Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? |
Like most of central Minnesota, South St. Paul has a jarring range of weather conditions. The summers are short - June to early September - and the temperatures can reach the low 90s. But the winters are harsh and the strong winds that come off of the plains make the freezing temperatures seem even cold. The typical winter includes about 30 inches of snow and it can stay on the ground well into April. | | In recent years the city has fought a perception that it's the home for a fair amount of minor street crime and vandalism. But over the past decade parts of South St. Paul have begun to gentrify and that change, along with an increased police presence, has lowered the crime rate across the board. It feels like a safe place to live and driving through the neighborhoods, you don't see any shuttered or abandoned houses. | | South St. Paul is an older suburb and much of the town seems a bit ragged and worn. The downtown area has undergone a renewal in recent years, with several big new building complexes and upscale townhouses. But the Concord Avenue corridor remains a mix of low-rent bars and strip clubs, along with warehouses that seem to be half-abandoned. The houses in Concord (also known locally as "down the hill") are often rundown and badly maintained. But the 7th Avenue corridor (or "up the hill") is a family-friendly neighborhood filled with 1960s-era ranch houses and tree-lined streets. | | Many of the town's residents have lived in South St. Paul for decades. They bought their house when they were young and raised their families here. But their now on a fixed income and struggling just to pay the bills. But the areas on either side of Interstate 494 have attracted new families drawn to the city by great, old houses that are substantially cheaper than in neighboring towns. South St. Paul is a working class town, down-to-earth and homey. It's multi-racial and friendly. But it isn't a good fit for anyone looking for an upscale urban lifestyle. |
Schools | | Single life | | Noise | | town comparison vs. |
South St. Paul tend to rank in the middle range of what you'll find in Minnesota. Where the school system struggles is with special education, where budget cuts have left the schools with a lot fewer options for parents than in surrounding cities. | | South St. Paul doesn't have many options for singles. Most of the bars are working class drinking bars and there aren't any hot clubs or good places for dancing. | | South St. Paul is the location for a small airport, which is located along the north part of the city. The air traffic is limited to small planes, but they do fly low over the city throughout the day. | | If you're looking for a more typical suburban living experience, then nearby Inver Grove Heights is a better fit. Located on the southern border of the city, it contains many more large housing developments and new suburban strip malls. West St. Paul is jammed with stores and restaurants, particularly along the Highway 3 corridor. It's congested and noisy and the traffic can be difficult during rush hour. All of which makes South St. Paul a good compromise location. It's a five-minute drive away from Highway 3, but far enough away to be free of the traffic problems. Housing is substantially cheaper then Inver Grove Heights, making it a good place for a family on a budget. |
General comments | | | | | | |
It's a comfortable, blue collar town. The residents don't have a lot of pretensions and aren't looking for the hottest new restaurant. These are working class people who are friendly and without a lot of pretensions. Some blocks can seem a bit rundown, but the houses are great examples of early suburban living. Each house is different and they all sit on substantial lots with plenty of room for the kids to play. | | | | | | |