Saint Paul

About St. Paul

The city of St. Paul is one of the largest in Minnesota, serving as its state capital and a major center of culture, commerce and government. Located among picturesque hills along the Mississippi River, St. Paul is a charming place to call home. It has 160 parks and an extensive network of biking and walking trails, so there's plenty of green space to enjoy despite the size of the city. St. Paul is also home to the longest stretch of Victorian residential architecture remaining in the United States, a unique feature that attracts a number of visitors.

Living in St. Paul

As a thriving metropolitan city, St. Paul has something to offer everyone. If you enjoy nature and living an active lifestyle, you can easily take advantage of the city's numerous parks. Biking and walking trails are popular with locals, especially during the warmer spring and summer months. The Como Zoo and Conservatory and its adjoining Japanese Garden are also local favorites. The zoo area also features an amusement park, the beautiful Lake Como and a golf course. Other major parks and recreational facilities in St. Paul include Indian Mounds Park, the Wabasha Street Caves and Highland Park.

St. Paul is also home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Notable residents have included famous cartoonist Charles Schulz (creator of "Peanuts"), author F. Scott Fitzgerald and playwright August Wilson, and the tradition of arts continues today. The Minnesota Opera performs at the city's Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is another major musical presence in the city. St. Paul is also home to many museums, like the Minnesota Museum of American Art, the Minnesota Children's Museum and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Jobs in St. Paul

Retail, technology, financial services and biomedical are all major industries in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The city serves as one of the most prominent business centers between Seattle and Chicago, and is a major economic presence in the Midwest.

A number of major companies are headquartered in St. Paul, including Ecolab, a large chemical company. Other important business presences in the area are 3M, St. Jude Medical and Securian Financial Group Inc. St. Paul has been named one of the best place to work in the metro area, and you'll have plenty of options if you're planning to join the local job market.

St. Paul Schools

The St. Paul Public Schools district operates the public schools in the city. In addition to its traditional campuses, the district also manages early childhood programs, adult learning options, GED programs and language studies. You'll have several well-rated charter, parochial and private schools to choose from as well.

St. Paul has one of the highest concentrations of higher education institutions in the country, with more than 15 different campuses within its city limits. If you're planning to pursue a degree in St. Paul, you'll find a wide range of school options to consider.

Resources for Moving to St. Paul

Here's some handy information for planning your move to St. Paul:

• Utilities: The primary energy provider in St. Paul is Xcel Energy. St. Paul Regional Water Services oversees residential water distribution and billing.
• Garbage and Recycling: St. Paul does not provide trash collection services. Residents must arrange trash collection with a licensed waste hauler. There are four transfer stations that will accept bulky items. Ramsey County provides recycling services.
• Transportation: Metro Transit operates a large network of bus and rail lines in St. Paul and throughout the metropolitan area.
• Parking: Due to congestion, some residential neighborhoods require parking permits.

St. Paul Housing

St. Paul's sprawling size gives you several diverse options when looking for a home. Single-family homes, urban apartments, cozy townhomes and more are all available throughout the city. On average, you can expect to pay slightly more for a home in St. Paul than in many other communities in the country. For a large metropolitis, however, it's extremely affordable.

Known as the "City of Neighborhoods," St. Paul has 17 planning districts, each with its own District Council. These councils make it easier for residents to get involved and enjoy the welcoming sense of community.