Moving to Minnesota? Your Complete Twin Cities Relocation Guide

If you are relocating to the Twin Cities — whether for 3M in Maplewood, Andersen Corporation in Bayport, UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, or another employer in this corporate-rich metro — you are facing a different kind of real estate decision than local move-up buyers. You need to learn an entire metro area, understand school districts that significantly affect property values, and make a major financial decision in a compressed timeline.

As a Woodbury-based Realtor with over a decade of experience in the east metro and a focus on relocation services, this guide covers what every relocation buyer needs to know about the Twin Cities east metro — the communities, the costs, the climate, and the school districts that shape both quality of life and long-term property values.

Twin Cities 101: What You Need to Know

The Twin Cities metro consists of Minneapolis and St. Paul as the two urban cores, surrounded by three rings of suburbs. The east metro — where I specialize — includes the suburban communities east of St. Paul, stretching to the St. Croix River that forms the Wisconsin border.

Why the east metro? It offers the metro's strongest combination of highly rated schools, growing communities, competitive housing prices, and easy access to both downtowns. The east metro is where many of the region's corporate relocations land, particularly families moving for positions at 3M (Maplewood), Andersen Corporation (Bayport), and the St. Paul-based financial and government sectors.

Key geography — verified commute times (non-rush-hour):

East Metro Communities at a Glance

Woodbury — The East Metro's Hub

Population: Over 80,000 (Source: Census Bureau, July 2024) | Median sale price: ~$404K (Redfin) / ~$457K typical value (Zillow) | School district: ISD 833 (Niche A-minus)

Woodbury is where most east metro relocations start their search. It has a high concentration of family-oriented amenities: 200+ miles of trails, multiple shopping centers (Woodbury Lakes, Tamarack Village), medical facilities, and two high schools that rank in Minnesota's top 30 per US News. The city has enough restaurants, retailers, and services that residents rarely need to leave for daily errands. Commute to downtown St. Paul is typically 11-17 minutes. (Source: Rome2Rio)

Best for: Families who want top schools, suburban amenities, and a community that has everything. Most similar to: Naperville (Chicago), Cary (Raleigh), or Plano (Dallas) if you are comparing to other metros.

Cottage Grove — Best Value in the East Metro

Population: Nearly 43,000 (Source: Census Bureau, July 2024) | Median sale price: ~$380-405K (Redfin) / ~$383K typical value (Zillow) | School district: ISD 833 (Niche A-minus)

Cottage Grove shares Woodbury's school district at a meaningfully lower price point — the single most compelling value proposition in the east metro. The city has its own growing retail corridor, excellent parks including Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park (515 acres of wooded ravines along the Mississippi River bluffs), and a community feel that is more relaxed than Woodbury. Commute to downtown St. Paul is typically 17-22 minutes. (Source: Rome2Rio)

Best for: Budget-conscious families, first-time buyers, and relocators who want school quality without stretching their housing budget.

Stillwater — Historic Charm on the St. Croix

Population: Approximately 19,400 (Source: Census/ACS estimates) | Median sale price: ~$475K (Redfin) / ~$444K typical value (Zillow) | School district: ISD 834 (Niche A-minus)

Stillwater is the east metro's character community. Its historic downtown along the St. Croix River features locally owned restaurants like Leo's Grill & Malt Shop (opened 2009), Domacin Wine Bar (named one of America's Top 25 wine bars by Travel & Leisure, with over 600 wine selections), and boutique shopping on Main Street. Lift Bridge Brewing Company, the oldest operating taproom in Minnesota (founded 2008), adds to the downtown scene. The Stillwater Lift Bridge and riverfront trails make it one of Minnesota's most photogenic towns. Commute to downtown St. Paul is typically 25-30 minutes. (Source: TravelMath)

Best for: Relocators who value walkability, dining, and cultural amenities alongside strong schools. If you are moving from a city and want to maintain an urban-adjacent lifestyle without living in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Stillwater delivers.

Lake Elmo — Space and Privacy

Population: Approximately 13,000-14,200 (Source: Census/ACS estimates) | Median sale price: ~$610K (Redfin) / ~$586K typical value (Zillow) | Median household income: $153,407 (Source: Data USA, 2023) | School district: ISD 834 (Niche A-minus)

Lake Elmo is for relocators who want acreage. Larger lot sizes, horse-friendly properties, and the 2,165-acre Lake Elmo Park Reserve create a rural retreat approximately 25 minutes from downtown St. Paul. The park reserve features campgrounds, a swimming pond, 20+ miles of trails, and fishing. The trade-off is a higher price point and less walkable retail.

Best for: Families from rural or semi-rural areas who do not want to give up space when moving to a metro. Horse owners. Privacy seekers.

Oakdale — Accessible and Affordable

Population: Approximately 29,000 (Source: Census ACS) | Median sale price: ~$300K (Redfin) / ~$335K typical value (Zillow) | School district: ISD 622 (Niche B-minus)

Oakdale offers the east metro's most accessible price points with excellent highway connectivity. I-94 and I-694 put downtown St. Paul just 11-14 minutes away. The 200-acre Oakdale Nature Preserve features a 28-acre lake, prairie land, trails, and a Discovery Center. Schools are solid though rated lower than ISD 833 or 834. (Source: Rome2Rio, City of Oakdale)

Best for: Commuters, singles, couples without children, and budget-focused relocators. If your employer is in downtown St. Paul and commute time is your primary concern, Oakdale's I-94 access is hard to beat.

School Districts: The Hidden Price Driver

If you are relocating with children, school districts will be the single biggest factor in your home search. In the east metro, district boundaries create measurable price tiers that are invisible to out-of-state buyers without local guidance.

ISD 833 — South Washington County Schools (Niche A-minus)

Serves: Most of Woodbury, Cottage Grove, parts of Newport and Afton

Enrollment: Approximately 19,360 students across 26 schools

Highlights: East Ridge High School (Niche A-minus, US News #20 in MN, ~96% graduation rate), Woodbury Senior High School (Niche A-minus, US News #17 in MN, ~95% graduation rate)

Niche ranking: #25 in Minnesota (top 10% of districts statewide)

(Source: Niche.com, US News, 2025-26)

ISD 834 — Stillwater Area Public Schools (Niche A-minus)

Serves: Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Bayport, northeast Woodbury, Afton, Marine on St. Croix

Enrollment: Approximately 8,368 students

Highlights: Lily Lake Elementary (GreatSchools 9/10), strong arts and athletics programs

(Source: Niche.com, GreatSchools.org, 2025-26)

ISD 622 — North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale (Niche B-minus)

Serves: Oakdale, Maplewood, North St. Paul

Enrollment: Approximately 10,633 students

Highlights: Diverse student body, career and technical programs

(Source: Niche.com, 2025-26)

ISD 624 — White Bear Lake Area Schools (Niche B)

Serves: White Bear Lake, Hugo, parts of Mahtomedi

Enrollment: Approximately 8,549 students

Highlights: Strong community, Matoska International IB World School (IB World School since 2011-12, Spanish Dual Immersion launched Fall 2025), good extracurriculars, approximately 97% graduation rate

(Source: Niche.com, 2025-26)

The takeaway for relocators: If school quality is your top priority, target ISD 833 or ISD 834 communities. If budget is the priority and schools are "good enough," ISD 622 (Oakdale) offers significant savings.

Cost of Living: What Relocators Should Know

Housing Costs

The Minnesota statewide median sale price sits around $348,000 (Source: Redfin, February 2026). East metro communities range from approximately $300K (Oakdale) to $610K (Lake Elmo), giving relocators a wide spectrum of options.

Property Taxes

Minnesota property taxes run above the national average. In Washington County (Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, Stillwater), expect 1.1-1.3% of assessed value annually. On a $450,000 home, that is approximately $4,950-5,850 per year. Compare this to your current state when budgeting — it may be significantly higher (if you are coming from a low-tax state) or roughly comparable (if you are coming from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut).

State Income Tax

Minnesota has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 9.85%, which is the 5th highest in the nation. The state has four brackets: 5.35%, 6.80%, 7.85%, and 9.85% (the top bracket applies to single filers above approximately $183,000 and married-filing-jointly above approximately $305,000). (Source: Minnesota Department of Revenue)

Regarding Social Security: Minnesota offers a subtraction that can partially or fully exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax, depending on your income. Those with adjusted gross income below approximately $108,000 (MFJ) or $84,000 (single) receive the full subtraction. Above those thresholds, the exemption phases out. This is income-tested, not a blanket exemption. (Source: revenue.state.mn.us)

Utilities and Insurance

Heating costs are real — budget $150-250/month for natural gas during winter months (November through March). Summer cooling runs $80-150/month (June through August). Homeowner's insurance runs $1,200-2,000 annually depending on the home's age and features.

Surviving (and Enjoying) Minnesota Winters

Yes, Minnesota winters are cold. January average highs are around 24 degrees F with lows near 7 degrees F. Snowfall averages around 54 inches annually.

Here is what relocators learn after their first winter: Minnesotans do not endure winter — they use it. Cross-country skiing at Lake Elmo Park Reserve or Afton Alps (300 skiable acres, 50 runs, approximately 11 miles south of Stillwater). Fat tire biking on the Gateway State Trail (18 miles from St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park, designated a National Recreation Trail in 2002). Ice fishing on White Bear Lake (one of the metro's largest lakes at approximately 2,400 acres). Skating at outdoor rinks in nearly every community park. The entire culture is built around making winter an active, social season. (Source: MN DNR, Washington County Parks, Afton Alps)

Practical preparation: Budget for a quality winter coat, insulated boots, and a set of snow tires for your car (many Minnesotans run dedicated winter wheels from November to April). If your home has a two or three-car garage — standard in the east metro — you will appreciate starting each morning in a warm, snow-free vehicle.

Your Relocation Timeline

8-12 weeks before your start date:

6-8 weeks before:

4-6 weeks before:

2-4 weeks before:

First week:

(Source: programs.yaml — mn_residency_requirements)