Eden Prairie, MN, United States

With a population of 64,198, Eden Prairie may seem like a sleepy suburb, but the reality is a bustling commercial hub home to over 2,800 businesses. While the city boasts an extensive parks system and trails, bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the town only gained city status in 1974 after decades as a pastoral village. Frigid Minnesota winters are also a factor, though the area's outdoor recreation options provide some reprieve. Overall, Eden Prairie caters best to families and professionals seeking a relatively affordable, well-connected suburban alternative to Minneapolis.