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Thanks to some odd geography, Maplewood has something of a split personality. This first-ring St. Paul suburb can be described as being shaped like a frying pan. The main business and residential area lies primarily to the north and east of St. Paul, while the chief amenities, such as the community center and an indoor mall, lie in the "pan." South Maplewood, or the "pan handle," runs south along Interstate 494 and has fewer business amenities. Residents of this area tend to shop in bordering Woodbury, since it takes a good half hour to get from the southern tip of Maplewood to the main northern business district.

Meanwhile, Oakdale lies between the two sections, just east of Maplewood's pan handle and north of Woodbury. This young suburb is a quiet bedroom community with a scattering of business districts. Cornfields make up its eastern portion, giving the area a distinctly rural vibe, even though it's just 10 minutes outside of downtown St. Paul.