Watertown is a rural village surrounded by forests and farmland
The South Fork of the Crow River meanders through rural Watertown, a village of around 4,700 residents about 31 miles west of Minneapolis. The town has a rustic downtown district surrounded by quiet residential streets that extend out into the Minnesota countryside. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with the riverine activities, lakes and plenty of trails nearby. “I ride my motorcycle out there and it’s really scenic as you’re coming into town. It has an old, surviving Main Street that runs right alongside the river. It’s an oldtown atmosphere but you’re not too far from the big city,” says Donald Anderson, broker with Applewood Realty, a longtime area resident of the Twin Cities metro.
Residents are close to rivers, lakes, parks and forests
Community parks and paths are woven into the landscape of Watertown. Several trails skirt the river’s edge, including the Luce Line State Trail, which runs for 63 miles between the towns of Cosmos and Plymouth. It’s a popular spot for biking, jogging and walking in the warm weather months, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The Crow River is a well-known fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding destination, and there’s an access point in Watertown, just a few blocks from downtown. “There are a lot of trails out there, and you’ll see a lot of people fishing on the river during the spring and summer,” Anderson says. There are more than a half-dozen public parks that offer a variety of baseball diamonds, off-leash dog areas, playgrounds, disc golf and soccer fields.
Students attend well-rated public schools
Students can attend well-rated public schools in the town. They start at Watertown-Mayer Elementary School before moving on to Watertown-Mayer Middle School and Watertown-Mayer High School. All three schools earn B-plus ratings from Niche. The Watertown-Mayer Public School District is rated the 25th best school district in Minnesota by Niche, earning high marks for its clubs, activities, academics and teachers.
Downtown Watertown has a handful of shops, restaurants and specialty stores
Watertown has a walkable downtown district where streetlamps are adorned with American flags and streets are dotted with restaurants, shops and specialty stores. The Crow River and the Luce Line State Trail run right behind the district. Riverside Bar & Restaurant is a local watering hole that serves wings, burgers, fries and beer until 2 a.m. most evenings. There’s also La Catrina Restaurante & Bar for Mexican classics like tacos, burritos and enchiladas. Residents can pick up their morning cup of coffee and a pastry at Elephant Joe’s Coffee. Marketplace Foods, locally owned and operated, is the go-to for groceries and everyday goods. The district is rounded out by a local pharmacy, a bookstore, a home goods store and a florist.
Homebuyers can explore new and vintage style homes
There are some older homes in Watertown dating back to the early- and mid-20th century, including ranch styles, Traditional homes and cottages. Newer subdivisions are found here, typically on the outskirts of town, with spacious, modern homes built in the last 30 years. “There’s a lot of new housing in Watertown, and there’s some ongoing construction,” Anderson says. Streets are quiet and free of through-traffic, so residents can feel safe walking or biking around town. Prices range from around $380,000 to $550,000, depending on the size and age of the home. Flooding may be an issue for residents who live close to the river, especially during the late winter and early spring as snow begins to melt and rainfall becomes more frequent.
Getting around the Minnesota countryside
Watertown residents will likely need a vehicle to get around as there is no public transportation in the town. County Road 20 takes residents east to the Twin Cities — it’s about 31 miles to Downtown Minneapolis, or about 40 minutes without traffic. Methodist Hospital is the nearest major medical center, about 28 miles away in the city of St. Louis Park. Residents can catch a flight out of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about 42 miles away.
