Como, which is also commonly referred to as Southeast Como, is named after Como Avenue, which travels along the neighborhood. Como Avenue took its name from Lake Como in northern Italy, a prevalent tourist objective. Como neighborhood is in the University community, just north of the Dinkytown area and the east bank campus of the University of Minnesota. Its borders are the Minneapolis city limit to the east, Interstate 35W to the west, and East Hennepin Avenue and Winter Street NE to the north. Como has its own local elementary school, a few places of worship, a mosque, Van Cleve Park, and several retail stores.
Como is a neighborhood of comfortable homes, tree-lined streets, and pleasant gardens, where the 6,000 locals choose to stay for many years. Como is suitably located about halfway between the downtowns of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, and has great transportation opportunities to both. It has a significant environmental awareness and has contributed in events such as tree planting, opening new community gardens, organic lawn care, building rain barrels, and a Solar Pilot Project. Because of this, Como has been awarded a $120,000 grant to implement a Green Village concept that will focus on green transportation, renewable energy, and stormwater management.
The housing options consist of early 20th-century bungalows and Victorian and 1920s-era homes with a few of newer duplexes and single-family homes. Many of the larger homes have been rehabilitated into student housing because of the University being in close proximity.
ChinDian Café, one of the favorite local eateries, reflects the owner’s vision for a sincere, appealing restaurant that blends the diverse flavors of its quality food. The menu presents locally made and organic ⁄ free-range meats and vegetables from farm producers including Kadejan Inc, Thousand Hills Cattle Co, Pastures a Plenty, Amor Pork and Larry Schultz Farms. ChinDian Cafe is the ideal place to enjoy the freshest food in the city.
The Black Coffee and Waffle Bar is another popular, local restaurant. They serve waffles with fresh ingredients and toppings made in-house. Local and quality roasters provide the coffee beans. The exciting interior offers an open space for locals of the neighborhood and students near the university to sit back, hang out, and enjoy coffee and a waffle.
The Como neighborhood is home to one park:
Van Cleave Park: Van Cleave Park is the only park located within the Como neighborhood. At just under 9 acres, the park is full of activity. Visitors enjoy the baseball field, basketball court, ice skating/hockey/broomball rink, gardens, picnic area, playground, restrooms, soccer field, softball fields, tennis courts, and wading pool. Van Cleave Park is located east of Dinkytown and north of the University of Minnesota, making it accessible to a significant number of individuals.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the University community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to give Twin Cities Property Finder, a call at 1-800-909-1953.
