About the Minneapolis, Minnesota Area
I've helped hundreds of people buy and sell residential real estate all over the Twin Cities metro area.
Apple Valley
Composed of attractive neighborhoods and bustling business districts, the city revolves around a three and a half mile downtown center at the intersection of County Road 42 and Cedar Avenue. Intended to be the "main street" for the city and designed with extra-wide sidewalks, decorative lamps and trees, the area offers the convenience of centralized shopping in an updated atmosphere. Shopping of all kinds, banking, restaurants, doctors' offices, a movie theater and a car dealership all call this part of the city home.
Quiet residential neighborhoods surround the commercial center of the city and bump up against the campus of Apple Valley High School. In fact, it is from the development of its first neighborhoods that Apple Valley takes its name.www.ci.applevalley.mn.us
Bloomington
The 15 public schools in Bloomington are operated by Bloomington Public Schools. Governed by a seven member elected school board, public schools in the city have a good reputation for quality. Voters traditionally have supported the schools financially; in 1999 they approved the (then) largest school bond issue in Minnesota history, funding a $107 million school expansion and renovation project. www.ci.bloomington.mn.us
Brooklyn Center
Formed as the center of local trade in Brooklyn Township since 1873, the rural area farmed market gardening for the nearby growing population of Minneapolis. The village incorporated in 1911, splitting from Brooklyn Township, to avoid annexation from the expanding city of Minneapolis. The city became a bedroom community and industrial job center following postwar growth. It was the site of the regional mall Brookdale Center. The headquarters of Caribou Coffee moved into the city in 2004.[5]
Brooklyn Park
Hennepin County and is governed by a Council/City Manager form of government.
The City Council meets on the first, third and fourth Monday of each
month.
There are many opportunities to have your voice heard as a
part of the government process. You are welcome to speak on issues at committee
and commission meetings, or perhaps you are interested in serving on a committee
or commission in our community. You can also exercise your right to vote, as
well as keep up on the latest issues and bills being considered at the State
Legislature.
We encourage you to stay informed and to let your voice be heard by
participating in the governing process.
Burnsville
Known in the metro area for its regional mall, Burnsville Center, the city is also a recreational attraction with Alimagnet Dog Park, a section of Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, and 310-foot (94 m) vertical ski peak Buck Hill.[4] Minnesota River wildlife is protected by the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Originally a rural Irish farming community, Burnsville became the tenth largest Minnesotan city in the 2000 Census following the construction of Interstate 35. Currently the sixth largest suburb in the metro area and a bedroom community of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the city was fully built by the late 2000s. Burnsville has been building a downtown area called Heart of the City with urban-style retail and condominiums.[5] The Burnsville Transit Station serves as the hub and headquarters of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, providing regional bus service to five other suburbs.
The name Burnsville is attributed to an early Irish settler and land owner, William Byrne. His surname was recorded as "Burns" and was never corrected.[6]
Champlin
The name Champlin came from the family name of U.S. Navy Commodore Stephen Champlin. He was active in the war against England and Canada in 1812 and in the establishment of the Canadian-United States Boundary. Unfortunately, soon after naming Champlin, Miles succumbed to depression and hung himself in a tree. A memorial to him still stands on that spot today.
The Commodore's daughter was married to John B. Cook, a partner of Minnesota's Alexander Ramsey. Although Cook was never a resident of Champlin, he was involved in real estate transactions here and in the incorporation of Champlin. In 1947 a portion of the old Township of Champlin was incorporated to form the Village of Champlin and on January 9, 1971, the Township of Champlin and the Village of Champlin consolidated as the result of a petitioned order from the Minnesota Municipal Commission to form the City of Champlin.
More information on the History of Champlin can be found by visiting the Champlin Historical Society's website.
Chanhassen
There are eleven beautiful, clean lakes wholly or partially located within the City limits: Christmas Lake, Harrison Lake, Lake Ann, Lake Lucy, Lake Minnewashta, Lake Riley, Lake St. Joe, Lake Susan, Lotus Lake, Rice Marsh Lake, and Silver Lake.
Five major highways traverse the community, making it easy to reach other metropolitan areas. Trunk Highways 5, 7 and 212 run east/west and Trunk Highway 41 and 101 run north/south. The city is served by two public school districts: Minnetonka District 276 and Chaska District 112. Many quality private schools are also available.
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.usk Highways 5, 7 and 212 run east/west and Trunk Highway 41 and 101 run north/south.
Chaska
.www.chaskmn.org
Coon Rapids
The name "Coon Rapids" comes from "Coon Creek Rapids", a turbulent part of the Upper Mississippi River near the mouth of Coon Creek. These rapids were removed as a consequence of the construction of the Coon Rapids Dam in 1913. The Dam operated as a hydroelectric generator until 1966 when it was closed and later opened to the public as the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in 1978. The dam marks the head of navigation on the Upper Mississippi River waterway.
The name of the city came under some controversy in January 2006. Although it was named after the raccoons that were often found in the former rapids of Coon Creek, City Councilman Joe Sidoti believed that the name had a racist connotation, as the word "coon" was used to demean African-Americans in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. A proposed name change suggested by the Councilman sparked an uproar among local citizens,[4] and the proposal was dropped.
Coon Rapids' logo was originally an image of a raccoon called Rocky Raccoon. In what was widely regarded as an unpopular decision, Mayor Ilona McCauley and the City Council changed this to an oak leaf in 2002. In response to overwhelming public pressure a 2007 proposal passed by a 4-3 vote in the City Council changing the logo back to a raccoon, though a less stylized and more realistic version.
Since 1967, Coon Rapids has hosted one of the two campuses of Anoka-Ramsey Community College. The other campus is in Cambridge, Minnesota.
Downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis lies on both banks of the Mississippi River, just north of the river's confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Saint Paul, the state's capital. Known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul is the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., with approximately 3.5 million residents. The 2010 Census had the city's population at 385,378.[6] The city is abundantly rich in water with over twenty lakes and wetlands, the Mississippi river, creeks and waterfalls, many connected by parkways in the Chain of Lakes and the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. It was once the world's flour milling capital and a hub for timber, and today is the primary business center between Chicago and Seattle.[7] It has cultural organizations that draw creative people and audiences to the city for theater, visual art, writing, and music. Minneapolis' community's diverse population has a long tradition of charitable support through progressive public social programs, as well as private and corporate philanthropy.[
Eagan
Eden Praire
Eden Prairie is home to more than 2,200 businesses, including Super Valu, ADC and the Minnesota Vikings. The City also has attractive residential neighborhoods, more than 170 miles of multi-use trails, 2,250 acres of parks and 1,300 acres of open space.
Fine restaurants and shopping are plentiful in Eden Prairie. Combined with excellent schools and a strong sense of community, Eden Prairie is truly a place to Live ? Work ? Dream.www.edenprairie.org
Edina
Major employers in the City include Fairview Southdale Hospital, Jerry?s Enterprises, Golden Valley Microwave Foods, Health Risk Management, Wells Fargo Funding Co., Nash Finch Co., International Dairy Queen, Roach Organization and Techpower.
Edina has numerous retail shopping centers, including Southdale Center, the first climate-controlled, fully enclosed mall in the United States. Other shopping centers include Galleria, Yorktown and Centennial Lakes Plaza. The City also boasts a thriving downtown area at 50th Street and France Avenue, known simply as ?50th & France.?
There is just one hotel in Edina, Marriott Residence Inn, adjacent to Edinborough Park. One of Edina?s crown jewels, Edinborough is a multi-use development that also includes an indoor park.Edina values its history. The Baird and Grimes homes and Country Club District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Grange Hall and Cahill School, owned by the City and located across from City Hall in Tupa Park, are also on the Register. www.ci.edina.mn.us
Farmington
As one of the fastest growing communities in the metropolitan area, the City is proud of its agricultural heritage, its small town roots and equally proud of the many new residents, businesses and organizations that call Farmington their home. We hope that you will join us in making Farmington a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. The City Council and staff are committed to providing you with high quality, cost-effective and efficient services. www.ci.farmington.mn.us
Fridley
Golden Valley
Ham Lake
Ham Lake is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. Minnesota State Highway 65 serves as a main arterial route in the city.
The earliest record of settlers in this area goes back to 1855, and in 1856 the group started a town. This was just south and west of a lake shaped like a ham. They platted and sold lots for a town they named, "Glen Carey," a Scottish name meaning "Beautiful Valley." The place was widely advertised as a future city. However, in 1857 all of the houses were destroyed by a prairie fire. Some of the inhabitants barely escaped with their lives saving only a very few household goods. They soon left the area as they had nowhere to live. There was no more settlement until 1866 when a Norwegian man settled in the area. He was soon followed by other Scandinavians. The Scandinavian settlers found it difficult to pronounce the Scottish name of Glen Carey. Since no name had been chosen by the people, the commissioners named it "Ham Lake," after the lake which had acquired that name on account of its shape.
Hopkins
Inver Grove Heights
Lakeville
Lakeville, which is now home to more than 100 businesses and employs 4,000 people, opened in 1967. By 1970, Lakeville's population had grown to 7,557. The population doubled from 1970 to 1980, and doubled again from 1980 to 1992. The current population is more than 43,000. Lakeville is expected to become the largest city in Dakota County by the year 2020.www.ci.lakeville.mn.us
Maple Grove
Most of Maple Grove?s growth has occurred since the Second World War. The population in 1880 was 1,155. In 1950, population had increased to 1,778. In 1990 Maple Grove?s population was 38,756 and by the end of 2000, it was over 54,000 and still growing!www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us
Maplewood
Minneapolis
The ranking also highlights cheaper rents, strong job markets and fun places to relax, enjoy and stay fit as draws for young professionals. www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Minnetonka
Oakdale
Plymouth
Citizens and community leaders have placed a high priority on establishing a first-rate park system, interconnecting trails and diverse recreation facilities. As the community has matured, the City has worked with citizens to permanently preserve natural open-spaces, nurture the arts and protect the environment.
Four highly regarded school districts serve Plymouth - Wayzata District 284, Robbinsdale District 281, Osseo District 279 and Hopkins District 270. The majority of the City (western and southern areas) is served by Wayzata Schools. Robbinsdale Schools serve the east-central area of Plymouth. The Osseo District includes the northeast area and Hopkins includes the southeast corner of Plymouth.www.ci.plymouth.mn.us
Prior Lake
Prior Lake features many recreational amenities including numerous parks and lakes that offer year-round recreation. Mystic Lake Casino, located within the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Indian reservation, is also located in Prior Lake.
Golfing opportunities abound in the Prior Lake area, with the Wilds Golf Club, Legends Golf Club, Heritage Links Golf Club, Cleary Lake Golf Course and the new Meadows at Mystic Lake Golf Course all either in the city or within a couple miles of it. The city's housing stock, meanwhile, offers great diversity for people of all ages. Three large housing developments -- Lakefront Plaza, Creekside Commons and Keystone Communities -- were completed in 2003, adding valuable senior units that had been lacking in the city. www.cityofpriorlake.com
Richfield
Even lying as it does in the middle of an urban area (only ten minutes away by freeway from downtown Minneapolis), Richfield retains a small town flavor. The pace is easy, the streets are clean, City government is accessible, and community spirit runs high. Strong residential neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an established infrastructure and amenities like Wood Lake Nature Center make it a community attractive to all ages.www.cityofRichfield.org
Robbinsdale
Roseville
Property taxes are some of the lowest in the Twin Cities, in part due to the extensive commercially-zoned land.[4] Several major shopping centers are located in Roseville, including Rosedale Center and the Har Mar Mall. The city's per capita retail spending is slightly higher than the city of Bloomington (home of the Mall of America), and has the greatest number of restaurants per capita in the Twin Cities.
Roseville is the location of the first Target store, built in 1962 and replaced in 2005 with a SuperTarget; the first Best Buy store (originally called Sound of Music); the first Barnes & Noble bookstore outside New York City; and the first McDonald's and Dairy Queen restaurants in the state of Minnesota. The Dairy Queen is currently on the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota's 10 Most Endangered Historic Places.[5]
Roseville is also home to the John Rose Oval, North America's largest outdoor artificial sheet of ice. The 1995 men's Bandy World Championship and the 2006 women's Bandy World Championship were held here. The fifth largest board game publisher in the world, Fantasy Flight Games, is based in Roseville. Roseville Visitors Association the Official Visitors Site for Roseville MN, Old Dutch Foods, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota State Lottery are headquartered in Roseville.
Saint Paul
Saint Paul is home to the Minnesota State Capitol, the James J. Hill House, the Fitzgerald Theater (home of Garrison Keillor?s Prairie Home Companion), Landmark Center, and the historic Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. There are also plenty of modern attractions such as the Science Museum, the Xcel Energy Center (the home of the Minnesota Wild NHL hockey team), Minnesota Museum of American Art, and the Minnesota History Center. www.ci.stpaul.mn.us
Savage
Perhaps known best for its ties to a famous racehorse from the early 20th Century, Savage is also regarded for its significant role in the grain distribution industry. Yet, it is not the history or the riverfront activity that tends to draw most people here. Many people say it was the community?s beauty, its schools and its services that first caught their attention - and persuaded them to stay.www.ci.savage.mn.us
Shakopee
Shakopee ( /ˈʃɑːkəpiː/ shah-kə-pee) is a city southwest of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Scott County. Located on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the thirteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States with 3.5 million people.
The river bank's Shakopee Historic District contains burial mounds built by prehistoric cultures. In the 17th century, Chief Shakopee of the Mdewakanton Dakota established his village on the east end. Trading brought about the city's establishment in the 19th century and Shakopee boomed as a commerce exchange site between river and rail at Murphy's Landing. Once an isolated city competing in the Minnesota River Valley, by the 1960s its economy shifted to the expanding metropolitan area. Significant growth as a bedroom community occurred after U.S. Highway 169 was realigned in 1996 toward the new Bloomington Ferry Bridge.
The city is currently known for the metro area's largest attractions, Valleyfair! amusement park and the Canterbury Park horse racetrack. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is associated with Shakopee though is located in nearby Louisville Township. Shakopee has an orderly annexation agreement for the entirety of the township with no definite timeline.[
Shoreview
St. Louis Park
Residential areas comprise the largest portion of the community. St. Louis Park offers a full range of housing.
St. Louis Park?s apartment buildings offer a range of rental options: affordable to upscale. Smaller buildings with three to 15 units comprise about half of the community?s apartment buildings. Larger buildings with 16 to 100 or more units comprise the remainder of St. Louis Park?s multi-family housing stock.
Our community is home to retail stores, restaurants, medical facilities, family-owned businesses, corporations, and churches and synagogues. St. Louis Park has a sound economic base with commercial, industrial and apartment development comprising more than 60 percent of the tax base. Commercial uses comprise 13.8 percent of the community?s land area.
St. Louis Park has 51 parks to enjoy (11.5 percent of St. Louis Park?s land is set aside for parks). Bike trails link St. Louis Park to downtown Minneapolis, the Uptown area, Hopkins and Chaska. Residents of all ages can participate in year-round recreational and educational activities offered by the city and school district.
One of St. Louis Park?s strengths is our nationally recognized school system. Unlike many other suburbs, our children can attend school within our community from preschool through high school. St. Louis Park also has nine private schools serving a variety of interests.Our residents speak highly of the community. In a random opinion survey conducted in 2000, 95 percent reported that they would recommend St. Louis Park to other people, and 95 percent said they feel welcomed in the community. www.stlouispark.org
Stillwater
Woodbury
Woodbury is known for its attractive residential neighborhoods, which are connected by more than 90 miles of multi-use trails and surrounded by 2,800 acres of dedicated park land. Residents have a wide choice of housing, ranging from apartments and townhomes to large-lot estates.
Woodbury also is home to a thriving business community with major employers, such as State Farm Insurance, The Hartford, Assurant (formerly Fortis), TARGET.DIRECT, Woodwinds Health Campus, eFunds, and EcoWater Systems. Several major shopping centers can be found in the city, making Woodbury the retail shopping hub of the east metro region.
Whether you are a visitor, a new or long-time resident, you're invited to explore Woodbury, which ranked number one on Money Magazine's recent list of the most desirable places to live in the Central United States for cities under 100,000 in population. www.ci.woodbury.mn.us


