With spring in the air and summer on its way, this month we thought we would turn our attention to the lakes and introduce you to some of the Twin Cities’ most appealing waterfront communities.
Wayzata
Wayzata is a very small town that borders the eastern shore of Lake Minnetonka. Though small, Wayzata is home to some of the most expensive—and beautiful—real estate in Minnesota. Wayzata is a vibrant business community with many local shops and restaurants. The lakefront downtown area is a quaint destination for lakeside dining, boutique and antique shopping, art galleries, and enjoying the picturesque sight of an early morning sailboat race. Known as “the jewel of Lake Minnetonka,” Wayzata is the perfect community for families who enjoy an active lifestyle and want to take advantage of the many attractions Lake Minnetonka has to offer: sailing, boating, water skiing, and wooded trails in the summer, and ice fishing, skating, and cross country skiing in the winter.
Population: 3,863
Median Home Value: $574,715
Median Household Income: $96,859
Distance from Minneapolis: 11 miles
Minnetonka
Containing 49 community parks, 81 miles of maintained sidewalks and trails, and over 1,000 acres of public scenery including wetlands, prairie, and woodland—as well as its namesake Lake Minnetonka—Minnetonka is a community that values its natural resources. Though it shares the name, Minnetonka’s city boundaries only include one small corner of the lake, Gray’s Bay. Like Wayzata, Minnetonka also has a thriving business community and beautiful residential areas. The area is home to several major corporate headquarters, including Carlson Companies, Cargill, and United Healthcare, making it an attractive option for people who want to minimize their daily commute while still living in close proximity to downtown Minneapolis.
Population: 51,486
Median Home Value: $336,074
Median Household Income: $106,506
Distance from Minneapolis: 8 miles
