Minneapolis is located across the river and is also home to many artistic and business ventures. People who live in the state of Minnesota are known for their kindness toward everyone that they meet. Once you visit Minnesota, you will want to visit again. If you have a family, this is a great place to vacation as there are many activities for children and adults.

For sports fans, visiting the Metrodome, the home to the Minnesota Vikings, is an exciting event.  The enclosed dome makes for a comfortable way to watching a professional football game.  Vikings fans are unlike any others and going to a home game is guaranteed fun for any visitor.

The Mall of America also attracts many people to Minnesota.  It is the country’s largest mall and features over 400 stores. The mall is not only for shoppers, with great food choices and even amusement park type rides within the building. People travel from all over the world to experience the largest mall complex humans have witnessed.  The mall keeps getting larger and provides jobs for over 1200 people in Minnesota.

Other cities in Minnesota include Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Minnetonka. These cities are not as large as St. Paul or Minneapolis, but they have their own unique charm. You will be able to eat in small diners, visit local historical attractions, and see the farmland. People in Minnesota participate in many outdoor activities that include hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, and others depending on the weather. Your family will have a great time visiting parks, seeing plants and animals in their own habitat, and more.

The nightlife in Minneapolis and St. Paul will allow you to unwind and have a good time. With many restaurants and bars in the area, you will be able to relax and meet some new people. There are also dance clubs and lounges that feature local music. Many famous musicians got their start playing in small clubs in Minnesota. The state has an appreciation for music that you will find appealing.

The area of 50th and France (plus a few square blocks in each direction) has undergone constant renovation over the decades while maintaining its small town appeal and texture. While many of the stores and eateries are now upscale there is no shortage of offerings for all who come. Dining options are abundant and cover everything from fine dining to casual family meals both American and ethnic. Well known local eateries include Tejas, Salut, D’amico & Sons, Edina Grill and Pearsons to name a very few.

Shopping at 50th and France covers everything from babies to bankers and kitchens to clothing. Some of the best known names include Belleson’s, Dana’s Apparel, Cooks of Crocus Hill, Bumbershut and dozens more. Go to www.50thandfrance.com for a complete look at the area’s businesses.

For year round entertainment, the venerable Edina Theatre still stands as a movie house. Dating to the 1930’s, and renovated in 1988, this theatre has been a 50th and France staple for over 75 years. In the summer, the 50th and France area hosts the Edina Art Fair. Stretching about a block in each direction, this very popular event is in its 46th year.

The Edina school system is held in high regard by the people of Minneapolis. A recent U.S. News & World Report rated Edina High School in the top 2% nationally based on state assessment tests and college readiness scores. Edina also supports six elementary schools and two middle schools. South View Middle School, Normandale Elementary French Immersion and Concord Elementary are in the 50th and France area.

If recreation is something you care about then Edina is your place. Golf aficionados know that the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open was held at Interlachen Country Club. Edina is also home to the Edina Country Club as well as public play courses like Braemar Golf Course and the Fred Richards Golf Course. All these are just miles from the 50th and France vicinity. Within walking distance of the main intersection are Woodale Park, Utley Park and Pershing Field Park where one can enjoy tennis courts and ball fields.

Probably one of the best features of living in Edina is its proximity to downtown Minneapolis and all its amenities. The 50th and France neighborhood is prized for being walking distance to the nationally renowned chain of lakes starting with nearby Lake Harriet. You can know more about Edina real estate at http://www.agentsranking.com/.

With the help of Edina realtors can identify specific properties in Edina real estate that suit you. For a broader choice you can use the services of Minnesota realtors to identify properties in Minnesota.

The area operates as one of the prime business centers between Chicago and Seattle.  As a major business hub companies large and small continue to thrive.  Minneapolis is home to fortune 500 companies such as the Target Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, and Medtronic to name just a few.  Minneapolis is an area where businesses big and small continue to prosper.

According to an article published by the Department of Community Planning & Economic Development the Twin Cities were named as the place to do business in the U.S. two years in a row by Marketwatch. The London Financial Times stated in 2008 that “the Cities are lucky to have a robust and diverse business community, unlike many neighboring states, which have historically been dependent on manufacturing and agriculture. But jobs are just a part of it. Government and business also have invested heavily in educating the local population…”

There are a wide range of educational opportunities for students of all levels.  In 2007 and 2008 Minneapolis was acknowledged as one of America’s Most Literate Cities with a population above 250,000 by the AMLC.  In addition to the University of Minnesota, the city offers 13 other well recognized colleges and universities.

Minneapolis Real Estate offers a wide range of commercial and residential possibilities. The local factors that affect home values in Minneapolis provided by the HomeInsights.com contain a number of interesting figures. For example, the median household income is a respectable $53,315 per year which has increased by 55.30% over the last 2 decades.  The median home price is $221,672 and according to realtor.com, at the time of this publication, there were 5,893 properties on the multiple listing service.

Information published by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, a leading association of Minneapolis Realtors,reported that the month of January 2010 saw a 9.6% increase in the number of new listings compared to the same time the previous year.  4,594 properties were listed for sale, 942 property sales closed and an additional 1,294 properties are pending sales. The median sale price for short sales in January 2010 was approximately $143,000, down slightly compared to 2009 stats. Traditional sales

Other local factors that affect home values such as local attractions, amenities, leisure and cultural activities, population growth and even the weather conditions all combine to make Minneapolis a favourable metropolitan area.

Local attractions and amenities are abundant in the area and include several movie theatres, thousands of restaurants, hundreds of bars, golf courses and libraries.  Many professional sports teams including the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB) and Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) call Minneapolis home.  Minnesota has something for every sports fan regardless of the sport. There is something for everyone and the weather adds a nice bonus. The area receives less than 30 inches of precipitation annually and according to research by HomeInsights.com the average high temperature in July is 82.90 degrees Fahrenheit. Interestingly, according to weather.com, the highest recorded temperature in the area was 108 degrees Fahrenheit in 1936 and the maximum average precipitation occurs in June.

The Minneapolis Tour Guide posted on virtualtourist.com outlines the Top 10 places to visit while in the area, here are a few highlights:

The Mall of America – although large and expensive (nearly 80 acres), the mall is said to be clean and well organized with an underground aquarium, a miniature golf course, several night clubs and even a Ferris wheel and roller coaster.
Downtown – The Crystal Court in the IDS Tower is described by one visitor as a “unique ‘beehive’ of tiered glass cells [rising] 121 feet overhead and [acts] as an atrium for an indoor park of trees and benches clustered about a pool for the 105 ft. cascading waterfall.”
St. Paul – features such as the Wabasha Street Caves, which offers several types of cave $5 tours; the Como Zoo, a small donation based admission facility with a new Tropical Encounters exhibit, a conservatory, historic carousel and a small amusement park; the Capitol Building, which offers Art Treasure Hunts and Guided Tours; and the Cathedral, which is located in the downtown area and is said to be combined with tours of the Minnesota History Centre, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Museum of Art offer a number of unique experiences.

In addition to the great attractions in the area the residents have also developed a few local customs. They seem to love their parks; grilled corn on the cob; grilled turkey legs; food on a stick, pork chop on a stick is a very popular choice, as well as corn on a stick, corn dogs, ribs on a stick and cotton candy (on a stick of course); and hockey, the state high school hockey tournament is said to a regular sell out and is televised on national television.

Thinking of coming to visit the area? Minneapolis can meet all of your travel needs. The Minneapolis / Saint Paul International Airport has flights leaving daily for 116 domestic locations and 14 international markets.  Getting around the city is breeze with fast and reliable light rail and bus services offered by Metro Transit. According to The Minneapolis Tour Guide at virtualtours.com the area even has a new greenway system for both bicycles and pedestrians. This greenway is said to run along an old railway line and runs from “the Mississippi all the way out to the western suburbs of Minneapolis. The majority of the path … is below street level, so you don’t have to worry about cars. “One visitor to the site commented that biking saves the hassle of finding a place to park.

With a skilled and educated workforce, a bustling business sector and an active real estate market it is clear the Minneapolis has something to offer for everyone. Entertainment is abundant and varied for all ages with a wide range of professional sports teams, community groups, theatre and cultural events to enjoy.  With all that Minneapolis has to offer it is clear that it is not only a great place to visit but also a fantastic place to call home. You can know more at www.agentsranking.com