Summit Hill Or Macalester-Groveland: How To Choose

Trying to choose between Summit Hill and Macalester-Groveland? You’re not alone. These neighboring pockets of western Saint Paul share tree-lined streets and Grand Avenue energy, yet they feel distinct when you look at housing styles, daily routines, and commute options. In this guide, you’ll get a clear, side-by-side look at what sets them apart so you can focus your home search with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Boundaries at a glance

Both neighborhoods sit in western Saint Paul, but they fall into different planning districts. For official district maps and planning resources, start with the City of Saint Paul’s district plan listings for District 14 and District 16. You can use these pages for authoritative boundaries and planning context from the city’s perspective. Explore the city’s district plan resources.

Macalester-Groveland is commonly described as running from the Mississippi River east to Ayd Mill Road, and from Randolph Avenue north to Summit Avenue. It includes Macalester College and the small Tangletown area. For a helpful overview of these commonly used boundaries, see the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood description.

Homes and architecture

If you love historic architecture, Summit Hill is a standout. Along and near Summit Avenue you’ll find a nationally noted concentration of Victorian and early 20th-century homes in styles like Italianate, Queen Anne, and Romanesque Revival. The James J. Hill House and broader Summit Avenue corridor offer rich architectural context. Closer to Grand Avenue, you’ll also see early apartment buildings and duplexes. Many Summit Hill homes are older and architecturally distinct, which can mean specialized maintenance and restoration. Local tours often highlight this balance of preservation and renovation; the Summit Hill House Tour is a good window into the housing stock.

Macalester-Groveland offers a denser mix of homes and sizes. You’ll see pre-1940 bungalows and modest single-family homes alongside low-rise apartments and some condo conversions. With Macalester College nearby, parts of the neighborhood include a healthy rental mix and student-oriented housing. The community council describes a strong residential feel anchored by several compact commercial nodes. For neighborhood resources and programs, visit the Macalester-Groveland Community Council.

Walkability and transit

Both neighborhoods are known for walkability, especially around Grand Avenue and the college area. Typical Walk Score figures place Macalester-Groveland in the “Very Walkable” range, and Summit Hill offers easy walks to shops and cafés along Grand and beautiful pedestrian stretches on Summit Avenue. For a quick snapshot, check a Walk Score map centered near Grand and Snelling, then compare specific addresses on your shortlist.

Transit access is excellent near Snelling and Grand, where the A Line BRT provides rapid bus service and connections to the broader Metro Transit network. Local routes, including service along Grand Avenue, offer direct access to downtown Saint Paul and transfer points to the METRO Green Line for trips to Minneapolis. For stops and service details, start with the Snelling & Grand A Line station page.

If you commute by car, Summit Hill’s proximity to I-35E can shorten some drive times, depending on your route and time of day. Macalester-Groveland is oriented to the river and street grid, with straightforward access to I-94 and major arterials. Try your typical route during the hours you care about to compare real-world times.

Parks and green space

Summit Hill’s Linwood Park provides a neighborhood anchor for open space and community activity, and Summit Avenue itself functions as a scenic, walkable boulevard for daily exercise. The Summit Hill Association shares updates on park and community projects; browse their community initiatives and events to get a feel for local life.

In Macalester-Groveland, Groveland Park and Mattocks Park offer compact playgrounds and recreation, and the riverfront trails are close by for biking and running. The community council’s resources page lists rec centers and neighborhood programs that keep the area active. See the MGCC programs and resources.

Grand Avenue living

Grand Avenue is the shared spine between these neighborhoods, with independent cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and one of Saint Paul’s signature street festivals, Grand Old Day. Merchant listings and event details change over time, so the best one-stop resource is the Grand Avenue Business Association. Whether you live closer to the college cluster or the historic Summit stretch, Grand provides your daily conveniences and weekend browsing.

Schools and anchors

Macalester College is a defining presence in Macalester-Groveland, shaping some of the local retail and rental patterns. Public schools commonly referenced in the area include Groveland Park Elementary and Ramsey Junior High, and there are private and parochial options nearby. Attendance boundaries can change, so always confirm the current assignment for a specific property with St. Paul Public Schools. The community council offers a helpful overview of neighborhood institutions and schools on its resources page.

Which fits your life? A quick checklist

Use these prompts to decide where to focus your search:

• Architectural priorities

  • Summit Hill: Historic homes with distinctive period details. Expect ongoing care and potential preservation considerations.
  • Macalester-Groveland: Bungalows and modest single-family homes alongside low-rise apartments and some condos.

• Walkability targets

  • Both: Easy walks to Grand Avenue. Macalester-Groveland places you closer to campus and compact retail nodes. Summit Hill emphasizes boulevard character near Summit Avenue.

• Transit and commute

  • Transit: Prioritize homes near Snelling and Grand for rapid A Line access and easy transfers.
  • Driving: Summit Hill offers quick access to I-35E. Macalester-Groveland connects smoothly to I-94 and major arterials.

• Parks and recreation

  • Summit Hill: Linwood Park and the Summit Avenue promenade feel close at hand.
  • Macalester-Groveland: Neighborhood parks like Groveland and Mattocks, plus nearby river trails.

• Household and school logistics

  • Confirm school assignments for the exact address with SPPS. Use community resources to map rec centers and after-school options.

• Investment and rental context

  • Macalester-Groveland: Notable rental activity near campus and a broader apartment mix in parts of the neighborhood.
  • Summit Hill: Larger historic single-family homes and early apartment buildings that tend to trade less frequently.

Touring tips that save time

• Walk Grand Avenue in two segments: Grand at Snelling for the college-energy feel, then Grand east toward Summit for the historic vibe. Check the Grand Avenue Business Association for current events.
• Ride the A Line between key stops to feel actual transit times. Use the Snelling & Grand station page to orient.
• Drive your preferred commute during peak and off-peak hours from at least two candidate homes in each neighborhood.
• Compare lot size, yard usability, and potential maintenance in person. Older homes can be rewarding, but they benefit from a clear plan for updates and care.

The bottom line

If you’re drawn to landmark architecture, gracious boulevards, and quick freeway access, Summit Hill may fit your rhythm. If you want a mix of housing sizes, strong day-to-day walkability near campus, and quick access to rapid bus service, Macalester-Groveland is a strong match. Both neighborhoods share Grand Avenue’s energy and a close-in Saint Paul lifestyle. A short, well-planned tour will usually make the choice clear.

Ready to narrow your search and tour with a strategy? Work with a neighborhood-rooted advisor who can pair design-aware guidance with clear market data. Connect with Natasha Cejudo to map your next steps.

FAQs

What are the official boundaries for Summit Hill and Macalester-Groveland?

• Start with the City of Saint Paul’s district plan listings for authoritative district resources, then compare with commonly used neighborhood descriptions for day-to-day context. See district plans and Mac-Grove’s overview.

How do home styles differ in these Saint Paul neighborhoods?

• Summit Hill features notable Victorian and early 20th-century homes along Summit Avenue, while Macalester-Groveland offers bungalows, modest single-family homes, and low-rise apartments. Learn about the James J. Hill House and Summit Hill tours.

Which area is more walkable to shops and cafés?

• Both are very walkable near Grand Avenue. Macalester-Groveland clusters activity around Snelling and Grand, and Summit Hill offers easy walks to Grand and scenic strolls on Summit Avenue. Check a Walk Score map.

What are the transit options near Grand and Snelling?

• The A Line BRT serves Snelling and Grand with frequent rapid bus service and transfers to the wider Metro Transit network, including connections to the METRO Green Line. See the Snelling & Grand station.

How should I evaluate schools when comparing these neighborhoods?

• Use St. Paul Public Schools to confirm current attendance boundaries for a specific address and review options that fit your needs. The MGCC page lists neighborhood institutions and resources. Visit MGCC’s resources.