62,905
Population
Sunny Days: 192
90100 Affordability
100100 Schools
70100 Diversity
100100 Safety
Living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
EP
Eden Prairie Aerial
Eden Prairie Lake Lifestyle
Eden Prairie, Summer Arts & Entertainment
Eden Prairie Community Band
LookyLOO Review of Living in Eden Prairie, MN
Eden Prairie, located just southwest of Minneapolis, is one of the largest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro, with a population of about 65,000. Well-known and prized for A+ schools and high safety ratings, this is one of the most family-friendly cities in the area. It is featured on the LookyLOO Guide to Family-Friendly Cities in the U.S.. Some of this reputation also comes from the amazing, abundant green spaces the city has developed and preserved. Eden Prairie regularly appears on national “Best Places to Live” lists. It offers suburban comfort with quick access to both the city of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Lifestyle in Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie is a nifty blend of family-friendly suburban living and serious access to nature. The city maintains more than 1,000 acres of parkland, 170 miles of trails, and 17 lakes, making outdoor recreation central to daily life. Residents spend weekends biking, hiking, or boating while also enjoying shopping and dining at Eden Prairie Center and nearby retail corridors.
The vibe is safe and community-oriented. Many neighborhoods are anchored by schools and parks, and the city organizes youth sports, arts programs, and seasonal festivals that bring families together.
To see what locals do for fun, check out the Eden Prairie Calendar of Events.
We highly recommend visiting Eden Prairie and staying in the community at a VRBO instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our partnership with Expedia.
Worklife in Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie is more than a bedroom community; it’s also a major job center. The city is home to Fortune 500 headquarters like C.H. Robinson and large employers like Optum (part of UnitedHealth Group). This local job base reduces commute times for many residents.
For those working in downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, commutes average 20–30 minutes by car. The upcoming Southwest Light Rail Transit extension will add rail service to Eden Prairie, improving long-term connectivity to the metro core.
Schools in Eden Prairie
The Eden Prairie School District (ISD 272) is consistently ranked among Minnesota’s best.
Eden Prairie High School is the largest in the state, and both the high school and the district receive an A+ from Niche, with excellent academics and standout athletics (notably football and hockey).
Elementary schools like Prairie View, Forest Hills, and Oak Point are also highly rated, with strong parent reviews for academic and extracurricular balance.
The district emphasizes both STEM and arts, offering specialized programs to engage a wide range of student interests.
Private school options, including The International School of Minnesota, add to the city’s reputation as an education hub.
Reviews of Living in Eden Prairie from Locals
8wanderlust8
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉
I can’t speak to the others, because I haven’t lived there, but we live in Eden Prairie and your wish list sounds like Eden Prairie.
We live on the north end (about a mile from EPHS/Community Ctr/Round Lake) and we have a city bike path literally across the street from us. From there, we can connect all across EP, or hit the LRT one block away and it’s an easy bike ride into Hopkins. We are members at the community center and it’s a great value.
Fat Pants is good for a local brewery, we’re close to Unmapped in Minnetonka, and there are a few others between EP, Chan, and even over in Shakopee.
Schools are great (we have kids in HS, MS, and elementary) and really diverse - kind of unexpected for a suburb. The park system is amazing - we have 4 parks within a mile of us, including one right across the street. I read somewhere that EP’s goal was to make sure every residence was within a half mile of at least one park, and they seem to have accomplished that. Staring Lake is my favorite park to run - especially the back side - it’s wooded and very pretty.
We have some swimming beaches, but Round Lake is gross (really nice park in general - just don’t swim there) - we enjoy Riley and Bryant, or Lake Ann or Minnewashta in Chanhassen for swimming. I personally really like the city-managed conservation areas. We have something like a half dozen with some nice nature/hiking trails - they’re gems and right here in town.
For more reviews of what living in Eden Prairie is like from locals, check out The Reviews. https://lookyloomove.com/locations/eden-prairie/reviews
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Living in Eden Prairie
Neighborhoods in Eden Prairie
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Purgatory Creek Park / Central Eden Prairie Areas
Families wanting convenience and central amenities.
The Vibe:
This area is the center of the city with the easiest access to shopping and dining in the city. Also convenient for commutes to most of the school choices. Families enjoy the immediate access to Purgatory Creek Park.
The Schools:
Housing:
Mix of townhomes and single-family homes, $350K–$650K.
Good Fit For: Families wanting convenience and central amenities.