Where to Live in
St. Paul

2026 Neighborhood Shortlist: St. Paul, MN

The 2026 Vibe Check

St. Paul isn’t having an identity crisis; it’s finally leaning into its strengths. We’ve lived in the shadow of Minneapolis for decades, playing the quiet, older sibling. That’s over. The "Green Line" extension to University Avenue finally stitched the disjointed neighborhoods together, and the bleed-over from the Minneapolis warehouse district is real. You see it in the new construction townhomes popping up on the edge of Summit-University, pushing the historic district further into "Old Money" territory.

Gentrification lines are drawn hard along Selby Avenue and creeping east into Hamline-Midway. The old dive bars in Mac-Groveland are fighting to stay open against the influx of high-end bistros catering to St. Thomas and Macalester staff. Cathedral Hill is becoming a fortress of preservation; if you aren't buying a Victorian there, you aren't getting in. Meanwhile, Hamline-Midway is the wild card. It’s rough around the edges—don't get me wrong, car break-ins are still a weekend hobby there—but the "soccer stadium" effect is finally paying off with legitimate investment. The vibe is "historic preservation meets aggressive renovation." It’s less "artsy" than Northeast Minneapolis and more "established with a fresh coat of paint."

The Shortlist

Mac-Groveland

• The Vibe: Established Academic
• Rent Check: 1BR ~$1550 (High)
• The Good: This is the gold standard for St. Paul living. Walkability is king here; you can hit Grand Avenue for dinner (try Moscow on the Hill for a martini) and be at Lake Como for a run within minutes. The public schools (like Highland Park High) are solid, and the tree canopy is unrivaled. It feels safe, settled, and deeply neighborly.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare on streets like Osborne Road. The "No Parking" signs are weaponized by residents. It’s also getting dangerously expensive; the days of finding a deal here are gone.
• Best For: Families who want walkability and established roots without moving to the exurbs.
• Insider Tip: Skip the Grand Ave crowds and head to Cleveland Ave. Grab a coffee at Five Watt Coffee and check out the local bookshops. It’s the soul of the neighborhood.

Highland Park

• The Vibe: Suburban-in-the-City
• Rent Check: 1BR ~$1480 (High)
• The Good: It sits on the river, literally. You have immediate access to the Mississippi River trails and the Highland Bridge development, which is the only "new" thing in St. Paul that feels like it belongs in 2026. The schools are top-tier, and the Highland Village center is actually useful (unlike many dying malls).
• The Bad: It lacks grit. If you want a late-night dive bar, you’re driving to Hamline-Midway. It’s quiet, sometimes too quiet. The traffic on Snelling Avenue during rush hour will test your patience.
• Best For: Empty nesters downsizing from the suburbs who want a big yard but still need a Target nearby.
• Insider Tip: The secret weapon is Indian Mounds Park. It’s smaller than Como but has the best view of the downtown skyline in the city. Go at sunset.

Summit-University

• The Vibe: Historic Opulence
• Rent Check: 1BR ~$1300 (Average)
• The Good: The architecture here is mind-blowing. We're talking James J. Hill mansions. It’s historically Black, deeply resilient, and centrally located. You are seconds from the Green Line and downtown Minneapolis. The Rondo heritage is palpable and preserved.
• The Bad: It’s a block-by-block reality. One street is pristine mansions; the next can feel neglected. Crime rates fluctuate more here than in Mac-Groveland. You need to be street smart.
• Best For: Architecture buffs and people who want "Historic" without the "Highland Park" price tag.
• Insider Tip: Walk Selby Avenue between Dale and Grotto. The stretch near Cathedral Hill is unreal. Stop at The Lexington for a classic steakhouse experience (get the burger).

Hamline-Midway

• The Vibe: Gritty & Rising
• Rent Check: 1BR ~$1150 (Below Average)
• The Good: This is the value play. It’s centrally located, flat (great for biking), and has the best ethnic food in the city on University Ave (specifically the Somali and Hmong spots). The Allianz Field energy spills over here on game days. It’s diverse and unpretentious.
• The Bad: It’s loud. The light rail runs through the heart of it. Property crime is higher; don’t leave a backpack in your car. It’s not "polished" and likely never will be.
• Best For: First-time homebuyers who need equity potential and don't mind a little noise.
• Insider Tip: Marty’s Grill is the dive bar to end all dive bars on Snelling. Cash only. Also, the Hamline Church dining hall during the holidays is a community staple.

St. Anthony Park

• The Vibe: University Adjacent
• Rent Check: 1BR ~$1450 (High)
• The Good: Nestled against the University of Minnesota's St. Paul Campus, it feels like a village. It’s incredibly safe, walkable, and has a dedicated local vibe. Como Regional Park is your backyard. The St. Anthony Park (SAP) community center is active, and the farmers market is legit.
• The Bad: It’s isolated. You are far from the downtown St. Paul core. Traffic getting out of here towards Minneapolis during the school year is gridlock on Larpenteur Ave.
• Best For: DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) who love dogs, parks, and quiet mornings.
• Insider Tip: Go to Cafe Latte on Snelling (technically just across the border, but SAP residents claim it). It’s the neighborhood living room.

Strategic Recommendations

For Families:
Stick to Mac-Groveland or Highland Park. The school districts (specifically St. Paul Public Schools but zoned for Highland Park High) are the most consistent here. The streets are wider, the parks (Como Park, Lake Como) are massive, and the community infrastructure (libraries, rec centers) is funded and maintained. The safety factor is non-negotiable for parents here.

For Wall St / Tech (The Commuter):
If you are working downtown Minneapolis but want St. Paul character, live in Summit-University or Hamline-Midway. You are a 10-minute drive or a quick train ride across the river. Mac-Groveland adds 10-15 minutes to that commute due to the choke points on Randolph Avenue. The Green Line extension is a lifesaver for this demographic.

The Value Play (Buy Before 2027):
Hamline-Midway. Specifically, the area west of Snelling Avenue and north of University Avenue. The proximity to the soccer stadium and the light rail is driving up values, but it’s still the last affordable pocket with historic housing stock near the city center. You buy here now, you hold for 5 years, you win.