5 Great Neighborhoods in Minneapolis

SOUTHWEST

Calhoun-Isles

Flagship Neighborhood: Lowry Hill

The Neighbors: A mix of artsy recent college grads and well-to-do doctors and lawyers call the Calhoun-Isles area home. Its lakes, thriving restaurant and arts scene, and eminently walkable neighborhoods make it popular with young and old alike.

Also Consider: Southwest

The Neighbors: A slightly less expensive and more family-friendly location, Southwest still has easy access to Lake Harriet and many good restaurants and shops.

NORTHEAST

Northeast

Northeast has become a haven for Twin Cities’ artists with galleries and studios dotting the neighborhood. Residents love the quirky mix of beautiful old architecture, sleek new condos and industrial areas (often turned to galleries) that typify this up-and-coming area. Though the industrial side of the neighborhood has gotten smaller, it’s still generally considered a working-class neighborhood.

Flagship Neighborhood: St. Anthony Parkway

The Neighbors: A mix of artists, young families call Northeast home

Also Consider: University

The Neighbors: You’ll find plenty of students and professors here, as well as those who like to take advantage of all the University of Minnesota has to offer. Housing runs the gamut from run-down rentals to well-maintained older houses with a sense of history.

SOUTH

Longfellow

Flagship Neighborhood: West River Parkway

The Neighbors: Primarily a residential area, Longfellow has a huge number of small but well-maintained bungalows. Most are just a short walk to the Mississippi River, where a constant stream of people walk their dogs or take a leisurely stroll.

Also Consider: Nokomis

The Neighbors: Families love this affordable area that offers proximity to Lake Nokomis, the stunning Minnehaha Parkway, and friendly neighborhood restaurants. The one complaint: Nokomis is just a short distance from the airport, and plane noise can be more than a bit distracting.

SOUTHWEST METRO

Edina

Top schools, top jobs, top homes and yup, you guessed it: top prices. If you’ve got cash and don’t want to live in the city proper, this inner-ring suburb is for you.

Flagship Neighborhood: The streets lining the exclusive Interlachen Country Club

The Neighbors: High-strivers, corporate bigwigs, doctors, lawyers and people who want top-notch public schools for their kids call Edina home. Lawns and houses are impeccably maintained and occasionally indistinguishable.

Also Consider: Minnetonka

Minnetonka boasts a good school system and attracts its share of ambitious folks seeking a house (and boat) on the tony Lake Minnetonka but compared to its Edina neighbor, housing prices are slightly less stratospheric and the town isn’t quite as exclusive.

WEST METRO

Plymouth

Flagship Neighborhood: Anywhere along the shores of Medicine Lake

The Neighbors: Families with kids. This suburb has one of the best public school systems in the state, a reasonably low cost of living and low crime rates. And outdoor enthusiasts, take heart: You’re never much more than a stone’s throw from a body of water for swimming, boating and skipping rocks.