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Best Neighborhoods in Minneapolis for Singles & Young Professionals in 2025

Read Time: 8 min read

Thinking about living in Minneapolis? One of the best cities for singles and young professionals alike, the Twin City counterpart to St. Paul is renowned for its park system, bikeability, abundance of breweries and restaurants, and more. Here are the best Minneapolis neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!

Neighborhood Downtown West Loring Park North Loop Uptown Whittier
Safer Than % of the City 30% 0% 0% 44% 26%
Median Home Price $240,550 $256,333 $351,457 $509,067 $265,111
Median Rent Price $1,279 $974 $1,627 $1,231 $992
Median Age 35.0 38.5 30.2 33.9 28.6

Downtown West

Downtown West is the city’s business district, which means residents are in close proximity to an abundance of job opportunities and entertainment—making it a lively and attractive neighborhood for singles and young professionals. This area is one of the most walkable and bikeable neighborhoods in Minneapolis, providing various ways to frequent its many restaurants, bars, theaters, and entertainment venues like First Avenue. Downtown West also has a wide selection of public transportation options, from Metro Transit to the Minneapolis Skyway System, so you can easily commute all over the neighborhood and city. Plus, Downtown West residents can live comfortably in the neighborhood’s many high-rise apartments and condos, with the added benefit of being close to vibrant nightlife!

Things to Do in Downtown West

Listen to the Minnesota Orchestra perform music from composers like John Williams, classic holiday movies like Elf, and bands like The Beatles at Orchestra Hall. See comedy shows like Ben Schwartz & Friends, Broadway performances such as Some Like It Hot, and live concerts like Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre. Dance the night away, sip a craft cocktail, and snack on seafood bites at The Exchange & Alibi Lounge. Rock out to live music from DJs like SABAI, Angrybaby, and Soltan at The Loft at Skyway Theatre—one of Minneapolis’ exclusive music venues. Start your day with a Southern Waffle, Corned Beef Hash, or a Chorizo Breakfast Bowl at Hen House Eatery. Sample classic Indian cuisine like Chicken Pakora, Paneer Chili, and Vegetable Samosa at Dancing Ganesha. Try Kimchi Ramen, Tofu Curry, or the Japanese Potato Salad at Zen Box Izakaya. Or experience an authentic Indigenous meal with friends at Owamni, which offers seasonally-changing menu items like Elk Poyha, Marichou, Dry Aged Bison Ribeye, and more.

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Loring Park

The neighborhood of Loring Park offers the best of both worlds for young professionals—close proximity to the city center with enough green space and walkability to make it feel suburban. Residents appreciate quick commutes to Downtown and Uptown Minneapolis for employment and networking. The neighborhood itself offers a strong community feel, with local events like the Loring Park Art Festival and big events like the Twin Cities Con at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It’s also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods in Minneapolis, home to gay-friendly bars and organizations like Twin Cities Pride that make it a welcoming area for all. And with budget-friendly apartments, condos, and townhomes, as well as close proximity to Minneapolis College, Loring Park is perfect for students looking for convenience and affordability!

Things to Do in Loring Park

See world-class art exhibits, performing arts events like No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden—one of the country’s largest urban sculpture parks—at Walker Art Center. Hike and fish at Loring Lake, attend events like the Twin Cities Pride Festival, or skate on the ice rink at neighborhood namesake, Loring Park. Browse your favorite comics or play tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons with friends at Level Up Games Minneapolis. Attend a karaoke night, have a game night with friends, or check out a drag show at Roxy’s Cabaret. Grab breakfast dishes like the Mexican Skillet, Country Benedict, or Breakfast Tacos at Eggy’s Diner. Order classic dishes like Miso Sea Bass, Korean Barbecue Salmon, and Roasted Amish Chicken at Cafe Lurcat. Try traditional Vietnamese cuisine with Banh Mi Sandwiches, Com Ga, and Chow Fun at LOTUS Restaurant Minneapolis. Or enjoy rotating brews like The Minneapolitan IPA, Brunswick Black Lager, and The Original Limelight Factory with friends at local Minneapolis brewery, Bruhaven Craft Co.

North Loop

The North Loop—also known as the Warehouse District—is one of the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis for singles and young professionals because of its eclectic bars, great shopping, and startup scene. True to its nickname, this Minneapolis neighborhood has warehouses converted into apartments, lofts, and business spaces, giving the area an industrial feel with both affordable housing options and high-end apartments. North Loop features parks and trails along the Mississippi River and close proximity to the Minneapolis Farmers Market, making it perfect for residents who enjoy spending time outdoors. North Loop’s location near Downtown Minneapolis also means commuting is quick and easy for young professionals. Plus, if you’re looking for other fun things to do in Minneapolis, the Blue Line of the Metro light rail starts at Target Field and goes all the way to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport—meaning The Mall of America and other Twin Cities attractions are just a short trip away!

Things to Do in North Loop

Catch a Minnesota Twins (MLB) game at Target Field or cheer on the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) at Target Center. Get tickets to see shows like Impressions, Bonnie & Clyde, and more at performing arts venue, the Luminary Arts Center. Have a laugh with headliners like Josh Johnson, Judy Gold, and Nate Abshire at Acme Comedy Company. Choose from a wide selection of art, literature, and fantasy books at James & Mary Laurie Booksellers, a used bookstore with over 120,000 books! Grab a table and try Italian dishes like Gnocchi W/Cauliflower & Orange, Red Wine Spaghetti W/Pine Nuts, or Branzino at Bar La Grassa. Enjoy seasonally-changing French dishes like Parisian Ceviche, the Oui Burger, or Bone Marrow & Duck Confit at Maison Margaux. Make a reservation for entrees like Spaghetti Nero, Alaskan Halibut, and Dry-Aged Duck Breast at Spoon and Stable. Or sample some delicious rotating beers like the Lonely Blonde, Hop Kingdom 300, and Sweet Child of Vine IPA at a favorite North Loop brewery, Fulton Beer.

Uptown

Bordering the Chain of Lakes Regional Park, Uptown is a hip area where Minneapolis singles and young professionals can go paddling on Bde Maka Ska Lake by day and sip a rooftop happy hour cocktail by night. Uptown’s Hennepin Ave and Lake Street boast a wide variety of restaurants and bars to explore, in addition to exciting events like the annual Uptown Art Fair—a staple community event for 60 years! Residents will never run out of fun things to do in Uptown, from attending the summer concert series at nearby Bryant Square Park to taking advantage of the multiple trails throughout the area. Uptown is also extremely walkable and bikeable, and the close proximity of grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-city amenities means running errands without a car is a breeze. When you combine these benefits with the neighborhood’s young population and diverse housing options—from an abundance of rental properties to American Foursquare and Craftsman-style houses—it’s no wonder Uptown is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Minneapolis for singles and young professionals.

Things to Do in Uptown

Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or pedal boat from Wheel Fun Rentals for a leisurely day on the lake in Bde Maka Ska Park. Pedal along the Chain of Lakes Loop—or hop on the Midtown Greenway to travel anywhere in the city! Tour the Prairie School-style historic Purcell-Cutts House near the Lake of the Isles. Browse the massive array of books—ranging from graphic novels to history books—at Magers & Quinn Booksellers. Catch up with friends over breakfast and enjoy Corned Beef Hash, Spicy Cajun Benedict, or Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes at The New Uptown Cafe. Eat dishes like Lamb Chop, Steak Helene, and Sweet Corn Risotto at French-inspired bistro, Barbette. See why The Lowry is a local staple, with over 30 beers on tap and an expansive food menu—including Fresh Red Lake Walleye, Steak & Pierogies, Lemongrass Thai Chicken, and more. Or chow down the Poke Nachos, Misoyaki Salmon, and Korean Gochujang Smoked Chicken Wings at Lake & Irving.

Whittier

Named after 19th-century poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier and settled in the 1800s, Whittier is a charming neighborhood filled with Victorian homes as well as budget-friendly modern apartments and single-family houses. It’s also home to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design—and with Nicollet Avenue, AKA “Eat Street“, providing an accessible and amazing food scene—Whittier is an ideal place for students to live in Minneapolis. This safe and affordable Minneapolis neighborhood has been supported for more than 40 years by the Whittier Alliance, which hosts local community events like the Community Engagement Dinner for residents. And with plenty of green spaces like Soo Line Community Garden, Washburn Fair Oaks Park, and the neighborhood’s namesake, Whittier Park, it’s easy to see why Whittier is one of the best places to live in Minneapolis!

Things to Do in Whittier

Take advantage of free admission and explore a world-class art museum with an incredible collection—ranging from sculptures to photography—at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Enjoy rock climbing with friends and scale three different areas of bouldering walls, or join a yoga class at Vertical Endeavors. Listen to live music or attend a karaoke night while snacking on Nacho Fries at Uptown VFW. Visit Cheapo Discs, a consignment music store offering everything from vinyl records and CDs to merch and equipment. Order Chicago Style Vienna Hot Dogs, a Double Cheese Heggies Pizza, or a Mushroom Swiss Burger with drinks at the CC Club—a throwback bar that’s been serving residents since its inception as the CC Tavern in 1933. Munch on traditional Vietnamese dishes like Com Suong, Banh Hoi Nem Nuong, or Bun Bo Hue at Quang Restaurant. Make a stop at Little Tijuana—also known as “Little T’s”—to enjoy a Scallion Pancake Wrap, Fried Chicken Sando, or Mapo Rigatoni. Or treat yourself to dessert with one-of-a-kind donuts like the Coffee Cake, Dark Angel, or Pecan Scotchie at Glam Doll Donuts.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

Mike Beutler

About Mike Beutler

Mike Beutler is a writer and digital content specialist who transitioned to self storage in 2020 after several years in the airline industry. His travels cultivated a passion for exploring cities across the U.S. and abroad and inspired him to learn more about practical insights for urban living. With 14 moves under his belt, both locally and cross-country, he also has a passion for minimalism and organization, and sharing tips to help others make any space feel like home while staying organized.