In 1853, Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court Judge Andrew G. Chatfield chose the town of Belle Plaine to hold court while he traveled from Mendota to Traverse des Sioux. It turns out that the site was the halfway point on his typical path of travel. The judge named the town Belle Plaine, which is French for "beautiful prairie." The name remains an important part of the area today, as you can find many areas of protected natural prairie grasses.
Belle Plaine is a quieter city, yet it has plenty to offer. For example, there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation. You can find restaurants and shops, along with many friendly local businesses. There is a commercial district that is home to a variety of shops and retail stores. The community swimming pool is a great way to beat the summer heat, and there is an established local library where you can find a selection of books and magazines.
Moving to Belle Plaine
With a total of 6.11 square miles and a population of roughly 6,600, this city has plenty of living space. The city is located on the Minnesota River, which flows through the town in a northeasterly direction. In addition, Belle Plaine is located within the Minnesota River Valley, an area that is quite wide thanks to a large river that ran through it. During this time, the receding glaciers formed a number of lakes around the area, some of which still exist today.
You'll have your pick of housing here in Belle Plaine. The most popular kind of home seems to be singly-family so you'll have plenty to choose from in that realm. But if you're looking for city apartments, condos for rent, or even studio apartments for rent, you'll be able to find something in time, too. However, you may have a tough time finding hi rise apartments for rent in Belle Plaine.
A lot of the housing here was built in the early 1900s, so history lovers will have a ball looking into these old homes. But beware that renting an old home can come with its own set of challenges. Make sure to carefully inspect a home before you sign any papers. You don't want to end up living somewhere that you have to call in the super once a week to make repairs!
What you'll need: When you're ready to move and you've decided what kind of place you're looking for and how much your budget is, start calling around to different realtors or do some searching on your own to see what is available. Once you set up appointments, be sure to bring along a copy of your ID, bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, references and anything else you might need in order to prove your identity and enable them to do a credit check on you.
Belle Plaine Neighborhoods
Belle Plaine is a relatively small community that is contained within a single neighborhood.It has a population of 6,661 and is a quaint, charming town.
North Side: The north side of town is closest to the Minnesota State Recreation Area, which is the perfect place to spend the day or spend a weekend camping! It's filled with streets on a grid and all single-family homes.
South Side: This area is a little more bustling than the north side. Johnson Memorial Drive runs right through it where you can find great restaurants like Cindy's Kitchen and there's also the beautiful Prairie Park.
Living in Belle Plaine
People who live here generally spend a little over half an hour commuting to work one way. An abundance of parks, trails, and recreational centers makes it easy to go for a walk or take a ride on your bike when you want to. Check out places like the Blaha Memorial Song Bird Sanctuary or the community dog park and bask in all the beautiful nature around your new hometown. The Minnesota State Recreation Area is just to the north of town and it is a beautiful sanctuary of nature, filled with picturesque lakes and campsites. It's also just outside of Minneapolis, where you can drive to find great museums, professional sports games and fantastic dining and shopping! You're only a short drive to the Mall of America after all!
