Woodbury is an affluent suburb of St. Paul and has around 70,000 residents. It is Minnesota’s 9th largest city, and one of its fastest growing. The area was first settled in 1844 and farmland has since given way to suburban housing, and malls, which started being constructed in 1955.
The heart of the community is Central Park which is a multi-use indoor park featuring nature-inspired walks, kids playgrounds, event rooms and space for wedding receptions. Woodbury’s drawcard for residents, however, is its easy access to year-round outdoor recreational activities. It’s surrounded by 3,100 acres of parkland and eight small lakes, wetlands and waterways. St. Croix River Valley and Carver Lake Park are popular local getaway spots.
Neighborhoods are connected by 140 miles of multi-use trails so you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the city’s natural surroundings. This east metro suburb has a strong community spirit and holds many local events year-round, including the popular Woodbury Days held in summer in Ojibway Park.
Woodbury is a 10 minute drive away from St Paul and approx. a 25 minute drive from downtown Minneapolis.
Home Styles
Not surprisingly, being close to numerous cultural and recreational amenities, Woodbury is strongly family oriented. There are also two reputable high schools – Woodbury High and East Ridge High. Typically Woodbury homes are 2 stories and are ideal for growing families as they have 4-6 bedrooms with 4-5 baths.
Most homes have an open plan concept and are fitted with quality finishes and modern luxuries. You’ll find extra storage space, lofts, sun decks, theater rooms, and big backyards for kids to run around in.
The age of the homes in Woodbury ranges from mid 1980s constructions through to newer builds of the early 2000s. Homes tend to be large but still affordable at $450k – $750k.
Things to Do
Woodbury is a great place to live if you work in St Paul or Minneapolis, and want to enjoy quality family time in the weekends and holidays. Along with Woodbury’s parks and nature reserves, facilities like the HealthEast Sports Center offer year round opportunities for sport, and there are two golf courses. There are also professional sports teams – MLB Twins, NFL Vikings, NBA Timberwolves and NHL Wild, if you want to catch a game in downtown Minneapolis, or St Paul.
Good food is yours for the taking in Woodbury, there are the typical chain restaurants, but also plenty of independent eateries. Try Angelina’s Kitchen for handmade Italian-American food, Cravings Wine Bar for an eclectic menu, or Ramen Station for cracking good noodles.