I love it here!
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12/29/2015
Eden Prairie (EP) is a great place to live. Lots of shopping, plenty of restaurants, small businesses, large employers, low unemployment rate, only about 15 minutes to Minneapolis. Three highways go through EP - 212, 5, 312; as well as I-494 E/W AND N/S (don't ask!). Easy commutes to other suburbs, Mpls, and St. Paul. 15-20 minutes directly west of MSP International Airport and the Mall of America (and IKEA). Clean, safe bus "depot" - take the new, clean, smooth-riding Southwest Metro buses to all professional sports team games as well as Golden Gopher football for cheap. Currently, $5 buys you a round-trip ticket on a SWMetro bus to the state fair in August ("The Great Minnesota Get-Together").
I'm in my late 40's and have lived here for 9 years. I disagree with other comments regarding "stuck-up" people. Yes, EP is basically an upper-middle-class area (rent for apartments is high and just goes up every year), but as a visible member of a minority group (LGBT), we have found EP residents to be kind, friendly, fair, and open-minded. You'd think EP would be controlled by a conservative city council, but since we've lived here, it's been mostly Democrats, with a very good, responsible, fair Mayor (Nancy Tyra-Lukens, (D))
Not many non-profit volunteer opportunities, but some with the city or churches. EP does seem to care about its residents and neighbors. Housing is really expensive (but worth it if you can afford it); renting is also expensive. EP schools are really great - very good academics, sports teams, ACT scores, graduation rate; good teachers, conservative school board.
EP has been listed as one of the top three cities (for its population) to live in for the whole country for several years in a row now, and I agree. EP is a great place to live, whether you have kids or not.
Laura | Eden Prairie, MN