By David Reed, The Dave Reed Real Estate Team at REMAX Results · Updated June 2026
St. Paul is one of the most family-friendly cities of its size in the country. Top-tier parks, walkable village centers tucked inside the city, strong schools, lakes and rivers within minutes of just about any address, and home prices that still let a single-income family own a real house in a real neighborhood – it adds up. But with over 80 named neighborhoods and 17 planning districts, knowing which St. Paul neighborhood is right for your family is the actual challenge. After decades of helping families buy and sell across the Twin Cities, here is our honest, unranked-by-popularity guide to the top St. Paul neighborhoods for families in 2026.
What “Family-Friendly” Actually Means in St. Paul
Every family weighs the criteria differently. Before we get to the list, here are the variables we walk our family clients through:
- Schools. St. Paul Public Schools, magnet and immersion options, charters, private and parochial, and open enrollment to suburban districts.
- Parks and green space. St. Paul ranks at or near the top of national parks-system rankings.
- Walkability. A walkable village center within stroller distance is a real lifestyle upgrade.
- Safety and quiet streets. Traffic calming, cul-de-sacs, lower speed limits.
- Yard size and home style. Single-family vs. duplex, basement playroom, backyard.
- Price point. Family budgets are real budgets.
- Community. Block parties, neighborhood associations, kid-density.
The neighborhoods below earn their spots in different ways. The best one for your family depends on which of these variables matters most.
1. Highland Park
Why families love it: Highland Park is the perennial top pick for a reason. You get the Mississippi River, the Highland Park Aquatic Center, Highland National Golf Course, the Highland Theatre, and the walkable Highland Village shopping district – all in one neighborhood. The new Highland Bridge development on the former Ford plant site is bringing modern condos, rowhomes, parks, and a new village center to one of the most established corners of the city.
- Schools: Highly regarded public and private options, with strong magnet pull throughout SPPS
- Home prices: Typically $500,000-$700,000 for desirable streets; Highland Bridge new construction often higher
- Best for: Families wanting the full-package St. Paul experience and willing to invest for it
2. Macalester-Groveland (Mac-Groveland)
Why families love it: A walkable, tree-lined college-town feel anchored by Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas. Grand Avenue restaurants and shops are within walking distance of most blocks. Strong neighborhood identity, frequent block parties, and a high concentration of young families.
- Schools: Strong public and private options; many families use SPPS magnet schools
- Home prices: Typically $500,000+, with some entry-level options on the smaller blocks
- Best for: Families who prioritize walkability and a tight, identifiable community
3. Como Park
Why families love it: Como is built around one of the best urban parks in America. The Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are free, world-class, and inside the neighborhood. Como Lake, public golf, ski hills in winter, and the Como Town amusement park make this one of the most kid-loved zip codes in the metro.
- Schools: Strong access to SPPS programs, with several family-favorite elementary options
- Home prices: Typically $350,000-$500,000 – genuinely strong value for the lifestyle
- Best for: Families who want a major-park lifestyle without a major-park price tag
4. St. Anthony Park
Why families love it: A quieter, slightly out-of-the-way northwest pocket with the feel of a small New England town. Picturesque curving streets, hills, mature trees, the University of Minnesota-St. Paul campus, and a tight-knit community feel. Bookstores, coffee shops, and walking-distance schools.
- Schools: Some of the most beloved SPPS elementary options in the city
- Home prices: Typically $450,000-$700,000, with limited inventory and fierce loyalty
- Best for: Families who want quiet, charm, and a true small-town feel inside the city
5. West Seventh / Fort Road
Why families love it: West Seventh has quietly become one of the most exciting family neighborhoods in St. Paul – newer breweries and restaurants, riverfront access, the Science Museum, the Schmidt Artist Lofts, and price points that still make sense for younger families. Real momentum, real character.
- Schools: Strong SPPS access, plus a few standout charter schools nearby
- Home prices: Typically $325,000-$475,000, with significant variation block to block
- Best for: Younger families and first-time buyers who want urban energy without the urban price tag
6. Hamline-Midway
Why families love it: Centrally located between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, with easy Green Line light rail access, Hamline University, Allianz Field, and a growing food scene. Strong neighborhood association activity and a diverse, welcoming community.
- Schools: SPPS and several strong charter options
- Home prices: Typically $300,000-$450,000
- Best for: Two-career families who need easy access to both downtowns
7. Mac-Groveland’s Neighbors: Summit Hill & Crocus Hill (For the Upper Budget)
Why families love it: Summit Hill / Crocus Hill is where you go for the truly grand St. Paul family home – Victorian mansions, the Summit Avenue Historic District, blocks where every house could be on a postcard. Walking distance to Grand Avenue. The Minnesota Governor’s Residence is in the neighborhood, which tells you something.
- Schools: Strong private options nearby; SPPS magnet access
- Home prices: Typically $700,000+, with many homes well above $1 million
- Best for: Families ready to invest in one of the most storied addresses in the Midwest
How to Choose the Right One for Your Family
The right neighborhood is the one that aligns with the variables your family actually cares most about – not the one that ranks highest in a generic list. A few practical recommendations after walking hundreds of families through this decision:
- Rank your criteria. School, yard, walkability, budget, commute – which two matter most? Decisions get clearer once that is locked in.
- Spend a weekend in each finalist neighborhood. Coffee on a Saturday morning, dinner on a Friday night, park time on a Sunday. The vibe matters.
- Map the schools to specific homes. St. Paul school boundaries do not always work the way you would expect.
- Talk to a local who knows all of them honestly. Every neighborhood has tradeoffs. A good agent will tell you the tradeoffs, not just the highlights.
Ready to Find Your Family’s St. Paul Neighborhood?
We have helped families settle into every neighborhood on this list – and a few that didn’t make it. We’d love to help you, too. Start with our St. Paul Real Estate Agents page or make an appointment. Call (651) 230-0251 – no pressure, no commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best St. Paul neighborhood for families?
Highland Park is consistently the top-ranked St. Paul neighborhood for families – schools, parks, the Mississippi River, the Highland Bridge development, and a walkable village center. Macalester-Groveland is a very close second.
Which St. Paul neighborhoods have the best schools?
Highland Park, Macalester-Groveland, St. Anthony Park, and Como Park typically rank highest for family-friendly school access. SPPS also offers extensive magnet, immersion, and IB options across the city, and open enrollment is available to several adjacent suburban districts.
What is the most affordable family-friendly neighborhood in St. Paul?
West Seventh, Hamline-Midway, and Como Park typically offer the best family value – mid-priced single-family homes, parks, and strong neighborhood identity at price points well below Highland or Mac-Groveland.
David Reed leads The Dave Reed Real Estate Team at REMAX Results, serving St. Paul, Stillwater, Bayport, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, White Bear Lake, and the greater east Twin Cities metro. Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
