Ten miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis, the city of Edina is close enough to the big city to enjoy every imaginable amenity and service yet just far enough away to feel like its own tranquil slice of paradise. There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with Edina itself, including the many small lakes sprinkled throughout the city, upscale shopping, and an abundance of parks, trails, and other opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The tree-lined city of about 50,000 residents also has a notably strong economy and beautiful homes, ranging from single-family golf course properties to new-construction condominiums and townhomes. Let’s look at some of the most significant reasons residents love living in Edina, Minnesota.

Edina’s Location

One of the biggest draws of owning a home in Edina is its incredible location. The city is just 10 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis and 22 miles southwest of the city of St. Paul, making it especially ideal for those who commute into the Twin Cities for work. Although traffic and weather can affect the exact times, the drive to downtown Minneapolis is typically about 15 minutes and about 25 minutes to St. Paul. The 10-minute drive to MSP International Airport is also hugely appealing to frequent travelers.

Aside from the two interstates bisecting the city, the 62 and the 100, the Twin Cities Metro Transit bus system also services Edina. Whether you’re heading into the city of Minneapolis or St. Paul for work, a concert, a dinner date, or something else, commuting from Edina is typically a short drive.

Daily Conveniences in Edina

Edina is widely known for its excellent shopping, dining, recreational facilities, immediate access to top-tier healthcare services, and more. Here, you’ll find several high-end malls with large department stores and specialty boutiques, a vast selection of restaurants, and everything in between.

• Galleria Edina: This indoor mall features primarily high-end retailers, including Louis Vuitton, lululemon, Pottery Barn, and David Yurman Jewelry.
• 50th & France: A picturesque entertainment district with over 175 shops and restaurants, 50th & France is one of Edina’s main attractions. You could easily spend an entire day here, and the district also hosts events throughout the year, such as farmers’ markets and art shows.
• Southdale Center: Holding the honor of being the country’s first indoor shopping mall, opened in 1956, this sprawling traditional mall features several popular and familiar retailers, including J. Crew, Macy’s, Eddie Bauer, Sephora, Cheesecake Factory, and an AMC movie theater.

And if you want even more options, you can always head into the Twin Cities or the city of Bloomington, just 15 minutes away and home to the famous Mall of America.

In addition to shopping malls, Edina has an excellent selection of grocery stores, pharmacies, big-box retailers, and medical services, including the large M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital.

Beautiful Edina Homes

Edina’s real estate market is thriving, with fantastic options like new construction builds, luxury homes, condos, and everything in between. There is also an outstanding balance of well-established and new neighborhoods, each with distinct personalities and amenities.

Average home prices in Edina are slightly higher than Minnesota’s state average but on par with the national average. They’ve also steadily increased in average value since 2012; trends indicate they will continue. The proximity to the Twin Cities, high quality of life, and many significant employers collectively create a consistently strong housing market in Edina.

Edina’s Strong Economy

The city’s average individual income is more than double the national average, and median household income is higher than the state average and most of the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. This is mainly due to a significant number of major employers in Edina and several companies with headquarters in the city, including:

• Dairy Queen/Orange Julius
• SpartanNash
• Wells Fargo
• Fairview Southdale Hospital
• Jerry’s Foods

Of course, the easy access to Minneapolis and St. Paul provides even more employment options.

It should come as no surprise that there’s no shortage of jobs in Edina, with 1.8% job growth over the last year. Over the next decade, job growth is projected to be 40.7%.

Although Edina has a slightly higher cost of living, the higher average income makes up for it. This small city is home to more than 3,000 locally owned businesses, and the economic development department is heavily involved in creating even more economic growth opportunities in Edina. There’s plenty of potential for employees, business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Outdoor Spaces in Edina

Edina’s abundant outdoor spaces are another of its most significant benefits. In addition to numerous parks, including one unique indoor park, the community is highly walkable and bikeable, with several dedicated paths and multi-use trails. Residents and visitors can find lakes, fishing ponds, golf courses, athletic fields, recreation, aquatics centers, and much more throughout Edina.

Specifically, Edina is home to:

• 44 parks, many with covered picnic shelters and other facilities that can be reserved for birthdays and other events
• 29.5 miles of walking and biking trails
• Lake Cornelia
• 53 athletic fields
• Braemar Field
• Golf courses
• 1,500 acres of dedicated open green space

It’s no secret Minnesota gets a great deal of snow in the winter. Edina is no exception, with an average annual snowfall of 53.5 inches. However, the winter season doesn’t mean the outdoor fun stops! You’ll find outdoor ice skating and hockey rinks, indoor recreation areas and pools, and the enormous inflatable sports dome that covers more than 100,000 square feet at Braemar Field.

Between all these outdoor spaces, Edina residents enjoy several special events throughout the year, including Oktoberfest, art and food fairs like the popular Taste of Edina, farmers’ markets, and the Winter Ice Festival at Centennial Lakes Park.

There’s So Much to Love About Living in Edina

With a winning combination of fantastic shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, quick access to the Twin Cities, and a strong economy and real estate market, Edina offers residents countless benefits. Whether you find the perfect sprawling single-family home near a park or lake or prefer a townhome or condo with top-tier amenities, you’ll find plenty of ways to fall in love with this top Minneapolis suburb.

If Edina is the city for you, contact Kris Lindahl Real Estate at 1-(855) 967-7653 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your dream home today.