The city of Saint Paul (often abbreviated as St. Paul), Minnesota styles itself as "the most livable city in America" for a reason. It is the state capital of Minnesota and the second largest city in the state, with a population of around 300,000. It is situated just across the Mississippi River from Minneapolis and the two cities make up the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. The two cities are called the Twin Cities for a reason - without signs, you probably wouldn't know when you crossed the border! But St. Paul differs from its neighbor in many important ways. Not too big and not too small, St. Paul has a lot of character and something for everyone.
St. Paul is a highly educated and cultured city with a population that skews younger. Each neighborhood in the city has its own distinct feel, and St. Paul is often regarded as quieter than its larger neighbor, Minneapolis. The real estate market in St. Paul is healthy and affordable, which is good news for buyers. Both St. Paul and its surrounding suburbs have solid school districts with above average national rankings.
Well-known attractions residents will want to visit again and again include the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The city and its residents take pride in their parks and myriad of green spaces, as well as the lakes in the area that help give the state its name - the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." If you like shopping, you'll love the nearby Mall of America, which has the distinction of being the largest mall in the country.
Minnesota has a reputation for cold winters and mild summers, and St. Paul lives up to that reputation. Summer average highs are in the mid-80s and winter average highs are in the mid-50s. Average lows during the winter months are in the teens, with single-digits not being uncommon. Because of this, the city has an impressive skyway system for pedestrian travel during the winter months. If you like a cooler climate, St. Paul is one of the best larger cities in American to live.
With many good neighborhoods to choose from and a competitive market, it can be hard to find the right place to live in St. Paul. Our list of the best places to live in St. Paul can help you find exactly what you're looking for. You can also search by area, population size, home/rent budget and what other features, such as amenities, crime, cost of living, education, employment, housing and weather, that are most important to you.