Which is Minneapolis Best Area? North vs East vs South vs West
About this video
North vs East vs South vs West Minneapolis explained to find the best area to live based on lifestyle, safety, and home prices. Discover which part of Minneapolis fits you best with insights on neighborhoods, growth, and real estate trends.
Key takeaways
- Many of the best values in the Twin Cities sit just outside the I-494/I-694 beltway, where buyers find newer homes, more land and less competition. The metro median was about $390,000 in 2025, with about 2.5 months of supply.
- North: Blaine (National Sports Center), Andover, Ramsey, Rogers (a newer I-94 interchange at Dayton Parkway), Anoka and Elk River (Northstar commuter rail and the Mississippi). Strong new-construction value, but the most variable commutes.
- East: Woodbury (median about $410,000 in November 2025), White Bear Lake (historic downtown on the lake, about $435,000 to $457,000), Stillwater (the state's oldest city, on the St. Croix) and Cottage Grove (about $380,000, with lots of new construction).
- South: Lakeville (median about $514,000 in July 2025), Prior Lake (about $526,000 to $532,000, real lake living), Shakopee (about $405,000, with Valleyfair, Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake nearby), Rosemount (about $436,000) and Farmington (about $403,000).
- West: St. Michael and Albertville on I-94, Waconia on its 3,200-acre lake with wineries nearby, Delano and Hanover for space and quiet, and Victoria near Lake Minnetonka at about $500,000 to $580,000. Commutes run about 35 to 55 minutes.
- Jason's ranking of the quadrants: East first, narrowly ahead of South, then West, then North. The best one is whichever fits your commute, lifestyle and budget.
- Prices are as stated in the video (2025); see the market reports for current numbers.
Questions this video answers
What are the best suburbs outside the 494/694 loop?
Jason highlights Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Stillwater and Cottage Grove in the east; Lakeville, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Rosemount and Farmington in the south; Waconia, Victoria and the I-94 towns in the west; and Blaine, Rogers and Elk River in the north.
How long is the commute from Waconia to Minneapolis?
About 45 to 55 minutes via Highway 5 and Highway 212, according to the video.
Read more: Commute times by city · Compare cities side by side
Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on March 29, 2026; check the current numbers in our market reports.
