Taking advantage of the seasons in Northeast Rochester
Whether it means bringing a towel and umbrella to Cascade Lake Beach in the summer or cross-country skiing beside the Zumbro River in the winter, Minnesotans are known for taking advantage of the seasons. “Winters here in Rochester are milder than in Southwestern Minnesota,” says Amy Lantz of Amy’s Fire Realty, who’s developed expertise in Med City real estate over the past three decades. “The blizzards over there can be huge, but here, it’s always been pretty decent. Just a few days get to be below zero.” In Viking Park, an established community approximately 2 miles north of Downtown Rochester and the city's cutting-edge Mayo Clinic research centers--ice skating is always a key part of the winter season. When the temperatures drop below freezing, Viking Park's outdoor rink is flooded and kids bring their hockey sticks out for casual skirmishes, while overhead lights illuminate the ice at night. While the park sits at the center of the neighborhood, the community is comprised of quiet cul-de-sacs dotted by oak trees and homes built during the 1960s and early ‘70s.
Mid-century homes on quarter-acre lots
The majority of homes in Viking Park are over 50 years old, dating back to the late '60s and ‘70s. Ranch-style houses and split-levels with two-car garages are the standard, and prices range between $300,000 and $410,000. Mature trees shade the neighborhood’s gently sloped streets; and in the fall, leaves in vibrant shades of red and orange cover front yards. Lot sizes average around a quarter acre, and residents invest in backyard swingsets and the occasional in-ground swimming pool.
Ranch style homes are also common throughout the Viking Park neighborhood.
Many of the homes in the Viking Park neighborhood were built in the last 40 to 50 years.
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An outdoor hockey rink in the neighborhood’s namesake park
A namesake park anchors the neighborhood and features a playground, picnic benches and baseball fields. It’s also home to one of the city’s eight outdoor hockey rinks, which is flooded and frozen in the winter. A short walk away from Viking Park, Riverview West Park has plenty of open field space for frisbee or cricket and paved trails wind through trees and past the Zumbro River. There’s also Indian Heights Park to the south, a protected wildlife area where hiking trails offer sweeping views of Southeast Minnesota forests. Jennifer Mitchell of Edina Realt also highlights 125 Live, which hosts fitness classes, book clubs and art shows for residents 18-plus next to the Rochester Recreation Center.
The Viking Park neighborhood offers parks and schools within walking distance.
Riverview West Park is also a popular place for joggers.
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Community mentorships through Century High School
Starting in prekindergarten, students can attend Churchill Elementary before moving on to Hoover Elementary for third, fourth and fifth grades. The schools have B-plus and B-minus grades on Niche, respectively, and Hoover sits on the border of the neighborhood’s namesake park. It’s a short walk away for many. Kellogg Middle, which earns a B on Niche, is just over a mile outside the neighborhood, and Century High School earns a B-plus. Students in their 11th and 12th grade years can pursue mentorships within the community, and some even participate in research opportunities at the Mayo Clinic.
Hoover Elementary School
Century Senior High School
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Florists, chicken kabobs and all-day breakfast
With the exception of small businesses like Renning’s Florist & Flower Delivery and restaurants like Middle East, known for its chicken kabobs, Viking Park is almost entirely residential. Mid-century strip malls off Elton Hills Drive are home to old-fashioned barber and print shops, and there are more retail and dining options just across the Zumbro River. Grandma’s Kitchen has maintained a regular customer base since 1977. They open at 6 a.m. every morning and serve breakfast all day; owner Sudati Villalobos says there are usually regulars waiting outside as the sun comes up. “Some of them come twice, three times a day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner,” and old-timers are known for ordering hot beef, turkey or pork sandwiches. Silver Lake Foods is a go-to grocery stop next door, and there’s also a Hy-Vee 1 mile north past Elton Hills Run Park. For fine dining, residents will travel to Downtown Rochester, where favorites include Chester’s and Bleu Duck.
Middle East Restaurant offers a beautiful outdoor patio in Viking Park.
Grandma's Kitchen is the hot spot for classic comfort food near Viking Park.
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Rochester Honker baseball, Social-ICE and outdoor concerts
Summer is Honkers season in Rochester, and fans gather at Mayo Field to support the Minor League baseball team as they take on rival teams from cities like Duluth and Bismark. “The Northwoods league got started in Rochester, and this was one of the original teams,” says general manager Clint Narramore, who adds that the first year was 1994. Host families put up visiting players in their homes between Memorial Day and mid-August, and fans look forward to fireworks shows on select nights throughout the summer. Annual events in Downtown Rochester include Social-ICE, which is typically scheduled in late February. Locals can admire intricate ice sculptures, listen to live music or stop by Peace Plaza-area bars for themed drinks. Touring bands from around the country perform at Mayo Park on Sunday nights in the summer, part of a free music series sponsored by the Mayo Clinic.
Hospital campuses and an international airport
Rochester Public Transit buses stop every hour in Viking Park, providing passage Downtown 2 miles south. Other commuters rely on their own cars—the drive takes less than 10 minutes—or even bike to work. The Mayo Clinic is easily the largest employer in Rochester, and it has two distinct city campuses: Methodist and St. Mary’s. Downtown shopping centers, hotels and hospital rooms are connected via underground pedestrian tunnels and above-ground walkways. Rochester International Airport, frequented by air ambulances, is about 12 miles south of Viking Park along U.S. Highway 52. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are both less than 90 miles—or an hour and a half—north, also via Highway 52.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amy Lantz,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Elton Hills Run Park
Silver Lake Dam
Viking Park
Riverview West Park
Rochester Olmstead County Recreation Area
Foster Arend Park
Transit
Airport
Rochester International
18 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Viking Park
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Viking Park, Rochester sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Viking Park, Rochester over the last 12 months is $380,750, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$396,000
Median Single Family Price
$396,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$166
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$396,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
88
Median Year Built
1972
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,052
Above the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
968
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amy Lantz,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
224
Median Age
44
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$94,117
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,438
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.4%
College Graduates
62.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
26%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
8°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
44''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
70/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
48/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
