Located just 8 miles east of St. Paul, Woodbury, Minnesota, has outgrown its farming roots and transformed into a commercial hub attracting healthcare professionals and St. Paul commuters with its A-rated school district and small-town feel. “If you speak to anyone who's lived here since Woodbury was known as just a gas station and farmland — it’s no longer just a town but rather a city of its own,” says Mandy Hrastich, Realtor with Edina Realty. Woodbury began as a farming community in the mid-19th century when people cleared the area’s woodlands to make way for agricultural fields. It wasn’t until the 1960s that urban development began with the expansion of U.S. Interstate 94 along it's northern border. Major employers, like 3M, based in St. Paul and the M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital contribute to Woodbury's thriving job market. The city, located in Washington County, is now home to a population of about 80,000 residents and is Minnesota's eighth most populous city. Here, winding residential streets intermix with verdant outdoor spaces and retail centers. “It’s a warm and welcoming community. A lot of people live and work within Woodbury or close to the area, so there’s a sense of pride and ownership in the city,” says Laura Staiger, president of the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce. “They just really want to take care of what we have."
Homes with multi-car garages often line the streets of Woodbury.
Woodbury residents have a convenient commute to the Twin Cities via I-94.
M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital is one of the largest employers in Woodbury.
Traditional styles and newly constructed Craftsman
The real estate market is attractive for its range of housing options and easy access to urban amenities. Homes here sell on average 6 days faster than the national average of 44 days. “Woodbury is sought-after and moderately competitive,” says Hrastich, who has been selling in the area for over eight years. “We have felt a drop in the number of listings coming to market in our area, but homes sell quickly in what is still a sellers' market.” With a median sales price of $460,000, homes range from as low as $250,000 for a two-bedroom condo to around $450,000 for a four-bedroom modern traditional with a three-car garage. Outliers reach upwards of $1.1 million for a five-bedroom newly constructed Craftsman. Newer construction is currently in the works on the south side of town, and is subject to increased price points.
Woodbury has a number of suburban residential neighborhoods.
There are numerous townhome developments throughout Woodbury.
Traditional homes throughout Woodbury come in a variety of styles.
Woodbury is filled with large homes priced above $1 million.
1/4
Year-round recreation at Woodbury parks
Woodbury has over 45 neighborhood parks and 3,500 acres of city-owned green space. Outdoor recreation options vary throughout the year due to seasonality. In Woodbury, winters bring considerable snowfall and temperatures dropping to 17 degrees. Summers are more temperate with highs in the low 80s during July. Carver Lake Park is one of the largest parks in the city, offering a range of year-round activities, from swimming in Carver Lake to snowshoeing through 6 miles of trails. The park also features a bike park with ramps and mounds where aspiring BMX bikers can develop their skills. Kargel Park is another option, offering 24 acres and waterfront views of Wilmes Lake. There’s a mulched playground with swings here and a hockey rink open for skating during the colder months. The M. Health Fairview Sports Center on the south side, is home to more than a dozen outdoor baseball fields, the Madison's Place Playground, a splash pad and an ice-skating arena.
Carver Lake Park is one of the largest parks in Woodbury.
Woodbury families frequent the bike park at Carver Lake Park.
Kargel Park is a popular Woodbury neighborhood park in Woodbury.
Madison's Place Playground is the largest playground in Woodbury.
1/4
The annual Woodbury Days
In August, locals flock to Ojibway Park for the annual Woodbury Days, which is hosted by the volunteers of the Woodbury Days Council. This 3-day event features live music performances, carnival rides and local food vendors. With an inflatable park, bingo tent and a beer garden, the event is free and caters to all ages. The event concludes with a grand parade, traveling along Commonwealth Avenue to Woodbury High School.
Local grocers and family-owned eateries
Woodbury is largely residential; however, groceries and everyday essentials are available at the northwest corner of the community. Most residents shop along Valley Creek Road and Radio Drive, which feature local eateries and big-box grocers like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club and Lunds & Byerlys. Popular dining options include the family-owned Keys Cafe & Bakery, which serves breakfast pastries and classic American cuisine all day long. Or Wayback Burgers for a signature beef patty and a range of unique milkshake iterations like their red velvet cupcake shake. And 3rd Act Craft Brewery offers traditional bar bites and more than 10 signature craft brews on tap.
Lunds & Byerlys is a popular grocery option in the Woodbury Village shopping center.
The best burgers in Woodbury can be found at Wayback Burgers off Radio Dr.
Grab a brew and a meal at 3rd Act Craft Brewery in Woodbury.
Tamarack Village is a large shopping center off Radio Dr in Woodbury.
1/4
High-marks at Woodbury Schools
Three independent school systems serve Woodbury, including South Washington County School District 833, Stillwater Area Schools and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District. Most learners attend South Washington County schools, which earns an impressive A-minus overall rating from Niche. The district is comprised of 16 elementary schools, four middle schools and four high schools, and no school earns a rating lower than a C-plus. East Ridge High School and Woodbury High School each boast A-minus grades. According to Niche, Woodbury High is the 20th best college prep public high school in Minnesota. It serves around 2,000 students and has a 94% graduation rate, with 85% of students attending college post-graduation.
Kids are excited for school at Liberty Ridge Elementary School.
Students strive for greatness at Lake Middle School.
Woodbury High School is located on Woodlane Drive in Woodbury,
The East Ridge High School stadium is adjacent to the school parking lot.
1/4
Commute into St. Paul on the Metro Transit bus or I-94
Residents in Woodbury rely on Interstates 494 and 94 for easy access to downtown St. Paul and the surrounding areas. Those seeking public transit options can take the Metro Transit bus, which operates throughout the city. When traveling further outside of Woodbury, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 16 miles away. For healthcare, the M. Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital is located on the community's western border and is the only hospital within the southeast metro area. Transportation improvements are being made to the Metro Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit system, intended to speed up stop times and provide quick travel to and from St Paul’s Union Depot. Additionally, roadway rehab projects in 2024 and 2025 will improve transit between downtown and the Salem Meadows, Erin Court and Orchard Ridge subdivisions.
Crime
The Washington County Sherrif's office, which oversees Woodbury, reported 19.8 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2023. Comparatively, Minnesota recorded 65.3 violent crimes per 100,000 people, while the U.S. as a whole recorded 120.8 incidents per 100,000 individuals.
As a Realtor®, Verena is not simply helping you buy or sell a home but guide you through the opportunity to start that new chapter in your life. It is her job to help you relax, make informed decisions, and provide you the knowledge to succeed in each step of the buying and selling process. It is important to her to be your long-term partner instead of just your realtor. Therefore, she will give you the customer experience and care that she would expect from her real estate agent.
Growing up in Germany, not only does she know about buying and selling homes in Minnesota but has first-hand knowledge of the process for anyone moving internationally. She has coached many international buyers through the steps of building your credit and fulfilling their dream of becoming a homeowner here in the US.
On a personal note, she is mom of two extremely high energy American Ninja Warrior boys that keep me on my toes. She is very proud to spend her time outside of real estate watching her boys compete locally and nationally and grow in the sport of ninja.
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.
