Maple Grove
The city of Maple Grove proves one of Minnesota’s nicknames to be true by boasting various lakes in its boundaries. From Eagle Lake, Fish Lake, Rice Lake, and more, waterfront views are just one of the beautiful aspects of living in Maple Grove, Minnesota. In the northern end of the city, Elm Creek Park Reserve remains a pristine destination for camping, hiking, swimming, and more, spread over nearly 5,000 acres. Getting outdoors in Maple Grove is as easy as one, two, three with so many community parks to choose from like Weaver Lake Beach Park, a great place to enjoy lakefront views and biking trails. Many locals enjoy teeing off at the public Rush Creek Golf Club, while others admire the seasonal interactive fountain, ice skating, playgrounds, and other family adventures at Central Park, located near Arbor Lakes. In search of a little retail therapy, or simply need to check a few items off of your shopping list? Arbor Lakes is the city’s best shopping mall with a great variety of stores and restaurants. From coffee houses to Irish pubs, the central district of Maple Grove has it all. Minneapolis is a quick 17 miles southeast of Maple Grove, so commuting to the big city for work or play is no problem at all. It’s always nice to come home to quiet suburban streets after a long day in the city, and luckily for you, Maple Grove offers an abundance of apartment rentals, various condos, a few houses, and even a townhome here and there!
Rochester
Rochester is the third largest city in Minnesota and best known for housing the Mayo Clinic, a destination medical center and the core of Rochester’s economy. Situated alongside the south fork of the Zumbro River, Rochester offers residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with access to numerous parks and trails. Some of the most frequented parks and trails in Rochester are Quarry Hill Park, Foster Arend Park, and the Douglas State Trail. Golfers have their choice of several courses to practice their game, with Rochester being home to Eastwood Golf Course, Northern Hills Golf Course, Soldiers Field Golf Course, and Rochester Golf and Country Club. Salem Glen Winery and the weeklong summer celebration of Rochesterfest also provide ample opportunities to savor the scenic outdoors and socialize in Rochester. The arts and culinary scenes are on the rise in Rochester. This is most evident during Thursdays on First and 3rd Summer Market and Music Festival, in which local restaurants and artists set up booths along First Avenue uniting the community in Downtown Rochester. Located about an hour from Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Rochester is accessible to U.S. Routes 14, 52, and 63 as well as Interstate 90. The additional presence of Rochester International Airport allows for simple travels and commutes.
Saint Cloud
An hour northwest of Minneapolis on Interstate 94, Saint Cloud is a charming small city on the banks of the Mississippi River. Saint Cloud State University is central to the community, both literally and figuratively: in addition to the 15,000 students enrolled, the university is one of the city’s biggest employers, and a dedicated fan base supports the school’s hockey program (the legendary Herb Brooks coached the Huskies back in the 1980s and his name now graces the Saint Cloud State hockey arena). Just north of campus, Downtown is a charming riverside district with a strip of restaurants, bars, galleries, and performance venues along St. Germain Street. The city is home to over ninety public parks, ensuring that you’re never more than a few blocks from trails, lakes, and relaxing green spaces. For weekend excursions into the great outdoors, Saint Cloud is only a short drive away from Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and Mille Lacs Lake.
