built mainly in the first part of the 20th century and are owner occupied. There are also some rental units situated to the core of the community, and some larger homes near Victory Memorial Drive. The neighbors really seem to feel a sense of connectedness with each other and when you are in the neighborhood you see them walking down the streets and taking advantage of the shops and restaurants along the way. There are some great places to dine in Victory, especially on patio seating on a beautiful fall day.

If you want to feel tucked away in a peaceful community but still have access to metropolitan amenities, Waite Park might just be the place for you. This neighborhood is an example of one that began in the early roots of Minneapolis and that has continued to grow and thrive. Located in the northeast corner of Minneapolis, Waite Park is adjoined by the St. Anthony Parkway and has access to the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.
There are many housing options for families and individuals in Waite Park, and the price tags reflect those, but there really seems to be something for most budgets. The styles of the homes range from traditional bungalows to ranch homes. Things like the Waite Park Community Gardens make this the kind of community where people want to settle and live. There isn’t a lot of crime, and the neighbors are active in their community.
Education also seems to be important to the residents of Waite Park, and even though there aren’t any schools at the heart of the community, there are some really good academic options in close proximity to the residential neighborhoods. Close to Waite Park is the Columbia Park Golf Course and the Waite Park and Recreation Center, both giving great opportunities for residents to be physically active.

Webber-Camden is a great mix of a close-knit neighborhood and an industrial area for employment. Located in the northwest portion of Minneapolis, this community reaches to the northern part of Interstate 94 and the Columbia Heights area. The eastern border of Webber-Camden is the Mississippi River, which residents love because of the scenery and historic significance to the area.
The people who live in the Webber-Camden neighborhood talk about the small town feel they have when they walk down the streets and how they really feel like everyone knows their neighbors. It doesn’t feel to them like it is part of a very large city, especially when they are hanging out at Webber Park along the Mississippi River and having a picnic.
The homes in Webber-Camden represent the diverse group of people who call it home. There are some homes that more represent the working class that is common in the industrial areas of the Twin Cities, and there are homes where the middle class come to settle with their families and take advantage of the less hectic lifestyle. The prices of the homes here are reasonable, and residents can take advantage of the local shops and diners. If they need something more for retail, there are major highways nearby that can take them either north or south to larger communities.

You can find the great Minneapolis neighborhood of Wenonah located to the very south of the region, sharing a border with the suburb of Richfield. Wenonah is also part of the Nokomis Community and shares a small portion of its border with Lake Nokomis. Because it is so close to Richfield, some families send their children to Richfield schools, although there are other schools in the area.
The community originally developed because the streetcar routes came through that portion of Minneapolis. Many of the homes in Wenonah reflect this early heritage and date back to the early to middle 1900s. Home prices are fairly typical for Minneapolis neighborhoods on the outskirts of the region. Most of them sell for below $200,000, with many closer to $100,000.
Wenonah is much like a small village, having its own stores and places to eat nearby. Many residents who feel they need to find a larger retail or business district in which to shop or work actually go into nearby Richfield instead of commuting into the busier Minneapolis districts of Downtown and Uptown. The bus line makes it easy to commute in either direction, and when you travel by car Highway 62 can take you east or west and bring you to either 35E or 35W.

One of the oldest Minneapolis neighborhoods, Whittier retains some of the oldest homes in the city, and several of them have been beautifully restored. Even though this community used to be a residential neighborhood of single-family homes, it has turned into the place to be for those looking to rent. A larger than average number of rentals exists on these streets, drawing a diverse crowd of people calling Whittier home. It is known as a significantly culturally diverse community, adding to the richness of the experiences you can have here.
When I have taken my children to the Children’s Theatre here it is a mix of families, retired people, and young people walking the streets. You hear so many different languages in the neighborhood that it can almost be an onslaught on your ears, but it is a great way to connect with others as well. Just be prepared for some language barriers at times, but expect to enjoy the diversity as well.
With all of the diverse population, lower than average income levels, and various businesses in the Whittier neighborhood you are probably wise not to walk alone at night or leave your valuables in the car. However, don’t let these precautions keep you out of Whittier. The very present transit system can connect you with other great locations and experiences in the Minneapolis area.

The neighborhood of Willard-Hay can be found in the northwest portion of Minneapolis and stretches partway to Penn and Xerxes Avenues. This nice community sits just adjacent to the Theodore Wirth Golf Course, and is in close proximity to many green spaces where you can see some great cross-sections of wildlife. It gives this city neighborhood a country feel when you see the great parklands, trails, and wetlands in the area.
The homes in this area are typical of those built in the early 1900s, but there are several pockets of newer developments. As the community continues to strengthen through the efforts of the Northside Resident Redevelopment Council (NRRC), it is expected that more new housing will be built and that current homes will continue to be renovated and made even better. There is a great diverse mix of ethnic and cultural groups in the Willard-Hay neighborhood, and the crime rates are fairly low. Two schools, the namesakes for the community, offer educational possibilities for the children of the neighborhood.
To the southern edge of the community is Olson Memorial Highway, which you can use to access the interstate and travel the advantages and extra amenities that Minneapolis offers closer to the heart of the city. You also aren’t very far away from the Warehouse District which offer eclectic shopping and entertainment possibilities.

The Windom neighborhood is situated to the very south of the Minneapolis community, and is the southern city limit boundary. While it might seem far away from everything that the city has to offer, it is actually very close to the suburbs of Edina and Richfield, two great communities themselves. The residential portion of this community is made up of homes that were built mostly before the 1940s, and are nice two or three bedroom houses that have been well-maintained. The prices for these houses are lower than average when compared to others in Minneapolis, and also offer affordable housing options to those in the surrounding suburbs. A fair share of the residences in Windom are multi-family units or apartments, making them even more affordable to young people, seniors, and young families. Edina tends to run on the higher end of average pricing, so Windom is a good option for those with a smaller budget. There are also two charter schools within the community.
The neighborhood of Windom sits at the bottom of the chain of lakes region giving residents easy access to the many opportunities for year-round activities and recreation. People from Windom can also find great places to shop along Lyndale and Penn Avenues, and there are several major retail stores near the highways in that area.

The quiet and peaceful south Minneapolis neighborhood of Standish used to be considered the outer limits of the city. This area is now primarily residential and the homes are traditional bungalows seen throughout much of the Minneapolis neighborhoods. The prices of homes are lower than average in the Minneapolis neighborhood, but as new homes and apartments are built those are expected to become more in line with the typical prices around the city. Unfortunately residents do have to deal with crimes in the area, but it is not at an exorbitant rate at all. The neighborhood really is peaceful overall and the residents are kind and caring. Families who live in Standish have a few schools from which to choose for their children, and there are parks with playgrounds and wading pools.
One of the great advantages to moving to Standish is that there has recently been the development of a new light-rail line along the Hiawatha Avenue corridor that now connects this community to the amenities of the major metro area. You can get to the Mall of America, the airport, or the hub of major retail and business centers within minutes. It has created a new kind of energy in the community of Standish and will likely bring more residents there to call it home.

Just five minutes from the middle of downtown, the Minneapolis neighborhood of St. Anthony West is an affluent neighborhood near the heart of the city. This river community originally drew European immigrants to the area, and now draws those who can afford the renovated homes and scenic neighborhoods. There is an eclectic mix of home styles throughout St. Anthony West, ranging from 19th century beauties to more modern townhomes and condominiums.
Along the riverside residents can take advantage of the upscale Boom Island Park that includes almost 15 acres of Mississippi River fun. There is a boat marina, playgrounds, picnic areas, and promenades. There is even a picturesque lighthouse that sits along the shoreline that once served to help river workers navigate the St. Anthony Falls. The beauty of this park is evident, and people take advantage of it for wedding photographs, receptions, and parties. The Boom Island Park (although no longer an island) is the place where you go if you want to leave on a cruise of the Mississippi River aboard the Minneapolis Queen. This riverside community is also the home of the only yacht club in the city.
There are no schools within the St. Anthony West neighborhood, but there is a library for residents. Shopping and dining can be achieved along the river at any of several small shops and diners. If you are looking for more retail possibilities, the bustle of Downtown is just minutes away by bus or car.

The small neighborhood of St. Anthony East is a great fit for many young and active people in the Minneapolis area, but it is also affordable enough for students and families, although there aren’t any schools in the area. Much of the residences are rentals, but newer homes and apartments have been going up over the past few years to accommodate the growing community. Those homes that still exist in the St. Anthony East neighborhood are mainly from the very early 1900s and reflect the Colonial and bungalow styles of homes that were popular. The atmosphere in St. Anthony East is of a young and growing community, and there is little crime to worry about for residents.
One of the draws to St. Anthony East, besides affordable housing, is the convenience of the location in relation to the main metro area. You can walk on the paths to many of the venues in the neighborhood, and there is a great bus line that goes through the community as well. If you’re into biking, the 3rd Avenue Bikeway can get you to the Boom Island Park Trails and many other great biking paths in the area. There aren’t many retail shops in the area, but there are a few restaurants.

If you like the idea of living on the north side of Minneapolis, Shingle Creek might have just what you are looking for, especially if you are looking for a place to raise a family. The name itself even sounds like something from a story-book, and the residents who live there are very friendly and proud of their community. The crime rate is very low and you feel safe in this neighborhood. By freeway it is only about 6 or 7 miles from downtown, so you can commute to jobs to the south in Minneapolis or to jobs in the suburbs to the north. The homes are modestly priced, and the neighborhoods have been well-maintained.
Shingle Creek dissects the eastern part of the community, and it is a great place to watch water birds, hike, or enjoy the wading pool. Visitors can even take binoculars and their cameras and look for things like bald eagles, deer, and other wildlife that isn’t always easily seen in Minneapolis neighborhoods. If you enjoy gardens you will enjoy the Shingle Creek Common Ground Community Garden, where you can even grab a map and take a self-guided walking tour. If all of this serene nature and peaceful surroundings are too much for you, hop on I94 and head south into the bustle of the city, just minutes away from this oasis.

The northeast Minneapolis neighborhood of Sheridan is known more for its Arts Avenue than as a popular place to move and live. Most of the residents who do live in Sheridan live in apartment rentals that are more common than homes, but there is a recent trend of families moving to the area and more residential housing developments are taking place. Because of the limited homes for sale you might think that the prices are high, but they are actually well below the average Minneapolis listing price. There are a few schools and specialty learning centers within the neighborhood, bringing more families to the area. If you are in Sheridan and need to reach other parts of Minneapolis you can either cross the river and connect with Interstate 94, or maneuver through the neighborhood to make your way to 35W.
The community of Sheridan is home to many culturally rich venues, including several art galleries. As 13th Avenue continues to grow and develop, the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization has worked to bring a new library to the community and refurbish older buildings in the process. There are coffee shops, art studios, and an architectural firm in the neighborhood as well.
The commercial area along the river is probably one of the more significant aspects of the community. River industry was an important part of the history of the settlement of Minneapolis and it continues to be a highlight of the river community today.

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.

On the south side of Minneapolis is the community of Regina, which belongs to a larger neighborhood group known as Field Regina Northrop. This area is close to Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis, and is bordered by the popular Minnehaha Creek. Regina is a residential neighborhood mostly filled with smaller, single-family homes that were built in the early 1900s, although there are several larger two-story homes in the neighborhood as well. The prices for these homes are very reasonable, especially given the proximity to the area lakes. One of the few multi-resident buildings in the area is the Town Oaks Townhouse complex that includes more than 100 townhouses that were built about 40 years ago. The residents of Regina are diverse in culture, and there are local activities that celebrate that diversity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why the home prices are so inexpensive is that the Regina neighborhood doesn’t have a lot of retail or businesses to offer residents. Most people have to go outside of their neighborhood for work and shopping. The good thing is that the community is very close to Interstate 35, but the traffic on this road going north during the week can be very heavy if you need to commute into Downtown Minneapolis.

Named for the small lake that is shaped like a powder horn, Powderhorn Park is a great neighborhood in the southern part of Minneapolis. It really is a culturally rich and diverse place to visit and live, and there are lots of great activities and events in the park. Two of the more popular ones are the May Day Festival and Art Fair. The people of this community are friendly and seem truly interested in sharing with and learning from one another. The crime rate is also fairly low, making it a good place for families and seniors alike.
Most of the homes in the Powderhorn Park area were built just after 1900. The prices on these homes are also very reasonable, especially considering that some nearby neighborhoods have home prices double or triple those of the Powderhorn Park community. One of the drawbacks to the residential areas is that the homes are often built on fairly narrow lots, not allowing for a lot of green spaces in the neighborhood.
The former Sears Building sits in this area, and is now the Midtown Exchange, adding to the amenities and diversity of the community. There are convenient trails for walking, and public transit is able to take you to the Downtown area if needed.

You can find the Page neighborhood on the far south side of Minneapolis, near Minnehaha Creek, Diamond Lake Road, and Interstate 35W. This location gives residents easy access to both the amenities of Downtown as well as those of the neighboring suburbs to the south. The Page community belongs to a greater community organization known as Hale, Page, and Diamond Lake (HPDL) that works within these communities to make sure there is continued growth and prosperity.
Page is becoming a more popular residential neighborhood, and the homes here are almost all single-family dwellings. The styles of homes vary, from early 1900s through the 1950s, and the prices of the homes are steadily going up as more and more people seem to want to move here. As the community has grown in size, so have the retail and business offerings. Restaurants, great grocery markets, and coffee houses offer the comforts of city life in this rather quiet community.
Near the center of the neighborhood is Peal Park, providing residents with places for football and baseball games, as well as skating and hockey. If you feel like getting even further into nature, local parks, trail, and lakes are only minutes away from this southern neighborhood.

The Northeast Park neighborhood is really like three separate communities under one roof. It sits in the northeast section of Minneapolis and therefore gets its name. Within Northeast Park there is a residential section, a shopping section, and an industrial section. The nice way it is arranged, though, is that the retail and business section, known as The Quarry, is almost like a blockade to the sights and sounds of the industry area. This makes the residential area seem further away from factories than other neighborhoods with industry in them. In The Quarry you will find a great selection of shops. Homes in Northeast Park are typically Victorian in style, but there are some newer ones and a few rental units. The prices for all of these are quite reasonable, especially given the easy access the neighborhood has to Interstate 35 and Downtown.

The Northeast Park and Recreation Center is a draw for many residents and visitors. It includes a putting green, a new awesome outdoor water park, multiple athletic playing fields, and other amenities. The Recreation Center also runs many different programs for youth in the area. One of the educational highlights of the Northeast Park neighborhood is the Chinese Immersion Charter School that is relocating into the area.

The neighborhood of Northrop, also referred to as Field Regina Northrop (part of a larger community coalition), is in the southern part of Minneapolis and is less than 5 miles from the Downtown area. The residential neighborhood of Northrop consists of smaller homes that were built just before and after WWII, many just 2 or 3 bedrooms. Most people in this area own their homes instead of rent, and the prices here are a little higher than average for these sizes of homes.
Cedar and Chicago Avenues on the boundaries of Northrop help to bring businesses and retail services to the area and make travelling outside of the community less necessary. Banks, restaurants, theatres, automotive services, and retail shops provide residents with a wide variety of services and goods. It does mean that these areas also have higher traffic levels, but access to metro transit is also available.
McRae Park is where residents go for baseball games, tennis matches, or a swim, and there are beautiful gardens and picnic areas. In the winter you can even go for outdoor ice skating – a must have in a fun Minnesota winter. The Recreation Center here also provides activities for kids in the summer and festivals for the entire community.

The North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis is one of my favorite places in northern Minneapolis to visit and shop. It has experienced recent growth in commercial and cultural venues. The new Target Field is where I have gone to cheer for the hometown team, and the outdoor stadium is absolutely gorgeous. Even if you are not a baseball fan, an afternoon in the spring sun with the soft sounds of the city in the background is a perfect way to spend a day. Parking near the field is fairly close with plenty of ramps. The drawback is that traffic can be quite heavy and the streets are fairly narrow at times.
The North Loop community is also known as the Warehouse District, as it has a fair share of industrial buildings. Over the years many of these warehouses have been converted into newer office spaces, retail locations, and even loft type apartment buildings. There is an amazing variety of shops in this area, and I love to shop the unique boutiques.
If you are looking for nightlife, great dining, or even cozy coffee shops the North Loop has more than you probably even need. The light-rail transit is a great way to get around, and there is constant bus service as well. Sometimes it is worth the ease to park at a remote location such as the Mall of America and take the transit into this area to avoid the traffic headaches. I’m not sure I would want to live in this very busy neighborhood, but it is a great place to visit and feel the heartbeat of city life.

Perhaps it is because until recently there were no new apartment buildings or a wide selection of grocery or retail shops, but Nicollet Island and the East Bank neighborhoods did not have the influx of development see in other places with such proximity to Downtown. That is all changing lately, and residents and visitors alike are finding that investing in the businesses and residential buildings is this area is helping to make it a great place to raise a family or settle and retire.
Almost directly in the center of Minneapolis, Nicollet Island/East Bank has grown along the riverside, and homes on the 47 acre island reflect the history of the area. They are typically Victorian, built in the late 1800s. Compared to other areas of Minneapolis, the population of Nicollet Island/East Bank is relatively small, especially in the residential areas. Homes in the area vary in price pretty drastically, from $100,000 to a million+, and the apartment choices seem just as eclectic.
More life can be found along the East Bank section of the community, as new shops, business offices, and restaurants are making this a popular place to visit and live. A new Lunds grocery store in the area also has residents really excited, bringing convenience and amenities to their own neighborhood. If you want to travel into Downtown, Nicollet Island/East Bank is closely connected via public transportation.

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.

At the very southeastern border of Minneapolis lies the neighborhood of Morris Park. The community originally developed as a result of the streetcar line that connected the neighborhood to Downtown, but it has remained a vibrant and growing community on its own since. The light-rail transit system recently began connecting this area to the larger and more commercialized neighborhoods to the north and near Downtown.
The homes in the area are modest smaller homes that were built anywhere between 1920 and 1960, but they are extremely reasonably priced, especially when compared to similar sizes and neighborhoods in other Minneapolis neighborhoods. The yards and exteriors of the homes are well taken care of and the streets have a cozy small-town feel to them. Many of the residents who live here are families, but it is becoming more and more popular for younger couples and those who are retired.
Within the neighborhood of Morris Park there are also the amenities of a small town – a post office, library, cafes, and small retail shops. You really can find most of the necessities you need right within this community. Morris Park itself is one of the more popular parks in the area and includes athletic courts and a community swimming pool.

Even if you have no plans to move to the Minnehaha neighborhood of south Minneapolis, it is worth the time and effort to get here for a visit. The community gets its name from the Ojibwe reference in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem – The Song of Hiawatha – where Minnehaha means “laughing waters”. The waters of Minnehaha Creek flow into a beautiful 53-foot waterfall within the almost 200-acre Minnehaha Park. The park is home to majestic scenery and more than 500,000 people visit it each year. Community members also enjoy many events that are held within the park throughout the year.
If you decide to call this beautiful community home, you will have a variety of homes from which to choose. Many of the buildings are single-family “brick and mortar” homes, but there is a new development project in the works for an environmentally friendly apartment complex within the community. Even though the Minnehaha neighborhood is at the southern edge of Minneapolis, commuting to those larger metropolis areas is still not too bad, unless you are driving in rush hour. The community of Minnehaha has some nice smaller shops and restaurants, and residents can even reach other retails options further to the south.

The Midtown Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis is an extremely diverse community. Many, many different racial and ethnic groups are represented in the Midtown Phillips neighborhood, and the shops, businesses, and cafes are all clues to those various groups of people. It is also a neighborhood that is a combination of residential, commercial, and industry centers, adding to unique feel of the neighborhood.
On one end you can travel to the famous and wonderfully staffed Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and on the other you can find some dilapidated buildings near a pawn shop. When I have visited the Abbott campus I have been advised to never walk alone at night, and preferably have an escort during the day. The crime rate is above average, and it is not the type of neighborhood in which I personally feel safe when I am alone. The people in general are friendly, though, and I really enjoy the varieties of unique stores and shops selling everything from leather hats to international sweets.
Residents of Midtown Phillips live most often in older homes of various architectural styles, and there are many rental units throughout the community. The transit system runs through the neighborhood, making it easy to reach other parts of Minneapolis quickly.

A community along the river, the McKinley neighborhood of north Minneapolis is a fairly residential neighborhood, even though there are industrial centers very close by. These offer residents of McKinley employment opportunities where they don’t have to travel into Downtown. If you do live in McKinley and want or need access to what the heart of Minneapolis has to offer, you are only 10 minutes away from the busier streets. Transit services connect residents to other parts of Minneapolis for work, sight-seeing, and shopping.
Most of the homes in McKinley are single-family buildings that were originally built in the 1920s. The home prices are fairly reasonable, especially when you consider how close the neighborhood is to Downtown without it feeling like a crowded metropolitan place. It is a place where families, single people, and retired people call home. The population of McKinley is diverse, and that can be seen in part by the variety of stores and places of worship in the neighborhood. There are 2 or 3 Christian churches, a Mosque, and a Buddhist temple in the community. The parks and businesses in the area help to make it a good place for families to settle, including Perkins Hill Park., which has gardens, playground equipment, and picnic areas.

Located in the northeast portion of Minneapolis, the Marshall Terrace neighborhood is very much an industrial community, with probably less than 25% of the area devoted to residential living. There are a lot of warehouses, railroad tracks, and some utility departments, especially along the river. The homes that do sit in Marshall Terrace tend to be modest single-family dwellings with 2 or 3 bathrooms, and the home prices in the area are very reasonable. Lots of the homes have alleys in the rear with detached garages so the streets aren’t as crowded as you might find in some neighborhoods. Even though it is located in an industrial community, residential neighborhoods sit apart from much of the industry focus, and the tree-lined streets help to give the neighborhood a more livable feel.
There is a green space in the neighborhood as well called Marshall Terrace Park. This site offers athletic and recreation opportunities like basketball courts, ball fields, a swimming pool, and picnic sites. Kids can do programs here in the summer, too. Sprinkled in between the homes and the industry area are a few restaurants and shops, and the community residents have access by car or by bike trails to the downtown area. If you’re up for the bike ride, the trails along the river in this neighborhood are very scenic.

One of my favorite things about the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis is Dinkytown – who wouldn’t even love a fun name like that? Dinkytown has a great variety of eclectic shops, restaurants, art, and taverns. If you are a student of the University of Minnesota, this is definitely one place you at least have to visit. The ambience is very much a college-town feel, although it is not directly adjacent to the college. There are families who live in Marcy-Holmes as well, and the neighborhood does have a K-8 school that is focused on the arts. The community has a few smaller, specialized or private schools as well.
There is a mix of home styles, from older homes to those that have been renovated, to lots of rental units. There is one area of homes in the Florence Court area that contains several dozen historic homes that have been well-maintained, giving it a residential focus. The trendy mix of apartments and multi-tenant buildings helps add to the feeling that this is for a slightly younger crowd, or at least one that prefers an active lifestyle without an emphasis on the picket-fence vision of upscale homes. There are also some sorority and fraternity homes in the area.

One of the more popular neighborhoods in Minneapolis, Lynnhurst is in the southwest region of the city. While its homes are not the least expensive of the metro, they are more reasonably priced than those just to the north along the lakes. The current average price of a home in this area is just below $300,000, and most of the homes are owned. The homes have been largely renovated over the years, and the yards are typically large and well-maintained. Unlike the nearby Lyndale neighborhood, Lynnhurst does not have very many apartment buildings for rent.
Lynnhurst also gives residents great access to the lake regions, including the very popular Lake Harriet witch it borders directly in the north. The lakes are great places for year round activities, including boating, swimming, and skating. Another one of the great water attractions for the area is Minnehaha Creek which flows right through the neighborhood.
Even though Lynnhurst is one of the outlying neighborhoods of Minneapolis, residents can still often find what they need from retail in their own community. There are nice shops, restaurants, and unique little stores along the streets. If you need larger retail options it is sometimes even a good idea to then travel outside of the Minneapolis district to one of the suburbs to the south or west. These are often closer and have less traffic than if you travelled further into the city.

The neighborhood of Lyndale sits right in the middle of southern Minneapolis and is a popular place for artists to live. Most of the area is residential, but there are almost as many apartment and multi-family rental units as there are homes. The homes and rentals are fairly inexpensive which can make it a good place for those looking to be close to the center of Minneapolis without paying the steep prices of some neighboring communities.
Because of its close proximity to the amenities of the metro, residents of and visitors to Lyndale have great access to retail, restaurants, and other commercial sites. There is a great transit system throughout this neighborhood that can get you to places throughout the heart of Minneapolis within minutes.
Probably two of the biggest drawbacks to living in this neighborhood are the lack of schools within the community and the heavy traffic you can sometimes face, especially commuting outside of the area when travelling by car (although the freeway is easy to get to – it is just a busy part of the city). The location of Lyndale is nice for those who want to have access to the city aspects, but still be close enough to get to the lakes region quickly. Just to the west and northwest you can find very popular lakes for swimming, boating, canoeing, and more.

The site of the Minneapolis Sculpture Park, Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis is an affluent neighborhood of expensive homes, condominiums, and apartment complexes. Partly because of the high costs of homes and limited housing options, the majority of people in Lowry rent instead of own their homes. Some of the least expensive homes in Lowry Hill are on the market for just over $200,000, and the prices can reach into the millions of dollars.
Residents and visitors come to this area of the Twin Cities in part for this and similar art experiences. The Walker Art Center is also adjacent to this community, along with the Dunwoody College of Technology. When you are in Lowry Park you can see a great view of the heart of Downtown, rising up among the art and cultural offerings of the area. The traffic can be quite heavy at times with tourists, residents, and business people all moving throughout the same neighborhood, but the neighborhood is fairly clean. Even amid the hustle of the pace you still feel safe and secure in this community.
Thomas Lowry Park, named after the real estate guru who helped develop the neighborhood, gives visitors and those lucky few who live in the area plenty of possibilities for recreation. There are some great paths for walking and taking in the tree-lined scenic streets.

Lowry Hill East is perhaps best appreciated by singles and professionals who love to live near the retail and nightlife offerings of this great Minneapolis neighborhood. Most of the residences in Lowry Hill East are rental units, derived from larger older homes that were renovated into multi-unit dwellings. The few homes that are in this community are on the upper edge of average in price, in part due to their limited quantity.
Lowry Hill East is a great place to be if you love to walk the side streets and choose from a wide selection of bars, restaurants, taverns, boutiques, and trendy little shops. The neighborhood really does feel alive with energy.
This neighborhood is also a draw for local artists, as at the edge of this community are the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Soo Visual Arts Center, The Jungle Theater, and Bryant Lake Bowl Theater are all close enough for residents of Lowry Hill East to take advantage of them.
Despite the trendy scene of Lowry Hill East, there are two schools located within the community, one an elementary, the other an international school. Getting around Lowry Hill is easy with the public transit system. It connects residents to the Chain of Lakes and the attractions that those have to offer year round.

Loring Park was once known as Central Park because of the central location of it within downtown Minneapolis. It really is part of the epicenter of Minneapolis, and is comprised mainly of commercial, retail, and cultural spaces. Those homes that do exist within the Loring Park neighborhood are going to cost more than average, and many of the residential spaces are rental units in multi-resident buildings. On the inexpensive side of the purchase price for a small home in this area you can expect to pay at least $200,000 - $300,000, but don’t be shocked by prices in the million dollar range.
There are people who can afford, and are more than willing to pay for this prime location. Loring Park is home to so many significant landmarks in the Twin Cities area. The Basilica of Saint Mary, Dunwoody Institute, University of Saint Thomas-Minneapolis Campus, and the Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden are just a short distance from each other in this community. It is absolutely beautiful to drive into Loring Park and see these sights waiting for you.
The social and cultural life of Minneapolis is well represented in Loring Park, and even if you don’t plan to move there you can take advantage of all of the wonderful amenities. The shops, restaurants, and ethnically diverse offerings all add to the metropolitan feel of it all. There are outdoor festivals, activities in the park, concerts, and more throughout the year. Even with all of this hustle and bustle, Loring Park remains a fairly clean and beautiful part of the city. Loring Park really does feel like it is at the heart of it all in Minneapolis.

For pet lovers Longfellow is a great neighborhood with one of the largest off leash dog parks in the city. It has more than 4 acres for you to take your four-legged friend, and includes wooded paths and a trail to the beach shore of the river.
As far as humans go, Longfellow is also considered a good neighborhood, especially for affordable housing. The most common type of home you will see in Longfellow is the Bungalow, and it is famous for the signs throughout the community calling itself the “Traditional Bungalow Neighborhood”.
The close proximity of the residential area to the Mississippi River and to Minnehaha falls make it a very affordable place to live among this beautiful backdrop. Longfellow is a diverse neighborhood, and most of the residents own their homes. The Longfellow Community Council is making efforts to beautify the neighborhood, and they provide guides for homeowners how to effectively and efficiently manage their properties and make them even better. The Hiawatha Light Rail Line runs along the western border of Longfellow, connecting it to the larger metropolitan areas.
Residents of Longfellow are fortunate to have several schools for their children, including 3 elementary schools, an alternative school, and a charter school.

Logan Park is a mix of residential and industrial areas, situated in the northeast portion of Minneapolis. The neighborhood was originally built around Logan Park, a square dedicated to a Civil War general named Logan.
One of the drawbacks to the Logan Park neighborhood are the railroad tracks that practically divide the community into two, separating the residential side from the industrial side. Residents are working to make their community have more visual appeal and encourage new families to move to the neighborhood. The homes in this area are mainly Victorian style or those of the architecture of the 1930s. There are some low-rise rental units to be found within the community as well.
One of the attractions to the Logan Park neighborhood is the Art District, where almost 200 artists and small businesses live and work. There are various buildings dedicated for studio purposes, drawing artists of all mediums to find their creative spirits in this neighborhood.
While there are no schools within this neighborhood, Logan Park does offer a great place for individuals and families to relax or play a game of ball. There is also a wading pool and walking path, picnic areas, and an outdoor ice rink.

Originally developed as a community of cottages that could take advantage of Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet, Linden Hills is now an upscale neighborhood in southwest Minneapolis. The cottages are for the most part history, replaced with larger homes that have been renovated and are selling for high prices. It is not uncommon to see homes selling for more than $500,000 in the neighborhood (although some smaller ones might be closer to $200,000), so it is not for the average Minneapolis family. The average income of residents in the Linden Hills neighborhood is greater than the average income of residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
There is still a line of public transportation that runs from the two lakes and connects residents and visitors to their beauty. The chain of lakes region also has what seem like endless miles of walkways, and those can connect you with the quaint shopping districts within the community. The businesses are typically small, family or individually run shops that offer everything from great cuisine to home décor.
The many trails and parks of the Linden Hills neighborhood give it the feeling that you aren’t really a part of the city when you are there. Playgrounds, athletic fields, and gorgeous gardens are all within walking distance of the residential areas.

To the far north of Minneapolis lies the neighborhood of Lind-Bohanon and it is bordered by the city of Brooklyn Center. This small neighborhood has reasonable home prices, especially compared to the rest of the homes found in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Several families of Lind-Bohanon have chosen to make this community their home for two or three generations. This adds to the close-knit family feel of the neighborhood, and is probably one of the reasons why crime is so low in the area. If you want to get a little closer to the city life you just need to hop on Interstate 94 and you are in Downtown.
There is an elementary school within the neighborhood, as well as a private school. Residents of Lind-Bohanon also have great access to several parks and trails. The North Mississippi Regional Park is also home to the Kroening Interpretive Center which gives visitors an in-depth look at the life along and because of the Mississippi River. You can learn about the history of logging, the recreation uses of the river, transportation from a historical perspective, and more in this newly built facility. Bohanon Park offers recreation year-round, including a playground, athletic fields and courts, and an ice hockey rink for good old-fashioned outdoor Minnesota fun!

Kingfield is a friendly, warm neighborhood in south Minneapolis. Comprised mainly of single-family owner occupied homes, this community prides itself in the efforts it takes to create a welcoming and secure atmosphere.
The homes of Kingfield are typical of those built in the early 1900s, with a few apartment buildings and rental units scattered throughout. Many of the streets are tree-lined and the community is considered a safe place to raise a family or live independently. The homes are on the upper price scale, many of the bungalows priced at $300,000 or more. It is also one of the largest neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and it continues to grow in strength.
There are weekly farmers’ market stands that provide an array of goods for the choosing as well as a few community gardens to enhance the look and livability of the neighborhood. In 2003 residents began a Mural Map project that strives to connect professional artists with teens to plan and pain murals on the outside walls of area businesses. There are several small businesses in the Kingfield neighborhood that provide various products for residents.
Within the Kingfield neighborhood is Martin Luther Kind Park, offering organized recreational and community activities as well as informal gatherings. There is a wading pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and ball fields.

Prepare to live in luxury if you are considering a move to the Minneapolis neighborhood of Kenwood. Situated on the west side of Minneapolis, some of the borders to this community are of the most beautiful scenery in the central part of the state. Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake are two of the natural beauties of Kenwood, and among these are Cedar Lake Park and numerous trails, parks, playgrounds, and green spaces for outdoor recreation. Even in the cold Minnesota winter you can enjoy snowshoeing, skating, and hiking and walking year round.
The parkways of Kenwood boast magnificent mansions, and even when the neighborhood was first developed in the late 1800s, it was billed as an affluent community for the wealth. Seven figure price tags on homes are common, so it is not the neighborhood for average Minneapolis individuals or families. Some of these extravagant homes date back a century, but have been painstakingly restored and completely revamped.
Residents of Kenwood enjoy upscale boutiques, cafes, and a deli, and have a community school within its boundaries. Even though it seems as if the residents of Kenwood have everything they could want, if they do desire to go into Downtown or Uptown, they are only about 20 minutes from those retail hotspots to the east.

If you are searching for the quintessential cozy Midwest neighborhood, you don’t have to look much further than the community of Kenny. Almost all of the homes in the residential area are owner occupied and the streets and homes set upon them are very well-maintained. The prices for homes in Kenny are modest and affordable to many of the average families in the southern Minneapolis neighborhood.

Perhaps one of the most loved features of Kenny is Grass Lake. This gift from nature is made up of 27 acres of wetland and sits at the southern end of the Kenny neighborhood. It is a favorite place for bird watching and just enjoying nature. Residents also enjoy Kenny Park for year round recreation possibilities including athletic fields, a wading pool, and trails.

Even though Kenny is almost like a small town, it still has great amenities for residents. There is a fitness center, library, drug store, grocery store, hardware store, and bank within the community, as well as numerous restaurants and coffee houses. Area merchants and business owners provide the community with other necessities like veterinarian services and automobile mechanic services.

For more of the larger city aspects, Kenny is just a 15 minute ride to Downtown, and the streets of Kenny are within easy access of major road and highways. A neighborhood improvement group has been working hard for the past few years to continue to improve and maintain this great south Minneapolis neighborhood.

Keewaydin lies in the heart of the Nokomis area, and residents and visitors both enjoy the amenities of Lake Nokomis and the peacefulness of southern Minneapolis. The neighborhood is fortunate to have so much natural green space within it, along with residential streets and quaint shops and restaurants.

The homes of Keewaydin are priced on average between $100,000 and $300,000, and are often found along peaceful, tree-lined streets. The curb appeal of these homes makes you think of a charming little neighborhood of a small town instead of the outlying neighborhood of a very large city.

If residents or visitors want or need to get to the larger communities in Minneapolis or St. Paul, the light-rail transit system now connects those neighborhoods, making commuting for work or recreation even that much easier.

Keewaydin really is a peaceful neighborhood with little crime and a great atmosphere for families, retired peoples, and those people looking for a less hectic pace. Lake Nakomis is just one of the ways that people can enjoy outdoor recreational activities all year round in Minnesota. The Keewaydin Park and Recreation Center offers facilities for baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and swimming, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment, and trails.

The Jordan neighborhood in north Minneapolis has seen its fair share of poverty, homelessness, and crime, but many residents there are committed to improving the community for everyone in it. The low home prices are an attraction for those looking to relocate to a neighborhood near Downtown Minneapolis, and the homes are for the most part in fair to good condition, most of the bungalow style common in northern neighborhoods. There are also some newer homes and apartment buildings that went up in the 1990s.

Jordan, like other neighborhoods in north Minneapolis, is no stranger to heavy foot traffic, noise, and even crime. However, there is a core group of residents who do work to try to make these negatives leave their neighborhood and who are dedicated to continuing to improve the atmosphere and reputation. In efforts to do this they are creating a community garden and joining forces to do small things like pick up litter and encourage others in the neighborhood to take pride in their community. Residents also enjoy the attractions of Jordan Park, including a wading pool and basketball courts, among other things.

Those who have settled in the Jordan neighborhood will probably also tell of the advantages of living so close to areas of employment, retail, and commercial venues of Downtown. Public transportation can get residents from their neighborhood to larger stores and entertainment within minutes.

If you are looking for renovated homes along a beautiful residential setting, the Howe neighborhood might have just what you need. In the late 1980s a community effort put into place by the Longfellow Community Council was put into place to push for and support home renovations in this community, beginning with those by the river. Substantial upgrades on these homes have made them great real estate values, and the renovations continue to move along throughout the neighborhood toward Downtown.
Even with these renovations the prices on the homes remain fairly moderate, with some of them closer to the scenic river gorge a little steeper in price. The parks along the river, the waterfalls, and the wooden walking trails through the beautiful scenery can’t help but make you think of what the original settlers might have thought about this enchanting part of the state. Howe isn’t a large retail or commercial neighborhood, but getting to work in other communities or Downtown is still fairly easy – the average commute is probably only around 20-30 minutes from the residential part of Howe.
The school, and in fact the neighborhood, were named about poet Julia Ward Howe who wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic – one of those songs you instantly know if you hear it.

Settled in the northeastern part of Minneapolis, Holland is a largely residential neighborhood with most homes being built before1920. If you are looking to buy a home in the Holland neighborhood, you probably won’t face sticker shock as the homes are priced fairly moderately. There are a few rentals in the community, but not large apartment style buildings. You will most likely find duplexes and quad rentals, keeping that small town feel to the area as well.

Along Lowry, University, and Central Avenues you will find commercial and retail properties which offer residents everything from baked goods, automotive services, dining, and even art gallery space. If you can’t find what you are looking for in Holland there is transit service available to larger areas of retail and entertainment in Minneapolis.

Holland also has a high school in its community, Edison High, as well as the Northeast Library. If you’re looking to get out and about, Jackson Square Park might have just what you need. This park has various athletic fields, a wading pool, a basketball court, playground equipment, and picnic areas. They have also recently added an outdoor sculpture that is supposed to represent the community and the arts in coexistence.

Hiawatha neighborhood is located on the southeastern edge of Minneapolis and as the signs in the area will tell you, is a “Traditional Bungalow Neighborhood”. This residential claim to fame has also put Hiawatha’s homes in several magazines and books. The best benefit of bungalow type homes is that they are designed and built with affordability and ease of maintenance in mind. The residents of Hiawatha are proud of their streets with well-maintained properties and great yard landscaping. The prices for homes in Hiawatha can be a little steep for some, but considering the great neighborhood and amount of home for the price, it doesn’t seem as overboard as some of the neighborhoods in the lake regions of Minneapolis.

Another one of the great things about Hiawatha is how easy it is for residents to reach other areas by the light-rail transit that runs right along Hiawatha Avenue. You can use this to get to the airport or the Mall of America in just minutes. Recreation is right around the corner too, with bike and pedestrian paths amid beautiful scenery.

While one-third of Hiawatha is open park land, there is also a great offering of restaurants and shopping, providing residents with all of the necessities in their own backyards. Dining, shops, and small grocers are in the commercial district but close enough for residents to access.

In North Minneapolis, the Hawthorne neighborhood is one of the communities that has seen a rise in foreclosures and empty homes, contributing to the stress the area has experienced over the years. For those looking for affordable housing, this loss of home owners in the area has left many of very reasonable options for those who are in the market. There are also classic row-houses in the neighborhood, and some of the historic homes date back to the 1880s. The people of Hawthorne are friendly and appear to want to work to improve and maintain their community.

In part of an effort to increase the safety, security, and sustainability of the Hawthorne community, a development project is in the works. The Hawthorne Eco-Village will be able to provide stable, affordable, and healthy places for individuals and families to live. It is hoped that this project will also then reduce the crime and poverty rates in the area which are relatively high, as well as improve the standard of living overall and clean up the neighborhood, while still maintaining its history.

One of the nice features of the Hawthorne community is Fairview Park in the middle of the neighborhood. You can go to the top of the hill within this park and see a great view of the skyline of Minneapolis

The Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis can be found to the west of the Downtown area and has a mix of residential streets, blocks of industrial regions, parks, schools, and shopping venues. If you are looking to move to Harrison, the residential area is in the western part of the neighborhood and consists of a variety of types of homes. There are Victorian style homes or ramblers from the 1970s, homes for purchase and spaces for rent, and the prices are quite reasonable, especially when you consider the ease with which you can reach the amenities of Downtown. There is convenient access to Interstates 94 and 394, and there are plenty of options for public transportation.

One on the highlights of the Harrison neighborhood is the International Market Square. This is a favorite place for people going to get ideas for home improvement and design, as it houses home and commercial space designer showrooms, as well as interior design boutiques. For one stop shopping, the American Institute of Architects of Minnesota has offices within the Square as well.

For those who are looking for outdoor recreation opportunities, Theodore Wirth Park, Harrison Park, and Basset Creek Park have everything from snowboarding or golf to wading pools and basketball courts.

The community of Hale in the southern part of Minneapolis is a quaint neighborhood with parks, small shops, restaurants, coffee houses, and great schools. You might sometimes hear the neighborhood of Hale referred to as HPDL because it is part of a larger group of neighborhoods (Hale, Page, and Diamond Lake). The homes in this area are modest, but will still cost the homebuyer on average $200,000 or more. Many of these homes were originally built in the 1920s and 1930s and reflect the architectural styles of that time period. Almost all of the homes are single-family units, but a few rental units can be found sprinkled in the neighborhood.

The neighborhood gets its name from the Hale Elementary school, considered a very good school in the Minneapolis district. There is also an English Language Learners school in the neighborhood that provides a great education for children who might otherwise not have access to such a program.

Most of the Hale area is residential, but there are parks to the north and east for beauty and recreation. In that northern section of parks you can enjoy the scenery of Minnehaha Creek or one of the bicycle or pedestrian paths for walking or running, and Diamond Lake offers the amenities of water recreation.

The Fulton neighborhood of Minneapolis borders Edina on one side and sometimes it is difficult to tell where one community ends and the other begins. It is also bordered by Penn Avenue South and France Avenue South, and 50th Street West runs right through it. One of the most beneficial aspects of this neighborhood, however, is that Lake Harriet is just to the northeast and Minnehaha Creek flows through the neighborhood. These two waterways attract not only those seeking for a new home, but day tourists as well.

The homes in the Fulton area come with the Lake Harriet price tag – on average costing between $200,000 and $400,000, with some into seven digits. If you can afford the mortgage, Fulton has beautiful homes and great schools. Some of the best schools in the Minneapolis district are within the boundaries of Fulton, as well as a parochial school, bringing families to this neighborhood.

Besides the amenities of Lake Harriet, Fulton is also home to Pershing Park and the Pershing Park Recreation Center which offers year-round programs and activities for kids, families, and adults. There is a great commercial and retail area near France Avenue that offers dining, shopping, and entertainment for a wide range of budgets and tastes.

The Minneapolis neighborhood of Folwell might remind you of other traditional communities of the Midwest. Most of the area is residential, and the homes are single-family buildings, often in the bungalow, story-and-1/2, or Craftsman style of architecture. Most of the people who live in Folwell own their own homes, but there are some rental units and a few apartment buildings in the neighborhood. The prices in Folwell for homes have really fluctuated over the past few years and are now very affordable.

In the southern part of the Folwell neighborhood near Lowry Avenue you can find restaurants, a library, a general store, and a few gas stores, but it is not what one might consider a shopping metropolis. If you go a little further south you will be at what is known as the West Broadway corridor, and there is where you will have more options for dining and shopping, including a Cub Foods grocery store, salons, and several other small businesses and shops. Folwell is not a very commercial neighborhood, but there are a few commercial buildings on the borders of the community.

The community is also named for one of the largest parks in northern Minneapolis, Folwell Park, and you can go to this almost 30 acre park for things like basketball, tennis, baseball, softball, soccer, or just walking and biking.

As part of the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group (FRNNG), the neighborhood of Field is located in south Minneapolis and is bordered by Interstate 35W to the west and Minnehaha Parkway to the south. Named after the local school and its namesake, author of children’s poetry Eugene Field, this neighborhood is a quaint mix of homes, green spaces, parks, and small businesses.

The homes in Field are most noticeably smaller two-bedroom stucco, stone, and brick homes that were built just before World War II. The people who live there are most often families, students, and the retired. The homes of Field are nestled among tree lined streets and are of average prices for single family dwellings in the Minneapolis area.

Residents of Field get to enjoy the popular corner of Chicago and 48th where you can find anything from Turtle Bread, to restaurants, shops, and even a creamery. This friendly atmosphere of this local hot spot make residents feel right at home as they walk to dinner or stroll for shopping. The businesses of Field help residents feel like they are living in their own little village among the hustle of big city lights which can be reached within moments if needed or desired.

One highlight for activities and recreation is the McRae Park and Recreation Center where youth have opportunities for athletic events of all kinds, and in the spring is the site of a neighborhood festival that celebrates the diversity of the Field neighborhood.

Named after a Swedish engineer and inventor named John Ericsson, the Ericsson neighborhood lies in the southeast portion of Minneapolis. It is just one of several neighborhoods that are within the Nokomis community of Minneapolis.

Primarily a residential neighborhood consisting of single-family dwellings, Ericsson also is home to a western half filled with recreational land. Of the homes that are in Ericsson, the average price is consistent with those of other Minneapolis neighborhoods, and the styles include classic two-stories and bungalows set back against the streets of the neighborhood. The streets are clean and the yards are well maintained among the mid-20th century style homes.

The Lake Hiawatha Golf Course, Lake Hiawatha Park, and Minnehaha Creek call the Ericsson neighborhood their home. The Hiawatha Lake Park Recreation Center offers residents year round activities filled with art, music, crafts, education, and dance opportunities.
There is a low crime rate in Ericsson and volunteers within the community work to make sure that it stays that way by providing safe, nurturing choices and options for residents when it comes to businesses and schools. There are several small businesses within the community, and residents have access to two light rail stations that can bring them into the busy city streets and places such as Mall of America within minutes.

One of the oldest communities in Minneapolis, Elliot Park is rich in history but is still infused with a city feeling. Just south of downtown Minneapolis, Elliot Park was first surveyed just four years after Minneapolis was founded, and the land that the actual Elliot Park sits upon was donated by Dr. Joseph Elliot, a local doctor and farmer.

The late 1800s saw the boom of many mansions built in this neighborhood, and these enormous homes were later converted into apartments and multifamily dwellings in order to accept the increasing population into the area. Another trend that developed at that time was the construction of three-story brick and stone apartment buildings, and some of them still stand today, such as the Rappahannock condos and the Roselle apartments buildings.

The residents of Elliot Park on average are in a significantly lower income bracket than the average of those in other parts of Minneapolis. The housing market in the area is steady, and community programs have continued to grow to provide opportunities and assistance for those in need. Section 8 Housing, programs for teens at risk, and assistance for the aging population are all efforts to make Elliot Park a better community.

Two major institutions are located in Elliot Park – the Hennepin County Medical Center and North Central University. There are also several smaller businesses located in the neighborhood, including a restored diner.

East Calhoun, sometimes referred to by its neighborhood organization name of ECCO (East Calhoun Community Organization), is situated in the Minneapolis Calhoun-Isle area and is considered to be part of Uptown. As Lake Calhoun is considered one of the premier attractions in the Minneapolis area, it is no wonder that East Calhoun is a popular place to visit, and for the fortunate few, call home.

The residential area of ECCO is upscale and comes with a golden price-tag. The average price of a single family home in this neighborhood is more than $600,000, and perhaps only a dozen or so properties even go on the market each year. With so few homes up for sale and the glamor and convenience of the neighborhood, it is little wonder that many wish to find a home here. Beyond the high priced homes are a few apartment buildings, condos, and duplexes for those looking for smaller spaces and to spend less.

Beyond the extravagant homes of the neighborhood, ECCO is home to movie theatres, night clubs, boutiques, fine dining, coffee shops, and grocers. This neighborhood also boasts itself as the “epicenter of the Twin Cities” and makes every effort to live up to that billing. If you tire of the beautiful homes and luxury shopping, there are countless outdoor activities on the water, along the shoreline, and amid the trails.

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.

The East Harriet neighborhood of Minneapolis is a lesson in investing in community resources. Residents of East Harriet have used the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) to identify and address the needs of the community. Through volunteer efforts and cooperative arrangements, the Lyndale Farmstead Park has been transformed from a daycare facility with non-existent community opportunities and activities to a beneficial neighborhood gathering site, just since the 1990s. New park facilities, lighting, playground space, and athletic courts have been added as well.

Long before residents of East Harriet decided to revitalize their community, founder Colonel William S. King built his summer estate there, the Lyndale Farmstead, and he was influential in making sure that enough land was set aside for park acreage around Lake Harriet.
More than 90 homeowners have also taken advantage of the programs offered through NRP and have transformed their homes through the use of low interest home improvement loans. Typical homes in this neighborhood are two-story and have curb appeal. More than 300 trees on local boulevards have recently been planted and pedestrian lighting among certain streets has been upgraded.

The residential neighborhoods are bordered in part by Lake Harriet, the namesake of the neighborhood, and Lakewood Cemetery. The Lyndale Park Rose Garden, along with the Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary, are both popular places within East Harriet.

Situated at the core of downtown Minneapolis is the neighborhood of Downtown West, which is also the Central Business District of Minneapolis. Home to Fortune 500 companies, upscale retail stores, luxury hotels, and trendy boutiques, the Downtown West community is the epitome of a neighborhood of success.

The Nicollet Mall runs south from Washington Avenue and is filled with extensive dining and shopping options for residents and visitors. Near that you have Hennepin Avenue which runs south from the Mississippi River and provides numerous locations for theatres, the arts, and entertainment. Downtown West is also the proud home of the Minnesota Orchestra, founded in 1903 and located in the Nicollet Mall.
The Downtown West neighborhood is not extensively residential, but there are apartment buildings and condos amid the office buildings, shops, and hotels. The residential spaces are often small one or two bedroom units, but for a steeper price tag than you might find in nearby communities. While many people spend their days in Downtown West, only a small number actually call it home.

In order to help create and maintain a positive atmosphere and environment, the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) works with residents and business owners in Downtown West to provide support services and improvement projects, as well as serve as a liaison between the residents and the developing agencies.

In the heart of Minneapolis you will find the neighborhood of Downtown East, a center for culture, heritage, and trendy renovations. Surrounded in part by the Mississippi River and Interstate 35W, Downtown East is home to many recreational and social opportunities. The infamous Metrodome, Gold Medal Park, the MacPhail Center for Music, and the Guthrie Theatre all call the Downtown East community home. These major influences help to provide and promote awareness of social, historical, and cultural activities and opportunities. Whether you want to see a play, watch a ball game, or visit and learn more about a historical mill or factory, Downtown East has what you are looking for, and more.

Many of the older mills and industry buildings have more recently been converted and renovated into trendy lofts, commercial properties, or residential spaces (many of them high-rise). While only a small portion of the overall neighborhood is comprised of residential buildings, those who live there and those who visit can all take advantage of numerous restaurants and shops in the area, especially along the waterfront where a new park has been developed. This new park attempts to teach visitors about the history of Minneapolis, specifically about the milling industry and featuring the Mill City Museum.

The Diamond Lake neighborhood is one of metropolitan convenience combined with a friendly suburban feel. It is named for Diamond Lake, just to the western edge of the community. Located on the south side of Minneapolis and surrounded by Interstate 35W, Highway 77, Highway 62, Cedar Avenue, and Diamond Lake Road, this main artery neighborhood has easy access to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport as well as the lively atmosphere of city life.

The residents of the Diamond Lake neighborhood are considered a part of the Nokomis community, which is a larger grouping of smaller neighborhoods. Diamond Lake is connected to the Lake Nokomis recreation areas and nearby parks through the northeastern tip of the community. There are approximately 2200 households in this Minneapolis community of Nokomis, where people come from all walks of life and who are employed in various job settings. Homes currently sell for an average of $200,000 - $300,000 for well-kept, single-family residences.

Shopping, businesses, and restaurants are not in short supply in this neighborhood, and almost every taste and preference can be found. Diamond Lake Park, a central landmark of the neighborhood since 1926, includes more than 30 acres of land and more than 40 acres of water. This island of nature within a bustling city helps to give it the peaceful feeling of an oasis.

Situated east of the Powderhorn Park is the neighborhood of Corcoran. This community is named after William Wilson Corcoran (1793-1889) who was the founder of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.. Connected to Downtown, the famous Mall of America, and the airport by light rail transit, this neighborhood is home to a diverse and growing population of Minnesotans.

Mostly a residential neighborhood, Corcoran has more than 60% of its land devoted to housing. Most of the cottage and bungalow style homes were constructed prior to 1920, and it continues to be a place where many families choose to make their homes. Residents can enjoy the local Corcoran Park and Recreation Center, playground, various athletic fields, a wading pool, and a volleyball court for year-round activities and opportunities. There are even new neighborhood murals which are springing up and making their marks as new landmarks of the community. Residents can also take advantage of the Midtown YWCA.

One of the special features of Corcoran is the Midtown Farmers’ Market, a relatively new project developed by the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. Included in this market are products, produce, and other goods from more than 70 famers and vendors. More than 40,000 people come to take advantage of the wonderful offerings that the market has to offer.