St. John's University, MN

Tucked into the rolling hills and hardwood forests of central Minnesota, the St. John’s University area in Collegeville is a picturesque community centered on an active Benedictine monastery and liberal arts campus. Located just west of St. Cloud, the neighborhood is surrounded by over 2,500 acres of protected woods, prairie, and quiet lakes like Lake Sagatagan. Residents and visitors have easy access to miles of hiking, snowshoeing, and ski trails, alongside striking modernist buildings like the iconic abbey church designed by Marcel Breuer.

While maps label the area after the university, locals usually refer to the wider community as Collegeville. Daily life moves at a quiet, unhurried pace shaped by the rhythms of the school year, abbey bells, and outdoor recreation. People often head to neighboring St. Joseph for local bakeries and cafes, while St. Cloud sits fifteen minutes to the east for major shopping, dining, and healthcare services.