Legend has it that the city earned its name from a local paper’s description of a train wreck in which the train “rolled over andover.” Though the myth has been disproved, the legend remains.
Roughly 20 miles northwest from gorgeous Minneapolis, Andover is establishing itself as the city for Minnesotans who love the urban lifestyle but value wide-open spaces
Legend has it that the city earned its name from a local paper’s description of a train wreck in which the train “rolled over andover.” Though the myth has been disproved, the legend remains.
Roughly 20 miles northwest from gorgeous Minneapolis, Andover is establishing itself as the city for Minnesotans who love the urban lifestyle but value wide-open spaces. Touting itself as a “growing community in which to live and work”, Andover is ideal for those who want to balance the Twin Cities’ nightlife and arts scenes with reasonable rents, ample recreational activities, and access to parks and natural spaces. Home to lots of new businesses and more than 400 acres of parks and recreational areas, this city of 30,000 is a prime spot to put down roots.
Renting in Andover
Condos vs. Apartments
Compared to other burgs in the Twin Cities metro area, Andover is one heck of a deal. Also, unlike in Minneapolis, it’s much easier here to find pet-friendly rental properties. As an added bonus, many rentals here have backyards, which means you can let the pets run free.
As you’d expect, renting a condo is more costly than renting an apartment, but the benefits that come with the added expense of association fees, maintenance fees and the like will set your mind at ease, especially during the winter. A few extra bucks a month might seem worth it come winter, when you don’t have to worry about snowblowing your own driveway.
When to Rent
Finding housing in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis isn’t as competitive as it is elsewhere--this is just one of the many benefits of moving to Andover--but giving yourself four weeks to find a place isn’t a bad idea.
What to Bring
You won’t need anything out of the ordinary to rent in this area. Assembling your credit information, rental history, and standard rental application is smart. References don’t hurt, either.
Natural Highlights
Golfers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and outdoors enthusiasts love Andover, and for good reason: Andover is well-known for its parks and recreational areas. The Anoka County Bunker Hills Regional Park is a main attraction for residents of Andover and neighboring towns. The park is home to a lush golf course, a wave pool (that is, a pool with man-made waves), hiking/biking trails, stables, and an archery range. In addition, Andover is home to the Rum River Regional Park and Kelsey Round Lake Park. Lace up your hiking boots, fill your water bottle, and get ready to hit the trails!