St. Francis is a small city with both rural and suburban atmosphere
St. Francis is a suburban city of 8,500 in the northwestern corner of Anoka County. Surrounded by woodlands and farms, it stands out from the rest of the region with its city center. “St. Francis actually has an original downtown area,” says Joel Friday, a Realtor with Keller Williams Classic Realty. “It’s not just another rural community.” Though the city has roots that go back to the middle of the 19th century, the population has only seen significant growth since the 1990s. “It seems to be growing very fast right now,” says Michelle Anderson, a Realtor with Re/Max Results. “Locals consider it a mix of urban and residential with a lot of acreage.” In addition to the promise of large lots with modern amenities, potential homeowners are attracted to the area for its schools and public parks.
Go to the country for farmhouses and the suburbs for newer homes
St. Francis resembles most of Anoka County from its fringes: scattered ponds and lakes surrounded by dense woodlands. Powerlines follow dirt and gravel roads, with the occasional home at the end of a winding driveway. However, areas closer to downtown are more suburban. Roads become paved as small subdivisions and businesses crop up. Prices for 21st-century neo-traditional styles range between the mid-$200,000s and high-$400,000s. Townhouses are also popular, generally running between the mid-$200,000s and the mid-$300,000s. Farmhouse and ranch-style homes with multiple acres are common in the city’s outskirts and sell between the mid-$300,000s and high-$500,000s, depending on their size and condition.
Hunters, hikers and nature lovers can enjoy the area's outdoor activities
Rum River North County Park has 80 acres of campsites and river launches. Anglers take advantage of the park’s fishing pier, while hikers and bikers follow miles of trails through the surrounding woodlands. Nature lovers and hunters can explore the swamps and prairies of the Bethel Wildlife Management Area in search of deer, turkey and various waterfowl. Hidden Ponds Park has a playground, baseball diamond and soccer field.
Live events and laid-back food at The Dugout and Chester's
Established in 1995, The Dugout Bar and Grill has a classic sports bar atmosphere with a menu to match. Guests can enjoy burgers, ribs and hot cheese curds while attending holiday parties and sporting events. Chester’s offers upscale tavern cuisine for every meal of the day and hosts raffles and bingo in the evenings. Retail, services and fast food are on St. Francis Boulevard. Groceries are available at King’s County Market.
St. Francis High School is known for the performing arts
Students can begin at St. Francis Elementary, which has a B from Niche, before attending St. Francis Middle School, which has a C-plus. Older students will attend St. Francis High School, which has a B-minus. In addition to academics, SFHS has active athletics and extracurricular departments. “They’re really well-known for their performing arts program and their choir,” says Friday, who has lived in Anoka County his entire life.
Celebrate Pioneer Days with food and rides
St. Francis Pioneer Days celebrates the area’s history with a weekend of carnival rides, food trucks and a fireworks display. Held every summer, locals can attend a car show, visit the petting zoo or cheer during the Lions Club softball tournament.
Highways are on either side of the city
St. Francis has access to two main thoroughfares: State Highway 65 to the east and U.S. Route 169 to the west. Minneapolis is about 35 miles south, and St. Paul is 40 miles southeast. Local public transit isn’t available, so residents will require a car for most trips.
Cheryl is an expert real estate agent and team leader with eXp Realty in Stillwater, MN and the nearby area, in both MN and WI, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services.
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