MN
Homes and Real Estate in Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Cottage Grove is a river city in southern Washington County, about 10 miles south of St. Paul, with 1960s ranch homes, newer neighborhoods, and 515 acres of ravine parkland.
Living in Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove is a city of about 38,800 people in southern Washington County, on the north bank of the Mississippi River and about 10 miles south of St. Paul. It is also where I live, so when I talk about Cottage Grove, I am talking about my own community.
I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help people buy and sell homes in Cottage Grove and across Minnesota.
What is Cottage Grove, MN like? It is a river city with a suburban layout and a lot of open space. The city has more than 1,300 acres of public parkland and about 45 miles of trails, and Highway 61 connects it to St. Paul and the rest of the metro area.
Talk to Lesley About Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove neighborhoods and how the city grew
Cottage Grove was farm country until the late 1950s, when builder Orrin Thompson began putting up ranch-style homes on the west side of Highway 61. That neighborhood, Thompson Grove, changed the city. The population went from about 830 people in 1950 to more than 13,000 by 1970.
That history still shapes what you find here today:
- Thompson Grove and the older central neighborhoods. Ranch-style and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s, on streets with mature trees.
- Old Cottage Grove. The original village, platted in 1871 around Lamar Avenue, where some of the city's earliest buildings still stand, including the John P. Furber House.
- Newer neighborhoods. More recent subdivisions and new construction, in communities such as Eastbrooke along the Woodbury border, Hawthorne, Glacial Valley Estates, and Ravine Crossing near Ravine Regional Park.
- Along the river. The Grey Cloud Island area, beside the Mississippi and the Grey Cloud Dunes natural area.
Because the city was built over many decades, two homes at the same price can be very different in age, layout, and upkeep. We help you compare them fairly.
Home types and what to look for
Cottage Grove offers single-family homes, townhomes, and new construction, which is why we work here with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and people building new.
- In a 1960s or 1970s home, we look closely at the roof, windows, furnace, electrical panel, and any updates, because those decide what the home will cost you after you move in.
- In new construction, the builder's sales consultant represents the builder. Bring us with you from your very first visit to the model home.
- In a townhome, we review the association's dues, rules, and reserves before you make an offer.
If this is your first purchase, start with our first-time buyer page. If you own a home here and want to know its value, visit our home value page.
Parks, the river, and getting around
The outdoors is a large part of daily life in Cottage Grove:
- Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. 515 acres of wooded ravines, with paved and hiking trails, a fishing pier, a play area, and cross-country ski trails in winter.
- Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. 237 acres of sand prairie along the Mississippi, known for birding and winter snowshoeing.
- River Oaks Golf Course. The city's public 18-hole course, with a view of the Mississippi River.
- Neighborhood parks. Hamlet Park has more than two miles of nature trails, Highland Park has a splash pad, and Hazen P. Mooers Park has a boat launch on the river.
The commute. Highway 61, which shares the road with Highway 10 here, is the route nearly everyone uses, and it connects north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul. One thing to know before you buy: no interstate runs through the city itself, so your drive depends on Highway 61 traffic.
Schools. Cottage Grove is served by South Washington County Schools. Park High School, Cottage Grove Middle School, and Oltman Middle School are in the city. Attendance boundaries change, so confirm the schools for any specific address with the district.
How we help buyers and sellers in Cottage Grove
Living here means we know which streets back up to the ravine, which neighborhoods are closest to Highway 61, and how one part of the city differs from the next. That local knowledge shows up in how we price a home and how we advise a buyer.
- Buying. We start with your budget and the steps of the purchase before we tour. See buying a home in Minnesota and how we help buyers.
- Selling. We price your home from recent Cottage Grove sales, prepare it, and market it widely. See selling your home and how we sell your home.
Comparing communities? Cottage Grove borders Woodbury to the north and St. Paul Park to the west, and we work in both.
Let's talk about Cottage Grove
Whether you are moving here, moving within the city, or selling a home you have owned for years, we would be glad to help. No pressure and no obligation.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove is in southern Washington County, on the north bank of the Mississippi River, about 10 miles south of St. Paul. It borders Woodbury to the north and St. Paul Park to the west.
What kinds of homes are in Cottage Grove?
Ranch-style and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s, newer subdivisions and new construction, townhomes, and a few historic buildings in Old Cottage Grove.
How do people commute from Cottage Grove?
Most drivers use Highway 61, which connects north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul. No interstate runs through the city itself.
Which school district serves Cottage Grove?
South Washington County Schools serves Cottage Grove. Park High School, Cottage Grove Middle School, and Oltman Middle School are located in the city. Confirm the schools for a specific address with the district, because boundaries can change.
What parks are in Cottage Grove?
The city has more than 1,300 acres of parkland and about 45 miles of trails, including the 515-acre Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Hamlet Park, Highland Park, and the Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area.
What credit score or down payment do I need to buy in Cottage Grove?
It depends on the loan program, not the city. Some programs accept lower scores and down payments than many people expect, and assistance may be available if you qualify. A lender can review your situation.
Homes For Sale In Cottage Grove
See every home on the market in Cottage Grove right now, updated from the MLS.
Buying in Cottage Grove
The method
How we do it in Cottage Grove
Explore more of Bloomington
Ready to make your move with Lesley The Realtor?