Considering a Move to the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro Area? Here’s What You Should Know (2025)
Economy and Culture of the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro
Minneapolis–St. Paul is one of the Midwest’s strongest-performing metros, both economically and culturally. It's home to Fortune 500 headquarters like Target, 3M, General Mills, and UnitedHealth Group, and has become a magnet for healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and financial services. In recent years, startups and tech companies have carved out a presence too, aided by a strong talent pool from nearby universities.
The culture in Minneapolis has always been strong (this is the home of PRINCE!!!) This includes world-class institutions like the Walker Art Center and Guthrie Theater as well as grassroots music venues and an excellent food scene. Minneapolis has long been a progressive & creative city, while St. Paul leans historic and more traditional. Both cities share a strong biking culture and a commitment to green spaces. Few cities have as much pride in their lakes, parks, and very green neighborhoods.
How the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro Is Structured
This metro area is often referred to as the “Twin Cities,” but it includes a broad ring of suburbs and exurbs that differ widely in character and vibe. Here’s how it breaks down:
Minneapolis Proper – Urban, arts-driven, and diverse, with an edge and a strong sense of identity.
St. Paul Proper – Smaller, historic, and family-oriented, with deep neighborhood pride.
First-Ring Suburbs – Classic postwar towns like Edina and Roseville, known for stability and good schools.
Southwest Suburbs – Affluent, leafy, and full of top-tier school districts and retail centers.
Northern Suburbs – Affordable and practical, with a mix of older neighborhoods and newer development.
Southeast Suburbs – Growing, commuter-friendly, and popular with young families.
Western Exurbs – Semi-rural, more spread out, and a slower pace for those wanting land and space.
Dive into each subregion below to see what fits, or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched.
The Main Areas of the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro
Minneapolis Proper
Includes: North Loop, Uptown, Powderhorn, Northeast, Longfellow, Downtown
The Vibe: Creative, energetic, and eclectic.
Why It Works: Excellent public parks and lakes system and a very strong public transit (bus and light rail) system. It also is world-renowned for its dynamic arts and food scenes. Finally, it has a strong progressive culture that drives a deep community focus.
Watch Out For: Winters are no joke and they last a long time. While it's much cheaper than NYC or San Francisco housing costs are on the rise in popular neighborhoods. The city also has pockets of crime and uneven infrastructure investment.
Good Fit For: Young professionals, artists and musicians, civic-minded urban dwellers, bikers and runners
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis Proper
St. Paul Proper
Includes: Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, Como, Dayton’s Bluff, Downtown St. Paul
The Vibe: Quiet, historic, and neighborly.
Why It Works: St. Paul is more affordable than Minneapolis but has walkable historic districts and college campuses that give it some of that same intimate vibe. It clocks in as a very family-friendly city with tons of parks and libraries. Finally, families love the strong public school options.
Watch Out For: It's a smaller job market than Minneapolis, so if you want to work in the city, there's less opportunity. It's more conservative than its twin, so if that matters, consider that. Finally, the transit is less comprehensive, so harder to be car-free.
Good Fit For: Families, academics, older professionals, history lovers
->Explore a Deep Dive into St. Paul Proper
Southwest Suburbs
Includes: Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Chanhassen
The Vibe: Polished, suburban, and school-focused.
Why It Works: This area has highly ranked public schools and great rec programs, in and outside of schools. It's filled with upscale retail and restaurants and there are plenty of lakes, trails, and green space. Finally, there are major employers nearby (healthcare, tech, finance).
Watch Out For: There is very little urban edge, it's pure suburbia. It's expensive for Minnesota and a car is required for most errands.
Good Fit For: Families, high-income professionals, suburban lifestyle lovers, buyers prioritizing schools
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis Southwest Suburbs
First-Ring Suburbs
Includes: Edina, St. Louis Park, Roseville, Richfield
The Vibe: Convenient, stable, and practical.
Why It Works: It's an easy commute to either downtown. These are established neighborhoods with mature trees and landscaping. There is a good mix of home prices and housing types, and major shopping and entertainment hubs nearby.
Watch Out For: There is aging infrastructure in some areas, and the school quality can vary block to block. Property taxes are on the way up.
Good Fit For: Families, commuters, downsizers, long-term residents looking to stay near the core
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis First Ring Suburbs
Northern Suburbs
Includes: Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Blaine, Coon Rapids
The Vibe: Growing, diverse, and relatively affordable.
Why It Works: Here is where you find newer developments at lower price points. It's family-friendly with large parks and schools and lots of housing options, including townhomes and single-family. It also offers great freeway access to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Watch Out For: The area is very car-centric and commute times vary depending on congestion. Some of the newer neighborhoods can lack character (give it some time!).
Good Fit For: First-time homebuyers, growing families, value-focused buyers, remote workers who want more space
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis Northern Suburbs
Southeast Suburbs
Includes: Eagan, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Inver Grove Heights
The Vibe: Quiet, residential, and polished.
Why It Works: These 'burbs have strong school districts and safe communities and families appreciate the green-filled neighborhoods and great parks and trail systems. Finally they're in close proximity to the airport and major employers.
Watch Out For: It's not walkable in most areas and feels disconnected from the downtown cores.
There are fewer cultural/entertainment options.
Good Fit For: Commuters, young families, Airport/Delta employees, buyers seeking planned neighborhoods
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis Southeast Suburbs
Western Exurbs
Includes: Delano, Waconia, Buffalo, Rogers
The Vibe: Quiet, semi-rural, small-town adjacent.
Why It Works: The homes come with more land and more privacy. They're also less pricey per square foot. The cities have a slower pace and strong community networks and the schools are mostly solid and community-centered.
Watch Out For: The commutes to city jobs are long and there is minimal transit or walkability. There are fewer amenities or cultural outlets.
Good Fit For: Remote workers, retirees, nature lovers, families wanting a slower pace
->Explore a Deep Dive into Minneapolis Western Exurbs
TL;DR – Where to Live in the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro
Subregion------------------------Best For
- Minneapolis Proper-----------------Artists, professionals, urban lifestyle seekers
- St. Paul Proper---------------------Families, academics, lovers of historic neighborhoods
- Southwest Suburbs----------------High-income professionals, school-first families
- First-Ring Suburbs-----------------Commuters, long-time locals, downsizers
- Northern Suburbs------------------First-time buyers, remote workers, growing families
- Southeast Suburbs-----------------Young families, airport workers, safety-focused buyers
- Western Exurbs--------------------Remote workers, buyers wanting land, small-town seekers
We highly recommend you dive into the sub-areas linked to each section here or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched with the city that matches you best. Good luck!
FAQs: Moving to the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro
Q: What’s the biggest difference between Minneapolis and St. Paul?
A: Minneapolis is larger, more modern, and more progressive. St. Paul is quieter, more historic, and more neighborhood-based. Both offer strong livability but appeal to different personalities.
Q: How bad are the winters, really?
A: They're long, cold, and snowy — but the region is built for it. The cities keep roads clear, homes are well-insulated, and locals embrace winter sports and cozy culture.
Q: Is the Twin Cities metro bike-friendly?
A: Yes. Minneapolis is consistently ranked as one of the most bikeable cities in the U.S. with protected bike lanes, trails, and a strong bike commuter culture.
Q: What industries dominate the metro area?
A: Healthcare, retail headquarters, advanced manufacturing, finance, education, and a growing tech scene.
Q: Is this a good place to raise a family?
A: Absolutely. Many suburbs have top-ranked schools, excellent park systems, and safe neighborhoods. Even the urban core has family-friendly areas.
Still searching?
Save your favorite cities and neighborhoods in a Movebook, or take the LookyLOO quiz to see which areas match your lifestyle best.