$588,925Average Value$233Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Scandia is an historic town in the rural expanse north of St. Paul
Scandia is a rural town surrounded by forests, lakes, rivers and farmland. Dating back to the mid-1800s, it was Minnesota’s first Swedish settlement, populated by immigrants who came to the St. Croix River via New York City. Today, remnants of the town’s heritage can be seen in its historic architecture and rustic farmhouses adorned with distinctive barn quilts. The town is located at the northern edge of the Twin Cities metro area, just west of the Wisconsin border, about 35 miles from St. Paul. “It’s a quaint little town. It’s very rural and peaceful. The lakes out there are a big draw for people, especially Big Marine Lake,” says Realtor Bonnie Olmschenk of Re/Max Synergy, who has been working in the greater St. Paul area for more than 30 years.
Lakes, rivers and forest parks are a major draw for residents and visitors
Big Marine Lake is known for its clear water and lush scenery. It’s a popular spot for boating, hiking and swimming during the summer months. It’s also a hotspot for fishing, with an abundance of largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and bluegill. Also nearby is the St. Croix River, which offers plenty of places to camp, hike and boat. Log House Landing, one of several river access points, is where Swedish settlers first arrived in Scandia in 1850. “It’s a protected, national riverway with a lot of trails for hiking, biking and horse riding,” Olmschenk says. William O’Brien State Park sits alongside the river’s edge with hiking trails that wind through the forested hills. In the winter, it’s popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Those interested in the area’s history can pay a visit to the Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, an 11-acre, open-air museum celebrating the town’s Swedish roots.
Scandia offers a mix of homes on large, rural properties
Housing options in Scandia span a broad spectrum. Some homes and farmhouses date back to the 19th and early-20th century, but there are also newer cottages, cabins and ranch-style homes available. Sprawling, luxury properties can be found around the shores of Big Marine Lake. Lot sizes are typically an acre or more, offering plenty of privacy for residents. Idyllic surroundings are common here with living room windows often looking out across rolling hills, forests and trickling streams. “You get a lot of acreage and a lot of privacy,” Olmschenk says. Prices range from around $500,000 to upward of $3 million depending on size, age and acreage.
There are a handful of restaurants and shops in town
Meister’s Bar & Grill, a long-running eatery that’s been in Scandia since 1959, is a local favorite for burgers, fries and beer. Right up the street, New Scandia Café brings residents in for down-home breakfast and lunch fare. The town’s dining options are rounded out by Ozark Tavern and Scandia Pizzeria. Snacks, gasoline and everyday goods are found at the Scandia Country Store. For everything else, it’s about 11 miles to Forest Lake, which has a Walmart, Target, Home Depot and a Menards grocery store.
Students can attend the recently renovated Scandia Elementary School
Students can start their education close to home at Scandia Elementary School, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche. The elementary school recently finished a major renovation that modernized its classrooms and added two new buildings and a new playground. The next steps are B-minus-rated Forest Lake Area Middle School and B-rated Forest Lake Area High School. The high school is known for its award-winning Nordic and alpine skiing programs, which have won multiple state championships, most recently in 2021.
Forest Lake Area High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Forest Lake Area Middle School serves students in 7th and 8th grade.
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Locals are within commuting distance of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Scandia is in a remote area, so residents will need a car to get around. The nearest highway, Interstate 35, is about 12 miles away. Residents are within commuting distance of the Twin Cities — it’s 35 miles to St. Paul and 40 miles to downtown Minneapolis. Lakeview Hospital is the nearest medical center, about 18 miles south. Those who need to travel by air can catch a flight out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, about 40 miles away.
The Miinneapolis St. Paul Airport serves the Twin Cities metro area and the greater Minnesota area.
Lakeview Hospital is located in Stillwater and is about 18 miles south of Scandia.
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Written By
Daniel Berti
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Reach out to
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On average, homes in Scandia, MN sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 51 days. The median sale price for homes in Scandia, MN over the last 12 months is $540,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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