Saint Louis Park

Serene suburbia is what’s on offer in Kilmer, a small neighborhood in Saint Louis Park. Surrounded by nature reserves and golf clubs and with quick access to a major Interstate and Highway, this community is in a prime location. Split-level ranch-style homes, midcentury modern homes and Craftsman-style cottages comprise the neighborhood, with well-manicured lawns and built-in garages. Home prices in the area range from $328,000 to $410,000. Children in the area attend Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of A-minus. The school incorporates the Spanish language into lessons in reading, writing, math, science and other subject areas, with the goal of making students proficient in the language by the time they leave the school. Next, students attend Saint Louis Park Middle School, with an overall Niche grade of B. Teenagers attend Hopkins Senior High School, with an overall Niche grade of A. The school was ranked as the number 10 best public high school in Minnesota. The nearby Ford Park offers a playground, paved walking trails and a shaded picnic shelter. Westwood Hills Nature Center is the crown jewel of the area, however. The 160-acre natural area features marsh, woods and restored prairie. Locals can explore the various hiking trails, looking out for deer, turtles, foxes, mink and owls. Visitors can see the beautiful sky reflected on the surface of Westwood Lake, either from the boardwalk pier or right on the water via a kayak or canoe. Children in the area benefit from educational programs and camps at the nature center. Meanwhile, local golf enthusiasts have a couple of nearby clubs to choose from. Minneapolis Golf Club has been open for over a century—since 1916. The club boasts an 18-hole course and frequently hosts amateur and professional competitions. A more casual experience is offered at Brookview Golf & Lawn Bowling, where membership isn’t required. Shopping, dining and entertainment are all on the table at the nearby Ridgedale Center, a bi-level mall full of popular brands, department stores and eateries. The Minnesota Playseum is inside the mall, offering a plethora of interactive activities for young children to enjoy. The Playseum recreates the adult world in a pretend city scaled to the young child’s size. There, kids can fix potholes on pretend roads, build a pizza at the Italian restaurant, take x-rays in the hospital room, pretend to bathe a dog at the pet shop and so much more. Beyond the pretend city, there’s a bookshop, slime-making station, arts and crafts and even cookie decorating station. The mall also includes the Breakout Games Escape Room, a fun interactive experience with riddles and puzzles for players to solve. Those who want to break a sweat can work out at the mall’s Planet Fitness or CYCLEBAR. Target, Best Buy and Petco are all close at hand, making shopping for essentials easy. Meanwhile, groceries are grabbed at the nearby Aldi or Trader Joe’s. When hunger strikes, Kip’s Authentic Irish Pub is the place to go for hearty shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage or fish and chips, all washed down with iced cold beer. All this makes Kilmer an appealing place to call home.

Unlike much of St. Louis Park, the Shelard Park neighborhood is not purely residential. Instead, it's is a mixed-use community, containing businesses, office spaces and residential units surrounding the namesake public park at the center of the neighborhood. Condos here, which make up almost all of the available housing for sale, start at $150,000 and go up to as high as $400,000 for a unit. Bill Beyer, a retired architect and editor of the St. Louis Park Historical Society, explains that Shelard Park's unique makeup is because of its annexation in the past. "Shelard Park is so detached from the fabric of the rest of the city that I almost never go there — there's a story of annexation from the 1950s on our website." Despite existing somewhat in its own bubble, the area has no shortage of parks, restaurants and other amenities to explore. Beyer says, "When I drove through to re-familiarize myself with the place, it all looked so new, even though residential development began 40 years ago." According to Leasing Agent Lazarus Jackson of Westwind Apartments, "People choose to live here because of the convenience. It's ideal because it's close to everything, especially since we're by two major highways." Homes consist of a mix of modern condo styles, starting at $150,000 and going up as high as $500,000 for newly renovated or larger units. Residents can choose from studios or one to two bedrooms. Three-bedroom condos are also an option for those looking for extra space. Because housing in the neighborhood isn't single-family, residents can find a community within close proximity of each other– going over to a neighbor's place down the floor or upstairs. Young children may begin their education at LH Tanglen Elementary School, rated B-plus by Niche. They can then continue at Hopkins North Junior High School and Hopkins Senior High School. Both Hopkins Junior High and Hopkins Senior High receive an A rating from Niche. Hopkins Senior High School has been recognized by the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program, Redbooks America's Best High Schools and the National Council of Teachers of English. Shelard Park is located at the center of the neighborhood. The park is open every day of the week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a walking trail that runs through the neighborhood. Some other amenities include a basketball court, volleyball court and playground. The community garden is a stand-out to many who live here, shared and maintained by residents with a green thumb. Besides the green space, residents can also visit the small pond. Teahouse, a local favorite in the area, is a Chinese restaurant serving Sichuan-style cuisine. Agent Jackson speaks on the longevity of Teahouse: "I believe that restaurant has been around forever, almost 20 years if I'm not wrong; people love that place." Kip's Irish Pub is another option residents frequent. The restaurant is known for its wood-paneled interior, offering Irish food and beer. When it comes to groceries and other essentials, Eastern European grocery store Fish & Chips is the go-to. Residents can take nearby highways into downtown St. Louis Park for amenities outside the neighborhood. Residents can see a movie at Emagine Willow Creek, a newly renovated theater. Locals love the leather seats and services it offers, such as delivering food and alcohol straight to the seat. Agent Lazarus also recommends going to the General Mills walkway, which features art pieces, and the General Mills Nature Preserve. Shelard Park is located by Highway 169 and Interstate 394, which residents can take to reach the rest of the St. Louis Park area or through the Twin Cities. There are also bus stops that run through Shelard Parkway and Ford Road.

Amhurst is a small townhouse community on the northwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Route 169 and Highway 7. Its singular townhouse complex, Lohman’s Amhurst, was designed to keep its highway-side location a secret, with foliage so lush an onlooker would think they were in the middle of a forest. It’s equipped with small ponds and park benches, letting residents enjoy the area’s greenery, and is less than a mile away from extensive retail shopping. Living in Amhurst is all about ease — located in a quiet, secluded community with convenient access to anything a resident may need. Amhurst’s singular townhouse complex, Lohman’s Amhurst, is a self-proclaimed “village in the city,” where lush greenery and a single entrance give it a secluded yet communal feel. With so much foliage, Amhurst has a life cycle with the seasons, the springs bright and green and the falls warm and cozy. The community was designed intentionally with ponds and park benches throughout, so it’s easy for residents to find a moment of peace. So residents can cool off in the summer, the complex has a seasonally open pool, and to stay active, residents can use its on-site tennis court. The neighborhood’s ‘80s-built townhouses are modest and unassuming, generally two stories with brown brick exteriors, but most have gone through interior renovations to accommodate modern lifestyles. Most units have fireplaces to keep cozy in the winter and patios to entertain outside in the summer. All units have two to three bedrooms, and prices range from $225,000 to $325,000. The St. Louis Park Public School District serves Amhurst. Students attend Aquila Elementary and St. Louis Park Middle School, which received Bs on the educational review site, Niche, followed by St. Louis Park High School, which received an A-minus and is best known for offering the International Baccalaureate program and for its award-winning student newspaper. Interested parents can apply to send their children to the district’s Park Spanish Immersion Elementary, where the curriculum is taught primarily in Spanish. Amhurst sits on the intersection of U.S. 169 and Highway 7, providing easy access to anywhere residents need to go. Because of its location alongside major highways, residents need cars to get around, or they can take the bus, which has a stop at the neighborhood’s entrance. Driving to downtown Minneapolis takes about 10 to 15 minutes, or residents can bike along the Cedar Lake Trail, a 4.5-mile paved trail with access points about a mile away from Amhurst. “The trail is a superhighway to downtown,” says Realtor Susan Melbye, who’s sold in the Twin Cities for 16 years. Residents can get to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in just under 30 minutes, and the nearest hospital to the neighborhood is Methodist Hospital, less than 10 minutes away. Though Amhurst offers plenty of outdoor space within the community, nearby parks provide additional recreation opportunities. Knollwood Green Park is a small green space with a playground, Aquila Park offers amenities like athletic fields and multi-use trails and Burnes Park is best known for its splash pad. Some residents join the Oak Ridge Country Club, which has golf and tennis, restaurants, a fitness center and a swimming pool. Right across U.S. 169 from Amhurst sits the shopping center of Knollwood Village, home to a Target, Dollar Tree and ALDI. Just beyond that, The Shoppes at Knollwood houses additional retailers like Nordstrom Rack, Kohl’s and a combined TJ Maxx and HomeGoods. Local restaurants in the area include El Lorito Mexican Grill, which serves acclaimed margaritas and fajitas; Pizza Luce, a Minneapolis-based chain; and Pub 819, a gastropub known for its whiskey selection. “One of the best fireworks shows in the Twin Cities is done right here at Aquila Park; a lot of people come from far away,” says local Realtor Gary Metchnek, who’s sold in the area for over 20 years. Each Fourth of July, the lawn fills with locals who go year after year in anticipation of the best fireworks show around. “If they grew up going there, they know what a great show it is.”

Widely considered one of the best Minnesota suburbs, the buzzy, forward-thinking city of St. Louis Park is home to nearly 50,000 residents. Aquila is one of the city's 35 distinct and diverse neighborhoods in the southwest corner of the community, with over 3,000 residents spread out over 23 residential blocks. "People want to live here because of proximity to the Chain of Lakes and Minneapolis," says Realtor Susan Melbye of Edina Realty. "There's a great system of bike trails so people can ride all around the neighborhood and even to downtown." Well-performing schools and access to in-town shopping only add to the draw of Aquila, which is evident in the limited supply of the neighborhood's homes. Though the top half of the neighborhood is heavily residential, Aquila is home to The Shoppes at Knollwood, one of the shopping centers that attract locals from the greater St. Louis Park area. The mall has many retailers – Kohl's, TJ Maxx Homegoods and Old Navy are among the stores. National food chains like Applebee's, Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee are also around the plaza. Across the creek, locals can stock up on groceries at Target or Aldi. Wok in the Park is a vibrant eatery specializing in Asian favorites and gluten-free options. Modern and airy, the vibe inside is cultivated with beautiful floral wall art and Asian lanterns. Angel Food Bakery & Coffee Bar is a sugary sweet standout known for serving up fancy donuts and top-notch baked goods in a light-filled location with walls of windows. Aquila has access to the best outdoor recreation in the region. "Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska are three of the city's most popular recreational lakes, and they're all nearby," says Realtor Gary Metchnek with Edina Realty. However, there are amenities closer to home in multiple nearby community parks. Aquila Park is one of the city's premiere gathering places in the summer. "One of the best fireworks shows in the Twin Cities is done here at Aquila Park," Metchnek says. "Many people come from far away to watch it." The park also offers baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts and a playground for young residents. For a scenic walk, Oak Hill Park in the neighboring town has walking trails that lead through wooded areas and surround soccer fields and a small pond. The real estate market in St. Louis Park is always hot, with a wide variety of homes suitable to most budgets. "It's traditionally a first-time homebuyer capital," Melbye says. "But people want to buy their second homes here too because people outgrow the 1940s rambler and still want to stick around for the schools." With under 1,000 homes, about half of which are single-family homes, Aquila has limited inventory. A few condos and multi-unit dwellings sell for under $250,000, but single-family houses make up the gridded residential streets of Aquila. They have small yards lined by trees and range from $300,000 to $450,000, with a few outliers on either end. Driveways lead to detached garages for many of the ranches and bungalows, and residents can enjoy a stroll under the tall trees shading the well-maintained sidewalks. Kids can start their education at the B-rated Aquila Elementary School. St. Louis Park Middle School is also rated a B and provides a wide variety of clubs and activities to keep kids engaged – quiz bowl, spelling bee, jazz band, math team and the synchronized swimming club are just a few. One of the best public high schools in the state, A-minus-rated St. Louis Park High School, focuses on career readiness to help kids plan for their futures. "I think my girls are as smart as they are because of the schools they went to," Melbye says. Residents can reach the entertainment of downtown Minneapolis in about 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Commuters can take one of the highways bordering Aquila or hop on a bus running along Texas Ave or West 36th Street. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 20 miles away, while the nearest hospital, Methodist Hospital, is under 3 miles southeast. Major shopping malls and a plethora of golf courses surround Aquila for additional shopping and recreation.

Luke Chase, a Realtor and lifelong Minnesota resident, says, "People living in Birchwood have looked at every other neighborhood in St. Louis Park, but they chose Birchwood because they happen to find what they're looking for here." With its proximity to downtown Minneapolis and Cedar Lake Regional Trail, it's not hard to see why residents choose to settle here. Homes start at $250,000 and go up to $800,000 for newly renovated properties. Chase explains why Birchwood is such a sought-after suburb: "You get a neighborhood feel, but you're virtually in the city, a stone's throw away. The location is just premium, in terms of proximity and what it's surrounded by." Bordered by major roads, Birchwood allows residents to hop on the highway and easily travel to many amenities, some of them urban and some further afield. Most houses in Birchwood are single-story units built during the 1950s. "They're on the smaller side," Chase says, "but what it does is keep the price range affordable, even though the demand for the location is high." Prices fall between $250,000 and $800,000, depending on the number of bedrooms and how new the home is. Ranch-style homes and bungalows are the most common style and feature a unique perk, according to Chase: Most of the houses in St. Louis Park have detached garages, but Birchwood homes feature a built-in garage. Children can begin their education at Peter Hobart Elementary School, rated B-minus by Niche. Residents also have the option of sending their children to Torah Academy, a private Jewish elementary school. Students can then continue on at St. Louis Park Middle School and St. Louis Park High School, rated B and A-minus by Niche, respectively. St. Louis Park High offers a college readiness program, internship opportunities and career advice. Birchwood features two parks: Sunshine and Birchwood Park. Sunshine Park is the smaller of the two but was recently remodeled, featuring a new playground and green space for various recreational activities. Birchwood Park comes with a warming house for cold weather, multiple sports fields, an ice rink, and an expansive meadow. It also contains a community garden, where residents can grow flowers and produce. The neighborhood doesn't have an overabundance of local businesses within it, but one highlight is Parkway Pizza, just outside Birchwood. Chase says, "Parkway Pizza is right across the street from Papa John's, but I can tell you between the two, Parkway Pizza is getting all the business." Birchwood is also one of the closest neighborhoods to The Shops at West End Plaza, a shopping center featuring trendy retail shops and restaurants. Residents go here for date night at restaurants like Rojo Mexican Grill, a favorite for their fun cocktails and Mexican food, or take-out from a big chain such as 5 Guys. West End is also where locals get groceries, as a Costco warehouse is located west of the center. Just under 2 miles away is Cedar Lake Regional Trail is, a paved 4.5-mile path that runs into downtown Minneapolis. Locals often use this trail to bike, walk, jog and commute to other areas of St. Louis Park. Birchwood is near four highways, the two major ones being Highway 100 and Interstate 394. Interstate 394 takes residents into downtown Minneapolis, about a 5.5-mile drive away. There are also public transportation options available, primarily in the form of bus stops along Minnetonka Boulevard.

In 2008, an old warehouse on the southwest corner of Interstate 394 and Highway 100 was torn down; the next year, The Shops at West End opened in the same spot. Conveniently located 4 miles from downtown Minneapolis, this bustling retail complex brought urban convenience to the suburb of Saint Louis Park and made its surrounding real estate especially coveted. "It's an ideal location," says local Realtor Kara Hoogeveen. The Blackstone neighborhood consists of The Shops at West End and its surrounding residential streets, which have maintained their quiet ambiance despite sharing their location with the area's largest shopping complex. Blackstone is home to The Shops at West End, an outdoor shopping mall with 39 unique shops and businesses. Designed to be equal parts social and practical, the center is equipped with late-night hangouts like the upscale sports bar Yard House and the bowling alley/bar Punch Bowl Social, as well as the daily essentials and big-box stores like Costco, The Home Depot and Cub for groceries. For cinephiles, the ShowPlace ICON Theatre & Kitchen, offers an innovative mix of menu items (ranging from donute bites to chicken tikka) to enjoy while watching your film, as well as featuring weekly specials like $5.50 tickets on Tuesdays. Blackstone's housing consists mostly of traditional-style townhouses and single-family homes, located along the residential streets surrounding The Shops at West End. For those looking for apartment options, modern complexes are also tucked into this multi-use shopping center. "Prices in the neighborhood are typically less than you'd expect, for something so close to Minneapolis," Hoogeveen says. "So it can be a great neighborhood for first-time homebuyers." The neighborhood's single-family homes are primarily cottages and ranch-styles and home values range from $250,000 to $400,000. Condo prices here land between $100,000 and $200,000, and townhouses can sell for $300,000 to $400,000. Despite being adjacent to a large retail complex, Blackstone's homes often include small lawns shaded by large trees, which helps the community to main its cozy residential feel. Students in Blackstone attend Peter Hobart Elementary, St. Louis Park Middle and St. Louis Park High School. Peter Hobart earns a B-minus on Niche, St. Louis Park Middle earns a B and St. Louis Park High earns an A-minus. St. Louis Park High has an International Baccalaureate (IB) program and is also the birthplace of Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR). BARR, a personalized education model that's been implemented in schools across the country, has reduced student failure rates by an average of 40% after one year of participation. For the littlest members of the household, parents can send their preschoolers to The Gardner School of St. Louis Park located within the neighborhood. Tucked away on a cul-de-sac, Blackstone Park lets families spend time outside together, enjoying its playground, picnic pavilion and basketball court. For others, the neighborhood's Life Time gym, a fee-based facility with an indoor track for runners who need to get through Minnesota's cold winters and golf simulators for those itching to practice their swing year-round. Blackstone is less than 3 miles from Cedar Lake, where sunny summer days are spent swimming, fishing and canoeing. "You have major highways surrounding and going through the neighborhood – Highway 100 on the east and I-394 on the north," says local Realtor Michael Kootsikas. "It's accessible, getting anywhere around town or getting to downtown is very easy." Blackstone sits 4 miles west of downtown Minneapolis; and due to its location along I-394, it often takes less than 10 minutes to get to and from the community. A bus ride from Blackstone takes about 15 minutes to get into downtown while those who prefer to bike should expect about a 25-minute trip along Wayzata Boulevard. The closest medical facility, Methodist Hospital, is also 4 miles away. While the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 16 miles away. The Shops at West End hosts a variety of ongoing events. Wednesday evenings are for the especially inquisitive who flock to The Local for Trivia Night, while those looking to relax head to The Loop for "Wine Down Wednesday's" half-price bottles. Summer Wednesdays get especially busy as The Shops at West End, as it hosts its Neon Night Market, a vendor fair with food trucks and live music. The West End Shuttle also provides free round-trip rides to Twins games in the summer, so Blackstone residents don't have to worry about parking. Blackstone's CAP Index crime score is a 6 out of 10, which is slightly higher than the national average of 4. Its highest scores are for property crimes, noting a score of 8 for burglary and 9's for larceny and motor vehicle theft.