Hi K -
I am a resident of Woodbury and my wife grew up in Mahtomedi. I just sold a home in Mahtomedi, which is a great community. There are pros and cons to each it just depends what you are looking for.
Mahtomedi is more of a small town feel with fewer amenities nearby. The lots tend to be bigger and depending on the area you may or may not have neighbors that your kids can play with. The school district is very good. Small class sizes but a great education. They graduate somewhere around 190-225 students per graduating class.

Woodbury is where I live and where my children go to school. I have a 7th grader and a K-Plus child. It is a larger district that graduates around 750 per class. This is going to change though as they are opening a new high school in 2009. (East Ridge - on the east side of Woodbury near Cottage Grove)
We LOVE the school district and the community. You meet a lot of people through your kid’s activities and you have lots of great stores, shopping and eating right in the community. My wife has only put 3000 miles on her car in the last 3 years because she has everything seem needs almost right up the street. It is similar to the quality of life you may experience in an Eden Prairie or Burnsville. Hopefully that helps. Call me if you need help! Good Luck!

Hi K,
Mahtomedi has a very good school district - check out http://www.greatschools.net for reviews. Another burb very close is Stillwater (which is where we live). Mahtomedi has more of a small town feel, but you have to travel to White Bear Lake, Maplewood, or Stillwater for big retail chains.

Woodbury has grown beyond anybody's predictions in the last 10 years. Some people feel that it's been 'over built." I remember 12 years ago that there was only 2 stop lights and about 1/4 of the retail stores that there is today. With that being said, you have lots of options for shopping in Woodbury.

I'd reconsider Woodbury. You're correct Woodbury has been overbuilt so prices have stagnated. Therefore they're a lot of good values right now and there's a lot to choose from. In a few years prices will start appreciating again and if you're there for the long haul you'll make out well.
Michael Doyle

I am a Woodbury resident with 2 school age children and am very happy with our schools here. Love the area too!

K, hi!

As a realtor, it's difficult to comment as to which school districts are better than others for a number of reasons. I have had the oppurtunity to spend many years in both the eastern burbs and recently, the last 5 years, in the western burbs. I can tell you, I have never heard a bad word about the school district where you currently are, Woodbury or 832, Mahtomedi. I did actually live in Woodbury for 22 years, also. There is a great resorce out there though called "School House" magazine. I believe it's published yearly and rates all school districts in MN. I give them to all my clients when the school district comes up, so I do have them and would be happy to mail one to you, if you'd like. My website with all my contact info is listed below and all you need to do is give me a call. I would love to help!

Best wishes for Happy Holidays, Todd Norsted