A golden lifestyle in western Minneapolis
Though it’s not a valley like its name suggests, residents here are blessed with a golden lifestyle known for a high-rated school district, abundant outdoor recreation and quick 6-mile commutes into the Twin Cities. “Golden Valley is a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, meaning residents get to enjoy the larger, more private lots of the suburbs while staying close to everything downtown Minneapolis has to offer,” says Joe Carmack, Realtor with Carmack Real Estate Group and Creator of Living in Minnesota on YouTube. Home to national companies such as Honeywell and General Mills, the city has a robust employment base with 30,000 full-time jobs, which is more than any other in the metropolitan area. Despite being so close to downtown, Golden Valley maintains a small-town feel through mainstays like the Farmer’s Market in the Valley and outdoor recreation from sand volleyball in the summer at Theodore Wirth Regional Park to ice skating at Hampshire Park in the winter. “It’s so close to the action, but then it’s a sleepy little city where nothing goes on – in a good way,” says long-time local Gary Metchnek, Realtor with Edina Realty. This western Minneapolis city combines urban accessibility with a highly sought-after suburban feel a 20-minute drive from downtown.
New Traditionals and multi-family townhouses
The real estate market in Golden Valley is highly competitive, with homes priced around $50,000 more than the majority of homes found in the Minneapolis Metro Area. “Golden Valley has a relatively stable housing market with a great range of real estate from affordable starter homes to high-end luxury estates,” says Carmack, who has been selling in Minneapolis for 8 years. The majority of the homes here were constructed in the late 1940s following the World War II construction boom. Golden Valley offers a variety of housing options from minimal traditionals and split-levels to New Traditionals and multi-family townhouses. With a median sales price of $430,000, Cape Cods and ranch styles range from the low $200,000s to upwards of $1 Million bordering the scenic Theodore Wirth Regional Park. While split-levels and New Traditionals range from the mid $200,000s to upwards of $2.7 Million for a newly-constructed five-bedroom contemporary style. Golden Valley offers subdivision options with lakefront views in areas like Hidden Lakes to those with golf course views of The Club along Country Club Drive and newer construction in North Tyrol Hills. Single family homes dominate the area, but multi-family townhouses are available and range from $160,000 to $500,000 in subdivisions like Wesley Commons. “A nice house, priced well, is going to fly off the market in most places in Golden Valley — And these aren’t cookie-cutter homes; in a sought-after neighborhood like Tyrol, it's known for mid-century moderns and some super funky contemporary stuff,” says Metchnek.
Shopping at Spring Gate Shopping Center
Residents can shop at Spring Gate Shopping Center on Duluth Street, which features a variety of retailers like Lunds & Byerlys and Walgreens for groceries and everyday essentials. While the Golden Valley Shopping Center offers locally-owned retailers, like Down In The Valley, Ragstock and All Strings Attached. When dining in the area, locals can grab a coffee from the family-owned Triple D Espresso, offering a larger sense of community and freshly roasted beans from all over the world. For street-style tacos, check out Teresa's Mexican Restaurant for weekly specials and authentic Mexican cuisine. Or head to the family-run Nong's Thai Cuisine for a traditional Thai meal prepared by Chef Nong, who was born in Bangkok, Thailand.
The seasonal Market in the Valley
Every year, neighbors gather in the Golden Valley City Hall parking lot for the anticipated Market in the Valley. Visitors can purchase seasonal produce and meats, hand-crafted goods and pastries from local businesses and vendors within the community. The Market in the Valley is the area’s premier farmers market, where they say the average distance traveled from farm to market is just 50 miles. The event begins in June and is hosted every Sunday throughout the summer season. While the winter market is hosted on variable dates beginning in November and throughout the holiday season.
A-rated education at Hopkins Public Schools
Families are served by two school districts: Hopkins Public Schools and Robbinsdale Area Schools. Students in Golden Valley can attend schools like Meadowbrook Elementary, Hopkins North Junior High and Hopkins Senior High School, which have all respectively earned ratings of A-minus from the educational review site, Niche. Meadowbrook Elementary School offers both Spanish and Chinese immersion options, beginning as early as kindergarten. Hopkins North Junior High School implements a Special Education program through Individual Education Plans (IEPs) provided by highly trained individuals and specialized instructional services. Hopkins Senior High School offers an advanced curriculum with 21 AP courses with the opportunity to earn college credit. Private options like Breck School and Good Shepherd School are also common.
Pick-up games of basketball at Hampshire Park
When seeking time outdoors, some Golden Valley residents are within walking distance of the basketball courts at Hampshire Park, located at the heart of the community. Visitors can climb on the jungle-gym during the summer and skate across the outdoor ice-rink during the winter months. Nature lovers can take advantage of Theodore Wirth Regional Park, offering 759 acres of lakeside greenery along the eastern border of the community. Neighbors can stroll along the groomed trails and wooden pathways overlooking Lake Wirth. During the summer, residents can play sand volleyball at Wirth Lake Beach or launch onto the lake in a canoe or kayak using the public lake access. Winter activities like snowshoeing and offroad biking are also common here. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the private Club at Golden Valley nearby, featuring an 18-hole layout and indoor golf simulator for fine-tuning the perfect swing all year long.
Nearby healthcare and commutes downtown on U.S. I-394
Residents in Golden Valley rely on U.S. Route 169 for easy access to U.S. Interstate 394 and neighboring areas like Willard-Hay. When seeking public transportation, locals can grab a seat on the Metro Transit bus at the Louisiana Avenue Transit Center for quick commutes into downtown Minneapolis. When traveling further outside the community, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 17 miles from the community. For healthcare, the Regency Hospital - Minneapolis is 3 miles from the community.
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Written By
Jessica Haddad
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Photography Contributed By
Sienna Lee
