Nokomis East
Neighborhood spotlight
Nokomis, one of eleven communities forming the city of Minneapolis, sprawls out from its namesake (Lake Nokomis) at the southernmost edge of the city. Just east of the lake lies a secret residential gem aptly named Nokomis East. It includes four smaller neighborhoods — Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Wenonah and Morris Park — unfamiliar to most outsiders, but cherished by its residents. The homes, streets and businesses of Nokomis East exude a quintessential Minneapolis vibe. They are modest and charming and welcoming. For anyone looking to buy within the city, they are definitely worth exploring.
Location
Nokomis East is bounded largely by bodies of water. To the north and east lie Minnehaha Creek and Park with the adjacent Mississippi River. Lake Nokomis sits directly west and Highway 62 borders to the south. Downtown Minneapolis lies about seven miles straight north of the neighborhood and can be easily accessed via the light rail running along Hiawatha Avenue at the eastern edge of the neighborhood.
Proximity to Minnehaha and Lake Nokomis Park provides residents with plenty of options for outdoor activity. The lake offers year-round recreation including summer swimming, picnics and sports. You can catch a bike path there or along the creek and connect to the city's system of trails that includes the 55-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.
Home Styles
Most of the homes in the neighborhood were built from the 1920s through the 1960s. You'll find a variety of quaint bungalows, tudors, post-war minimal traditional styles and an occasional foursquare or rambler. Blocks of tree-lined city streets are dotted with parks and corner stores adding charm, convenience and green-space to the urban neighborhood vibe.
Home Prices
Nokomis East remains an affordable option for city living. The current median sales price for a single-family home ranges from $214,000-$286,000 depending on the neighborhood (proximity to the lake tends to increase values.) Keewaydin has consistently maintained a higher median while Morris Park has stayed a bit more affordable. Prices in all four neighborhoods have shown a steady increase over the past three years, as shown in the graph below.
The graph's data points are derived from our regional MLS database and will remain live on this post, updating continually as the market data changes. Results are based on single-family, traditional sales (no bank intervention), all construction types (newly built as well as existing), and all sizes of homes.
Meet the Neighbors
The majority of homes in Nokomis East are owner-occupied, and many of those residents have lived in the neighborhood for years. I recently had a chance to ask two of them what they love about their community.
Jennie is a potter and local business owner. She opened her creative space The Workshop MLPS in the heart of Nokomis East business district last spring after living in the neighborhood nearly 17 years. Nancy, resident of 25+ years, creates at The Workshop and remains a loyal advocate of the neighborhood. Check out the video below to hear what they love about living in the neighborhood.
Local Businesses
The local business scene is alive and well in Nokomis East. The intersection of 50th St. and 34th Ave. forms the commercial hub where residents can get just about anything. Within three short blocks you'll find a grocery store, post office, hardware store, gas station, liquor store, library, banks, several good restaurants, artisan gifts shops and studio space, auto shops, Nokomis Shoe Shop and even bowling at Town Hall Lanes. Local businesses extend beyond the hub as convenient corner shops throughout the neighborhood. A few personal favorites include the recently opened Arlee Park and longstanding Nokomis Beach Coffee, both on 50th just east of the lake. Other neighborhood favorites are Homespun Decor and Gifts and The Workshop MPLS. (Full disclosure: I took a pottery class from Jennie at The Workshop last summer and loved it!)
Additional Resources
The residents and business owners of Nokomis East stay connected and focused on maintaining a strong community through active involvement in both the neighborhood and business associations. Link to their sites to read more about their work and commitment to this vibrant Minneapolis neighborhood:
If you would like to learn more about the Nokomis East community, search for available homes or talk about listing yours, connect with me anytime. heidi@lyndenrealty.com 651-503-1540
Heidi Swanson is a Realtor® based in St. Paul, Minnesota. She writes a blog to share information on a variety of real estate related topics including buying and selling, market conditions, homeownership trends and more. Reach her at heidi@lyndenrealty.com or 651-503-1540.