Minneapolis, Minnesota is known as the “City of Lakes” for a reason. Its twenty lakes and wetlands are spread throughout the area. Along with numerous lakes, the Mississippi River also runs through the middle of Minneapolis as do various creeks and waterfalls, many of which are connected by parkways that make up the Chain of Lakes. Not surprisingly, Minneapolis real estate listings typically include a wide variety of homes on or near a body of water.  If you are looking for a waterfront property for your next home purchase, Minneapolis may be your dream location to live, work and play.

Along with the neighboring city of St. Paul, Minneapolis makes up a little more than half of the population in the “Twin Cities.” Minneapolis itself is the largest city in Minnesota with a population of around 400,000 people. Together with St. Paul, the Twin Cities metropolitan area is home to over three million people. The City of Minneapolis covers approximately 60 square miles with almost four square miles of that being water (of some sort). If you love the outdoors, Minneapolis offers outdoor recreation all year round. During the warm summer months, kayaking and boating trips down the Mississippi River or one of Minneapolis’s many streams is a popular option as well as an excellent way to see the downtown skyline. Fall in Minneapolis brings with it numerous outdoor festivals as well as the Twin Cities Marathon. Cold temperatures and snow mark the winter months in Minneapolis which make ice skating and ice fishing on one of the many lakes a popular pastime. In the spring, take a walk through the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens or around one of the many lakes and watch the flowers as they start to bloom.

If you are looking for homes in Minneapolis that offer waterfront living you have several options. Over 15 distinct neighborhoods offer Minneapolis real estate listings along the banks of the Mississippi River. In addition, several communities contain lakefront property for sale. Minneapolis real estate listings in Linden Hills frequently have lakefront options because Linden Hills spans not one, but two different lakes. Both Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet are found in the Linden Hills neighborhood. Homes in Linden Hills are predominantly single family bungalows and Tudor style homes with prices at the higher end of the scale for Minneapolis. As of July 2013, homes in Linden Hills average around $350,000.

If your search for homes in Minneapolis is geared more toward an urban vibe, the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood offers waterfront living along the Mississippi River as well as proximity to both downtown Minneapolis and the famous commercial district known as “Dinkytown.” Housing in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood is geared toward university students and faculty, meaning you will find apartment buildings, condominiums, converted loft space, and some single family housing. Home prices in Marcy-Holmes are much more budget friendly than other areas of Minneapolis with average prices matching those for Minneapolis as a whole. As of July 2013, median home values in Marcy-Holmes were around $200,000.

Finally, if you have your heart set on lakefront living but wish to remain on a tight budget, consider the Keewaydin area found on the southeast side of Minneapolis. “Keewaydin” is Ojibwe for “northwest wind,” or “the home wind.” The majority of Lake Nokomis is found within the Keewaydin area. Homes in the area include two to four bedroom bungalow style homes that tend to run just above the city average in price.

For additional information regarding your Minneapolis home search, consider reaching out to an experienced real estate agent who is familiar with the Minneapolis real estate market.