2022 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: The Shoreview community is really involved and fairly close knit. There is a lot of focus on education in this city and overall people really support the school district. However, Shoreview in not a very diverse area and the city itself is shaped such that people are very spread out across the city. Unfortunately, there is not much to do for fun in Shoreview that is not outdoors which is difficult in the winter.... Read 65 reviews

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• Population 26,871

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  59 reviews

Former Resident: Spent most of my life in Chanhassen. Loved living there! It’s only been more up and coming over the years with new developments, such as new apartment complexes, several new restaurants/food chains, and job opportunities. The standard of living is high, with nice, quiet, trusting neighborhoods/schools and great overall community. It has everything you need in one general area. It can be a little crowded at times, but still bearable. Only wish there was more of a nightlife in the area.... Read 59 reviews

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• Population 25,646

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.8 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Mendota Heights for about 5 years now, and I believe it is a great place to raise a family. The community is very open and friendly. We enjoy being close to so many parks and trails, and love how many trees there are. There is just a general sense of everything being open, natural, and safe. We are a short walk from the river, and often use the many bike trails around here as well, even though there are quite a few hills! There is also a relatively small commute time to school and work, while not feeling we are in the middle of a crowded city.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 11,681

• Town in Minnesota

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  170 reviews

Current Resident: I love Eden Prairie! There are so many amazing parks with different walking and biking trails! It is very easy to get to downtown Minneapolis, yet not too far of a drive to Duluth and up north.... Read 170 reviews

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• Population 64,048

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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• Population 1,320

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.63 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Victoria is the best place to raise a family in Minnesota, hands down! Complete with beautiful homes in safe neighborhoods, a historic downtown with shops and restaurants, access to numerous lakes and parks, and close proximity to shopping. We are so happy that we moved here and are raising our family here. The schools are wonderful and our kids have made so many friends in the neighborhood and our neighbors are so friendly. It's a growing community with new homes being built every year and new businesses coming into town. Victoria is truly idyllic!... Read 16 reviews

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• Population 10,361

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  60 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up here in Rosemount. Everyone is very nice the schools are amazing! I just graduated from the Rosemount High school and we are one of the top schools in our state for academics and sports. Rarely there is any safety issues, you only thing is there are crashes every once in a blue moon. Great restaurants and places to visit like the Mall of America which is only a 30 minute drive. And there is Lebanon park which is a great place to hike and relax in the outdoors. I do wish though that we would make it more affordable, because some housing and apartments for rent are a little expensive, but other then that Rosemount is great.... Read 60 reviews

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• Population 25,513

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  21 reviews

Current Resident: Mound is a quaint and quiet town west of the cities. It has ample opportunities to be in nature surrounding the perimeter including several lakes. There are many community activities happening throughout the year to help keep you connected with your neighbors. The only thing that I would change is the overall look of the city. It has tried over the years to become a "go to" town to only disappoint the residents. When creating new construction, it needs to have a marine/lakeside feel, especially if it will be central in the downtown area.... Read 21 reviews

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• Population 9,365

• Town in Minnesota

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  192 reviews

Former Resident: Plymouth MN is safe, clean, and family-friendly. There are many parks and trails to stay active and have fun with the family. I truly enjoy the concerts at Hilde performance center and various events like the Fire and Ice on Parkers Lake. I also enjoy the spectacular fireworks on New Year and July fourth at Parkers lake. I enjoy going to the farmers market across from Parkers lake every Wednesday in the summer. The Wayzata school district schools in Plymouth are one of the top schools in the state. Plymouth is a 20-ish minute drive from Minneapolis, and the commute to the Twin Cities is not too difficult. I find taking the bus to Minneasplos more convenient. The Plymouth Metrolink buses and the park and rides make getting to work downtown hassle-free.... Read 192 reviews

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• Population 80,034

• Town in Minnesota

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Have lived here and raised family for 35 years. Couldn't imagine a better place to live. 20 minutes max from anywhere you want to go.... Read 1 review

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• Population 1,693

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  9 reviews

Niche User: I wouldn't want to grow up an any other area in the world. Having a 300-acre Wildlife Management Area butting up against my backyard was a place I could really mature on my own. It was an escape from the concrete jungle I called everyday life, and pressed me to learn things no textbook could ever teach me.... Read 9 reviews

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• Population 3,985

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  157 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Lakeville for about 11 years with my family. My husband grew up here. We love the area. It's perfect distance from the cities; access to the Mall of America, many movie theaters, restaurants and other entertainment options. Lakeville itself has a wonderful variety of parks and playgrounds. There are multiple hiking and camping locations within a couple hours from here, too. The Lakeville school district's educational program is fantastic. Offering a great gifted and talented option for students, quality sports and Community Ed programs . I have issues with how slowly the school and city are updating their stance on racism/social justice. There are disparities in the district - pushing equity is very needed. It's the most disappointing part of living here. Other than that Lakeville is a beautiful, growing city with a small town feel.... Read 157 reviews

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• Population 69,026

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: I love it. Not too crowded, great things to do! I have loved going to college in Arden Hills. I just wish more restaurants and parks were open later!... Read 13 reviews

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• Population 9,868

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  39 reviews

Current Resident: While White Bear Township is a small neighborhood, it is strategically located within easy access to major attractions in the Twin Cities such as Mall of America and the MSP International Airport. The community is close-knit, boasting a low crime rate. The school system is above average and caters to students while making sure everyone is included. The school offers many AP Classes and opportunities for PSEO, allowing students to complete as much as 2 years of college at no cost to them. The people here are the epitome of "Minnesota Nice" and one will always be able to find a helping hand when needed.... Read 39 reviews

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• Population 11,031

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: Lino Lakes is a safe suburb that is about 15-20 minutes outside of the city. Many people in the city volunteer to make Lino Lakes a nicer place to live. A lot of people know each other within the community. There are many places to work that offer fair and equal opportunities. The school district is relatively big and provides a good education. Since it is a suburb there isn’t that much to do but, surrounding cities that are close have many things to do. Overall it is a nice and safe city to live in.... Read 77 reviews

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• Population 21,180

• Town in Minnesota

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• Population 1,133

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: An amazing location on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, and minutes away from downtown Minnesota, and the MSP airport. Miles of bike trails and cul-du-sacs full of cozy nano communities make this town a special corner of Minnesota to live in. Great schools, and the charming historic town of Excelsior in the center with great shops and restaurants.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 7,779

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4 out of 5  102 reviews

Current Resident: I've grown up in Savage since I was 5. The public schools here are very good; I've been more than prepared for college. Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools put more money into their arts programs than others in the area. Mental health resources in school are non-existent and our special ed program is incredibly underdeveloped: if your child has special needs, choose another school district. Neighborhoods are community-oriented, have nice houses with yards. It's an affluent, mostly white, conservative-leaning Christian area, but you can find the right people if you look :).... Read 102 reviews

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• Population 32,092

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  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in this neighborhood. The local elementary school is pretty good, and I would definitely recommend.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 3,814

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Centerville my entire life and not once have I experienced any safety issues. Centerville is low in crime and the people are very friendly. It is a great place for young families!... Read 9 reviews

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• Population 3,899

• Town in Minnesota

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  Rating 4.21 out of 5  172 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here since 2001, and raised 3 sons here. We love the amazing parks-- green space abounds here! The accessibility and convenience to the Metro, although everything you need is here also. We have the Eagan Outlet Mall, MOA within 10 mins, Vikings practice facility, every grocery story and restaurant. There are 3 school districts here. If you are in a wealthier tax base district, it will have better schools. This is not just Eagan of course, but that is the unfair truth of school districts in general. So, I am rating schools average, though some are so much better than that, even within a less affluent district. People here are friendly and helpful, and I love our diverse neighborhood.... Read 172 reviews

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• Population 68,205

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  165 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Maple Grove for 8 short months. Here are some of the positive aspects of the township. Maple Grove is a community with beautiful landscaping, shops, outdoor parks/trails. We are very close to Elm Creek Park and a ton of shopping. There are a lot of spaces for walkers and bikers. The community center has a farmers market and a lot of the homeowners take pride in their yards/property. There are mature trees in most neighborhoods and most areas are accessible to those who ride the bus/may not own a vehicle. This city has adequate funding and the public spaces are well cared for. Most of the homeowners in our area are young families or elderly individuals who were the original owners. I have not attended Maple Grove days, but from what I understand, it is a 2-3 day community celebration with live music, events, booths, food trucks, and activities for all ages. This is a predominately white-populated area, lacking diversity you'd see in the cities.... Read 165 reviews

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• Population 69,900

• Suburb of St. Paul, MN

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  222 reviews

Current Resident: There's plenty to do, and the library is amazing! You can bike, watch kids play sports, go to any of the many grocery stores or restaurants, and the Woodbury 10 Theater is cheap without being trashy. The only downside is that there seems to be a large concentration of cops and other first responders living in Woodbury— great if you have an emergency, not so great if you're a minority.... Read 222 reviews

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• Population 74,014

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Champlin for 12 years, and most of my experiences here have been delightful. My single-family home neighborhood has been neat, welcoming, and family-friendly. Most of the neighbors help bag leaves from the towering oak trees in fall, and one house would have a Christmas party each December for the neighborhood pre-pandemic. The city is also building affordable living complexes on the Mississippi River. Most Champlin neighborhoods are very close to this River or Elm Creek Park Reserve. Here, I have enjoyed swimming, boating, biking, walking, and skiing less than 5 miles from my house. I attend Champlin Park High School, where I feel that I am safe, am supported by counselors and teachers, can challenge myself with college classes, and can try new things in a variety of arts and athletics. Although frequent construction and a 30-minute commute to downtown Minneapolis are detractors, I still recommend this city to anyone looking for a family-friendly environment.... Read 65 reviews

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• Population 23,877

• Suburb of Minneapolis, MN

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  70 reviews

Current Resident: This quiet community has it all! A large lake excellent for swimming, boating, fishing, etc., many beautiful parks to cross country ski, hike, ride horses, camp, and picnic. Golfing enthusiasts will be delighted with several areas to practice their skill. If shopping is your passion, there are many malls close by and Mall of America is only a half hour away! Schools are highly rated for all grades and seniors have several outlets in community classes, centers, and living spaces. There is also the casino and several gyms to explore.... Read 70 reviews

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• Population 27,242