Moving to Minneapolis Suburbs? 4 of the Best ‘Burbs in Minnesota

Minneapolis ranks as one of the best cities to live in America, and several Twin Cities suburbs consistently rank high for the quality of life and affordability.

Last year, Maple Grove, Minnesota got a shout out from Money magazine and was listed 2nd on their list of the best suburbs’ in America, but it doesn’t stop there. Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Mound have all been featured in well-respected publications including CNN, Outside Magazine, and Bloomberg.

There must be something truly wonderful about Minnesota if people are willing to stick around in the winter when temperatures routinely drop into the single digits. So, if you plan on moving to the Minneapolis suburbs, these are some of the best suburbs for families, young professionals, and retirees.

Bloomington, Minnesota – Best Shopping

Bloomington is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River and boasts the largest enclosed shopping center in the country, Mall of America, which also happens to be the largest employer in town.

When you’ve had enough of indoor shopping and need an outdoor fix, as a resident you’ll live in a city that offers numerous parks. Hyland Lake Park Reserve, which includes a ski area and Nordic ski jumps, and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of only four urban wildlife refuges in the United States, are both located in Bloomington.

Residents also enjoy close proximity to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul, considered by Minnesotans to be the cultural capital of the state.

Eden Prairie, Minnesota – Best Family Friendly

A suburb of Minneapolis, Eden Prairie benefits from being a family-friendly town with excellent schools, a low crime rate, and, for professionals, it’s a decent commute to the Twin Cities.

However, Eden Prairie isn’t just a great place to live … it’s also a great place to work! As a result, it’s often ranked as one of the best suburbs in American.The median home price in this idyllic town is a bit higher than the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro average.

Thankfully, there is a wide selection of Eden Prairie townhomes for rent for folks who aren’t ready to buy a house. Eden Prairie is home to Hennepin Technical College and more than 1,000 acres of developed parkland that includes 120 miles of bike and nature trails making it an ideal place to live for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Mound, Minnesota – Best Play Time

Located in Hennepin County on the east side of Mound, Minnesota is a small town that offers an abundance of outdoor activities including over 100 dock sites to access lake Minnetonka.

Favorite water sports include boating, kayaking, and fishing on the numerous lakes and bays in and around the city.

Additionally, the city offers plenty of affordable housing options and quality schools. Bloomberg Business Week named it as one of the best cities in Minnesota to raise kids.

Wondering what are some of the favorite outdoor activities in Mound? Bike, blade, run or walk the Dakota Rail Trail.

Fun fact: Mound is the birthplace of the Tonka Truck. Metro Self Storage recently participated in the redevelopment of the original Tonka manufacturing facility and offers full-service self storage facility with climate-controlled storage units, RV parking, and great storage rental prices.

Orono, Minnesota – Best Lakeshore Beaches

Located approximately 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis, Orono, also referred to as The Lakeshore City, offers Minnesota lake homes in a big resort-style setting.

Residents who live here can participate in the vibrant city culture of Minneapolis or choose to enjoy the peaceful afternoon on one of the beaches located on Lake Minnetonka’s 100 miles of shoreline.

Wondering what are some of the favorite outdoor activities? Stand-up paddling, sailing, and fishing on Lake Minnetonka or spending the day Wayzata Beach?