St. Paul — also known as the City of Neighborhoods — comprises 17 vibrant and distinct communities deeply rooted in their heritage and traditions. There are many charming and historic areas to explore in Minnesota’s capital, but we’ve honed in on what are arguably the 10 best St. Paul neighborhoods to live in. Whether you’re considering moving to St. Paul from across the country or across the river, these are the neighborhoods you won’t want to miss! Location: Southeast St. Paul About the Neighborhood: Battle Creek has the feel of a suburban community close to all the amenities of the city, making it one of the best St. Paul neighborhoods for young families. Housing in this neighborhood is more affordable than the average for St. Paul — another reason it’s a popular choice. Things to Do: Battle Creek is named for the 1840s Battle Creek Regional Park, where you can enjoy a beautiful picnic while spotting lots of wildlife, including herons and hawks. Location: Northwest St. Paul About the Neighborhood: Como is ranked as the #1 St. Paul neighborhood, and for good reason. It’s a quiet residential neighborhood with plenty to entertain everyone. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are all just a hop, skip, and a jump away — not to mention many restaurants and coffee shops! Things to Do: Check out the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, where you can see animals in a natural setting. If you get hungry, grab some tacos at Dock & Paddle and soak up views of Lake Como. Location: Northeast corner of St. Paul About the Neighborhood: The East Side offers a wonderful urban/suburban feel in a large, quiet neighborhood that can feel separate from the city. East Side is one of the most affordable St. Paul neighborhoods due to economic decline from the ‘60s to the ‘90s. However, it has been steadily rebuilding since then, and new businesses are lining the streets. Things to Do: Payne Avenue has been dubbed St. Paul’s Eat Street, with all kinds of cuisine to try out, including the famous Tongue in Cheek. Location: Southwest corner of St. Paul, nestled in a bend of the Mississippi River. About the Neighborhood: The safe and beautiful Highland neighborhood has a wide selection of stores and restaurants on Ford Parkway, tree-lined streets, outdoor recreation, and trails along the river, making it a popular spot for young families, professionals, and seniors. If you’re moving to Highland Park, you’ll find a mix of apartments and Victorian, Colonial, Tudor-style, and Bungalow homes, mainly from the ‘20s and ‘30s. Things to Do: Crosby Farm Regional Park has 6.7 miles for hiking and cycling. Pike Island is also a gorgeous place to check out, right at the meeting of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Highland Park is also home to Grand Old Days, a summer celebration with food, music, and merriment hosted right on Grand Avenue. Noteworthy: Macalester-Groveland was ranked #96 out of the top 100 places to live in the U.S., according to a 2023 Niche report. Location: Southwest St. Paul, just north of Highland Park About the Neighborhood: Named after Macalester College, Mac-Groveland has a large student population and a walkable, college-town vibe. The popular commercial district of Grand Avenue runs through the center of the neighborhood, providing plenty of shopping and dining options. Mac-Groveland has many housing options for students and families, including single-family homes, duplexes and fourplexes, and apartments. Things to Do: Visit Hidden Falls Regional Park or Minnehaha Park. Afterward, play a round of visually stunning mini-golf while enjoying a cocktail at the locally beloved Can Can Wonderland. Location: West side of St. Paul, between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis About the Neighborhood: Not to be confused with West St. Paul, this west-side St. Paul neighborhood is named after Hamline University and has a large student population. If you prefer public transportation, this area is well connected by Metro Transit buses and the light rail. Things to Do: Catch a Minnesota United FC soccer game at Allianz Field. You can also grab a cup of coffee at Ginkgo Coffeehouse before catching live music at the famous Turf Club. Hamline-Midway also has many international restaurants, with plenty of Somali, Turkish, and Korean cuisine to choose from. Location: Northwestern St. Paul, bordering southeast Minneapolis and the St. Paul University of Minnesota campus. About the Neighborhood: This St. Paul neighborhood is home to many university students and faculty but also has many larger, historic single-family homes. Gentle hills and curving streets make it a charming and picturesque neighborhood. If you commute to work, Saint Anthony is a ten-minute drive to downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Things to Do: Play a round of golf at Les Bolstad Golf Course. If music is more your thing, swing by Agharta Records to pick up some premium vinyl. Location: South side of Summit Avenue About the Neighborhood: This beautiful and historic neighborhood is famous for its well-preserved Victorian mansions, including the James J. Hill House and the Minnesota Governor’s Residence. Summit Hill (also called Crocus Hill) has many large, expensive homes, but condos and smaller single-family homes also dot the neighborhood. Shopping and dining on Grand Avenue is a main attraction for Summit Hill. Things to Do: Take a tour of the historical St. Paul Cathedral. Then, continue your history lessons by visiting F. Scott Fitzgerald’s house and statue. Location: South of downtown St. Paul, along the east bank of the Mississippi River About the Neighborhood: Built in 1838, West Seventh runs diagonally along the river into downtown. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood with an industrial-urban vibe that draws in artists — its landmark Schmidt Brewery is now the Schmidt Artist Lofts — as well as families and young professionals. This St. Paul neighborhood features a great mix of older businesses, dive bars, trendy cafes, antique shops, galleries, and international restaurants. Things to Do: Grab a local brew at Bad Weather Brewing, visit the Science Museum of Minnesota, or catch a Minnesota Wild Game or a concert at the nearby Xcel Energy Center. Location: South of downtown St. Paul, along the west bank of the Mississippi River About the Neighborhood: Contrary to its name, West Side isn’t on the west side of St. Paul. It’s actually on the west bank of the meandering Mississippi River. The river separates this neighborhood from the rest of St. Paul, which gives it a suburban feel. Things to Do: The vibrant District del Sol in the West Side is well known for its Mexican restaurants and annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations. No matter which of the St. Paul neighborhoods you choose, let us help you get there. AAA Movers has over 50 years of experience moving in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and beyond. Once you’ve found your new home, call us for a free, custom quote or to schedule your move with our certified movers! Feeling like moving to the Twin Cities isn’t for you? Read our latest blog about the best places to move to around Minnesota beyond Minneapolis and St. Paul. Plus, read about the optimal time of year to move in Minnesota. The 10 Best Neighborhoods in St. Paul
Battle Creek
Como Park
Greater East Side
Highland Park
Macalester-GrovelandÂ
Saint Anthony Park
Summit Hill
West Seventh
West Side
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