Maplewood-Oakdale - Maplewood, MN

Maplewood's history dates back to the 1850s, when white settlers moved into Dakota and Objibwe lands, seeking farmland close to St. Paul. Into the next century, the region remained agricultural until the post-WWII suburban building boom. One farm, the Bruentrup Farm, has been preserved as a historical site by the city and educates visitors about the area's dairy farming tradition. In 1950, 3M chose Maplewood as the site of its corporate headquarters building, located right off I-94, and this inspired more residential development as employees sought housing close by. The company remains a strong and highly visible partner in the community and continues to expand its operations and invest in Maplewood. No arts scene to speak of exists in either Maplewood or Oakdale, although the libraries in both cities host a variety of family-friendly events, including craft nights and music performances.

The D-Spot, South Maplewood's top choice for destination dining, specializes in chicken wings. In fact, many people consider this the best place in the Twin Cities for wings. If you're expecting bony plain-Jane wings with a dusting of orange powder, though, the D-Spot will seriously expand your mind. This menu stretches the creative boundaries of chicken with nearly 100 flavor options, including mango curry, strawberry, French toast, PB & J, lavender and Marsala. The busy kitchen cranks out takeout boxes all night long, but a small dining room accommodates those who want to bask in the smoky, aromatic atmosphere and try the innovative burgers as well as wings. Prices are very reasonable: $7 for six wings or $12 for a dozen. Duc's Vietnamese, right next door in the same strip mall, serves classic Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, including savory Singapore noodles, veggie-packed coconut curry with tofu, sauteed meats and vegetables drizzled with spicy sesame seed sauce and rice stick soups. In the off hours, you might see elders and children peeling a mountain of garlic in the dining room of this family-run business. A second location opened in nearby Woodbury with the same menu. In North Maplewood, in the area surrounding Maplewood Mall, an abundant array of chain sit-down and fast food options covers the full flavor spectrum, from burgers to pasta to pizza and sandwiches. One quirky local option is Mae's Egg Roll Basket. Mae serves spring rolls, egg rolls and gigantic bahn mi sandwiches, a French-Vietnamese hybrid stuffed with meat or tofu, and fresh and pickled vegetables. The 5-8 Tavern and Grill might have invented the famous Juicy Lucy. Or maybe Matt's Bar in Minneapolis did - who knows? The debate rages on, while cooks in both of these beloved greasy spoons keep making this enormously popular burger, which contains a gooey melted cheese center. Burgers, fries, cheese curds and pull tabs make this a cozy place away from the cold. Myth Live Event Center, the only nightclub in the Twin Cities' suburbs, stages hip-hop, heavy metal and hard rock shows in a boxy venue just west of the Maplewood Mall. This well-run club is off the beaten path for many Twin Cities music fans, but there's free parking and well-known acts like Taylor Swift, the Flaming Lips and Bush make it worth the drive.

North Maplewood is well served by Metro Transit, and bus lines line to the mall area and surrounding neighborhoods. Bus fare is $1.75 or $2.25 during rush hour. Most parts of more sparsely populated South Maplewood lack bus service. Drivers find it easy to get around this area, as I-94 bisects the city, offering a ten minute commute to downtown St. Paul. The I-494-694 freeway loop runs around the city, making it possible to easily access both the north and south suburbs. South Maplewood is just 20 minutes from the airport, and taxis and Uber serve the area. Bike commuters and recreational cyclists love the Gateway State Trail, an 18-mile designated bike trail that runs from St. Paul to Stillwater. Free and abundant parking can be found everywhere throughout these suburban areas. Some neighborhoods enjoy sidewalks, but overall, cars rule here.

Maplewood and Oakdale both value green space, and as these suburbs have developed, they have worked to preserve the most valuable remaining parcels. In Maplewood, 14 Neighborhood Preserves give residents throughout the city access to green space. These preserves each have distinct qualities, and include ponds, prairies, an apple orchard and trails. In 2013, the city acquired the 70-acre Fish Creek Natural Area, one of the last large parcels of undeveloped land in the metro area. Encompassing a creek, bluff lands and prairie, Fish Creek offers stunning views of downtown St. Paul amid a wild landscape used by birds migrating along the Mississippi River. The Maplewood Nature Center educates residents about local flora and fauna, including invasive species, and features a nature play area, hiking trails and boardwalks through wetlands. Oakdale's Discovery Center, an educational facility at the Oakdale Nature Preserve, gives children hands-on opportunities to learn about the local environment and the animals who live among us. Hiking and bike trails wind through this oak savannah landscape. Residents also have access to the nearby Battle Creek Park dog park, a fenced, off-leash place for dogs to play and their two-legged friends to hike oak-lined trails. Each May, Oakdale hosts Summerfest, a community celebration that includes a parade, fireworks and royalty coronations.

In general, the east metro area offers a slightly lower cost of living than the central cities and west metro. Housing and property taxes in Maplewood run about 10 percent lower than in other first-ring suburbs, and gas and groceries cost about three percent less. A one-bedroom apartment rents for about $800 per month. The south part of the city features large, rural lots. In a local bar beer runs from $3 for national tap to $6 for craft beers. Gas prices are about 7 percent lower than the national average.

Maplewood Mall offers the classic enclosed mall shopping experience, anchored by Macy's and Sears department stores. Many of the most popular mall fashion, food and gift shops can be found here, and satellite big box stores, as well as smaller strip malls, orbit the Maplewood Mall. A few smaller, independent options can be found if you look hard. You might drive right past Maplewood Bakery without seeing it; this tiny, classic bakery lacks good signage, but look for the door next to the liquor store; bring cash, as no plastic is accepted. Reward yourself with crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside cake donuts or traditional figure-eight pastries. The selection is small, but the quality is good. Half Price Books buys and sells books, music and video games, and the knowledgeable staff try to make your visit fruitful. Costumes Plus boasts the "largest selection of costumes...in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul." Gear up for your next comic convention at this year-round store, which is loaded with rows and rows of every colored wig, pointy witch heel and masquerade mask you can imagine. If you prefer outdoor excursions, head to CC Military Surplus for rough and tough backpacks, hiking boots, and camping gear. In Oakdale, a few strip malls and big box retailers provide convenient national brand foods and amenities. The Dege Garden Center knows what thrives in the northern climate and stocks a full array of plants, seeds and garden supplies. Blue Ribbon Bait and Tackle knows all about the local fish and fishing spots and can outfit you for a good catch. During the winter months, the Oakdale Discovery Center at the Oakdale Nature Preserve hosts a bi-weekly indoor market features locally grown foods and crafts. Most residents of South Maplewood pick up groceries at Cub Foods or Byerlys in nearby Woodbury. Oakdale has its own Cub Foods, as does North Maplewood. Big box retailers and Aldi's offer low-cost groceries.