The Lakes - Blaine, MN

As European settlers first arrived in the Lakes area, trade blossomed along the ancient Red River Ox Cart Trail and along the Mississippi, where barges connected the area to St. Paul. Farming emerged as the first industry in the area, and the brick and clay industry soon followed.

The area remained relatively sparsely populated until the freeway system linked it to Minneapolis and St. Paul in the 1950s. Since that time, the population of many of the suburbs in the Lakes area has increased more than threefold. For example, from 1959 to 2010, the population of Coon Rapids alone grew from 14,000 to 61,000.

Residents of the Lakes area have access to a host of museums in the metro area, including the Minnesota History Museum, the Children's Museum of Minnesota and the Walker Art Center. There are also several theaters, including the Orpheum Theater and the State Theater.

The suburbs in the Lakes area host a number of restaurants, dishing up large servings of classic American fare. At Dixie Blue BarBQue, locals munch on hearty platters of ribs, brisket and roast chicken. Another popular Blaine eatery, Carol's Restaurant serves homemade caramel rolls for breakfast, homey meatloaf sandwiches for lunch and red velvet cheesecake for dessert.

Restaurants such as Hajime Japanese Restaurant bring modernism and sushi to the area. Soft blue lighting, modern chrome tables and sleek black chairs set a contemporary vibe in this Blaine restaurant. In addition to classic eel and avocado rolls, sushi and sashimi rolls, and little plates of edamame, Hajime has cheap beer, wine and rail drinks for its customers.

For nightlife, Coon Rapids, Fridley and Blaine locals have a range of bars at their disposal, including Wild Bills Sports Saloon. Featuring a cowboy and western theme, this sports bar draws patrons for its affordable taps, huge flat screen televisions and fun vibe.

For something a bit different in the evening, locals visit the Blainbrook Entertainment Center. This multiplex has food and a sports bar, as well as a family-friendly bowling alley, video games and pinball games.

The Lakes area connects to the metro area via US Highway 52 and Interstate 35. Drivers can park for free on the residential and commercial streets of the suburban Lakes area, but free parking in either downtown area doesn't exist. For that reason, many commuters take the bus into the city. From park-and-ride lots such as the one on Paul Parkway and Ulysses Street in Blaine, you can catch Metro Transit bus 865 into the city, and the ride takes about 45 minutes.

Cabs operate in the area, and Uber's ride-share service is available here, but you must schedule rides rather than trying to hail a vehicle in the street. Walking and bicycling in the streets of the Lakes area offers safety for residents, and if you use the free bicycle racks on the Metro Transit buses, you may be able to navigate life in this area without a car.

The Lakes area hosts a number of inviting neighborhood parks with sports fields, picnic grounds and playgrounds, as well as indoor bounce houses and playgrounds for the months when frosty temperatures tend to keep kids inside. Adventure Park in Andover charges a small admission, but it has two playground areas, indoor trampolines and a cafeteria.

For outdoor entertainment, hikers and dog owners visit Locke County Park in Fridley. Featuring a modest off-leash area with shade and picnic tables, this park also has well-maintained and beautiful trails perfect for walking your dog. Your four-legged friends can even take a dip in the nearby creek.

In the summer, fee-based Bunker Beach Water Park has slides and wave pools to amuse the family. In the winter, you can enjoy ice skating or snowshoeing at Riverview Park or Sandhill Park in Coon Rapids.

Living in Fridley, Coon Rapids, Blaine or other suburbs in the Lakes area costs a bit more than living in other sections of the metro area. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment here costs approximately $1218 per month.

Taking the bus into either downtown costs $3, and you can save even more if you buy a multi-ride or monthly pass. Discounts are also available for students and seniors.

You can find a bottle of domestic beer for less than $3 at local bars, while craft beers are $4 and up. Meanwhile, gas prices in the area cost around 5 percent less than the national average.

If you live in the Lakes area, you can find chain stores and restaurants in the Northtown Mall in Blaine. However, if you want something a bit more unique, head to the metro area where a host of boutiques and high-end shops await.

Parc Boutique in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis has contemporary casual styles on its racks. The perfect store to visit if you want to look stylish while dressing down, Parc Boutique sits near antique and thrift stores, and you can kick off the holiday shopping season each year with Northeast's mid-November boutique crawl.

For the most urban fashions in the area, shoppers head to Uptown. There, boutiques such as June Resale and Cliche feature everything from vintage hats and gowns to contemporary couture. For high-end waxing services and irreverent jewelry, check out Uptown's Saint Sabrina's.

Grocery shops in the Lakes area include Jensen's Food in Coon Rapids, the Walmart Super Center in Fridley and ALDI in Blaine. The Anoka County Grower's Association hosts a farmers markets for locals every summer.