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 a strong 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:

East Metro Communities at a Glance

Woodbury — The East Metro's Hub

Population: Over 80,000 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) | Housing: Homes generally trade in the mid-$400Ks | 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: an extensive trail system, multiple shopping centers (Woodbury Lakes, Tamarack Village), medical facilities, and two well-regarded high schools. The city has enough restaurants, retailers, and services that residents rarely need to leave for daily errands, and it is well-connected to downtown St. Paul.

Best for: Families who want strong 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 — Strong Value in the East Metro

Population: Roughly 43,000 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) | Housing: Homes generally trade in the high-$300Ks to low-$400Ks | School district: ISD 833 (Niche A-minus)

Cottage Grove shares Woodbury's school district at a meaningfully lower price point, which is one of the more compelling value propositions in the east metro. The city has its own growing retail corridor, excellent parks including Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park along the Mississippi River bluffs, and a community feel that is more relaxed than Woodbury. The commute to downtown St. Paul is reasonable.

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 19,000-20,000 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau / ACS estimates) | Housing: Homes generally trade in the mid-$400Ks | 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 and a wine bar, plus boutique shopping on Main Street. Lift Bridge Brewing Company adds to the downtown scene. The Stillwater Lift Bridge and riverfront trails make it one of the area's most scenic river towns. The commute to downtown St. Paul is longer than from the inner-ring suburbs but still very workable.

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 13,000-14,000 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau / ACS estimates) | Housing: One of the higher-priced east metro communities, with homes generally in the upper-$500Ks and above | 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 Lake Elmo Park Reserve create a rural retreat a short drive from downtown St. Paul. The park reserve features campgrounds, a swimming pond, an extensive trail network, 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: U.S. Census Bureau / ACS) | Housing: Among the more affordable east metro markets, with homes generally in the low-$300Ks | 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 provide a quick route to downtown St. Paul. The Oakdale Nature Preserve features a lake, prairie land, trails, and a Discovery Center. Schools are solid, though rated lower than ISD 833 or 834.

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 among the biggest factors 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: Roughly 19,000 students across more than two dozen schools

Highlights: East Ridge High School and Woodbury Senior High School (both Niche A-minus)

(Source: Niche.com)

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

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

Enrollment: Roughly 8,000 students

Highlights: Lily Lake Elementary (highly rated on GreatSchools), strong arts and athletics programs

(Source: Niche.com, GreatSchools.org)

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

Serves: Oakdale, Maplewood, North St. Paul

Enrollment: Roughly 10,000 students

Highlights: Diverse student body, career and technical programs

(Source: Niche.com)

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

Serves: White Bear Lake, Hugo, parts of Mahtomedi

Enrollment: Roughly 8,500 students

Highlights: Strong community, Matoska International IB World School, good extracurriculars

(Source: Niche.com)

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. Because ratings, rankings, and enrollment figures change year to year, confirm the current numbers for any district you are seriously considering before you make a decision.

Cost of Living: What Relocators Should Know

Housing Costs

The Minnesota statewide median sale price was around $348,000 as of February 2026 (Source: Redfin). East metro communities span a wide range — from the low-$300Ks in Oakdale to the upper-$500Ks and above in Lake Elmo — giving relocators options across most budgets.

Property Taxes

Minnesota property taxes run above the national average. In Washington County (Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, Stillwater), property tax typically runs roughly 1 to 1.3% of assessed value annually, so on a mid-$400Ks home you would generally budget several thousand dollars 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). For an exact figure, check the Washington County or Minnesota Department of Revenue property-tax estimator for the specific property.

State Income Tax

Minnesota has a graduated income tax with four brackets and a top marginal rate that is among the higher rates in the nation. Because brackets and thresholds are adjusted over time, confirm the current figures with the Minnesota Department of Revenue (revenue.state.mn.us) before relying on them for budgeting.

Regarding Social Security: Minnesota offers a subtraction that can partially or fully exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax, depending on your income. Lower- and middle-income retirees may qualify for the full subtraction, with the exemption phasing out at higher income levels. This is income-tested, not a blanket exemption, and the income thresholds are updated periodically. (Source: Minnesota Department of Revenue, revenue.state.mn.us)

Utilities and Insurance

Heating costs are real — plan to budget for higher natural-gas bills through the winter months (November through March) and modest cooling costs in summer (June through August). Homeowner's insurance varies with the home's age, features, and location. Ask your lender or insurance agent for current local estimates as part of your budgeting.

Surviving (and Enjoying) Minnesota Winters

Yes, Minnesota winters are cold. January is the coldest month, with average highs in the low-to-mid 20s Fahrenheit and overnight lows near or below 10, and the metro sees substantial snowfall over the season. (Source: Minnesota DNR / National Weather Service climate normals)

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 downhill skiing at Afton Alps, a short drive south of Stillwater. Fat tire biking on the Gateway State Trail, which runs from St. Paul out toward Pine Point Regional Park. Ice fishing on White Bear Lake, one of the metro's larger lakes. Skating at outdoor rinks in nearly every community park. The entire culture is built around making winter an active, social season.

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 late fall into spring). 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: