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Linden Hills | Calhoun East Harriet | Kenwood | Lowery Hill | Uptown | Longfellow | Nokomis | South West Minneapolis
Forbes ranked Minneapolis seventh for the best places to live in the U.S. Minneapolis has 45 miles of groomed walking, biking and running paths. Currently the city has 153 diverse city parks and 22 lakes. The Chain of Lakes attracts thousands of visitors weekly. It consists of three lakes connecting, Cedar Lake, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet.
Minneapolis is split into many residential neighborhoods that offer their own unique style and community interest. The down town area offers a diverse selection of condominiums and lofts, some along the banks of the Mississippi River.
Despite recent setbacks with local companies such as Northwest Airlines facing bankruptcy and the recently being purchased by Delta Airlines the Twin Cities’ economy seems to be surviving the tuff economy and maintains a relatively low unemployment nationally. Local companies such as Target, Best Buy, 3M, Cargill, General Mills and Medtronic are household names; and with over 200 medical research centers and a large employment concentration in surgical and medical instrument manufacturing, Business week magazine has dubbed the Twin Cities “Medical Alley”
Minneapolis and St Paul Real Estate use to be considered one of the most affordable metro areas in the country, but with home values that have appreciated 60% in Minneapolis and St. Paul since 2000-2005 the National Association of Home Builders no longer honors us with that designation. Still, if you’re moving here from cities such as San Francisco and New York our home values might seem pretty reasonable.
New Minneapolis Lofts and St. Paul Condos in the downtowns, and the grandiose developments that sprawl along the interstate highways are aimed for the more affluent buyers.
A piece of advice if you are single, stick with the cities and avoid the suburbs. St. Louis Park homes and condos offer many attractions for single living styles. Being closer to the Chain of Lakes, Uptown, E-block, and minutes for the International Airport is very appealing to many residents here.
The engine that drives Minnesota’s economy is our school systems. The state’s workforce is among the most highly educated in the country. For years, our public and private elementary and secondary schools have ranked among the best, as have our numerous colleges. The metro is home to the University of Minnesota main campus, a dozen private four year colleges, six community colleges, nine technical institutes, and several trade schools. Minnesota is ranked 7th in the nation for residents holding a bachelor’s degree. Restaurant
Affordable housing, however, is increasingly hard to come by. In 2004, the average two bedroom apartment in the metro area rented for $930 per month, and a modest home sold for $200,000. On the plus side, this is forcing residents to rediscover “old gems,” structurally sound, often beautifully crafted early 20th century houses that are being updated to meet the needs of modern families. In another step back the “good old days,” many of the new developments are embracing “new urbanism” goals of higher-density neighborhoods, pedestrian-friendly shopping, and public spaces that facilitate community interaction.
The Twin Cities have a long, rich history of great music artists. From Prince and the Revolution along with Morris Day and the Time rocking the house at First Avenue, to Bob Dylan who played at local coffee shops off Cedar-Riverside, to garage-rock banks like the Jayhawks, the Replacements and Soul Asylum, the Twin Cities have been the continue to be a place to catch great gigs and perhaps experience music history in the making. The local radio station Cities 97 attracts stars from around the world to perform in studio C in Minneapolis. Top artists record an annual album “Cities Sampler” with a mix of artists that record acoustic songs and are sold for charity.
The three major sports venues are: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome home to the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, 900 South 5th street, Minneapolis: 612-332-0386 www.msfc.com. Target Center home to the Minnesota Timber Wolves is located First Avenue North between 6th and 7th streets, Minneapolis, 612-673-8333. www.targetcenter.com and Excel Energy Center home to the Minnesota Wild. All three venues offer a variety of other events such as concerts and shows of the like.
Minneapolis Downtown District
Minneapolis condos and lofts are easy to find. Some built along the banks of the Mississippi River, some from old flour mills and many new Minneapolis condos are on the rise, some conveniently located by the new Twins stadium. In all there are some 3,500 plus Minneapolis lofts and condos either owned or being built. Some moderate to high-end luxury units for sale or rent.
Calhoun-Isles
Visitors and residents alike fall in love with Minneapolis real estate because of the Calhoun-Isles community with its linked “Chain of Lakes” and the myriad activities possible here: shopping, running, roller-blading, biking, swimming, sailing, people-watching, etc. Calhoun is one of the top lakes for windsurfing in the Twin Cities, and the running/biking paths around all these lakes are part of the Grand Round Scenic Byways.
The Lake Calhoun community was the first Minneapolis suburb, and it’s still one of the most popular places for home buyers to settle. The real estate market in the Calhoun area remains at to top for desired living locations in Minneapolis.
Calhoun-Isles can be divided into three distinct districts. The trendy and popular rental neighborhoods commonly known as Uptown, the meandering streets along the southwest border of the city that make up Bryn Mawr, Cedar-Isles-Dean, and West Calhoun; and the city’s most expensive Kenwood, Lowery Hill, and East Isles, which wrap around Lake of the Isles.
Uptown
Uptown homes and Condos surround the Calhoun Square Shopping Mall, which is on the corner of Lake Street and Hennepin Ave in East Calhoun. The northern most section of Uptown, called the “Wedge”, offers many rental and Uptown real estate homes and condos for sale. As a general rule the properties closest to the lake are going to be the most expensive. The intersection between Hennepin and Lake is said to be one of the busiest in the sate. Uptown shopping offers distinctive shops, quaint boutiques and many excellent restaurants.
Linden Hills
Linden Hills Minneapolis was a neighborhood built on the far southwest edge to attract home buyers from the down town area in the 1880’s. This quaint and loveable neighborhood is surrounded by charming classis Linden Hills homes and parks. Many families choose Linden Hills to be in the Southwest High School’s district. The since of community and favorable Linden Hills real estate is what draws many families to this area. During the summer this quiet neighborhood opens up into a warm and welcoming town. The real estate in Linden Hills is moderately priced and few new condos are available today.
Kenwood East Isles Lowry Hill
In the winter there are fewer Kenwood homes for sale. That’s when the crowds have gone home and “Suicide Hill,” is open to sled, rinks are plowed for skaters and cross country skiers are making tracks. Groups of Minnesota home owners gather to share hot chocolate and a warm bowl of chili. Kenwood is an affluent neighborhood and has a reputation of one of the most desired locations to live it. It’s just minutes from everything and has something for everyone year round.
Southwest Minneapolis
While young singles like to head straight for Uptown, hip young families usually prefer the affordable and unique neighborhoods of the Southwest homes offer. Life here is still close to the city, while also enjoying tree lines streets and beautiful parks sprinkled about.
Minneapolis homes and neighborhoods are all unique with styles ranging from post-depression bungalows and mini-Tudors. New construction in Minneapolis is tuff to find, however there are many opportunities for re-models and fixer-uppers. It’s important to be aware that the southern end of Minneapolis is strongly impacted by the Minneapolis Airport noise. Many of the homes impacted by the noise levels have be improved by the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) to reduce the noise levels.
Tangletown Lynnhurst
Minneapolis homes in Tangletown are built on beautiful real estate that once was land for cattle to graze on. Extending from Lyndale west to Penn Ave, between 46th and 54th streets this neighborhood boasts very fine period homes as well as parks along the Minnehaha Creek and the shores of Lake Harriet, and is on of the most beautiful in the Twin Cities. Tangletown real estate is always in demand because of the location, architectural period and neighborhood appeal. The name Tangletown comes from the streets and their confusing layout to visitors and an occasional home owner.
Lake Nokomis
Nokomis homes are lined with blocks of champion trees and well maintained yards. This neighborhood is moderately priced, making it attractive to young singles and couples.
There are some luxury Colonials along the parkway mixed with bungalows, mini-Tudors and an occasional one story ranch. If searching for a Lake Nokomis home, be sure to plan a full day to experience the noise from the Minneapolis airport.
On the other hand, the ground transportation and surrounding amenities are excellent in this area. Nokomis homes are just minutes from the airport, Mall of America and down town Minneapolis.
Longfellow
The Longfellow MN real estate community is mixed with charm, affordable living and is bordered on the east side of the Mississippi river.
Popular since the 1920’s with working class people, it is well-served by public transportation, including the Hiawatha LRT, with stations at Lake, 38th and 46th streets.
Many new Longfellow condos are being developed and supported by the light rail transportation systems. Homes in Longfellow are ideally located and offer an opportunity for first time home buyers a safe place to live and play.
U of M
University of Minnesota condos can be affordable and a safe real estate investment. Prospect Park is a 100 year old neighborhood where you can step out your door, get some coffee and walk to class. Many new University of MN condos are available and cater to the student living needs like bike racks, bus lines on the block, three bedroom floor plans and underground parking/storage areas.