Homes for sale in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis & St. Paul or otherwise know as the Twin Cities. This has been my home for most of my life. I have traveled to many cities and lived in a few, but none compare to The Twin Cities. Sure New York rocks and San Francisco is amazing but they say home is where the heart is. 

The Twin Cities to me represent so many things from its rich history to all it has to offer. I really live in a cutting edge metropolitan area. Some reading this will not be surprised because they live here. This page is dedicated to all of the out of Towner’s who are considering moving here from somewhere else. I would like take this opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions about the Twin Cites and the state of Minnesota in general. 

1) We do not all talk like the characters in the movie Fargo, although I do have a few
Relatives that do.
2) The mosquito is not the state bird.
3) We have more things to do here that just ice fish and hunt.
4) Prince is actually from St. Paul not Minneapolis and no not everybody knows him personally.
5) Hot dish is not the only food we serve guests.
6) Minnesota nice is not always a good thing. (Example: Many times I have found
myself at a four way stop sitting for five minutes waiting for someone to go first
because everyone is too polite to go.)
7) It does not snow 12 months out of the year.
8) We are not all fanatical liberals we are just undecided a lot.
9) The land of 10,000 lakes. Actually there are 11,430.
10) We own more clothes than just parkas. 

The Twin Cities area has so much to offer. Minneapolis and St. Paul are divided by the Mississippi River. The cities are very similar in some ways but very different. Minneapolis is viewed as the center of nightlife and art; where as St. Paul is viewed as the center for museums and culture. Both are very clean well kept cities. There is a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and niche neighborhoods. There is plenty of metro transportation from bus lines and taxis to the introduction of light rail which they are working to expand throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Our freeway systems are pretty good you don’t have to go out of the way to get to any destination unless there is road construction. The main highway system is a large circle that surrounds both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The top half of the circle is 694. The bottom half is 494. Interstate 35 or I35 cuts right through the middle of the two cities from north to south. That highway is also divided. 35W travels through Minneapolis and 35E travels through St. Paul. The main highway that connects Minneapolis to St. Paul is I94. There are many other highways and secondary roads that weave there way through both cities. With regards to the homes and how the cities were built, both cities started at the center and built there way out. So the older homes are much closer to downtown and get progressively newer as you travel out of the city. The same is true with most of the outer ring suburbs as well. Up until this past year or so there has been a lot more growth in the southern half of the metro also known as the suburbs south of the river. These suburbs include Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Farmington and Rosemount. Over the last year or two the western suburbs have really started to catch up. Those suburbs include Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria and Waconia. In the past year or so the north has come on strong as well those suburbs include Blaine, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Elk River, Andover, Anoka and Rogers. So almost any where you look the Twin Cities is expanding with new construction. You can find almost any type of style home, neighborhood or price range you want in every suburb. 

The Minneapolis St. Paul and surrounding areas is home to many internationally known companies such as 3M, General Mills, Best Buy, Target Corporation, Sam Goody, Northwest Airlines, Land ‘O Lakes, Hormel, Shell’s Brewery, Music Land, Aveda, Grain Belt Brewery, Green Giant, Medtronic, Guidant and Northern Tool just to name a few. So the job market and economy continue to grow. 

Did you know that 33% of the revenue that the Music Industry generates is somehow tied to Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here are just a few of the National acts that have come from Minnesota. They are The Replacements, Husker Du, The Suburbs, Suicide Commandos, The Mighty Mofos, Prince, The Time, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, Semisonic, Trashmen, Gentry’s, Stillrovin’, The Family, Jessie Johnson Revue, Lamont Cranston, Johnny Lang, Bob Dylan, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Bob Mould, Trip Shakespeare, Paul Westerberg, Golden Smog, Sugar and Soul Asylum. 

The Twin Cities has so much to do I couldn’t tell you everything. Please look to my links section on this site to go directly to the home pages. Here are just a few of my favorites…
1) Taylor Falls- This is a small town about a 1 hour drive north east of the Twin Cities. You can enjoy a day of rock climbing or hiking along the St. Croix River that divides Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lots of trails and picnic areas as well as cliff diving.
2) Minnehaha Falls- Located in south Minneapolis it’s a beautiful water fall with hiking trails, bike trails and picnic areas.
3) The lakes (Known as Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun & Lake of the Isles) - This chain of lakes is located in the center of Minneapolis near the Uptown area. There are over 7 miles of walking and bike trails. In line skaters are also welcome. This is the core of the Minneapolis experience to me. The trails are all directly around the lakes and provide great exercise and a chance to walk with friends and family. This is an incredible place if you like to people watch. Bike, Roller Blade and Canoe rentals are available. The Lake Harriet Band Shell sponsors free concerts throughout the summer. Minnesotans love their lakes so much that people walk year round. On the first 40 degree day of the spring you will see people in shorts in anticipation of summer. This is truly a unique part of Minneapolis.
4) Valley Fair- This is our amusement park. Located in Shakopee about 30 miles south west of the Twin Cities. It has everything from small rides for the young kids to the biggest rides that will scare the crap out of most adults. There is a huge water park inside as well. It opened in 1976 and has been expanding ever since. It seem like they add a new ride every year. This park rivals any six flags park.
5) Minnesota State Fair- Located in St. Paul it runs from the last week of August through Labor Day. This is a Minnesota tradition! I have never been to an event that has more food on a stick from corn dogs to deep fried candy bars. They have a major Recording act every night from Motley Crue to Alabama. A huge midway features many rides and freak shows. All of the judging from local county fairs from around the state, the champions win a trip to the fair. So there are plenty of cattle, sheep and horse judging events to arts and crafts. They have equestrian sports in the coliseum all week from English and Western Pleasure to Show Jumping events. There is so much going on every day you need a schedule. I have been told it’s the largest state fair in the country. This is one you don’t want to miss. Did I mention people watching?
6) Renaissance Festival (Mid-evil Merriment) - This is a step back in time to another world. Set in Mid-evil times. Local actors dress up to entertain. Lots of food and shopping. The entertainment is second to none. They have thought of everything from jousting to juggling and everything in between. Air on the side of caution some people take this way to seriously! Dress up if you like and join in the fun. Especially if you own a puffy shirt.
7) Mall of America- I don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been said. Most of us who live here seem to take it for granted. It’s really an amazing place if you think about it. There is Camp Snoopy which is a Peanuts cartoon based indoor theme park with all kinds of rides to everything imaginable that a shopping mall could offer. Some one has said if you only walked all the levels spending less than 5 minutes in each store and never going in any of the restaurants of anchor stores like Sears or Nordstrom’s. It would take a person 24 hours to go through.
8) Uptown- This is a small neighborhood in Minneapolis that has developed the reputation for being the trendiest part of town. It is filled with unique shops hair salons and restaurants.
9) Canterbury Park- Located in the southwest suburb Shakopee. This is home to horse racing at its finest. If you like to bet on the ponies this is the place for you. Over the last few years they have expanded by adding several new features including the Canterbury Card Club. There is talk of the Racino Bill passing. If passed will allow Canterbury to expand into a full blown casino similar to Mystic Lake Casino; which is located about 10 minutes south of Canterbury in Prior Lake.
10) Downtown Minneapolis- Minneapolis is always evolving. There seems to be a never ending flow of new restaurants and night clubs. The Target Center, Orpheum Theatre, State Theatre, Pantages Theatre, The Quest, The Fine Line and the world famous First Avenue all offer nightly events. Nothing is left out of the mix from Basketball games to concerts, Broadway plays and stand up comedians. There are too many to list all of them. There are restaurants for any type of meal you could want from fast food to seven course meals. Parking is cheap and abundant. The downtown are is easy to get in and out of so there is no excuse not to partake in what it has to offer.