St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and along with Minneapolis, is considered one of the Twin Cities. As a city of over 300,000 people, it offers much to see and do. It’s also known for being an important business hub – in fact, the greater Twin Cities area has one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies in the country. Even better, St. Paul is a city full of friendly, welcoming people. If you’re thinking of making your home in Minnesota, St. Paul would be a perfect choice!
A Look at St. Paul’s History
The modern-day history of the area that is now St. Paul began when French and French-Canadian fur traders begin trading and settling in the area. In 1841, Father Lucien Galtier of France, who was the first Roman Catholic priest to serve Minnesota established Saint Paul's Chapel on the bluffs above the landing. The city was eventually named for the church and became the capital of The Minnesota Territory in 1849. With the advent of steamboats and continued migration to the area, the city began to grow and has continued to grow ever since. Today, it is a bustling center of business, art, and culture, and would truly be a wonderful place to call home.
St. Paul - A Few Fun Facts
Read more fun facts about St. Paul here.
The LGBTQ Community in St. Paul
St. Paul is a city that cherishes and celebrates its LGBTQ community and supports it through a variety of community resources, including:
Out Front Minnesota is an LGBTQ community group serving the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota area, with the mission of creating a Minnesota where all people can feel accepted, celebrated, and free to be who they are. The group work towards this mission by planning a variety of community events and monthly meetings and providing education and resources to the community.
What's the Weather Like in St. Paul?
St. Paul receives 32 inches of rain, on average, each year, and 52 inches of snow. Certainly, those who live in St. Paul can be expected to experience plenty of wintry weather, but the trade-off is very mild, pleasant summer weather, with highs reaching only around an average of 83°F. Spring and fall are also pleasant seasons, with spring offering beautiful blooms and fall promising crisp breezes and the bright colors of changing leaves.
Can’t-Miss Events in St. Paul
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is one of the most popular festivals in the St. Paul area each year, and it’s one with an interesting history. In 1885, a group of reporters from the East Coast visited the St. Paul area and called it “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation." The city's chamber of commerce responded by hosting a giant winter carnival with food, ice palaces, and winter sports. It was wildly popular and finally became an official St. Paul tradition in 1946.
Every June, Minneapolis holds the Twin Cities Pride celebration with over 400 exhibitor booths, 40 food vendors, and 4 stages, it’s a wonderfully good time. The two-day event starts with a parade and is capped off with fireworks on the last night. It’s definitely one celebration you won’t want to miss!
The Best Neighborhoods in St. Paul
Unlike some larger cities that have one specific “gayborhood,” where most of the gay community lives, St. Paul tends to an LGBTQ community that is a bit more spread out across the city, as there are many neighborhoods that are great places to call home. In addition, as St. Paul is part of the “Twin Cities” along with Minneapolis, the two cities together have many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from. Those searching for condos can expect to pay anywhere from $70,000 to $1.1 million depending on where they are looking, while single-family homes also have a fairly broad range of prices and styles. Cheaper homes on the outskirts of the city can be found for less than $65,000, while the more expensive downtown homes are often priced at around $3 million.
Arts and Entertainment
The GALA Chorus is a unique Twin Cities tradition dating back to 1983. Each year, thousands of LGBTQ choral singers travel to the Twin Cities area from hundreds of choruses around the world. The event is very popular, and one you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar!
The Ordway is one of the premier performing arts centers in Minnesota. Each year, the Center hosts a variety of performing arts, including touring Broadway musicals, orchestra, opera, and cultural performers, and local musicals as well.
Parks and Recreation
Historic Rice Park in downtown St. Paul is a beautiful green space in the center of the city and is older than Central Park in New York City. It's a popular place for walking, picnicking, outdoor concerts, ice skating in the winter, and more.
GLASS, short for the Gay and Lesbian Amateur Sports Society is a recreational LGBTQ sports league serving the greater Twin Cities area. It offers a variety of sports for all ability levels and is a great way to make friends, have fun, and get some healthy exercise.
St. Paul Nightlife
The Black Hart calls itself an LGBTQ+ soccer bar and is in fact the oldest gay nightspot in the Twin Cities. It is known for its popular drag shows, country line dancing, karaoke, and theme nights, as well as its small, but lively piano lounge. It’s a must-try spot on a night out in St. Paul!
Although The Camp Bar is not technically an LGBTQ+ bar, The Camp Bar is popular with the LGBTQ community in St. Paul and is friendly and welcoming to all. It is located downtown and offers drag shows, great drink specials, and friendly crowds.
Contact a St. Paul Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to St. Paul, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in St. Paul, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a St. Paul gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
