The prosperous suburb of Edina is practically in the city of Minneapolis, but its many shopping and dining options make it a destination unto itself. Home to fashionistas and foodies, Edina is a trendy choice for suburban living with an urban feel.
People looking to rent apartments in Edina will enjoy the town's parks, golf courses, cultural attractions and convenient access to Minneapolis. Offering suburban calm right in the thick of one of the country's most exciting regions, Edina appeals to a wide range of lifestyles.
Once a part of nearby Richfield, the Village of Edina became its own entity in 1888, taking its name from a small flour mill on Minnehaha Creek. A quiet home to Irish and Scottish farmers until the 1950s, the city became a local destination in 1956 with the construction of the Southdale Center mall, the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the country.
As of 2013, over 49,000 people live in this city. Edina boasts a thriving economy with multiple corporate headquarters, as well as a vibrant downtown commercial area at 50th Street and France Avenue. Residents looking for Edina apartment rentals can take advantage of the city's local businesses and attractions, as well as those in the nearby Twin Cities.
Home to Southdale Center, Edina is a haven for shoppers. Apartment renters living in Edina will be overwhelmed by the size of the Southdale area will find many other great shopping options downtown around 50th and France, a strip known for its boutiques and restaurants. With fine dining options and cute cafes - the original Caribou Coffee location opened its doors here - Edina is a great place to grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.
The city is also a great place for golfing, with private courses at the Edina Country Club and Interlachen Country Club, as well as a nationally recognized public course in Braemar Park. All three courses are the frequent hosts of local, state and national tournaments. Edina's many other parks and lakes also provide relaxing outdoor refuges.
Edina hosts several local art initiatives, and residents also have easy access to the world class theater, music, art and dining of the nearby Twin Cities.
In terms of public transportation, bus service is provided by MetroTransit, and many residents in Edina also bike. The city is criss-crossed by several major highways, including Minnesota Highways 62 and 100 and Interstate 494, giving drivers an easy route to and from Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Edina is home to the Minneapolis Media Institute, while the wider Twin Cities area is home to a large number of private and public institutions, including the University of Minnesota. With public transportation straight to downtown Minneapolis, commuting to the Twin Cities is not a problem.
Many Edina residents commute to adjacent Minneapolis or nearby Saint Paul for work, but the suburb is home to many major employers of its own. Companies that have headquarters in Edina include Dairy Queen, Dow Water & Process Solutions, BI Worldwide, the salon conglomerate Regis, the grocery retailer Nash Finch, and the local real estate firm Edina Realty. Other significant employers include the Fairview Southdale Hospital and Edina Public Schools.