8.6 out of 10

Kenny

Ranked 2nd best neighborhood in Minneapolis
44.8976385772053 -93.299141759691
Great for
  • Safe & Sound
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Clean & Green
Not great for
  • Medical Facilities
  • Internet Access
  • Nightlife
  • Parking
  • Pest Free
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+

Reviews

4/5
2yrs+

"Kenny"

Kenny is a neighborhood in the city of Minneapolis that is mostly residential. It prides itself on low crime rate, multi-generational population of around 3,500 people residing in 1,600 homes and its active neighborhood association. Grass Lake is known as the hidden city of the neighborhood. It is a 27-acre wetland situation on the southern end of Kenny.
Additionally, Kenny neighborhood is just within walking distance of a park and recreation center, middle and elementary schools, a library, yoga center, drug store, coffee house, fitness center, hardware store, liquor store, grocery store, auto mechanics bank, restaurants, Volvo dealership and veterinary clinic. It has almost everything you could ask for in a neighborhood. It is not so surprising why many residents preferred staying here for years. Kenny also has an excellent bus service which is fifteen minutes to downtown and an easy access to major highways.
The boundaries of Kenny neighborhood on the north is the 54th Street, on the south, Highway 62, on the west, the alley between Logan and Knox Avenues and on the east, Lyndale Avenue.
The farm of Bachman family that is well known for their garden centers in the Twin Cities has occupied most of the neighborhood south of 58th Street. This part of Kenny neighborhood was kept an open field until the early 1950s. It was during this period when Bachman family relocated their nursery out of Minneapolis. The heart of the neighborhood was originally a gravel pit and is Kenny Park now, a green space with a wading pool, tennis courts, a playground, a park building and athletic fields.
The neighborhood of Kenny is mostly composed of unique single-family homes constructed between 1930 and 1950. There were two storey homes with stucco, brick and metal siding exteriors but the predominating types and styles of houses are bungalows. There are two public schools in the neighborhood namely the Kenny Community Elementary School and Susan B. Anthony Middle School. Bryant Avenue Baptist School is the only private school in the neighborhood. The main public facility of the neighborhood is the Kenny Park and Recreation Center. When it comes to their home purchase or home improvement incentives, Kenny offers Home Improvement Program to its residents.
Residents who are looking to participate in the different activities of the neighborhood will surely be glad to know that there are many ways they can get involved in various events. The Kenny Neighborhood Association is the gateway to involvement in the neighborhood with a garden club and other involvement opportunities. The Kenny Park Activities Council is providing opportunities for the residents to involve themselves with youth sports.
Kenny is one of the 81 neighborhoods in the city of Minneapolis and is mainly residential though there are a lot of commercial establishments as well. It is considered by most neighbors of Kenny and the residents of Minneapolis as a stable and safe neighborhood. For this reason, many people from all around the city have been attracted to residing in Kenny.
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
2yrs+

"We love it here!"

We have lived and worked in the Kenny neighborhood for just about 14 years. Two years ago we decided that it was time for a bigger house, so we moved to the house directly next door. Yes you read that correctly! And we're not the only ones, our neighbors across the street did the exact same thing. The people behind us moved down the block 5 houses and we have friends who have moved within blocks. This may seem crazy to some but I think it says a lot about how great it is to live here.

The streets in Kenny are quiet and well maintained. It's common to see families out together on walks, bike rides or chatting with the neighbors. Favorite destinations are Grass Lake, Lake Harriet, the Creek and FeeStyle Yogurt! Lake Harriet and the Creek are technically not in the Kenny neighborhood but they're close and a highlight of living in the city. But Grass Lake and FreeStyle Yogurt are in the neighborhood and they're a few of Kenny's favorites.

Our kids walk to school, we participate in National Night Out, we have a yearly neighborhood alley party, we attend the Kenny Neighborhood Sommerfest get together, just about every year and we've watched movies at the park. There is so much to see and do and so many wonderful people to meet.

The Kenny neighborhood provides quick and easy access to 35W and 62. We are 4 miles from Uptown and 6 miles from downtown and everything these two area's have to offer. At 54th and Lyndale you will find a Starbucks, Kowalski's, FreeStyle Yogurt, Anytime Fitness, Subway, Prima, South Lyndale Liquor, Prime and Polish, Walgreens and a gas station. Also in the area, Uncommon Gardens, Bachman's and the community library.

The average home price in Kenny is $268K. This is based on information from the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota Inc for the period of 09/01/2012/09/01/2013.
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Neighborly Love and Charm"

Kenny has followed the general trend of the southwestern Minneapolis communities and it projects the peaceful small town atmosphere for which the are is famous. This neighborhood is on the southern edge of the city and is just across Highway 62 from the town of Richfield. Additionally, I-35W just to the east provides an easy commute to downtown and other neighborhoods within the metropolitan area. One if the prizes of this community is Grass Lake, which is 27 acres of natural wetland that is perfect for kicking back during a warm and sunny day. Kenny Park also provides numerous forms of outdoor recreation for those living within or visiting the area.

Properties within Kenny are listed at higher prices, seldom going below $200,000. This community caters to a home owner population, hence there are almost no residential spaces for rent. The streets are kept exceptionally clean and the yards are always well- maintained. Kenny is also filled with businesses suitable for its residents including a few restaurants, a bank, grocery store, library, and gym. When people think of Kenny, they think of the Midwest charm, where neighbors know each other and where families can live for multiple generations. The fresh water, green and community spirit will make any newcomer feel right at home.
Pros
  • Quaint and charming
  • Lake and parks
  • Toughes Highway 62
Cons
  • can be too far from Downtown for some
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Midwest Charm"

If you are searching for the quintessential cozy Midwest neighborhood, you don’t have to look much further than the community of Kenny. Almost all of the homes in the residential area are owner occupied and the streets and homes set upon them are very well-maintained. The prices for homes in Kenny are modest and affordable to many of the average families in the southern Minneapolis neighborhood.

Perhaps one of the most loved features of Kenny is Grass Lake. This gift from nature is made up of 27 acres of wetland and sits at the southern end of the Kenny neighborhood. It is a favorite place for bird watching and just enjoying nature. Residents also enjoy Kenny Park for year round recreation possibilities including athletic fields, a wading pool, and trails.

Even though Kenny is almost like a small town, it still has great amenities for residents. There is a fitness center, library, drug store, grocery store, hardware store, and bank within the community, as well as numerous restaurants and coffee houses. Area merchants and business owners provide the community with other necessities like veterinarian services and automobile mechanic services.

For more of the larger city aspects, Kenny is just a 15 minute ride to Downtown, and the streets of Kenny are within easy access of major road and highways. A neighborhood improvement group has been working hard for the past few years to continue to improve and maintain this great south Minneapolis neighborhood.
Pros
  • cozy neighborhood
Cons
  • can be too far from Downtown for some
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Farmstead Park and Bryant Ave. South: A gem of a neighborhood 10 minutes from everywhere."

East Harriet Farmstead is one of Minneapolis' best-loved secrets. Encompassing everything from Jazz Age rental apartments to condos, duplexes, bungalows and lakefront mansions, this neighborhood probably has a place you can afford, as well as one to envy. Home to the Rose Garden, the Peace Garden and Roberts Bird Sanctuary (on the shores of Lake Harriet), it's a great escape. But, when you do want to go elsewhere, East Harriet is just about the perfect starting point. Ten minutes north on Lyndale Ave. and you're downtown. Uptown, with its hot eateries and nightlife, is just 5 minutes up the street. Venture 10 minutes south, you're at the shopping hub around Southdale. 50th and France is about 10 minutes to the west; the airport is 20 minutes, in traffic, to the southeast. You can hop on your bike and hit the parkway system; four of Minneapolis' lakes are within a half hour ride. Great public and private schools are in and around the immediate area, and there is bus service to the University of Minnesota. Feeling communal? Try Java Jack’s for coffee and conversation. Or take the dog for a walk around the lake. You’ll see most of your neighbors there at some point. Need time away from the kids? Stroll on over to Agri for a quiet dinner and a bottle of wine. You can leave the car at home. Need time with the kids? Farmstead Park has a new playground, tennis courts and ball fields.

Yes, we’re spoiled, but nothing is perfect. Farmstead does have an airport noise problem, particularly when the north-south runway is closed. Most of the lots are small and most garages are detached. The two-car variety, usually built well after the house, is a yard-eater. The homes here are old enough to need lots of TLC. We're also in the midst of major road and sewer reconstruction-- a seemingly never-ending process! But these are minor annoyances. The proof of the neighborhood is how seldom the homes change hands. Seeing a house go on the market for only the second or third time in sixty years is commonplace. Our house is now on its fourth owner, and after 20 years, we’re planning on staying for at least 20 more!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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