West Seventh - Saint Paul, MN

Fur traders and Native Americans once used the road that bears the name West Seventh as a major trading route along the Mississippi River, and as St. Paul grew, the development of this area quickly followed. In the 1860s, German immigrants moved to the area, and they established the first breweries. Waves of Polish, Czech, Irish and Scandinavian immigrants followed, and eventually, a large wave of Italians settled in the area, earning it the nickname of "Little Italy."

In this neighborhood sometimes referred to as Little Bohemia, the Landmark Center serves as the cultural hub for theater, dance and art exhibits. A range of museums in nearby downtown St. Paul, including a science museum, a history center, an art museum and a children's museum among others, provide something for everybody's tastes.

West Seventh has no shortage of restaurants, and if you live in the neighborhood, you can find whatever you are craving within walking distance. Head to Rooster's BBQ Deli for blue-ribbon BBQ, DeGidio's for authentic Italian or Mancini's Char House for aged steak grilled over an open charcoal hearth.

If you prefer flavorful, spice-filled dishes, check out Supatra's Thai Cuisine. Lauded for having dishes that artfully blend sweet, salty and spicy flavors, this restaurant's menu features unbeatable coconut noodles, durian rice and Pad Thai that will remind you why you love Thai food. Behind a door in an unassuming brick wall on West Seventh Street, you can find Joe & Stan's Sports Lounge & Grill. Self-proclaimed as the best bar in the cities, this dive bar features retro vinyl furniture, an affordable Friday night prime rib special and a meat raffle – a classic St. Paul contest where the lucky winner leaves with a tasty cut of ribeye, leg of lamb or pork loin.

Committed to sustainability, West Seventh residents love how easily their neighborhood accommodates walking. Bicycle paths link the area to downtown St. Paul, making bicycle commutes convenient and simple. Metro City Transit bus routes run along the main thoroughfare, cabs can be called to the area, and Uber provides service as well.

Interstate 35 runs along the side of this neighborhood, giving residents access to downtown St. Paul and the southern suburbs. I-94 runs through downtown St. Paul, and residents who need to commute to Minneapolis can be on this freeway not long after leaving their homes. Free on-street parking and commercial parking lots exist in the neighborhood as well as metered and permit parking.

West Seventh's main park, Irvine Park, overlooks the river and offers residents a beautiful outdoor spot for anything from a quiet picnic lunch to a gorgeous summer wedding. The Lowertown and High Bridge Dog Parks are a quick jog from the neighborhood. Residents can reach Como Park, which offers a lake, a free zoo, playgrounds, a conservatory and cross-country skiing, by car or bus.

During the summer, locals flock to the nearby Irish Fair of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Fair and Grand Old Day. Winter brings the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Winterfest.

The premier event of the neighborhood, the Beer Dabbler outdoor beer festival showcases craft brews and gourmet food vendors. This West Seventh festival takes place at various times during the year including during winter and summer.

Living in West Seventh costs about the same on average as living in St. Paul. While the average one-bedroom apartment in St. Paul rents for $861, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in West Seventh hovers around $927. Gas costs 91 percent of the national average, and the city's great location means that many residents can leave their cars in their garages, saving residents money on transport.

Metro City buses serve the area with tickets ranging from $1.50 to $3 and fares as low as 75 cents for students. Happy hour specials in the area frequently bring beer prices to below $3 for a pint or bottle, and even full-price beers cost only $4 to $5.

Active residents of the West Seventh neighborhood shop at Tradition Creek, a camping store, or Run N Fun, a speciality running shop. Thrifters love the shopping in the area and constantly search for hidden gems at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store or for artisan goods at Scarborough Fair, a flea-market style thrift boutique.

Locals who prefer a high-end shopping experience travel to Grand Avenue, which has a range of boutiques and gift shops, including Creative Kidstuff, Bibelot, Gold'n Treasures, and Mama's Happy, sandwiched between coffee shops and restaurants.

When hunger strikes, West Seventh residents buy organic veggies and bulk grains at the Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op, a member-owned store on West Seventh Street. Trader Joe's and Kowalski's Market, two high-end grocery stores, can be reached by car or bicycle in the nearby Highland Park and Mac-Groveland areas. During the summer, the St. Paul Farmers' Market takes place a few miles away in downtown.