Moving to & Living in Apple Valley, MN — 2026 Relocation Guide
Family-focused Dakota County suburb on the Red Line with the Minnesota Zoo at its doorstep.
What it's like living in Apple Valley
Apple Valley sits south of Eagan along Cedar Avenue in Dakota County, and it's built around family life: the Minnesota Zoo, a big park and trail system, and ISD 196 schools. Development largely happened between 1975 and 2005, so housing is newer than the first-ring suburbs but more established than Lakeville's newest tracts.
The Red Line BRT along Cedar Avenue makes Apple Valley one of the few outer-ring suburbs with true rapid-transit access, and that's increasingly part of why people choose it. Move logistics are generally simple: standard driveways, attached garages, and reasonable stair layouts.
Apple Valley neighborhoods, and how each one moves
Cobblestone Lake
Newer walkable development around the lake with townhomes and apartments.
Palomino Hills
Established homes on rolling terrain; a few sloped driveways.
Valley Middle / Central
Classic 1980s single-family blocks with attached garages.
Regatta / Founders Circle
Townhome and senior-living communities near retail.
Diamond Path
Wooded family neighborhoods near the trail corridor.
Housing in Apple Valley
Two-story homes and splits from the 1980s and 1990s dominate, with a strong townhome segment and newer development around Cobblestone Lake. Senior and 55+ communities are a meaningful share of the market, and downsizing moves are one of our most common jobs here.
Getting around & commuting from Apple Valley
Cedar Avenue (Hwy 77) runs north to Bloomington, MSP, and downtown Minneapolis in roughly 25–35 minutes, and the Red Line BRT runs the same corridor with dedicated stations. County Road 42 is the main east-west retail route.
Apple Valley schools
ISD 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) serves the city — one of Minnesota's largest districts, and a primary reason families choose Apple Valley over neighboring cities.
Things to do in Apple Valley
- Minnesota Zoo — the anchor attraction, right in town
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park trails, lakes, and mountain-bike system just north
- Cobblestone Lake trails and events
- Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and the Hayes Community Center
- Kelley Park summer concert series
- Red Line BRT for a car-free trip to MOA and the airport
What it costs to move to Apple Valley
Blue Dolly quotes one all-inclusive flat fee — truck, fuel, mileage, labor, blankets, and basic protection are already in the number. No hourly meter, no travel-time add-on, no broker markup.
What our crews plan for on a Apple Valley move
Ready to move to Apple Valley?
Flat-fee Apple Valley moving quotes in about 60 seconds — no brokers, no hourly surprises.