Chanhassen, Minnesota

Located about 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Chanhassen is almost an entirely different world complete with its own thriving community, charming downtown, strong parks system, and one of the state's most popular theaters, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, a 90,000 square foot entertainment complex. The city has an estimated population of just about 25,000 and has access to five major interstates, making living here and getting around outside of the city very easy. Certianly a kudos to the town is that it was ranked No. two in Money Magazine's "best places to live" 2009 list.

The city offers all major conveniences of big city life, such as retail and restaurant establishments, recreational facilities, recycling programs, and a strong school system. There are also numerous safe residential neighborhoods, and an overall welcoming atmosphere ideal for raising a family. The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre is also a big part of the town since its establishment in 1968. A professional theater company, and the largest dinner theater in the nation, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres produces major shows and musicals to 250,000 guests per year. The theater also employs over 300 people in a variety of occupations ranging from food and beverage staff, ticket sales and marketing staff, to actors, musicians, designers, and stage crews.

While a Chanhassen resident could easily work in Minneapolis or an adjacent suburb because of the major nearby interstates, industries and opportunities abound in Chanhassen, as there are a variety of commercial and industrial companies. Growing industries here include printing, financial services, medical products, engineering, food production, high-tech manufacturing, and more.