Thinking about moving to the Minneapolis area? There are a variety of suburbs near Minneapolis with parks, trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities—in addition to fantastic schools and fun community events. Here are the five best suburbs in Minneapolis!
| Neighborhood | Eden Prairie | Edina | Lakeville | Minnetonka | Plymouth |
| Safer than % of State Cities | 53% | 37% | 67% | 44% | 58% |
| Median Home Price | $374,700 | $501,400 | $325,400 | $362,100 | $368,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,442 | $1,464 | $1,467 | $1,418 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
Eden Prairie
A large suburb southwest of Minneapolis, Eden Prairie has affordable homes ranging from classic single-family ranches to sizable two-story homes—plus, this area offers plenty of things to do for every age and lifestyle! Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of its 10,000 acres of parkland—whether that’s with a peaceful hike through the Edenbrook Conservation Area or a fun summer day on the splash pad at Round Lake Park. There’s also the Eden Prairie Community Center, which families love for the Group Outings for Kids and the Prairie Play Zone, while adults appreciate its state-of-the-art fitness and aquatic facilities. To top it all off, this Minneapolis suburb is home to the Eden Prairie Campus of Hennepin Technical College, so students get the benefit of a convenient commute.
Things to Do in Eden Prairie
Experience living history with costumed guides to see what life was like in the Minnesota River Valley during the 1800s at The Landing-MN River Heritage Park. Venture just past the southern border of Eden Prairie to find fun for all ages on the rides at Valleyfair Amusement Park. Play basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more on the turf or courts at Champions Hall Sports & Event Center. Explore 170 acres of wildlife and nature, play on the disc golf course, or go swimming at Bryant Lake Regional Park. Eat Greek food like the Athena Gyro, Lamb Kabab Sandwich, and Beef Kafta Platter at The Greek Grill & Fry Co. Try the wide variety of arepas, including the Pabellon, Pelua, or Catira at TequeArepa. Enjoy Italian pizza and pasta entrees like the Baked Rigatoni, House Special Pizza, or Peter & Jodi Pizza at Detello’s Pizza & Pasta. Or experience “Famous Hamburgers” like the California, California Cheese, or Bacon Cheese at Lions Tap, a popular Eden Prairie restaurant.
Edina
Edina stands out as one of the best Minneapolis suburbs, offering housing options ranging from maintained classic estates to stunning new construction and luxury townhomes, all set on picturesque, tree-lined streets. Residents can enjoy a vibrant, community lifestyle centered on amenities like Centennial Lakes Park, with year-round activities like skating and lawn bowling, and the nearby Edina Aquatic Center. The Edina Community Center provides valuable youth programs and excellent fitness facilities for adults. Edina also offers the renowned shopping and dining district of 50th & France, with high-end boutiques and local eateries.
Things to Do in Edina
Browse an upscale, curated retail experience with luxury brands like Coach, Free People, William Sonoma, and more at the Galleria Edina. Hit the links, play ice hockey, or enjoy the athletic facilities at the vast Braemar Arena and Braemar Golf Course. Want to visit some of the best Minneapolis lakes? Go paddleboarding, biking, or fishing at the iconic Chain of Lakes, including Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, just a short drive north of Edina. Savor fresh offerings like the Kohara Bowl, the Kraken, or the Heatwave at Pokewave. Delight in Sweet Corn Ribs or a Beer Cheese Philly paired with a Clouds Marshmallow Sour or Kold Shoulder at Wooden Hill Taproom & Kitchen. Try traditional items like the Starling Wings or get adventurous with globally-inspired dishes like Butter Chicken Tacos or Mushroom Yakisoba at Starling. Or enjoy a Steak Sandwich, Steamed Buns, and a Basque Cheesecake at Coalition in the 50th & France neighborhood.
Lakeville
South of the Twin Cities, Lakeville is a highly desirable community that successfully blends small-town charm with suburban convenience, offering an inviting blend of ranch-style homes. Families benefit from the highly regarded Lakeville Public Schools system, with quality schools like Century Middle School and Lakeville North High School—as well as live theater events, a community band, and workshops for all ages at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Residents also enjoy an active lifestyle supported by extensive green spaces like Antlers Park—which is right next to the water and provides fun swimming and fishing opportunities for locals.
Things to Do in Lakeville
Explore the sunflower field, hop on the Jumping Pillow, enjoy seasonal events, and of course, pick apples with the family at Applewood Orchard. Make the short drive just outside Lakeville to ski, snowboard, and snowtube at Buck Hill Resort. Get hands-on coaching to learn the basics of curling at the Dakota Curling Club. Go swimming, kayaking, or fishing at Lake Marion. Let the kids get wild in the 5,200-square-foot, jungle-inspired indoor playground space at Wild Things. Start your Sunday with a Cinnamon Roll Skillet or Hot Fried Chicken Benedict at Barley and Vine. Chow down Hawaiian Fajitas, Teresa’s Carne Asada, or Quesabirria at Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant. Pair a Saffron Cream Risotto or After Dark Burger with a Pistachio Russian or Clover Club cocktail at The Better Half. Sip locally brewed beers like a Yawntalk Piña Colada Sour, Alternative Medicine, or Nightshift Coffee Amber Lager at Lakeville Brewing Company.
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Minnetonka
Minnetonka is a large, quiet, and safe Minneapolis suburb that’s a great place to raise a family! Highly-rated Minnetonka Public Schools like Clear Springs Elementary School are close by, as well as beautiful Minnetonka parks like Purgatory Community Preserve and Meadow Neighborhood Park and Community Preserve. Fitness buffs looking for the best places to live near Minneapolis will also love this suburb, as it’s home to the city-run Williston Fitness Center—offering a variety of courts, classes, and amenities! If you’re ready to start looking for Minneapolis homes in Minnetonka to put down roots, you’ll find Colonials, ranches, bungalows, and more.
Things to Do in Minnetonka
Go for a casual round of nine holes or attend the golf academy at Glen Lake Golf & Practice Center. Sign up for Skating Lessons, Developmental Figure Skating, or Adult Open Hockey at the Minnetonka Ice Arena. Get your Minnetonka shopping fix at stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Apple, and Buckle at the Ridgedale Center. Have a picnic, go swimming, or fish for walleye, bluegill, bass, and more at Libbs Lake Beach Park. Try the Sunflower Brussels, Bleu Fig Burger, or Apple and Brie Chicken Sandwich at Duke’s on 7, a dog-friendly Minnetonka restaurant that serves visiting pups dishes like Muttloaf, Boxer Bites, and more. Sample a Southwest Chicken Panini, Turkey Focaccia, and Szechuan Salmon at Yum! Kitchen and Bakery. Catch the Minnesota Vikings (NFL) game as you enjoy a Southwest Bowl, Pot Roast Sliders, or California Chicken at Scoreboard Bar & Grill. Or indulge in Sweet Beef, Chorizo, and Caprese empanadas at DelSur Empanadas, the first Argentinian empanada restaurant in the Twin Cities.
Plymouth
As a nature-lover’s paradise, the Plymouth suburb is one of the best places to live near Minneapolis! This suburb is centered around the expansive Medicine Lake, which provides great fishing and swimming opportunities in the summer. In addition, you can find amazing parks near Minneapolis like Clifton E. French Regional Park and Bass Lake Playfield, as well as the trailhead for the Luce Line State Trail. If you want to spend outdoor time with your furry friend, Plymouth Dog Park and 4 Paws Dog Park are great off-leash dog park options! Families with kids also love Plymouth’s proximity to the Wayzata Public School District, which includes top-rated schools like Wayzata Meadow Ridge Elementary School and Wayzata High School. If you’re ready to rent or buy a home in this Minneapolis suburb, you’ll find plenty of Tudor, Craftsman, and ranch-style options at affordable price points.
Things to Do in Plymouth
Check out the art gallery, walk through the Millennium Garden, or let your kids loose on the indoor playground in the Plymouth Community Center. Go bowling or attend concerts from a variety of local and national artists and tribute bands at the Medina Entertainment Center. Hone your skills on the ice during an Open Skate or Open Hockey session at the Plymouth Ice Center. Book a tee time for one of the two nine-hole courses at Eagle Lake Golf, cross-country ski in the winter, or bike the trails in the summer at Eagle Lake Regional Park. Sample the Bourbon BBQ wings, Mahi Tacos, or Five Cheese Mac at Rock Elm Tavern. Get homestyle cooking with comforting dishes like the Roasted Herb Chicken, Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta, or Italian Meatball at Creekside Cafe. For Thai food in Plymouth, order Pad Mee Luang-Lo Mein, Stir-Fried Fresh Ginger, and Pad Prig Bai Kra Prao at Thai Table. Or end your night at an authentic Irish bar and restaurant in Plymouth, with dinners like Wild Mushroom Risotto, Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs, and Lakeland Walleye at Kip’s Irish Pub.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
The goal of Extra Space Storage’s Best Places to Live selections is to help diverse audiences at varying stages of life make informed decisions about where to live. To provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area, we consider factors like cost of living, job market, local attractions, education, and more. Learn more about our methodology today.
