Minnetonka gets its name from the massive lake right off the city’s western border — and the name itself translates to “water big” in the Dakota language. However, Lake Minnetonka is far more than a namesake for this suburb located about 13 miles west of Minneapolis. The more than 14,000-acre lake is one of the primary reasons many in the Twin Cities metro area have sought out this side of Hennepin County. “It’s by far the biggest metro lake we have in Minneapolis. It’s set up for everything, from boating to sailing to water skiing and swimming. There are lots and lots of beaches and tons of entertainment on the water,” says Chris Rooney, broker of Re/Max Preferred, who lived in Minnetonka for a decade.
Along with the lake access, the city offers many other recreation options, an active shopping and dining scene, affluent housing, strong schools and a growing transportation infrastructure. This city of nearly 54,000 — the population has grown by 8% since 2010 — is also the home of major corporations involved in the provision of food and health care.
A western suburb of the Twin Cities, Minnetonka is located about 10 miles west of Minneapolis.
Minnetonka has various housing styles for people to choose from.
Water recreationists will love spending a summer's day on Lake Minnetonka.
People enjoy ice skating on Lake Minnetonka.
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From modest ramblers to upscale Traditionals along the lake
Minnetonka housing consists of many bi-levels, split-levels, ranch-style houses, Colonial Revivals, late 20th-century contemporaries and upscale Traditionals. Homes occupy lots starting at about a quarter-of-an-acre and expanding beyond 1 acre. Many blocks have no sidewalks, but neighbors still enjoy daily strolls under tall, mature trees.
Depending on size and age, single-family homes here can cost anywhere between $400,000 to $1.5 million. Townhouses tend to fall in the lower of this range, from between $300,000 and $550,000, while the largest and most upscale homes can reach prices of upwards of a million. Minnetonka has a median list price of approximately $500,000, which is about $150,000 more expensive than both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. “Homebuyers with deep pockets are looking here because pricing is so far above the city average,” says Joshua Ives, a Realtor with Edina Realty. “Just remember, the closer you are to the lake, the more expensive it’s going to be.”
The city actively works with developers to expand its housing options to be inclusive of residents of all ages and income levels. Examples of such developments include a 275-unit apartment complex in the Opus Business Park or a 55 years of age and older apartment community with a complementary park near the Ridgedale mall.
Recently constructed split level homes can be found in Minnetonka.
Townhouses are an affordable options for Minnetonka residents.
Some houses have spacious lots in Minnetonka.
Waterfront housing is an option for a lucky few in Minnetonka.
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Trail adventures, boating the Lake Minnetonka and winter sports
Minnetonka has over 100 miles of trails, dozens of neighborhood parks and a significant share of wetlands and forested areas. The 155-acre Purgatory Park is one of the city’s largest green spaces and home to the area's few remaining prairie habitats. “There’s a lot of nature here. We have some of the most significant tree canopy of any suburb in the metro area,” says City Councilwoman Deb Calvert. “We work very hard to preserve the natural beauty of the city.”
Public ramps provide spots to launch boats out onto Lake Minnetonka and visitors can spend their summers along its beaches or bring out their fishing poles to try to hook bass, sunfish and crappies.
Minnetonka also provides amenities for winter sports, namely ice hockey, figure skating and the hockey-like sport, bandy. In addition to venues like the Minnetonka Ice Arena, the city creates sheets of ice in its parks during the winter to give children and teens casual places to skate. Facilities like the Williston Fitness Center and The Marsh offer amenities like pools and fitness centers.
Purgatory Park invites you to connect with nature's peacefulness.
Lake Minnetonka is a popular spot for ice fishing.
Minnetonka Ice Arena is hosts high school games and open skating.
The Williston Center has several sports facilities.
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A burgeoning food culture and the Ridgedale mall
Many here tale advantage of the lake for dinner outings. In addition to shorefront eateries, residents can also take local cruises to enjoy dinners out on the water. The popular Al & Alma’s is one such venue, which invites their patrons to drink and dine on their yachts while enjoying scenic views of the lake and the surrounding properties.
In addition to lakeside dining, Minnetonka’s diverse food scene features everything from homestyle pancakes to gourmet comfort foods, tapas and a fusion of cuisines. Upscale options like the Bacio Italian restaurant are ideal for a date night. The Ridgedale Mall has long been a destination shopping site, where folks will find department store chains like Macy’s, JCPenney and Nordstrom. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are just two of the city’s many grocery store options.
Ridgedale Mall was recently expanded and now features a much larger Nordstrom and an Apple Store.
Purgatory Park invites you to connect with nature's peacefulness.
Lake Minnetonka is a popular spot for ice fishing.
Minnetonka residents can shop, dine, and relax at Ridgedale Mall.
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Entertainment in the Park and Halloween at historic Burwell House
Celebrations here include the Lake Minnetonka 4th of July event, which occurs on July 3rd and 4th. In addition to the signature Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka fireworks show, attendees can enjoy a variety of food vendors and live music. They can also participate in the Excelsior Firecracker Run, which consists of three races spanning different distances.
The Entertainment in the Park series brings live music and movies to the Civic Center Park between June and September, and many enjoy the shows from the comfort of their lawn chairs. Other activities here include visits with the Minnetonka Fire Department, which educates children on the importance of how to extinguish fires and life-saving procedures. The Burwell Spooktacular in late October occurs at the city’s historic Burwell House, an iconic Carpenter Gothic and Stick style property. “It’s really just incredible. Kids and pets wear their costumes and there’s millions of activities,” Calvert says.
Minnetonka schools’ early STEM courses
The Hopkins, Wayzata and Minnetonka public school districts provide education in the city. The ratings site Niche gives the Minnetonka District an A-plus and ranks the system as the second best in the state. The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation also touts the Minnetonka district for its music education program. The district also focuses on STEM subject matter by providing students with an early introduction to subjects like coding.
A few private schools exist in the city, including the Minnetonka Christian Academy. The institution serves prekindergarten through 12th grade students, many of whom come from neighboring cities like Eden Prairie and Hopkins.
Minnetonka Senior High School ranks fifth in Minnesota with a 73% AP participation rate.
The school has 78 full-time teachers and 3 full-time school counselors to support students.
Minnetonka East Middle School is a hub nurturing young minds in a vibrant community.
Minnetonka Christian Academy is a Seventh-Day Adventist school in Minnetonka.
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UnitedHealth Group, Cargill and Metro Transit light rail arrival
Minnetonka’s two largest employers, the UnitedHealth Group and Cargill, are headquartered here. UnitedHealth, the owner of UnitedHealthcare, employs well over 4,000 people locally and ranks among the top Fortune 500 companies. Forbes ranks Cargill as the largest private company in the country, noting that the food company employs about 3,500 people in the area.
The Metro Transit system operates bus routes in Minnetonka and plans to extend one of its light rail lines to the city as part of a larger extension project between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie. One of the city’s additional goals is to facilitate multimodal transportation through its trail systems. For example, city officials would like to make it easier for bikers to use the trails to reach the future rail station. “We’re pretty excited for that because it will make getting around a whole lot easier,” Calvert says about the project.
Several highways offer quick connections to multiple destinations throughout the region. Minnesota State Highway 7 runs across Minnetonka, providing a route to and from the lake and to some of the many cities that surround it. While Interstate 494 goes toward neighboring Eden Prairie and crosses Interstate 394, which takes residents toward Minneapolis to the east. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is this region’s hub for commercial flights.
Important to know
The Twin Cities metro area experiences warm, humid summers and frigid winters. Prone to arctic air blasts, the region has some of the lowest average temperatures among large metropolitan areas in the country. Climate data shows that the average annual temperature is just under 50 degrees, which is a few points below the country's average. Minnesota is also usually ranked among the top 10 states for snowfall and the Twin Cities region averages just over 50 inches of snow each year. The area typically experiences snow between November and April.
The latest FBI data shows Minnetonka to be safer than both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The two major cities’ violent crime rates are more than four times higher than Minnetonka’s. The property crime rate in Minnetonka is less than half of Saint Paul’s and about a third of Minneapolis’. Minnetonka also has slightly lower crime rates than the state.
"Growing up in small town, your word and reputation are everything," says Ryan Platzke. For him, property has always been his honest passion. After graduating first in his class at Ferris State University with a degree in Real Estate Sales and Marketing, Ryan dove headfirst into the industry and took on a role at Coldwell Banker Burnet's Eden Prairie office in 2002. Nearly sixteen years later, the rest is history.
As co-owner of the #1 Coldwell Banker team in Minnesota, Ryan has earned a host of accolades over the years and is currently ranked in the top 1% in the area's total marketplace, with over $1 billion in sales volume to his name.
What else sets him apart from the average agent? For starters, Ryan's tech-savvy approach to real estate ensures competitive results for his clients, an asset that is an absolute must in today's booming market. His focus on market knowledge and people-first service means his style is comprehensive, results-driven, and relatable. Along the way, he never loses sight of the people at the heart of every transaction. "I've built my business on the Golden Rule, treating others as I'd want to be treated," he says. "I do what's best for my clients and I like to help, making things streamlined and stress-free throughout the buying and selling process. I'm committed to our team being the best at what we do. We always go the extra mile and we always deliver on our promises."
Beyond his personable approach, Ryan's earned close to two decades of first-hand experience in the industry. As he helps clients navigate the waters of homeownership, he offers an insider's wisdom and insight, serving as wise counsel along the way. Likewise, Ryan makes an effort to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to real estate trends and fluctuations, so that there are no surprises around the bend unaccounted for.
With an elite, top-ranking track record that extends beyond a decade, Ryan has carved out an impactful, positive legacy in the greater Twin Cities real estate scene—and the best is still to come. "I live in and love this area, and I also love its people. As old-fashioned as it may sound, I still think of myself as a smile and handshake guy. My word really is my bond and I have built my reputation on it."
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
