Western Hazel Park Home for Rent

Western Hazel Park is a small community in the Greater East Side of St. Paul. “It’s very family friendly — there’s not a lot of nightlife, but there are good parks that people can walk to,” says Mai Vang, a Realtor with eXp Realty, who has lived in St. Paul for more than 30 years. Relatively low housing prices are a draw for some buyers. Vang says that Hmong, Karen, Latino and other cultures often choose the community because they can be close to their network of friends and family. Nearby international markets also provide access to familiar ingredients. Mature maples and oaks shade the community’s gently sloping streets. Some homes rest behind brick retaining walls or atop mounded, grassy yards. Fenced backyards and small sheds or single-car garages line the alleyways. Though a few houses date back to the 1890s, most were built between the early 1900s and the 1970s. “Bungalows are relatively common, and there are some 1970s split-entry houses," Vang says. "There’s not much newer construction, because most of the community is already densely developed.” Listings generally range from $135,000 to $325,000. In greater St. Paul, the overall median housing price is around $325,000.