Stillwater · Relocation
Relocating to Stillwater, Minnesota
Moving to Minnesota? Learn the communities, the prices, and the seasons before you choose where to live.
Moving to Stillwater
Stillwater is a river city that relocating buyers ask us about often. I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help people buy here from another state.
What is Stillwater like for someone moving from out of state? Stillwater sits on the west bank of the St. Croix River in Washington County, across from Houlton, Wisconsin. It covers about 8 square miles, with a historic downtown, older neighborhoods such as South Hill, and the 1931 Lift Bridge. Washington County's Government Center is also in Stillwater.
Plan My Move to Stillwater
Decisions that are easier with a local guide
- The school assignment follows the address. Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834) serves Stillwater and 17 other communities, with seven elementary attendance areas. You should confirm the assigned school for any home with the district.
- An older home needs a closer look. Historic homes bring questions about the roof, foundation, wiring, and past updates.
- Some exterior projects need review. If a home sits in a historic or design review district, exterior changes may need city review.
- Homes near the water need a flood check. This matters most near the St. Croix River and Lily Lake, and FEMA's flood map shows the zone for any address.
Seeing Stillwater from far away
Stillwater's older homes can look alike in photos and feel very different in person. On a video tour, we show you the stairs, the lot, the distance to downtown, and how parking works on the street. Downtown sits in a historic district on the river, so parking there is managed with permits and time limits.
We also show you what is close by, such as Lowell Park on the river, Lily Lake Park, and the nearly five-mile loop trail that crosses the Lift Bridge into Wisconsin.
Your next step
If you will commute to St. Paul, Metro Transit Route 294 runs between downtown St. Paul and Stillwater, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center. The steps for buying from a distance are on our relocating to Minnesota page. More about the city is on our Stillwater page, and the purchase is covered in buying a home in Stillwater. To compare a neighbor, you can visit our Lake Elmo page.
You can send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a bus from Stillwater to St. Paul?
Metro Transit Route 294 runs between downtown St. Paul and Stillwater. It has a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center and a downtown stop at Water and Myrtle Streets.
Which school will my Stillwater home be assigned to?
It depends on the address. District 834 has seven elementary attendance areas that feed two middle schools, and all of its students attend Stillwater Area High School. You should confirm with the district's enrollment office.
Can I change the outside of a historic Stillwater home?
It depends on the property. If a home falls in a historic or design review district, exterior changes may need city review, and we check that with you before you buy.
Get your home plan
Tell Us About The Home You Want
Homes For Sale In Stillwater
See every home on the market in Stillwater right now, updated from the MLS.
Stillwater
What relocation looks like in Stillwater
Stillwater sits on the St. Croix River in Washington County, with a historic downtown, the 1931 Lift Bridge, and a nearly five-mile river loop trail.
Stillwater is a river city we know well, close to Lake Elmo, Oakdale, and Woodbury, and its older homes take a careful look before you buy.
- The homes
- Historic homes in older neighborhoods such as South Hill. Exterior changes in a designated historic district may need city review.
- Schools people ask about
- Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834) serves Stillwater and 17 other communities. Confirm the assigned school for any address.
- Getting around
- Metro Transit Route 294 runs between downtown St. Paul and Stillwater, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center.
- Nearby
- The St. Croix River, the 1931 Lift Bridge, and a nearly five-mile bicycle and pedestrian loop trail into Wisconsin.
- The trade-off
- Downtown sits in a historic district on the river, so parking is managed with permits and time limits, and some exterior projects need design review.
Relocation: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Lesley The Realtor?