Maplewood Apartments and Rentals

Head 10 miles northeast of St. Paul and you will find yourself in Maplewood, Minnesota, one of the most friendly communities in the area. An active and engaged community made up of 38,018 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maplewood is a destination for many married couples looking to raise a family. Making the decision to look for Maplewood apartments for rent is an easy one since it is easily one of the most sought-after communities in the St. Paul area.

About 150 years ago, four families from St. Paul ventured down an old Dakota Indian trail that is now called Hazelwood Street and settled into the area after purchasing land from the Native Americans for $2 an acre. Originally called New Canada because of the many maple trees that surround the area, the city began to form in 1852. Thirty years later, the Wisconsin Central Railroad boosted the city's development and by the end of the 19th century, there were more than 1,000 plow workers living in the town.

After a fire destroyed the Plow Works building, town founder William Dawson filed for bankruptcy and the railroad shut down, things were not looking up for New Canada at the turn of the century. Fortunately, the town reinvented itself into a farming community that used trucks instead of rails.

By the 1950s, a housing boom began in New Canada township. Veterans returning from war began to settle and build homes here. Once the township broke away, plans for new roads, sewers and water systems for the City of Maplewood came into fruition. Today, the city is a thriving community with its own schools, city council and major retail business sector. 

Post-It Note producer 3M is by far the largest employer in Maplewood; however, St. John's Hospital and Maplewood Mall also lead the way in Maplewood's economy. Many Minnesotans look for rentals in Maplewood because of its close proximity to St. Paul's job opportunities as well.

Although Maplewood may not be known as a college town, there are several institutions that are nearby. Hamline University has many opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and juris doctorate degrees. Competitive in medical research, Hamline is leading the way in testing cancer cultures to detect growth patterns. Century College is another local four-year institution that features small class sizes and a growing international student body. If you are a student looking for a place in these areas, it would be smart to look early so that you can find the apartment that is best suited to your needs.

Maplewood enjoys a cost of living is about 12 points higher than the national average according to bestplaces.net. However, since the summers are mild in Minnesota, utility costs here hover around the national average, making Maplewood an affordable place to raise a family, considering the ideal location.

Maplewood boasts several lovely golf courses in the area, including the par 72 Hillcrest Golf Club of St. Paul. Even if your family isn't into golfing, there is a pool area for them to lounge in while you work on your swing. A nine-hole option for you to try is The Ponds at Battle Creek, a competitive course that offers men's and women's leagues as well as golf lessons for the kids too.

A popular spot for many locals is the Maplewood Community Center. Besides offering a swimming pool for you to cool off in during the summer, there are several workout rooms, yoga lessons and a spinning studio. There are even personal trainers, karate classes for the kids and a massage membership for you to wind down with.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Maplewood, Minn., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.