Sometimes we focus too much on the tiny towns and the big cities, and not enough on the ones that are the perfect mix of the two. These beautiful 10 suburban cities represent the balance between friendly, small town communities and big city convenience.
1. Apple Valley
This Dakota County city is home to just under 50,000 residents. It was named the 17th best place to live in the US by Money Magazine in 2013. It is nearly 18 square miles of beautiful land and water, with an adorable downtown area. It's also home to the Minnesota Zoo.
2. Burnsville
This beautiful southern Suburb of the Twin Cities is adjacent to the beautiful Minnesota River. The "Heart of the City" is absolutely stunning, and there is always something happening in Burnsville's stunning parks.
3. Coon Rapids
The largest city in Anoka County is full of beautiful parks and neighborhoods. The Coon Rapids dam on the Mississippi adds another unique location to the this city, and marks it as the northernmost point of the navigable part of the Mississippi.
4. Cottage Grove
On the north bank of the Mississippi in Washington Country, this suburb has about 35,000 residents. It is full of stunning scenery, and has the most land adjacent to the Mississippi out of any Minnesota city.
5. Mankato
This approximately 41,000 person city is the 5th largest outside of the Twin-Cities Metro Area in Minnesota and is located on the confluence of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers. It is a bustling college city with 4 schools of higher education, and the home of the Vikings summer training camp.
6. Minnetonka
Home of the state's largest public and privately owned companies (Cargill and United Healthcare), and located on one of Minnesota's most stunning lakes (Minnetonka, of course), this roughly 50,000 resident city is known for its good schools and beautiful neighborhoods.
7. Moorhead
This 42,000 person city is the largest in northwest MN and is located on the Red River which separates it and neighboring city Fargo, North Dakota. It is home to some of the best agricultural land in the world, the Rourke Art Museum and Gallery, and the Hjemkomst Center among other attractions.
8. Plymouth
Minnesota's seventh largest city with about 70,000 residents was named the best city to live in the US in 2008, and continues to be a favorite for its great schools, residential areas, parks, and jobs.
9. Shakopee
This city on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River is a suburb of the Twin Cities with about 37,000 residents. It's historic district is fascinating, and it's home to some of the best local attractions like Valleyfair Amusement Park, The Landing Historic Village, Canterbury Park, the Renaissance Festival, and Mystic Lake Casino.
10. St. Cloud
St. Cloud is MN's 10th largest city on the Mississippi River. It has about 67,000 residents, and is home to Minnesota's third largest public university and one of the most scenic parts of the Mississippi. The city also have 95 parks including over 1400 acres of beautiful land.
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