Moving to & Living in Bloomington, MN — 2026 Relocation Guide
Minnesota's third-largest city — MSP, Mall of America, and a huge mix of housing types.
What it's like living in Bloomington
Bloomington runs the full width of the metro's southern edge along I-494, from the Minnesota River bluffs to the Mall of America and MSP airport. It's one of the largest cities in the state and functions less like a suburb and more like its own employment center.
The housing mix reflects postwar growth: block after block of 1950s–60s ramblers in the west and central neighborhoods, plus dense apartment and condo inventory near the 494 strip and South Loop. It's a practical, well-connected place to land — especially for anyone who flies frequently or works along 494.
Bloomington neighborhoods, and how each one moves
South Loop
New high-rise apartments near MOA — dock and elevator scheduling required.
West Bloomington
Ramblers and splits with attached garages; generally easy access.
East Bloomington
Postwar starter homes and dense apartment blocks; tighter parking.
Bush Lake / Normandale
Larger homes on wooded, sloped lots near Hyland Park.
Penn American District
Redeveloping mixed-use corridor with newer elevator buildings.
Housing in Bloomington
The signature Bloomington home is the 1950s–60s rambler: single level, attached or tuck-under garage, and a finished basement reached by a single straight staircase. That's fast to move. The offsetting factor is the city's very large apartment inventory, where elevator scheduling and building rules control the day.
Getting around & commuting from Bloomington
I-494 crosses the whole city, I-35W and Hwy 77 run north-south, and the Blue Line light rail serves MOA, the airport, and stops along the corridor into downtown Minneapolis (typically 25 minutes by train). Living within walking distance of a Blue Line station is a real option here — rare in the suburbs.
Bloomington schools
Bloomington Public Schools (ISD 271) serves the city with two high schools, Jefferson and Kennedy. Single-district coverage keeps house-hunting simpler than in the split-district suburbs.
Things to do in Bloomington
- Mall of America — shopping, Nickelodeon Universe, and the Sea Life aquarium
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve — ski jumps, trails, and the play area
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge along the river bluffs
- Normandale Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College
- Bush Lake beach and Bloomington's extensive trail system
- Blue Line light rail to downtown Minneapolis and the airport
What it costs to move to Bloomington
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 Bloomington move
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