Crystal, MN Real Estate

Crystal is located a mere 7 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis. Crystal Lake Township was organized in 1860 and from 1866 to 1887 the continual expansion of the cities of Minneapolis, Robbinsdale and Golden Valley annexed large portions of the rural township until they incorporated as a city in 1960. The first settler to the town arrived in 1852 and a shingle mill was built shortly thereafter at the mouth of the Shingle Creek. A flour mill followed in 1859 and several brickyards were established in 1876, on the clay beds adjacent to the Mississippi river. A blacksmith shop, dry goods and grocery store, hotel, and a post office were also built around this time. Today, Crystal is a parceled mix of residential, business and commercial/retail properties.

Crystal has a unique neighborhood setup; in 1999 the Mayor and City Council were seeking a better way to elicit and respond to residents' desires for their neighborhoods. As a result, Crystal rolled out the Neighborhood Initiative that included goals to strengthen the community. Some of these goals include: improving communication between residents and city government, encouraging active citizenship and neighborhood participation to help direct the future of Crystal, and providing a greater sense of community and commitment to one's neighborhood. Fourteen different neighborhoods all with unique "personalities" and amenities have been identified within the city limits and include: Broadway, Lions Park, Skyway, Twin Oaks, Becker, Forest, Welcome Park, Cavanagh Oaks, Brownwood, Winnetka Hills, Valley Place, Creek, Lee Park.

Throughout the 14 neighborhoods are 27 parks ranging from a large 40-acre nature preserve to small neighborhood playgrounds and everything in between: ball fields, courts and rinks, picnic areas and trails. The community at-large is served by community education programs for people of all ages, special programming for seniors, as well as youth and adult sports leagues.

The city doesn't have its own school district and is largely served by Robbinsdale schools. Strip malls provide most of the necessities with the closest mall shopping located a few minutes north in Brooklyn Center at Brookdale Mall. Dining options are replete with fast food and chain restaurant staples, but find the unique Afghani café: Crystal Bistro. Try the Chicken Karai and the Baba Ghanoush at this mom-and-pop shop; the owner will be happy to explain the menu items, make recommendations and even sell you a rug from the small retail section they maintain along with the restaurant!

Homes here are wide-ranging from luxurious new subdivisions to more mature neighborhoods that include ramblers, split and multi-level homes. The community features some multi-family housing as well as town homes and condos. This is a family-friendly area that encourages its residents to get involved in their communities and foster relationships within the community and neighborhoods. The city motto sums it up best: "Where family and community are number one."

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• Crystal, MN

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