‘Community’ takes on a special meaning in this small Minnesota city
From doling out information to residents on the benefits of massage to showcasing the talents of the city’s culinary arts students, the word “community” carries a deep meaning in the small Minnesota city of North Branch. At the junction of Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highway 95, North Branch is the type of place where light poles wear painted floral baskets in the summer before switching accessories to lighted snowflakes in the winter.
It's also a growing city about 45 miles north of Minneapolis that offers a less hectic pace of life and relative affordability for homebuyers. “You get way more value for your money out here,” says Jim Antolik, a Realtor with RE/MAX Results.
Residents of this bedroom community value calm and convenience. “One great thing about North Branch is we’re close enough to the metro that you’re under an hour from sports events, museums, concerts, restaurants and major shopping, but you’re further and far enough out that you’ve got more space and more land,” says Kim Theis, a Realtor with Generations Real Estate Group. “Buyers have their choice of previously owned or new construction, or they can start from the ground up and do a complete custom build to their preferences."
Residents and visitors can take I-35E to travel in and out of North Branch.
St. Croix Trail Rd. provides transportation for locals to drive, ride bikes & walk through N.B.
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Nnew construction, old homes, townhomes and optional basements are some choices
Prospective homebuyers will find the market in North Branch is somewhat competitive at higher price points, but extremely competitive in a certain range. There is a wide variety of established single-family homes, including 50s and 60s ramblers and 70s and 80s split entries. “Some people want an older home with a little bit of character and charm that they can put their mark on. In the old part of the main downtown, they still have some of the 20s and 30s homes — they’re decent little starter homes and some are fixed up,” Antolik says. Growth in empty nesters has driven some of the new construction. New construction at Lucht’s Crossing can range between $313,000 and $400,000. Homes at The Grove in Wildridge are available with or without basements and start around $450,000.
Meadow North Homes has newly. built Townhomes in the Northwestern part of North Branch.
With ongoing population rise in residents, North Branch has spent time in building new homes.
New homebuyers can expect to find large Craftsman styled homes throughout the area.
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Smaller cities benefit from smaller school districts, like here
Students in the small area of North Branch benefit from their status within the North Branch Area Public Schools. “You have a smaller school district, which could provide more opportunities for kids because they get more attention,” Antolik says. Kids in the district can start their primary education at Sunrise River Elementary School, which focuses on reading and math, earning a B-minus grade from Niche. North Branch Middle School received a C-plus and is credited for igniting a passion for technology alongside academics. Finally, North Branch Senior High School earned a C grade in recognition of its sports program. The schools offer a variety of specialty courses, including art, music, physical education and Spanish. At North Branch Middle School, their “Laptop for All” initiative provides students with a Chromebook to be used in and out of the classroom. North Branch Senior High School offers Viking Bridge, a work-based learning program that connects students to industry internships as part of career planning and ProStart, a nationally recognized program that introduces students to the culinary arts.
North Branch Middle School located in the North Branch community of Minnesota.
North Branch Senior High School is located in the North Branch community.
Sunrise River Elementary School is in the North Branch community.
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The health of small businesses starts with local support
North Branch's business district has a lot to offer for groceries and essentials or a meal out on the town and local businesses are all here for it. “People from here, we really try to keep it, so we’re shopping local to support our businesses,” Theis says. An anchor tenant at the North Branch Market Place, the County Market is a full-service supermarket that strives to provide a local and familiar grocery shopping experience. Converted from a classic small-town bank to a cheery breakfast and lunch hot spot, Merchant’s Cafe is another local standout. “You see the usual people come and go for coffee every day — it’s just kind of a fun spot,” Antolik says. Nearby is Don Julio’s, a lively hub for classic Mexican fare. Delighted diners rave about the specialty margaritas and the chile relleno. Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill is a family friendly destination packed with a Skee-Ball machine, a pool table, classic arcade games and a claw machine for wasting those spare quarters.
Residents can always find needed necessities at the North Branch Market Place shopping plaza.
Merchant's Cafe is the local breakfast and brunch hotspot that locals love to visit.
Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill offers a family friendly environment in the North Branch area.
Residents aim to walk the streets with the latest hairstyles at North Branch Barbers.
Specialty shops and restaurants are found at North Branch Marketplace.
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From summer through fall, this city keeps its residents active
The city of North Branch works hard year-round on various activities that engage the community. “It’s hard to find places like this. Not every place has a central connection like we do,” Antolik says. The city collaborates with third-party partners to host a free summer concert series that runs every Thursday evening from mid-June through the end of August at Central Park. The annual Midsummer Days festival is also held at the park and marks the beginning of summer because it’s always held close to the summer solstice in June. Put on by the North Branch American Legion Post No. 85, the city’s signature event includes live music, Bingo, a parade and the ultra-popular carnival, with food, games and rides.
Farm fresh produce found in the city center of North Branch.
The local teens come together at Central park for some outdoor basketball.
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Many roads lead to healthcare
When it comes to healthcare, North Branch residents have access to essential services, even though the city itself doesn't host a full-fledged hospital. The nearby community of Wyoming has a comprehensive medical facility. M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital is well-equipped to manage a wide range of medical needs. Getting to the medical facility is best by personal vehicle. Like many smaller towns and suburban areas, owning a personal vehicle is the most convenient way to navigate the city and its surroundings. However, for those seeking altecrnatives, a few public transportation options exist. The Chisago County Transit provides limited bus services connecting North Branch to neighboring towns.
M Health Fairview is located outside of downtown North Branch.
M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital is the next closest clinic to North Branch residents.
The Washington County transit system can help take Minnesotans towards North Branch.
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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.
