Centerville is a small town with scenic surroundings north of St. Paul
Centerville is a small town situated next to scenic lakes, wetlands and forests in the countryside north of the Twin Cities, about 18 miles from St. Paul. It has a population of about 4,000, with a mix of residential streets, local shops and restaurants and plenty of local parks. “People really like the small-town feel in Centerville. There’s not a lot of noise or traffic, but it’s still an easy commute to the cities. You’re in the metro but it doesn’t feel like it,” says Realtor Andy Prasky of Re/Max Advantage, a longtime area resident.
Lakeside recreation, hiking trails and community parks
Locals have access to a myriad of trails, rivers, lakes and sprawling public parks. “The biggest draw for this area is all the natural parks. When you come home from work, you’re just a few minutes away from lots of trails and kayaking and canoeing on the lakes. It’s awesome,” Prasky says. Centerville is right next to the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, a 5,500-acre park with boat launches, camping sites and hiking and biking trails. It’s a popular spot for recreation all year round — visitors can lounge on lake beaches in the summer or go cross-country skiing during the snowy winter months. In Centerville, residents are typically within walking distance of community parks like Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park, Tracie Joy McBride Memorial Park and Acorn Creek Park.
Centerville has quiet subdivisions with newer homes
The town is primarily made up of single-family home subdivisions, most of which were built after 1980. “This was all farmland for many years, but the whole area has been growing. There’s a lot of new construction,” Prasky says. The streets have a suburban feel, with curved streets, uniform housing and quiet cul-de-sacs. Some homes back up to wide-open farmland or sit along the shores of Centerville Lake, offering residents beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. “The lots are zoned so you get a lot of space between houses,” Prasky says. Prices range from around $250,000 to $800,000, with older, smaller homes selling for less and larger, newer homes selling for more. Some townhomes are available in Centerville. They typically sell for between $230,000 and $420,000.
Centerville Elementary is planned for an expansion
Students may attend highly rated schools in the Centennial Public School District. “It’s one of the best school districts in the Twin Cities metro. It’s part of the appeal for people moving here,” Prasky says. Centerville Elementary gets an A-minus rating from Niche. The elementary school is planned for expansion in the coming years as the community continues to grow in population. The proposed addition would include a new gym and music classroom, among other things. The next steps are Centennial Middle School and Centennial High School, both of which earn B-plus ratings. The high school offers a wide range of athletic programs, including a well-regarded football team that recently won a state championship.
Pubs and pizza on Centerville’s Main Street
Centerville’s Main Street has a handful of shops and restaurants. Kelly’s Korner is the town’s go-to for pub fare, drinks, pool and live music. It’s open past midnight on the weekends and is known to draw a crowd for televised sports events. For Italian cuisine and takeout, locals have two options: Wiseguys Pizza & Pub or Carbone’s Pizzeria. For groceries and everyday essentials, there’s a Festival Foods grocery store about a mile away in Hugo. The nearest major shopping centers are about 10 miles south in
Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.
Getting around the Twin Cities metro area
Interstate 35, a major local highway, runs along Centerville’s eastern edge. Residents can take the highway about 18 miles to St. Paul or 22 miles to Downtown Minneapolis. Residents will likely need a car to get around because there’s no public transportation in town. St. John’s Hospital is the nearest medical center, about 12 miles south. For air travel, it’s about 25 miles to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
