$775,118Average Value$311Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Farmland turned popular vacation spot
Despite being only 15 miles east of the bustling state capital and not much farther from Minneapolis, Afton is a Minnesota neighborhood that’s about half farmland, half woodland and 100% rural charm. With miles of St. Croix River shoreline, a 1,600-acre state park and a popular ski resort, it’s easy to see why city folk love spending their summer and winter vacations in Afton — and why about 3,000 Minnesotans have settled here full-time. “We get a lot of visitors from Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Afton, a lot of boaters — Afton is a big boater community,” says Rebecca Nickerson of the Afton Area Business Association. “It’s a fairly quiet life with a lot of nature nearby.”
Afton Marina is the gateway to the Lake St. Croix, as well as the majestic Mississippi.
Afton Alps has 5 chalets and winter season runs mid-November through mid-March.
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Diverse housing stock and prices to boot
Whether homebuyers settle near Afton’s small downtown strip along the river, amid the forests covering the city's eastern section or on a plot of farmland in the west, there’s a bevy of unique homes to choose from. Downtown Afton is studded with several historic farmhouses — some dating back to the 1850s — within easy walking distance of two marinas and other nearby businesses. Heading west away from the river, large, wood cabins with modern flair and more recently built Craftsman mansions can be found. Smaller, older Afton homes typically list between $300,000 and $600,000, while the neighborhood’s largest properties with over 5,000 square feet set on a dozen or more acres can stretch past the $2 million mark.
Large craftsman homes can be found on the western side of Afton.
Afton offers historic farmhouses near the downtown strip, some of which date back to the 1850s.
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Skiing, hiking, canoeing, oh my!
Living in Afton means being right down the road from several of eastern Minnesota’s most coveted nature escapes. Afton State Park is a true year-round park, with direct access to the St. Croix River for swimming and canoeing during the warmer months, 28 backpacking sites, over 20 miles of trails and 18 miles of cross-country ski trails. Its slopes are also known for the occasional celebrity sighting or two. “We have Jessie Diggins, the Olympic gold medalist from here,” Nickerson says. “I just saw her training here last week.” However, if locals rather hit the slopes in a more traditional ski resort setting, Afton Alps offers 300 acres and 50 trails of snowy fun.
Afton Alps in has a total of 36 trails with 17 chairlifts.
Afton State Park is dog friendly, enjoy your next hike with man's best friend.
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Downtown eats and groceries across the border
After a long day of outdoor excursions, downtown Afton is a local’s go-to to explore locally owned shops and eateries. Even the biggest appetite is appeased at The Lumberyard Pub, which serves classic American fare alongside a sizeable beer and spirit list. Just down the strip, Swirl boasts an ever-changing selection of wines and hosts a popular wine club that lets members taste new concoctions before they hit the shelves. For a sweet treat to cap off the day, residents hit Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour, Minnesota's oldest ice cream shop. Nickerson, who owns Selma’s, recommends a scoop of Zanzibar ice cream. Grocery shopping can be quite the adventure for natives, as the closest markets are 7 miles away across the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. However, getting to stores like Walmart, Aldi and County Market is a breeze with Interstate 94. If shoppers prefer to stay in the state, Jerry’s Foods is about 9 miles west of Afton.
Afton residents flock to The Current when Surf and Turf is on the menu.
Many Afton residents head to Jerry's Foods to get their fresh produce.
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Top-ranking schools and real-world skills
Stillwater Area Public Schools serves most of Afton; elementary-age students can begin their education at Afton-Lakeland Elementary School. It earns a B from Niche and runs programs that focus on building real-world skills, like teaching coding, problem-solving and math skills through LEGO robotics. Students can move on to Oak-Land Middle School, which earns a B-plus from Niche, followed by Stillwater Area High School. This massive school of over 2,600 students features a range of creative extracurriculars, including award-winning student journalism outlets and high-ranking music programs. It earns an A-minus rating from Niche and is ranked the fourth-best public high school in Washington County.
Afton-Lakeland Elementary School sits near the banks of the St. Croix River.
Stillwater Area High School serves the Afton, MN residents.
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Cars get commuters to Saint Paul
Resort-style yet rural living means that commuters are car-dependent. Public transportation is not readily available within the neighborhood, and amenities are typically farther away. However, professionals who work in Saint Paul are never more than a 30-minute drive from the city — even if they live in Afton’s farthest reaches — due to the area’s proximity to I-94. When locals need to travel especially far, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is about 25 miles to the west.
Downtown Afton invites you for a superior shopping, restaurant and entertainment experiences.
Almost half of Afton is devoted to scenic farmland.
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On average, homes in Afton, MN sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Afton, MN over the last 12 months is $640,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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