We dare you to find a place more pleasantly named than Eden Prairie (don't say Pleasantville – too creepy). We actually double dog dare you to find a city that has a delightful name and actually lives up to it (don't say Awesomeburg – doesn't exist). You see, Eden Prairie isn’t just whimsically named, it also was named “One of the best places to live in 2006” and then claimed first prize in 2010.
Where is this aptly named, magical Minnesota city? Why, just a few miles southwest of the Twin Cities. Featuring rolling hills, 125 miles of biking, hiking, and running trails, Eden Prairie isn’t an action packed party city, but it is home to the Minnesota Vikings (and many NFL players), a ton of Fortune 500 companies, and a well-to-do, growing metropolis.
Eden Prairie has a simple slogan of “Live. Work. Dream.” (Unlike Awesomeburg which is “Eat, Drink, Sleep”). All of these things are easy to do in this city filled with fantastic housing options, great neighborhoods and schools, public art projects, and copious outdoor activities – even in winter. The city runs the liquor concessions in Eden Pairie - the money benefits the city and the product benefits the night of many a resident. If you need a little break from all the working and dreaming, head over to the Eden Prairie Liquor. The profit margins are slim and the temptations are fat.
Now, let’s see just exactly where you will be living…
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Neighborhoods
For the most part, living in apartments in Eden Prairie means never having to leave the comfort of your own complex. Many are filled with every amenity you can imagine (pools, tanning salons, restaurants, parks) and are essentially their own little cities within a city. Here are some of the best and most popular areas in this upper middle income city.
North
A wealthy area, the northern area of Eden Prairie is comprised of single family homes and apartments. A quiet part of town and full of “urban sophisticates” and upper middle income families, the area is close to the 212 (for commuters). A reasonably priced part of town from an apartment perspective, rentals here can be found easily and without breaking the bank (one bedrooms for $825). Many apartments offer some paid utilities, heated parking, picnic areas, and washer/dryer in unit. Living here means living minutes away from Minnetonka, the Twin Cities and Edina. $$-$$$
Heart of Eden
The heart of the city, this is where folks of all ages come for great shopping, eating and a bit of city center lifestyle. Single family homes (medium sized) share the streets with apartment complexes—all filled with residents of mixed ages. A walkable area, residents love the proximity to the highway, great schools, shopping (aptly named Eden Prairie Shopping Center) and the affordable apartment living in this coveted part of town. A two bedroom apartment will typically set you back about $800 and will feature things like game rooms, wifi, indoor and outdoor pools, dry cleaning, dog parks, and some paid utilities. Living here puts you in a prime location for all things Eden Prairie. $$-$$$
East
A hot spot for apartment living, this suburban area is full of great apartments and established, smaller homes. There is a good mix of owners and renters in this hip, upper middle income neighborhood. Though there is a small mixed age base, most people here are young professionals and families. Some of the apartments in this end of town are self contained with super luxe amenites such as restaurants on premises, as well as fitness centers, courtyards, connected buildings, concierges, hiking trails, etc. The convenience of living on the east side does come with a bit of a heftier price tag (two bedroom apartments renting for anywhere from $1000 to $1399) but the proximity to the highways and the ability to live an exciting lifestyle make the extra freight worthwhile. $$$-$$$$
Embracing Eden Prairie
When settling in here there are just a few things to know about apartment living, traffic, and some general (useless) knowledge. Here goes:
The schools here are great but are often very full. Graduating classes can contain more than 800 students. The good news is your kids are bound to make friends – not just the Facebook kind.
Pets are widely accepted (often with a fee depending on weight or breed) and most complexes feature pet parks.
It gets COLD here. If an apartment offers heated garages, jump on it. Same goes for indoor pools, heat, and any and everything that will keep you warm.
At most complexes, some utilities are paid. Keep this in mind when looking at rental prices.
For seniors relocating to the area, there are some 55+ apartment complexes located throughout the city.
When it comes to traffic, here are some pointers:
Your main routes are the 5, 212 and 494. Traffic can be bad at times and winters can be icy. Be careful on the roads. Traffic backs up on bridges and be sure to watch for flooding which can cause shutdowns, backups, etc. Come prepared with snow tires and a love of car radio.
The city is currently trying to get a light rail system (southwest transit way) to connect from downtown Minneapolis through Eden Prairie as far as Minnetonka. This would help travelers and commuters and cut back on hellacious rush hour/commuting times.
Eden Prairie may have started as a pastoral area where people took things slow and enjoyed life. In a way, it is still exactly that. But it is also a family-friendly throughout, an active place with miles of open space, one of the healthiest cities in which to reside, and a truly laid-back, serene place to live. A city suburb with an upper middle income atmosphere, life in Eden Prairie is a picture perfect city. Why not fit yourself into the picture?
