Thinking about moving to Minneapolis? Renowned for its park system, bikeability, and abundance of breweries and restaurants, the Twin City counterpart to St. Paul is one of the best cities for singles and young professionals. Here are the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis for singles and young professionals!
Linden Hills
Photo via @joshzuehlkerealtor
- Home Price: $401,727 median purchase price; $946 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 98% of Minneapolis neighborhoods
Located in Southwest Minneapolis, Linden Hills is a quiet neighborhood nestled between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun). In addition to boating and beach fun, this Minneapolis neighborhood offers plenty of green space, fun activities in the bandshell, and lots of trails to explore. As one of the safest, most affordable neighborhoods in Minneapolis, Linden Hills also provides a range of housing options—from bungalows and cottages to vintage apartments and modern townhomes–perfect for singles and young professionals living in the Twin Cities.
Things to Do in Linden Hills
Attend a free live concert or movie showings at the castle-inspired Bandshell, or walk the 2.75-mile paved trail around the lake in Lake Harriet Park in summer. Visit the Minnesota Streetcar Museum for a trip back in time to see eight historic streetcars—you can even book a ride on the Como-Harriet line! Explore the Wild Rumpus independent bookstore for a gold mine of delightful books that will charm patrons of all ages. Shop Tibetan Buddhist art, jewelry, home goods, and more 30-year-strong, locally-owned Heart of Tibet & Sky Door. Start your day with neighborhood coffee blends like Dark Dancer, Trolley Tycoon, or Saturday Streetcar from the coffee shop side of Sebastian Joe’s—or drop by their ice cream shop for signature flavors like Pavarotti, Salty Caramel, and Nicollet Avenue Pothole. Order Seared Shrimp, Pasta Calamarata, or Pan Fried Halibut at Tilia. Leave room for a fresh-made pie, pastry, or artisan breads like the Spinach Bread, Pain de Campagne, or Germ Levain at local bakery Turtle Bread. Or order South American-inspired Italian eats like Celery Root Ravioli, Parillada For Two, and Octopus at Martina.
Loring Park
Photo via @bkv_group
- Home Price: $92,900 median purchase price; $802 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 17% of Minneapolis neighborhoods
Loring Park is a Minneapolis neighborhood that offers the best of both worlds for young professionals—close proximity to downtown with enough green space and walkability to make it feel suburban. Residents love the quick commute to Downtown Minneapolis, Uptown Minneapolis, and other surrounding neighborhoods for employment and networking. As far as budget-friendly living for young professionals in Minneapolis, Loring Park’s cost of living is 11% lower than the city standard, with housing costs that are 39% lower than the national average! These affordable apartments, condos, and townhomes are abundant in this Twin City area, making living in Minneapolis easily accessible for singles and young professionals alike!
Things to Do in Loring Park
Visit world-class exhibits including the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, performing arts events like the Rock the Garden summer festival, and artist-designed rooftop mini golf at Contemporary art museum, the Walker Art Center. Bask in the sounds of the Minnesota Orchestra just outside Loring Park at Orchestra Hall. Hike and fish at Loring Lake, attend events like the Twin Cities Pride Parade and Holidazzle, or skate on the ice rink at neighborhood namesake, Loring Park. Browse your favorite comics or play tabletop games with friends at Level Up Games Minneapolis. Grab a made-from-scratch breakfast dishes like Dave’s Breakfast Special, Dave’s Omelette, or Breakfast Burrito at Dave’s Downtown. Sit down and order classic dishes with menu items like Miso Black Cod, Korean Barbecue Salmon, and Roasted Amish Chicken at Cafe Lurcat. Sample Indian favorites like the Vindaloo, Kashmiri, and Malabar at Dancing Ganesha. Or invite friends out to local Minneapolis brewery Lakes & Legends Brewing Company—featuring a massive taproom with beers like the Minnesota, St. Gail, and Marigold.
North Loop
Photo via @joelecarlson
- Home Price: $194,025 median purchase price; $1,255 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of Minneapolis neighborhoods
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 this neighborhood an industrial feel. The North Loop’s location close to Downtown Minneapolis means commuting is quick and easy for young professionals. If you’re looking for more 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 airport, making The Mall of America and St. Paul attractions just a short trip away!
Things to Do in North Loop
Hit up First Avenue, the Minneapolis live music and events venue where Prince shot Purple Rain. Catch a Minnesota Twins (MLB) game at Target Field. Get tickets to see Minnesota Opera shows like Don Giovanni and The Song Poet at performing arts venue Luminary Arts Center. Pick up your next read at James & Mary Laurie Booksellers, a used bookstore with over 120,000 books! Grab a table and try Gnocchi W/ Cauliflower & Orange, Red Wine Spaghetti W/ Pine Nuts, or Foie Gras Tortellini at Bar La Grassa. Have a laugh with your dinner of Cajun Fettuccini, Braised Short Ribs, Yellow Fin Tuna, and more at Acme Comedy Company. Sample some great beers like the Lonely Blonde, 300, and Northern Standard at a favorite North Loop brewery, Fulton Beer. Or make a reservation for entrees like Spaghetti Nero, Monkfish Chop, and Dry-Aged Duck Breast at Spoon and Stable.
Uptown
Photo via @mplsjimmy
- Home Price: $407,775 median purchase price; $1,089 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 43% of Minneapolis neighborhoods
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. Multiple trails make Uptown very walkable and bikeable, and the close proximity of grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-city amenities means running errands without a car is a breeze. With plenty to do and a young population, it’s easy to see why 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. Head over to one of the area’s many Nice Ride bike rental stations and 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 home, Purcell-Cutts House, near the Lake of the Isles. Browse the massive array of discounted books at Magers & Quinn Booksellers. Eat at dishes like Roast Poulet, Steak Helene, and Petit Pan Squash Risotto at French-inspired cafe, Barbette. See why The Lowry is a local staple, with over 30 beers on tap and an expansive food menu—including Walleye, Steak & Pierogies, Lemongrass Thai Chicken, and more. Indulge in sushi rolls like the Backflip and Shaggie or entrees like Stella’s Salmon Oscar while enjoying the view from the rooftop patio at Stella’s Fish Cafe. Or go out with friends for Mexican and Korean sharing plates like Kakiage, Tamal, or Korean Pork Tacos at Sooki & Mimi.
Whittier
Photo via @carley.hammers
- Home Price: $195,527 median purchase price; $817 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 29% of Minneapolis neighborhoods
Named after 19th-century poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier and settled in the 1800s, this diverse South Minneapolis neighborhood offers many Victorian homes along with budget-friendly, modern apartments and single-family houses. A vibrant, diverse neighborhood, Whitter is also home to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, so many students like to settle here. Affordable and packed with things to do, charming 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. See beautiful views of the Minneapolis skyline and public art installations at Washburn Fair Oaks Park. Scale three different areas of bouldering walls or take rock climbing classes at Vertical Endeavors. 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 and drinks at The CC Club Bar, a throwback bar that’s been serving residents since its inception as the CC Tavern in 1935. Order Vietnamese dishes like Com Suong, Banh Hoi Nem Nuong, or Bun Bo Hue at Quang. Make a stop at Little Tijuana to order a Scallion Pancake Wrap, Steam Burger, or Mapo Rigatoni. Or upgrade your dessert game with a visit to Glam Doll Donuts for one-of-a-kind donuts like the Coffee Cake, Dark Angel, or Pecan Scotchie.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
