Are you thinking about bringing your family to the friendly, beautiful Twin Cities? We want to help you get the information you need to make the right choice for you and your loved ones. We know that when you have a family, specific considerations need to be factored into the decision-making process. For that reason, we have made a list of the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul that addresses all the essential aspects you and your family care about.
Shorewood
Shorewood is a beautiful, affluent suburb of Minneapolis surrounded by lakes and preserves a secluded, rural feel. If you want to raise your family in an environment filled with natural beauty and easy access to the city, Shorewood is the place for you. The population is small, around 7,600, preserving a small community experience.
Housing costs:
The median home value of Shorewood is $1,396,957, a nearly 12% increase year over year. Shorewood is a somewhat competitive market where homes receive multiple offers and typically go pending around 45 days on market.
Median income:
According to the U.S. Census estimates, the median household income in Shorewood is around $171,063.
Schools:
Shorewood is near many top-notch school districts, such as Minnetonka and Wayzata. Overall, Niche.com rates the nearby public schools with an A+.
Commute:
Shorewood is 20.6 miles from Downtown Minneapolis.
Attractions:
Residents love to use the walking/biking paths through the beautiful wooded areas. Also, Lake Minnetonka offers many fun outdoor activities like terrific fishing and watersport opportunities in the summertime.
Deephaven
Also, a suburb of Minneapolis, Deephaven, is nestled right up against Lake Minnetonka and can offer year-round beauty. The population is small at 3,793, which gives the beautiful neighborhood a slight lake town feel. The natural beauty and ease of access to Minneapolis are hard to beat.
Housing costs:
The median home value is $755,000, an almost 30% decrease since the previous year. Deephaven is also a somewhat competitive market with homes getting multiple offers, but the average sales price is typically around 4% less than the listed price. Homes in Deephaven usually go pending around 42 days on market.
Median income:
The median household income is $197,679. Many residents commute into the city for professions in the technology sector.
Schools:
The Minnetonka and Groveland Schools Districts are two of the most highly rated in the surrounding area.
Commute:
Deephaven is 15.7 miles away from Downtown Minneapolis.
Attractions:
Easy access to Lake Minnetonka is a huge benefit of living in the Deephaven neighborhood. Additionally, many great coffee shops and well-reviewed restaurants along the shore.There is lots of neighborhood life for a young family to enjoy.
Eden Prairie
The Eden Prairie residential neighborhood is a nature lover’s dream. For example, there are over 1,000 acres of parkland and over 100 acres dedicated to scenic hiking trails. The endless greenery and swimming spots like Round Lake Park make Eden Prairie an authentic slice of heaven. In 2016, Money Magazine ranked this wonderful neighborhood as the second-best place to live in the entire nation!
Eden Prairie is the largest community on our list, with a population of about 63,051.
Housing costs:
The median home value is $437,500, which is substantially more affordable than the Shorewood and Deephaven neighborhoods if that is a concern of yours.
Median income:
The median household income is $130,489.
Schools:
The public schools in the area, particularly Minnetonka and Eden Prairie School Districts, are consistently rated as A+ schools.
Commute:
Eden Prairie is roughly a 24-minute drive into Downtown Minneapolis.
Attractions:
Residents make good use of the many parks and nature opportunities. Also, residents love to take in the beauty of Minnesota stars at the nearby Staring Lake Observatory.
These are only three of the many unique neighborhoods in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Anyone living here can attest to the twin cities’ natural beauty and the genuine Midwest welcome your neighbors will offer you. Choosing where to raise a family is a huge decision.
The three neighborhoods listed here can give you all the benefits of the fantastic Twin Cities and give your children the quieter, less crowded experience of the suburbs. All parents want to give their children a safe place to grow and learn. Shorewood, Deephaven, and Eden Prairie can offer a unique place for parents and children alike to stretch their legs…and maybe even dip some toes in a wintry Lake Minnetonka!
FAQ
Which neighborhoods in Minneapolis are most popular among young professionals?
The top neighborhoods for Minneapolis young professional are: The North Loop, Uptown, and Northeast Minneapolis.
How safe are the Minneapolis suburbs like Shorewood, Deephaven, and Eden Prairie for raising a family?
All three neighborhoods are among the safest in the greater Minneapolis area, with Eden Prairie reporting a relatively low crime rate of 1,488 crimes per 100,000 residents according to Movoto.
Are there other affordable family-friendly suburbs near Minneapolis worth considering beyond the ones listed?
Yes! Diamond Lake is a popular budget-friendlier alternative that still offers good schools, parks, and easy access to downtown, per Niche.com and Extra Space.