Want a neighborhood where you can grab dinner, run errands, walk a scenic loop, and still feel connected to the rest of Edina? Around 50th and France, that kind of day-to-day convenience is a real part of the lifestyle. If you are trying to picture what living here actually feels like, this guide will help you understand the housing mix, the walkability, and who this area tends to suit best. Let’s dive in.
What 50th and France Means in Edina
50th and France is one of Edina’s best-known mixed-use areas. On the Edina side alone, the city says the business district includes nearly 175 businesses, about 19 acres of commercial property, and roughly 500,000 square feet of commercial space.
What makes that matter to you is the mix. The city describes the district as a center that brings together stores, services, housing, and public spaces in one concentrated area. It is not just a shopping stop. It is a place where daily routines and leisure time can overlap.
Why Walkability Stands Out Here
If your goal is to drive less for everyday activities, this part of Edina checks a lot of boxes. You can be close to restaurants, retail, services, and outdoor spaces without needing a long trip across town for each stop.
That said, it helps to set the right expectation. This is better described as amenity-rich and car-light than fully car-free. The area is walkable, but the main streets are still active arterial roads.
Everyday errands and dining
The district is built around convenience as much as atmosphere. Because businesses and services are clustered together, many residents can handle a meaningful share of errands on foot, especially if they live near the core.
The nearby Galleria adds another layer to that experience. Its official directory includes a wide range of shops and restaurants, and the connected Westin Edina Galleria notes access to more than 60 shops and restaurants in that area.
Outdoor living close to home
One of the biggest draws nearby is Centennial Lakes Park. The City of Edina identifies it as a 24-acre park within a larger 100-acre mixed-use development, with paved trails, a 1.4-mile walking loop, paddleboats, an 18-hole putting course, lawn bowling, public art, a farmers market, and winter skating.
For many buyers, that changes what walkability feels like. It is not only about getting from one store to another. It is also about having an easy outdoor routine built into your week.
The Edina Promenade connection
The Edina Promenade strengthens that lifestyle. The city describes it as an 80-foot-wide greenway with 0.75 miles of separate pedestrian and bicycle pathways linking retail, residential, and recreational amenities.
In practical terms, that means your walk can feel more intentional and more pleasant than simply following a busy roadway. It helps tie together some of the places people use most often in this part of Edina.
What Homes Are Common Near 50th and France
If you are searching specifically for walkable Edina living, the housing mix matters. Near the commercial core, you should expect a different feel than you would find in more traditional single-family sections of the city.
The city’s planning documents point to a clear pattern. In and around the district, multi-family housing plays an important role, and the area has been shifting toward condos and residential rentals over time.
Expect more condos, apartments, and townhomes
Inside the district, Edina’s long-range plan identifies 50th and France as a Mixed-Use Center where primary land uses include multi-family residential housing along with retail, offices, parks, and open space. The plan specifically calls out apartments, townhomes, and condominiums as residential uses that fit well here.
That makes sense for buyers who want lower-maintenance living and easier access to nearby amenities. If you want to lock the door and head out for dinner, a walk, or a quick errand, these housing types often line up well with that goal.
Single-family homes are more common outside the core
Step outside the immediate district, and the picture changes. In the city plan’s housing profile for the broader study area, 80% of residents were in single-family detached homes using 2010 Census data.
So while the walkable core leans more toward attached housing and mixed-use projects, the surrounding fabric still reads as a largely single-family area. That contrast is part of what makes this pocket unique within Edina.
The transition from core to edge
The city’s planning materials also show a gradual transition around the edges of the district. Conceptual drawings include townhomes and other residential buildings along perimeter areas, especially near 51st Street and Halifax Avenue, to create a more pedestrian-friendly edge.
For you as a buyer, that can mean a range of living options depending on how close you want to be to the busiest parts of the district. Some buyers want to be in the middle of the action, while others prefer to be nearby without living directly on the main commercial streets.
How You Get Around From Here
A big part of walkable living is not just what is nearby, but how easily you can connect to the rest of the city. Around 50th and France, the main framework is simple: 50th Street runs east-west, and France Avenue runs north-south along the Edina and Minneapolis border.
These roads make the area easy to understand, but they also shape the experience. You have strong access and visibility, though not the quiet feel of a tucked-away residential street.
Transit is more useful than many buyers expect
Transit access here is stronger than some suburban buyers assume. Metro Transit says the METRO E Line runs primarily on France Avenue between Westgate Station and Southdale Transit Center, with daytime service every 10 to 15 minutes.
Route 46 continues to serve 50th Street. For buyers who want the option to use transit for some trips, that can make this location more flexible than it first appears.
Local circulation adds convenience
The area also benefits from the city’s CloverRide circulator. According to the research provided, it connects places such as Centennial Lakes Park, the Edina Promenade, Fairview Southdale Hospital, the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail, and the Southdale YMCA.
That kind of local access can make a real difference in day-to-day convenience. Even if you still own a car, you may find yourself using it less for short local outings.
A realistic note about busy streets
Walkability does not mean every part of the experience feels quiet or pedestrian-first. The city plan notes that sidewalks exist on both sides of major streets, but bike lanes were not provided on 50th or France, and pedestrian entry into the district was not especially welcoming at the time of the plan.
That is why it is smart to think of this area as convenient and connected, rather than traffic-free. If you value being close to activity, shopping, and parks, that tradeoff may feel worthwhile.
Who This Lifestyle Fits Best
Not every buyer wants the same version of Edina living. Around 50th and France, the strongest match is usually someone who wants to do a meaningful share of daily life on foot while staying close to shopping, dining, recreation, and transit.
This can be especially appealing if you like a lower-maintenance home and easy access to local amenities. Condos, apartments, and townhomes often fit that lifestyle best in this area.
A good fit for convenience-focused buyers
You may feel at home here if you want to simplify your routine. Being able to walk to meals, quick errands, or a park loop can add real ease to your week.
For some buyers, that convenience matters more than having a large lot or extra distance from commercial activity. This area offers a different kind of value, built around access and everyday use.
Less ideal for a traditional quiet-lot search
If your priority is a large yard, quieter interior streets, or a more purely suburban residential feel, you will likely want to look farther from the core. The same features that make this district lively and walkable can make it feel busier than other parts of Edina.
That does not make one choice better than another. It simply means the best fit depends on how you want to live day to day.
What to Notice When Touring Homes Here
When you visit homes around 50th and France, try to look beyond square footage alone. In a walkable district, the lifestyle outside your front door is part of the value.
Pay attention to how close you are to the destinations you would actually use. A home that is a few blocks from your favorite routine may feel very different from one that is technically nearby but less connected on foot.
Focus on your real weekly habits
Ask yourself simple questions during a tour:
- Would you walk to coffee, dinner, or a quick errand here?
- Would you use nearby trails or park space during the week?
- Do you want to be in the center of activity, or just near it?
- Would transit be part of your routine or only a backup option?
Those answers can help you choose the right block and the right property type, not just the right area.
The Bottom Line on Walkable Edina Living
Around 50th and France, Edina offers one of its clearest examples of walkable, mixed-use living. You have a concentrated business district, well-known retail and dining, access to Centennial Lakes and the Edina Promenade, and transit options that make local and regional connections easier.
For the right buyer, that can translate into a lifestyle with less driving and more convenience. If you are weighing whether this pocket of Edina fits your goals, a thoughtful home search can help you compare the tradeoffs and find the version of walkability that feels right for you.
If you are considering a move in Edina and want help narrowing down the right neighborhood or property type, Carrie Sink can help you make a confident, informed decision.
FAQs
What is walkable living like around 50th and France in Edina?
- Walkable living around 50th and France usually means you can handle many errands, dining outings, and park visits on foot, while still using a car for some trips because the area is better described as car-light than fully car-free.
What types of homes are common near 50th and France in Edina?
- Near the core, you are more likely to find condos, apartments, townhomes, and mixed-use residential options, while the surrounding study area still includes many single-family detached homes.
Is Centennial Lakes Park close to 50th and France in Edina?
- Yes. Centennial Lakes Park is a major nearby amenity with paved trails, a 1.4-mile loop, paddleboats, putting, lawn bowling, public art, a farmers market, and winter skating.
Is transit useful around 50th and France in Edina?
- Yes. The METRO E Line runs primarily on France Avenue with frequent daytime service, Route 46 serves 50th Street, and CloverRide adds local connections to several Edina destinations.
Is 50th and France in Edina a good fit for buyers who want less driving?
- It can be a strong fit if you want to walk to a meaningful share of errands, dining, recreation, and some transit, especially if you prefer a condo, townhome, or apartment lifestyle close to amenities.
What should buyers consider when choosing a home near 50th and France in Edina?
- Buyers should think about how often they would truly walk to nearby destinations, how close they want to be to busy commercial streets, and whether they prefer being in the center of activity or just outside it.
