by Catalogs.com Info Guru Angela Bushong

Minneapolis-St. Paul is the best place to live if you’ve ever wanted to surround yourself with diversity, four distinct seasons, arts and culture, and more shoreline than any city in a landlocked state has a right to claim.

They don’t call it the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing.

10. North Loop

With easy access to the Mississippi River, the North Loop is a great little node for high end and eclectic shopping, fine dining, and historic appreciation. Loft apartments abound in what was formerly known as the “warehouse district,” and you can’t live closer to Target Field, for all you Twins fans out there.

9. 50th & France

The ultimate shopper’s retreat, 50th & France is known for spas, trendy restaurants, and boutiques galore. Enjoy some fresh outdoor air and pamper yourself. Bring a friend for a “splurge day” and come prepared with a full wallet.

8. Lowertown

THE art district of St. Paul, this area is inviting and adventurous. Lowertown is home to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival and an art crawls every spring and fall. A thriving farmer’s market adds to the organic feel of the area, along with the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary—a 27-acre park containing a diverse array of landscapes and wildlife.

7. Excelsior

Small town living minutes from the big city. In Excelsior, you are living the beach life, with bike trails and public beaches up and down Lake Minnetonka, as well as antiques, oddities, independent ice creameries, and book shops. This is a place to call home.

6. Seward

Seward is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Minneapolis, with a strong sense of community. Snuggled right up to the Mississippi River, it plays home to the Mississippi River Gorge and sports plenty of hiking and biking trails to get you up and out of the house.

5. Brew District

The up and coming (and aptly named) Brew District of Northeast Minneapolis is home to more microbreweries and taprooms than any other area of town. Nestled in the shadow of the old Grain Belt Beer Brewery, the area pays homage to the city’s rich brewing history, and makes for a fun atmosphere of slightly more sophisticated and nostalgic imbibing than your typical bar district.

4. Nicollet Island

A tiny island all your own. Well, maybe not ALL your own, but it will feel like it. Here you’ve got fantastic scenery, protected green space, and downtown Minneapolis within arms reach. For a taste of Minneapolis island life, stay a spell at the historic Nicollet Island Inn and see what it’s all about.

3. Cathedral Hill

History, history, history. Named for its signature feature, the Cathedral of St. Paul, this area sports classic American charm with elegant Victorian houses, massive trees, and a nod to one of its most famous former residents, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

2. Linden Hills

Local and indie or die. That seems to be the motto in this quiet little neighborhood nestled between Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. The community here is strong and dedicated to its small unique shops and restaurants, as well as its sense of camaraderie. This is a great place to raise a family, with lots of things to do, including a great indie children’s bookstore, some neat little toy stores, and its very own streetcar museum. Plus, did I mention access to two different lakes?

1. Uptown & Lyn-Lake

Uptown is where you shop and do major business, Lyn-Lake is where you live. Lyn-Lake is located on the east edge of Uptown, and is named for the cross streets Lyndale and Lake. Here is where you find your locally owned shops and restaurants, all within walking distance, without all the hustle and bustle of the more commercial and “city-fied” Uptown. However, even Uptown has its draws, including some fantastic boutiques, and the city’s largest (and quite possibly best) new and used bookstore, Magers & Quinn.