Edina, MN

Edina's reputation for classic suburban living traces back to the 1920s with the creation of the Country Club District, one of Minnesota's first master-planned neighborhoods. Developers laid out paved streets and modern utilities before selling lots, while enforcing strict architectural standards that gave the area its distinctive look of brick Tudors, Colonials, and manicured lawns. Like many early planned communities across the country, this orderly aesthetic was paired with discriminatory deed restrictions that barred nonwhite and Jewish residents until the courts struck them down in 1948. Today, the 14-block historic district is celebrated for its timeless character, tree-lined sidewalks, and carefully preserved homes that still define the city's residential feel.

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Edina also holds a famous spot in retail history as the home of Southdale Center, which opened in 1956 as the country's first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall. Built to give Minnesotans a comfortable place to gather during freezing winters, Southdale quickly grew into a bustling regional hub. The surrounding district now anchors the city's commercial and healthcare sectors, featuring M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital alongside hundreds of medical clinics, corporate offices, and everyday retail. For residents, this means top-tier healthcare, strong job opportunities, and convenient shopping are all right down the road from quiet residential neighborhoods.

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If you prefer a walkable downtown vibe over an indoor shopping center, the 50th & France district along the Minneapolis border is the community's social heart. This pedestrian-friendly village is packed with local boutiques, cozy bakeries, sidewalk cafes, and fine dining nestled right beside residential avenues. Every June, the neighborhood hosts the popular Edina Art Fair, drawing artists and visitors from across the region for a weekend of outdoor food and gallery browsing. Other commercial pockets like the Grandview area near Highway 100 make running daily errands quick and simple, giving you great local options without having to navigate downtown traffic.

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Centennial Lakes Park provides a scenic green escape right in the middle of town, surrounded by offices, shops, and lakeside housing. The park features 10 acres of waterways connected by paved trails, landscaped gardens, arched bridges, and public sculptures. During warm months, you will find neighbors playing miniature golf on real-grass greens, renting paddle boats, browsing the Thursday farmers market, or relaxing by the amphitheater for evening concerts. When the water freezes over in winter, the connected canals transform into one of the Twin Cities' favorite outdoor ice-skating spots, complete with warming houses, crackling indoor fireplaces, and skate rentals.