Stillwater occupies a unique position in the Twin Cities market. While most suburbs are defined by their school districts and new construction communities, Stillwater has something harder to manufacture: genuine character. It's Minnesota's oldest city, founded in 1843, and its historic downtown along the St. Croix River bluffs is one of the most distinctive settings in the entire metro.
For relocating buyers who have been asking "does Minnesota have anywhere that feels like a real town?", Stillwater is usually the answer.
The Downtown
Stillwater's Main Street runs along the St. Croix River and is lined with 19th-century brick buildings converted into independent restaurants, wine bars, antique shops, bookstores, art galleries, and boutiques. This is not a manufactured "town center" development — it's a genuine historic commercial district that has evolved organically over 180 years.
The lift bridge (recently converted to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge) and the new St. Croix Crossing vehicle bridge frame the riverfront. Summer evenings on Main Street, with restaurants spilling onto patios above the river, are genuinely lovely. Fall in Stillwater — when the bluffs across the river in Wisconsin turn color — is spectacular enough that it draws visitors from across the region.
Key anchors include Loome Theological Booksellers (one of the largest used bookstores in the Midwest), Lift Bridge Brewing, multiple wine bars and restaurants, and the Stillwater Farmer's Market on Saturdays. It's a real downtown, not a strip mall with a fountain.
Stillwater Area Schools (ISD 834)
Stillwater Area Public Schools covers Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Grant, and surrounding communities. Stillwater Area High School is large (~2,500 students) with strong academics, arts programs, and competitive athletics. The district consistently performs in the top third of Minnesota districts statewide — not the top-five reputation of Wayzata or Edina, but solidly strong and well-regarded in the region.
Elementary schools within the district vary in location and character — some are in the city itself, others serve more rural surrounding communities. The district has invested in facilities updates in recent years. For most families, ISD 834 delivers a quality public school experience in a community with high parental engagement.
Neighborhoods and Housing
Historic Downtown and Bluff Area
The oldest and most distinctive housing in Stillwater — Victorian and Craftsman homes on the hillside above Main Street, with river views in some cases. These are character-rich properties: original woodwork, steep lots, unique layouts. Prices range from $450K for a project home up to $900K+ for fully restored historic properties with river views. Not for everyone, but genuinely irreplaceable in character.
South Hill and West Stillwater
More conventional suburban neighborhoods surrounding the historic core — established 1970s through 1990s development on rolling terrain. $380K–$550K range. Family-oriented streets, mature trees, good school access. The character is quieter and more traditional suburban, though still with more topographic interest than most flat suburban neighborhoods.
Liberty on the Lake
A planned community on the south end of Stillwater built around Liberty Lake, with a New Urbanist design philosophy — walkable streets, front porches, mixed housing types, neighborhood-scale commercial. One of the more intentionally designed communities in the east metro. Homes range from townhomes at $380K to single-family at $550K–$750K+.
New Construction on the Perimeter
Stillwater's surrounding townships — Grant, Lake Elmo — have seen new construction activity for those who want the Stillwater lifestyle and school district access with newer construction. These communities offer larger lots, newer builds, and typically $480K–$750K price points.
The St. Croix River
The St. Croix is a National Scenic Riverway — protected federal designation that limits development and preserves the river's natural character. This means no strip development along the banks, consistent water quality, and a genuinely beautiful natural corridor. Boating, kayaking, fishing, and river tubing are all popular. Several marinas in the Stillwater area offer boat storage and rentals.
Summer vs. Off-Season
Stillwater's downtown is busiest May through October. Winter is quieter — some seasonal businesses close — but the community has a dedicated year-round population and the ski hill at Trollhaugen (just across the river in Wisconsin) adds a winter dimension. Don't judge Stillwater on a February visit alone.
Commute Realities
This is Stillwater's most significant trade-off. It sits at the eastern edge of the metro — closer to the Wisconsin border than to Minneapolis. Commute times: downtown St. Paul is 30–40 minutes via I-94 or Hwy 36. Downtown Minneapolis is 45–55 minutes. West-metro employers (Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Minnetonka corridor) are 55–70 minutes — that's a dealbreaker commute for many.
Stillwater works best for those with St. Paul or east-metro employers, remote workers, or those whose employer is in Washington County itself (Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove). For anyone commuting daily to the west metro, the distance is genuinely challenging.
Honest Trade-offs
- Commute distance — far from west-metro employers; best for St. Paul and east-metro workers
- Limited new construction in city — most new builds are in surrounding townships, not Stillwater proper
- Seasonal tourism traffic — summer weekends bring significant visitor traffic to downtown; parking and restaurant waits reflect this
- Hilly terrain — beautiful but means some streets are steep in winter (something to consider for daily driving)
- School district — ISD 834 is solid but doesn't carry the top-five ranking of Wayzata or Edina
Who Stillwater Is Right For
Stillwater attracts buyers who want their suburb to feel like something more than a suburb — people who will genuinely use the downtown, who value walkability to restaurants and the river, who appreciate architectural character, and who aren't commuting to the west side of the metro daily. Remote workers often cite Stillwater as their top choice precisely because the commute constraint doesn't apply to them.
Curious About Stillwater or the East Metro?
Demyan helps out-of-state buyers evaluate the full range of Twin Cities communities — including the ones that don't fit the standard suburb mold. Schedule a free call to talk through whether Stillwater fits your situation.
* Sources: ISD 834 district data, City of Stillwater, National Park Service (St. Croix National Scenic Riverway), Zillow Research 2024. Figures represent 2024–2025 averages.