The first permanent resident of Blaine was Green Chambers, a former slave who moved north after the Civil War. How's that for historical?
In the days of Phillip Laddy, Blaine was unsettled country beyond the reaches of what was becoming the Minneapolis - Saint Paul metropolitan area
The first permanent resident of Blaine was Green Chambers, a former slave who moved north after the Civil War. How's that for historical?
In the days of Phillip Laddy, Blaine was unsettled country beyond the reaches of what was becoming the Minneapolis - Saint Paul metropolitan area. These days, roughing it to get in to town for supplies over dirt trails has been replaced by commuters on I-35W or drivers dropping straight down Highway 65 to get to the big city. Blaine is more luxury homes on the putting green or along the lakeside than log cabins and pioneer hardships. Ain't country out here no more. While surrounding towns grew in relation to farming, the relatively sandy soils and lakes of Blaine kept it small, with a population under 1,500 until after 1950. Currently, the township is home to about 59,000 people who don't mind a bit being comforted by the amenities of a thriving and beautifully landscaped master planned community. The older section of town is filled with more affordable houses on tree lined streets. Blaine is home to the what for many is considered the American Dream. Good schools, safe streets, and recreational opportunities bring people to move here. Your family is already begging you to make the move here. Open space is still plentiful and there are lots of walking, hiking, and biking routes and trails. They do tend to roll up the sidewalks at night, so fun-minded individuals looking for good nightlife might have to head south.
Start your search for an apartment to rent in Blaine as soon as you can. Once you know you want to move, well, move - get on the research and start looking! Blaine has a vacancy rate of around 4 percent, well below the national average. If you know in advance that this is where you want your very own home to be, having some time gives you options. Choosing the perfect fit may even require being on a waiting list, so be prepared to have alternatives while you are on standby. Rentals range from studios to large luxury apartments, as well as condos and town homes with access to green space and lakes. Because of the low vacancy rates and the livability, tenants to to stay in a property longer than in many cities. The lower turnover means there's usually less room for negotiating when there are openings and a high credit standard will have to be met. Use common sense when searching. That means showing up to appointments on time, having your information ready, and being flexible.
While it's mainly a suburban portion of the Twin Cities metro, there are different neighborhoods. Here's a look at some of them.
City Center: Running along the southern border of the township, along 85th Ave NE, this is where the first settlers put down roots and started the town. It now holds the Anoka County Blaine Airport and the Victory Links Golf Course. There are several large apartment complexes in this zone.$$$$
Lexington Ave: Going northeast from the city center roughly following I-35W and straddling Lexington Ave, this is home to a couple of industrial parks and shopping centers built around big-box national chain stores. Loch Ness Park features a small lake and there is a good amount of green space. Apartment and other rentals are outnumbered by big homes on large lots. $$$$$
Quincy Park - Blaine Haven: This part of town, located near Quincy Park south of 109th Avenue, holds new developments on lakefront property mixed in with older established sections. Condo rentals should be considered, along with rooms for rent with all bills paid.$$$
Pioneer Park - Savanna Grove: Stretching along the northern boundary of Blaine and taking in the Preserve at Legacy Creek and the large development of Savanna Grove is this part of town. There is a collection of multi-unit dwellings mixed in with the housing tracts and green space.$$
Happy Acres Park - Crescent Ponds: On the east side of University Ave. and going to Central Ave. on the west is this mixed community of single-family homes and a few rentals. Happy Acres Park is a centerpiece of the area and has several baseball diamonds and the main attraction in season, an ice skating rink. Try your hand at being Michelle Kwan!$$$
The quiet suburban life might not be for everyone, but it is for everyone in Blaine! That said, there are all sorts of entertainment options just a short drive to the south in the Twin Cities. Major sports franchises include the NHL's Minnesota Wild, NBA team the Minnesota Wolves, football's Minnesota Vikings, and the NASL side Minnesota United FC. That last team actually plays in Blaine, at the 600-acre mutli-sports complex known as the National Sports Center. It's called the world's largest amateur sports and meeting facility with all variety of sporting fun taking place. Every July, the NSC hosts the biggest youth soccer event in the United States, welcoming teams from around the world to compete in the Schwan's USA Cup. It's a great environment for soccer lovers of all ages.
Get in touch with your inner self and Mother Nature.Just a short drive to the north puts you in the middle of some incredible natural areas. The isolated and picturesque beaches of Lake Superior and the vast forests of the north are standing ready for your exploration. Apostle Islands Maritime Forests State Natural Area is an absolute treasure. The whole region offers great hiking opportunities for all levels of experience. The Turtle-Flambeau Patterned Bog State Natural Area might have a strange name but it's beauty is unquestionable. If you aren't native to the region, you will have to adapt to the harsh winters--or stock up on sweaters, heavy outerwear, and a good pair of boots. It's not an understatement either - the winters are harsh. The weather is continental - think Siberia. Now, that's a bit much, but there are definitely four seasons, each unique. Get yourself a good snow blower or find a rental property that has a maintenance staff and let them take care of it. Then get ready for a nice warming spring that builds into a hot summer, before the weather eases into an amazing autumn.
