Mahtomedi is a word from the Dakota Indian Tribe. It translates to "White Bear Lake." Though the city was founded in the late 1800s, its proximity to the water originally made it a place of reflection and peace for those looking for a summer cottage getaway. Today, residents of Mahtomedi pride themselves on maintaining that peaceful beauty that initially drew settlers to the area.
Mahtomedi is tucked away just east of White Bear Lake and west of Stillwater
Mahtomedi is a word from the Dakota Indian Tribe. It translates to "White Bear Lake." Though the city was founded in the late 1800s, its proximity to the water originally made it a place of reflection and peace for those looking for a summer cottage getaway. Today, residents of Mahtomedi pride themselves on maintaining that peaceful beauty that initially drew settlers to the area.
Mahtomedi is tucked away just east of White Bear Lake and west of Stillwater. Incorporated in 1931, as of 2010 it boasts a population of 7,676 and is nestled within Washington County in western Minnesota. Covering just under six square miles in area -- more than two square miles of that area include water, Mahtomedi is certainly an appealing area to look for places to rent. Even though there are no mountains, there are some gently rolling hills in Mahtomedi and it sits nearly at 1,000 feet above sea level.
So you're thinking of moving to Mahtomedi? The name of the town looks hard to pronounce, but it's not that difficult. The correct pronunciation is "Mah-toh-MEE-dy." Practice that a couple of times, and you'll be fitting in with the locals before you know it. Mahtomedi certainly has a small town appeal with a location that is in close proximity to much more urban metropolitan areas. Folks who call Mahtomedi home enjoy the relaxing nature of living outside of the big city, and also take advantage of the lakes and enjoy the splendor of the changing of seasons.
Most of the homes are single-family houses and privately owned. However, there are apartments, condos, and duplexes to rent in Mahtomedi as well. There are several things to keep in mind when moving to Mahtomedi and looking for your next home. If you are looking for a 1 bedroom apartment or 2 or 3 bedroom apartments in Mahtomedi -- most of those will be in apartment complexes. With apartment complexes, you'll need to first start off with an application. On the application you'll indicate things including your level of income, your rental history -- including glowing landlord recommendations --, and current residency information. Often times the application fee can be up to $50, but it's certainly worth it to negotiate or ask if they'll waive the fee, as many times complexes run specials. Some apartment complexes and rental agencies will require background checks and/or credit checks, but there should not be a fee associated with those (and not all will require it).
If you decide on moving forward with a certain dwelling -- you'll need to put down a refundable deposit (less damages) and often times first month's rent. Very rarely should you need to pay last month's rent up front in Mahtomedi. Like every market, demand goes up and down. However, the Twin Cities Metropolitan area has been growing quite a bit - and that certainly impacts the suburbs as well. Since only around 10 percent of the property in Mahtomedi is rental property, advance planning and careful research is especially important when considering your move. Nevertheless, if you allot yourself around six months, you will be able to find an apartment for rent in Mahtomedi that is ideal for you.
Mahtomedi has a lot to offer, but being that it's quite small - it isn't broken up into separate neighborhoods. The more accurate way to consider Mahtomedi is as an extension of the much larger city to its west: White Bear Lake. The main routes that run through Mahtomedi include Stillwater Road, Jamaica Road and County Road 244 (also known as Wildwood Road.)
Wildwood Road: You'll find easy access to grocery stores and shops living near Wildwood Road. Most of the grocery stores and shops will be in the city of White Bear Lake, however there are a few notable restaurants in Mahtomedi including the 4 Seasons and the Lakeside Club. (If you go to the 4 seasons, make sure to try their twisted cone!)
Highway 96: Highway 96 provides quick service to both Stillwater and White Bear Lake. However, keep in mind that the traffic can clog up on Highway 96 especially during the rush hour.
Park Avenue: To live near the water, look along Park Avenue.
Quail Road: Residential areas along Quail Road have sprawling, rolling hills with many trees.
Since Mahtomedi is hardly a town in its own right, there isn't a great variety of cultural attractions. The main attraction, and the reason Mahtomedi was settled, is the expansive White Bear Lake. Enjoy some time fishing, boating or swimming at the beach in the summertime, or wait for the lake to freeze over and dabble in some ice fishing or cross country skiing in the surrounding areas. It's certainly worth it to explore the apple orchard along Highway 96 or go for a walk, run or bike ride along the Gateway trail that runs throughout the greater metropolitan region.
For an urban getaway, it's only fifteen miles to the Twin Cities -- the major city center in Minnesota that makes up the capital city of St. Paul and the largest city in the state, Minneapolis. There you'll find plenty of cultural activities including the Walker Art Center, the Guthrie Theatre, the Capitol Building, a plethora of restaurants and sporting teams including the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Wild.
Another option and convenience of living in Mahtomedi is the proximity to Stillwater. This charming and historically significant city sits along the water. Stillwater is on the border of Minnesota and looks across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin. You'll find locally-owned restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops all along Main Street, and Lowell Park along the waterfront.
