Interactive metrics for the median sales price for single family homes: http://northstarmls.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/jSrJ-SAy
Ditch the commute for Richfield, where you can live and work. Although Richfield once stretched as far north as Lake Street and east over to the Mississippi River, Minnesota’s oldest suburb now nestles next to the southern border of Minneapolis at 62nd St. While this 7-square-mile suburb is significantly smaller than it once was, its job market has flourished and the city continues to attract residents interested in this urban hometown.
JOB GROWTH
Job growth in Richfield has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Thanks in part to the decision by Best Buy to locate its corporate headquarters in Richfield, the total employment in Richfield jumped from 10,090 to nearly 15,000 between 1995 and 2005. Best Buy is the city’s largest employer with 4,500 employees, followed by US Bank with 2,400 and Richfield Public Schools with 683. Interstates 35W and 494 and Minnesota State Highways 62 and 77 are four of the main routes in the city, which also include 66th Street.
CONVENIENT SHOPPING CENTERS
Cedar Point Commons opened in Richfield at Cedar Ave. and 66th Street, adjacent to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, in 2007. Anchor tenants are SuperTarget and The Home Depot, which have been joined by a number of smaller shops and restaurants as the complex grows. When it opened in 1954, the Hub at 66th and Nicollet had 32 stores and was the largest planned shopping center in the Twin Cities. It remains home to a wide variety of businesses including retail shops such as Michaels, salons, restaurants, and the Richfield medical clinic.
NEW HOMES
The majority of the 10,000 single-family homes in Richfield were constructed in the 1950s, but the Richfield Rediscovered Housing Program is changing the face of the city’s neighborhoods. It encourages home remodeling, expansion, and reconstruction by offering credits and selling vacant lots. Through this program, the small, post-WWII style-homes in the city are being upgraded to larger structures with modern amenities.
URBAN NATURE CENTER
One of the country’s first urban nature centers opened in Richfield in 1971, and it remains a haven to more than 200 different kinds of birds and 30 mammals. Wood Lake Nature Center, a 150-acre park operated by the city of Richfield, features wetlands, walking paths and an interpretive center. In all, Richfield has more than 450 acres of parkland, which include 23 neighborhood parks in addition to the nature preserve. Richfield’s parks provide diverse recreational amenities including walking trails, picnic facilities, children’s play areas, a skateboard park, and more.
YEAR-ROUND FUN
This city has plenty of opportunities for fun in any season. Richfield’s Ice Arena has two full-size indoor skating rinks that play host to hockey games, figure skating, broomball games, open skating, and more. Nearby is Richfield’s outdoor pool. Renovated in 2003, the swim complex features a 50-meter competitive pool, wading pool, and a 28-foot double waterslide. The popular lakefront park both these facilities are located within (Veterans Park) is also home to the Richfield 4th of July Celebration, Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K, and Richfield Farmers Market.
SCHOOL OPTIONS
The school options in Richfield include the well-known Fraser School, Minnesota’s largest and most experienced provider of autism services. Private religious schools include the Academy of Holy Angels, a Catholic, co-educational high school that serves over 800 students in grades 9-12, as well as Blessed Trinity Catholic School and Mount Calvary Lutheran School. The public school district, Independent School District 280, serves about 4,200 students in Richfield and part of Edina. The Minnesota Japanese School provides supplementary Japanese language and cultural education with Saturday classes. Post secondary options include Adler Graduate School, Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, and Minnesota Life College.
JOIN A CLUB
Richfield’s 35,000 residents participate in a range of clubs that make this first-ring suburb feel like a small community. From the Richfield Amateur Radio Club to the Richfield League of Women Voters to the Richfield Foundation, Optimist Club and Rotary Club, there’s something for everyone.