Minneapolis is Minnesota’s largest, most populous city. About 429,606 people call the city home, while about 3.64 million people reside in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area and surrounding suburbs. Several of the Minneapolis suburbs offer high quality of life and affordability.

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is located within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul real estate. It is the largest, busiest airport in the Upper Midwest region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The airport provides service to nearly 40,000,000 passengers yearly. Those considering a move to Minneapolis who want access to easy travel should consider living in one of the following Minneapolis suburbs near the airport.

Apple Valley

Apple Valley is a Minneapolis suburb found in northwestern Dakota County. It lies directly south of the Twin Cities and is about 20 miles from Minneapolis. The community has a population of about 55,135 and offers easy access to major highways, as well as public transportation.

Apple Valley is home to the Minnesota Zoo and hosts the annual Apple Valley Freedom Days every Fourth of July with one of the area’s largest parades. It also holds an annual winter carnival.

The suburb of Apple Valley lies directly south of the airport, across the Minnesota River and Long Meadow Lake, just to the east of Interstate Highway 35.

Following the shortest route along Minnesota State Highway 77 North, it takes approximately 12 to 18 minutes to get to the airport at 7 a.m., about 12 to 20 minutes to get to the airport at 1 p.m., or between 14 and 22 minutes at 5:30 p.m. from Apple Valley.

Bloomington

As one of Minnesota’s most populous cities with about 90,000 residents, homes for sale in Bloomington are surrounded by a rich history, plenty of entertainment options, parks, trails, and golf courses. The city also offers theaters and museums, and includes the Hyland Park complex, with both a ski area and Nordic ski jumps.

In 1843, Peter and Louisa Quinn built the first cabin in Bloomington. More settlements came to the area after the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851. Bloomington became a town the same day Minnesota became a state in 1858. It officially became a city in 1960 after a population boom that had started in the 1940s.

In 1956, construction of the Metropolitan Stadium finished, allowing Bloomington to become the home of the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings in 1961. Bloomington hosted the Twins and the Vikings until the teams moved to Minneapolis in 1981.

In 1985, the Bloomington Port Authority purchased the Metropolitan Stadium site to develop a new megamall. In 1992, the Mall of America opened to the public, immediately becoming the largest shopping mall in the United States. The megamall features over 300 stores, restaurants, and bars and is Bloomington’s largest employer.

Bloomington has reserved approximately one-third of its land for parks, including two large nature preserves. There are also two public golf courses in the city, Dwan Golf Course and Hyland Greens Golf Course, with nearby golf course homes overlooking them. Bloomington is also an excellent choice for people interested in commuting to downtown Minneapolis.

The suburb of Bloomington can be found southwest of the airport, along Interstate Highway 35 West.

The shortest route to the airport is via Interstate Highway 35W, then Interstate Highway 494 East. Because of its proximity, drive times do not vary greatly throughout the day. At 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., it takes about 7 to 8 minutes, while at 5:30 p.m., it typically takes 7 to 9 minutes to arrive at the airport from Bloomington.

Burnsville

The suburb of Burnsville is located about 16 miles south of the Minneapolis downtown area. The city is recognized for its many attractions, including Burnsville Center, a regional mall. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts are drawn to the city’s Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in addition to Buck Hill, a 310-foot vertical ski peak. It is also the home to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Burnsville experienced a spur in growth following the construction of Interstate 35 and is now the ninth-largest suburb in the Minneapolis metro and a major bedroom community to the Twin Cities.

This suburb is south of the airport, slightly to the west and across the Minnesota River. The fastest route from Burnsville to the airport uses Interstate Highway 35W North and Interstate Highway 494 East. It takes about 12 to 16 minutes to drive to the airport at 7 a.m., or approximately 12 to 18 minutes at 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. from Burnsville.

Eagen

The Minneapolis suburb of Eagen is the largest city in Dakota County and the eighth-largest city in Minnesota. The suburb is located about 17.5 miles south of the Twin Cities, an equal distance from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The suburb of Eagen lies south and slightly east of the airport.

Eagen is known for its scenic rolling hills and more than 1,200 small lakes, as well as ponds and wetlands. In addition to its hills and lakes, Eagen is known for its many trees.

The community is home to 55 parks, as well as miles of walking trails, an outdoor water park, a community fitness center, and an indoor playground. The city is also dotted with numerous sports fields and tennis courts.

The fastest route to the airport from Eagen is along Interstate Highway 494 West. It takes approximately 10 to 14 minutes to get to the airport at 7 a.m., and about 10 to 16 minutes at 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. from Eagen.

Edina

Edina is a Minneapolis suburb found in Hennepin County, about 11 miles southwest of Minneapolis. The community has a population of just under 50,000.

Edina offers its residents more than 1,550 acres of parkland and greenspace. The city’s park and recreation department oversees and operates 44 parks, featuring sports fields for soccer, baseball, and football, as well as softball diamonds, basketball courts, and tennis courts.

Edina also has outdoor ice skating rinks, multiple playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Residents can enjoy over eight miles of scenic pathways for walking, running, cycling, and—in winter—snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Edina is known for its boys and girls ice hockey programs, having received national recognition. The city operates 10 arts, community, and recreation facilities throughout the city.

Located directly to the west of the airport, the quickest route to the airport from Edina is via State Highway 62 E. It takes approximately 12 minutes to get to the airport at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m., or about 10 to 14 minutes at 5:30 p.m.

Mendota Heights

Mendota Heights is a community of just over 11,000 people in Dakota County. It was incorporated in 1956 and is about 10.5 miles from Minneapolis.

Residents of this Minneapolis suburb enjoy the community’s dense suburban feel, while still having ready access to the downtown areas of the Twin Cities. The community is known for its many restaurants and coffee shops, as well as its nightlife. With its system of city parks, Mendota Heights also offers many recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike.

Mendota Heights’ primary shopping center is The Village at Mendota Heights. The Village features a parklike design and hosts numerous retail, office, and medical tenants. As for the local fare, Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant and Lucky’s 13 Pub are some of Mendota Heights’ most popular eateries.

Up until 1950, Mendota Heights’ economy relied on truck and dairy farms. Today, residences and businesses have replaced much of Mendota Heights’ farmland. However, Mendota Heights offers nearly 300 acres of municipal parkland, three golf courses, and waterfront homes featuring impressive views of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.

The community is located directly east of the airport, just across the Minnesota River and Snelling Lake. The quickest route to the airport from Mendota Heights is Minnesota State Highway 62 West. It takes about 4 to 7 minutes to get from Mendota Heights to the airport, whether leaving at 7 a.m., 1 p.m., or 5:30 p.m.

Richfield

Richfield is a Minneapolis suburb in Hennepin County. It is located adjacent to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and about 7.2 miles directly south of Minneapolis. The community’s population is about 35,228.

Richfield has over 450 acres of parkland. It has 23 neighborhood parks and a 150-acre nature preserve, Wood Lake Nature Center. The preserve features walking paths, a learning center, and wetlands. It was one of the first urban nature centers in the country.

Richfield also operates two full-size indoor skating rinks, with opportunities for hockey games, figure skating, and other activities.

Much of Richfield’s present-day economy still relies on retail trade. Richfield’s top employers include the Best Buy Headquarters, US Bank, and Target, which serves as the anchor tenant for Cedar Point Commons. The 350,000-square-foot shopping center also features several other chain businesses and restaurants. An ode to its agricultural past, Richfield also hosts a year-round farmers’ market featuring local produce and goods.

Richfield offers numerous local restaurants and bars serving worldwide cuisines, but its most popular hotspots feature American fare. Pizza Luce offers pizza, subs, and salads with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Meanwhile, Sandy’s Tavern, established in 1933, has a reputation for hamburgers, especially their world-famous olive burger.

The city lies directly west of the airport. The quickest route to the airport from Richfield is Minnesota State Highway 62 East. It takes about 7 to 10 minutes at 7 a.m., and around 8 to 12 minutes at 1 p.m and 5:30 p.m. to arrive at the airport from Richfield.

Roseville

Roseville is a Minneapolis suburb found in Ramsey County, just northeast of the city center about seven miles. It is one of only two suburbs that lies adjacent to both St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Roseville was incorporated in 1948. The community is home to several major shopping centers, including the Har Mar Mall and Rosedale Center. Roseville has the greatest number of restaurants per capita in the area and features North America’s largest outdoor artificial sheet of ice, the John Rose Oval.

Roseville operates about 33 parks. Other recreation opportunities include the Cedarholm Golf Course and Bennet Lake.

Located north of the airport, the quickest route from Roseville to the airport is Interstate Highway 35E South. It typically takes 16 to 22 minutes at 7 a.m., or 18 to 26 minutes at 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.

St. Louis Park

The suburb of St. Louis Park is just minutes away from the Twin Cities and its many amenities, including the downtown arts district, shopping, university campuses, and sporting events, as well as the Chain of Lakes.

St. Louis Park has about 49,000 residents. While primarily residential, with a mix of new construction and older homes, it also has a commercial district.

The suburb is known for its extensive system of trails, a system that connects to downtown Minneapolis and several other neighborhoods. St. Louis Park also features 52 parks. This Minneapolis suburb is located northwest of the airport and west of downtown Minneapolis.

It takes about 18 to 22 minutes to get from St. Louis Park to the airport at 7 a.m. using Minnesota State Highway 100 South and Minnesota State Highway. At 1 p.m., it takes about 18 to 24 minutes, while at 5:30 p.m., it takes approximately 18 to 26 minutes to arrive at the airport from St. Louis Park.

West St. Paul

West St. Paul is located about 12.2 miles southeast of Minneapolis, near the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Featuring a country-like setting, West St. Paul still offers easy access to amenities.

The community of about 19,738 residents is known for its lakes, wildlife, and lush grasslands.

West St. Paul is home to 15 city parks, as well as an indoor ice arena, community swimming pool, and the Regional Athletics Center dome. It is also the location of the Dodge Nature Center, Thompson County Park, and the Southview Country Club.

While close to the larger cities, West St. Paul also has its own business community of about 600 businesses, as well as a light industrial park.

Located northeast of the airport, it takes about 10 to 14 minutes to get from West St. Paul to the airport at 7 a.m., while it takes 10 to 16 minutes at either 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.

Finding a Minneapolis Home Close to the Airport

Minneapolis real estate, and its twin St. Paul, offer residents all the activities and amenities one would expect out of a large urban area. Along with their many surrounding suburbs, the Twin Cities make up the third-largest population and economic center in the Midwest region, and the 16^th largest metro area in the U.S. Minneapolis is home to five Fortune 500 companies and is the fifth-largest leading location for major corporate headquarters in the country.

Those choosing to live in surrounding suburbs will find many communities to choose from, each with its own attributes and identities. For frequent travelers, these suburbs offer convenient access to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, located south of the Twin Cities.

If Minneapolis is the city for you, contact Kris Lindahl Real Estate at 1-(855) 967-7653 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your dream home today.