Scott Far Western Suburbs Jordan, MN

Scott County and the far western suburbs have been attracting settlers since the middle of the 19th century. Then, farmers claimed the land with rich soil, but an abundance of sandy land and wetlands, unsuitable for farming, remained wild for hunting.

For close to 100 years, the area remained a series of small communities and farms, but when the highway system linked Scott County to the metro area after WWII, population boomed. Between 1950 and 1970, many far west suburbs grew tenfold or more. At the turn of the century, another boom occurred, as residents moved to the area in search of quiet living on spacious lots.

Museums such as the Scott County Historical Society in Shakopee and the Gopher State Railroad Museum in New Prague educate locals on the area's rich history, and annual events such as the Renaissance Festival transport locals into merry olde England.

Restaurants sit clustered together in each of the small suburbs that makes up Scott County, and in addition to hosting all of the chains you know and love, this area includes several independent joints as well. In Jordan, Suzette's Fine European Bistro sits on the side of Highway 169, posing like a truck stop. However, when they walk through the doors, visitors find that this restaurant is anything but. Instead, Cambodian-born and French-trained chef, Banrith Yong whips up classic French fare from escargot to chicken marsala.

For comforting homemade Minnesotan fare, locals frequent Emma Krumbee's Restaurant and Bakery. In the morning, munch on freshly baked cinnamon rolls or pecan crescents, or come by in the evening for ham or prime rib, slowly roasted to perfection in the kitchen. Whether you're eating at noon or closer to midnight, try the fruit pies for dessert. Made with apples picked fresh from Emma's orchard and crusts hand mixed in the kitchen, these pies represent a slice of perfection.

A handful of bars in the area provide nighttime amusement for locals. Clancy's Bar and Pizza Parlor in Belle Plaine draws locals for its tasty thin-crust pizza, takeout fried chicken and long list of deep-fried appetizers. This dive bar features relaxing wood-paneled interior, frosty pints of domestic beer, deep-fried pickles and an outdoor patio. Locals who want to dance the night away typically have to head into Minneapolis to find a thumping club such as First Avenue, but you can head up to Louisville lanes for a night of bowling or visit the Arizona's Grill and Bar for a lazy night of pizza and beer.

Public transit does not link the furthest parts of Scott County to the city, but BlueXpress and Metro Transit have services in the eastern part of the county. For example, residents of Belle Plaine cannot take a bus into the city, but they can drive 18 miles to Shakopee, park in a park-and-ride lot and take a commuter bus into the city.

Highway 169 provides access to I-494, linking Scott County and the far western suburbs to the metro area and the rest of the suburbs. Although drivers have to pay to park in Minneapolis, they do not need to pay to use park-and-ride lots, and free parking abounds throughout the residential and commercial areas of Scott County.

The streets of the suburbs in Scott County are safe for both walkers and bikers, and bikers especially have a great deal of trails at their disposal. However, these communities cannot claim the moniker "walkable communities", and to that end, most residents find car ownership essential.

Cab companies such as Southwest Metro Transit and TNT Taxi Service provide service in the area, but rather than hailing one of these cabs in the streets, riders must call them to the area. Uber's service does not extend down to this area, however.

Parks and green spaces abound in Scott County and the far western suburbs. In addition to many neighborhood parks with playgrounds and sport fields, the area houses the beautiful Minnesota Valley State Recreational Area.

Preserving the natural lands around the Minnesota River, this natural area links to the far western suburbs by a series of bicycle paths running from Shakopee to Belle Plaine. Perfect for hiking, horseback riding or walking your dog, this natural area displays a range of biodiversity including wetlands, floodplain forests and buffalo oak savanna.

Annual festivals in the area include the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Sever's Corn Maze and Fall Festival and the Soundset Hip Hop Festival. All take place in Shakopee, and they have everything from medieval jousting to contemporary rap battles.

Living in Scott and the far western suburbs provides renters with more value than living in other parts of Minneapolis. While renters should expect to pay $961 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Minneapolis, they can easily find a two-bedroom apartment in Scott County for $860 or less. Landlords price one-bedrooms even lower.

Drivers save about 5 percent on gas, when compared to the national average, and if you drive to a park-and-ride lot, you can get into the city for $3 or less. When you arrive home at the end of the day, you can find a pint of beer for around $4, with prices sometimes dropping to $3 or less during happy hour.

Some of the unique shops in Scott County and the far western suburbs draw shoppers all the way from central Minneapolis for their unique items. One such shop, Iris Valley Boutique and Gifts in Jordan sells jewelry, handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind items. Another high-end shop in the area, Kubes Furniture and Flooring brings hand-selected furniture and top-quality flooring to the area. For more intense shopping, Scott County residents drive to downtown Minneapolis which hosts department stores, bookstores, art galleries and small independent gift shops such as Love from Minnesota, or they drive 36 miles to the Mall of America. Conveniently located off of I-494, this mammoth indoor shopping center hosts an amusement park, over 400 stores, restaurants, a movie theater and more. With locations in Belle Plaine and New Prague, Coborn's sells groceries to most of the area's residents. Shoppers who prefer organic fare and bulk items, shop at Lakewinds Natural Food Co-op, or they shop at Emma' Krumbees farmers market during the harvesting months of spring, summer and early fall.