Neighborhood Feature - Linden Hills
This is the second post in a series called Neighborhood Features where I'm out shopping, dining, sipping and exploring in the neighborhoods of Southwest Minneapolis & Edina that I sell real estate in. I like to think I know these areas well, I've been a resident here for nearly 15 years and all the while been buying, selling and renovating homes here while raising 4 children. I can tell you anything from my favorite place to get my lawn mower blade sharpened to my favorite place to get curtains hemmed, a pedicure or a walk-in strep test.
Today I'm talking about a neighborhood that needs very little introduction - Linden Hills. It's impossible to list off all the places I love to visit in Linden Hills without this turning into an excerpt from the New York Times best seller '36 Hours.' Being that my kids attend school in Linden Hills, my home is just outside the neighborhood borders and many of my favorite eating establishments can be found here, I've come to realize I don't travel outside this area very often. Many Linden Hills residents will tell you the same thing - most everything you need is right within the village limits, with its rolling hills and linden tree-lined streets, why would you leave?
Linden Hills was developed in the late 1800's to attract downtown dwellers to a more scenic and picturesque landscape. Grounded by two of our most lovely and frequented city lakes, residents migrated south of downtown to take advantage of Lakes Harriet & Calhoun while utilizing the streetcar line for ease of commuting. The neighborhood borders are 36th Street & Lake Calhoun to the North, 47th Street to the South, William Berry Drive and Lake Harriet to the East and France Avenue to the West.
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Today, city dwellers take up residence here for many of the same reasons - close proximity to downtown, walkability to the lakes and a charming business district that boasts a plethora of locally owned shops and restaurants.
What to eat
Depending on the time of day you are meandering through Linden Hills, there's a perfect spot for dining. After I drop my kids off at school, I like to head to Rose Street Patisserie for coffee.
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If you're looking for a great cafe to set up shop with your laptop that gets tons of natural light and an unparalleled display of pastries, Rose Street is for you.
Zumbro has been cooking up breakfast and lunch for more than 2 decades sourcing local and fresh ingredients to create infamous dishes like their French toast with sour-cherry and rhubarb compote topped with maple-whipped cream. Let me tell you, it's as good as it sounds.
Zumbro sits nestled on the corner of main drag Upton & 43rd Street, a welcome little retreat from the bustling city sidewalks. 2803 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis
If it's dinner you're looking for, head over to Tilia on 43rd Street. While petite in size, Tilia is cooking up big flavor and receiving equally big accolades for the dishes they're churning out of their quaint sized kitchen.
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I love going to Tilia in the winter - so cozy and warm, dimly lit with rich wood tones and candlelight. The wait staff is equally as warm and the service is attentive and approachable. 2726 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis
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Linden Hills for kids
Linden Hills is a fabulous destination to spend a summer day with kids. Start at the Wild Rumpus book store, recently named 2017 Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year. For the record, it's the first time in 25 years a children's bookstore has received this prestigious title.
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Enter through the infamous tiny purple door and make your way through the theatrical setting where the cats and chickens roam free.
Check out their weekly Tail Time Mondays at 10:30am filled with stories, song and dance. 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis
Next, head over to Heartfelt to browse their shop of natural, often handmade gifts.
Check out their monthly menu of drop-in craft projects and choose one that sounds fitting for you and your child. Let kids play make believe in the indoor treehouse while you explore summer camp and birthday party options.
If you're looking for a truly one stop birthday party shop, owner Lisa MacMartin puts together a sweet celebration for kids. 4306 Upton Avenue South, Minneapolis
Along your walk from Heartfelt over to Linden Hills Park, grab a sandwich at Clancey's. You'll also pass the Linden Hills library on your way that has a great and semi-contained kids area making keeping track of little ones slightly easier (that is, if you have a 2-year-old disappearing artist like I do).
Set up for a picnic lunch at one of the shaded picnic tables between the park and wading pool.
My kids could spend the entire day here bouncing around between swimming, tennis courts, softball fields, basketball courts and playgrounds. It's our go-to summer park for soaking up the sights and sounds of summertime in Minneapolis.
No matter your age
Don't leave Linden Hills without grabbing a quintessential summer cone from Sebastian Joe's.
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Established in 1984, Sebastian Joe's is the epitome of what makes Linden Hills so special. A neighborhood cornerstone, family owned and operated with a mission to work hard and treat staff and customers alike as family. There's something about savoring their ice cream under the string lights of their courtyard with sun-kissed kids, chatty teens and regulars who've become part of the landscape.
The community is gathered here and the ice cream plays second fiddle to the people who make this fabulous neighborhood home. 4321 South Upton Avenue, Minneapolis
Don't forget about the Linden Hills Farmers Market, Sundays from 9am-1pm in the parking lot of Settergren's Hardware. You can see my printable roundup of SW Minneapolis & Edina Farmers Markets here.
Living in Linden Hills
Thinking of buying or selling in Linden Hills? Here's a glimpse of some data for the Linden Hills market from the month of April, 2017:
Median sales price in Linden Hills was $494,000
Median days on market was 35 days
Median price per square foot was $249
Number of homes for sale in Linden Hills in April was 35 homes
These homes sold for a median of 96.6% of their original list price
The story that this data is telling us is that if you want to live in Linden Hills, you need to be prepared to pay a premium. However, your investment will give back to you time and time again. Not only do you carry a vested interest in some of Minneapolis' most sought after real estate, but as a resident of Linden Hills, this scenic, savory, picturesque landscape that once drew downtown dwellers to its beckoning shores, is now just a stone's throw away from your own front door. With median home prices creeping towards higher bracket price points, sellers shouldn't be surprised if your house isn't instantly gobbled up in multiple offers. The pool of buyers in this price range is more limited than those in lower bracket homes.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Southwest Minneapolis or Edina, I'd love to sit down with you and share more data about what's going on in your neighborhood. Visit my contact page or read more about my unique services here.
Check out my Tangletown Neighborhood Feature here.