Birchwood - Saint Louis Park, MN

After World War II, St. Louis Park experienced explosive population growth with an average of seven people moving into town per day from 1940 -1955. Sixty percent of the suburb's current homes were built in this period. Economic development soon paralleled the population growth as commercial developers were eager to bring goods and services to the new households. Today, the city remains a wealthy suburb with Birchwood at the heart.

The neighborhood hosts regular events for the community, including a winter party in Birchwood Park and outdoor movie nights in the summer.

Birchwood offers a range of ethnic restaurants and great bars at competitive prices. Start on Minnetonka Boulevard, where an endless potpourri of food and drink awaits. Check out Vitali's Bistro Cafe for a homemade selection of kosher crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches and organic teas and coffee. Remember, vegetarian and vegans are always welcome in this trendy neighborhood --at Vitali's, try the Greek veggie crepe Then settle in to play a board game and come back on a Saturday night to enjoy live music.

Got a sweet tooth? Decide between the locally famous patty cake or coconut cake at yum Enjoy the rotating desserts and seasonal specials at this beloved bakery and sandwich place. The steak sandwich is another crowd favorite.

In the northeast corner of Birchwood, another collection of restaurants make up West End Boulevard. Head to Raku Sushi and Lounge for affordable, well-portioned sushi and a generous happy hour. Or try the nearby Cooper Pub and Restaurant for a clean, beautiful Irish pub with a quality menu, friendly service and great late night specials.

Park Tavern Bowling and Entertainment Center in the southwest corner of the neighborhood offers a convenient and reliable venue for a fun night out. Sing your heart out at Saturday night karaoke or get your money's worth with the $15 All You Can Bowl special (including shoes) after 9:30 p.m. For more entertainment options, make the ten minute trek to downtown Minneapolis

Although a plethora of shops, cafes and restaurants are always within walking distance, biking is also a great option in this neighborhood. Bikers are familiar and welcomed in streets all over the Twin Cities Metro, the streets of Birchwood are no exception. Don't have a bike? Through the city's NiceRide program, public bikes are located in stations throughout the metro. Simply check one out and return it to the nearest station when you are done.

If biking the city streets sounds intimidating, take advantage of the extensive metro transit system. A thorough network of bus and rail routes connect Birchwood to the rest of the Twin Cities Metro. Invest in a refillable GoTo Card so you never have to scramble for change --just scan your card as you board.

Taxis are common, safe and easy to hail. For a classier ride, register with Uber and enjoy the added convenience of ordering and paying from your smart phone. If you are committed to keeping your car, find parking in big garages like the one at West End. Just be ready to walk a bit, typically through comfortable indoor skyways and tunnels. Free street parking is a little less common but still available in Birchwood, and the nearest expressways are so close that they actually constitute neighborhood borders (such as Interstate 394 to the north).

In addition to the plethora of green spaces the rest of St. Louis Park and Minneapolis offer, Birchwood residents enjoy two beloved neighborhood parks.

Bring your family and your picnic to Sunshine Park and let the kids enjoy the playground. As in most of Minneapolis, dogs are welcome too. Need to spend some energy? Stretch your muscles at Birchwood Park and take advantage of the skating rink, baseball field, volleyball and basketball courts. In the colder months, the close-knit community hosts a winter party at this park and offers hot cocoa as well as horse and wagon rides.

You pay for the high livability and great location of this suburban neighborhood, Birchwood has a cost of living three percent higher than Minneapolis. While the median rent for a one bedroom residence in Minneapolis is $900, you will pay $100 more for the equivalent in this neighborhood.

On the bright side, Minneapolis itself is a fairly affordable city. Pay just $1.75 to get to city center via public transportation, or invest in a monthly pass of unlimited rides for $59. Neighborhood gas prices are on par with the national average while a beer at a local bar will typically cost you around $5.

Niche retail shops as well as bigger stores are scattered thickly throughout St. Louis Park, with a notable concentration on the West End Boulevard in the Birchwood neighborhood. This collection of businesses is formally known as the Shops at West End, and includes restaurants, bars, clothing stores, entertainment, and specialty shops.

Shop for your kids at Creative Kidstuff, get a classic barbershop shave at Roosters, or exercise in the boutique environment at Haute Barre with a fusion of ballet, yoga, and total body pilates. Fashion stores vary from the epitome of style at Apricot Lane Boutique to the high-end, affordable athletic wear offered by Lulemon Athletica.

For groceries, West End has a Cub Foods. Additional local grocery stores include Trader Joe's on Excelsior Boulevard and Lunds & Byerlys on Park Center Boulevard.