Welcome to St. Louis Park, aka the hometown of RNR Realty! A first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, this popular city has also been called home by the likes of Senator Al Franken, the illustrious Coen Brothers (of Fargo fame), and Nordic Ware (inventor of the Bundt cake pan). There are many reasons these diverse residents have decided to settle in St. Louis Park, including its proximity to downtown Minneapolis.
Besides small businesses and movie-making visionaries, 46.5k people currently call St. Louis Park home. It’s a great choice for married couples, especially those with children, as School District 283 is one of the best in the state. Indeed, it is the only district in the state to have all public schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. SLP High School has been ranked among the top senior highs in the country. At the end of this school year, the distinguished district will celebrate its 125th anniversary.
St. Louis Park has a wide variety of housing options, with a mixture of single-family homes, condos, and apartments. The median estimated home value is around $251k (up nearly 4% from the previous year), and about 57% of SLP residents own their home rather than rent. The median home listing price is about $350k, a good $50k more than Hennepin County as a whole.
Each June, over Father’s Day weekend, St. Louis Park puts on its “splash into summer” festival, Parktacular. This community celebration has been around since the early 1900s (undergoing a few name changes along the way), and currently draws annual crowds in the thousands. It includes events such as the Grand Day Parade (a local favorite), food truck faire, business expo, and Kidtacular. A majority of the events will take place at Wolfe Park, located near the Rec Center.
Long after the Parktacular festivities are over, you’ll find plenty to do in St. Louis Park. There is certainly no shortage of shopping opportunities – large retail centers include West End and Shoppes at Knollwood. Excelsior & Grand and Miracle Mile also have a broad selection of shops and dining options. From small boutiques like Mama’s Happy to the ever-popular Opitz and Annex outlet stores, everyone in the family will find something to fit their needs.
If you’re feeling hungry, the city has plenty of unique restaurants to whet your appetite. Park Tavern is a good choice if you want a casual setting that offers delicious food and bowling. Want something a little sleeker? Look no further than The Loop at West End or McCoy’s Public House. Craving something sweet? Then be sure to try out Honey & Rye Bakehouse, Muddy Paws Cheesecake, or Yum! Kitchen & Bakery.
For those interested in taking a step into the past, there’s the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, which holds one of the largest collections of vintage radio and television equipment. Looking for some fun that involves a bit more action? For that, there’s the hotspot Roller Garden, at the junction of W Lake St and Minnetonka Blvd or the Rec Center, featuring a skate shop, aquatic park and two ice arenas (photos above).
The city’s main thoroughfares are Highways 100, 169, 394, and MN-7. Also served by multiple bus routes, many of which travel through the Louisiana Avenue Transit Center, St. Louis Park is easily accessible from downtown Minneapolis and several surrounding suburbs via public transportation. There are even plans to extend the light rail’s Green Line through the city on its way to Eden Prairie, which would connect the cities even better. The extension is projected to be completed by 2020.
If you’re looking for a city with the comforts of suburban living and the convenience and amenities of being near Downtown Minneapolis, then St. Louis Park might be the right choice for you!
Neighborhood Resources
