Relocating to Minnesota? Here are Some Things to Know…
Are you moving to or near Minneapolis or St. Paul, the two cities that straddle the grand Mississippi river? Known for their proximity to one another as well as their cultural similarity, the Twin Cities are a great place to live for anyone who is down for outdoor adventure, foodie fame, festival excitement, and urban innovation. As with any new area, it is important to know what you are signing up for before you load all of your precious possessions into a moving van and haul it across state lines. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering a move to the Twin Cities metro area.
1. Minnesota has a Thriving Metropolis
The Twin Cities metropolitan area totals around 3.2 million people. Part of the population growth has been from migration within the US and part is immigration from overseas. There are large populations from Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Somalia, Mexico, and Latin America. The suburbs surrounding the Twins offer every kind of suburban living you could want, from identikit subdivisions, older suburbs with character, and cute downtown districts, as well as upscale areas and affordable choices. The commute into either area is average for large cities, and predictably, it can get congested on the major freeways: I-35W, I-94 and I-394 which bring commuters in from suburbs. Areas to explore if you are interested in ‘burb livin’ include Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Maple Grove, Rogers, Otsego, St. Michael, Bloomington, Blain, and Eagan.
2. The Twin Cities are Rich in History and Culture
Every city has its own unique history, patterns of movement, and culture. Minneapolis grew into a city in the mid 19th century when Scandinavian immigrants began flocking to the Mississippi river, and St. Paul was founded predominantly by French, German, and Irish-Catholic immigrants. Though commonly referred to as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul are two completely separate cities with their own set of borders and city ordinances. Today, St. Paul and Minneapolis are architecturally distinct, with Minneapolis pursuing newer, avant-garde architecture and St. Paul preferring to integrate new development into its already classical Victorian style.
Here is a list of museums you can explore once you move to the state of Minnesota. To mention some favorites are Mill City Museum, Minnesota History Center, American Swedish Institute, and Fort Snelling. As for art, visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
3. Winters are Cold
We are talking 5-6 months of frigid cold. Bring layers on layers of wick-ready clothing and purchase a winter kit for your car. You never know when you will need to dig yourself (or a neighbor) out of a snowbank. Despite the low temperatures and lack of sunshine, there are so many things to do in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul during the winter that before you know it, winter will give way to spring. True Minnesotans embrace the cold and continue to get outdoors by attending winter festivals, ice fishing, or ice-skating and skiing with family and friends. If you are looking for something less active, spend your evenings warming near a fire with your friends. Several St. Louis bars and restaurants offer campfires on their patios in the winter months. Try Sasha’s on Shaw for a cozy cocktail, they are known to burn at least one outdoor fire each night. The city event calendar is full of over 200 winter events, so though the winters are long and dark, they are rarely dreary.
4. Minneapolis and St. Paul Offer Booming Economies
Minneapolis has the 5th highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, as well as tons of others that make this city an excellent place for job-seekers. It is a great place to start a career, or jump into the tech industry. The state maintains a strong focus on business, and it has not gone unnoticed. In 2016, even Amazon set up shop in Minnesota.
5. Minnesota is Health-Conscious and Perfect for Outdoor Enthusiasts
In fact, Minneapolis was recognized as the nation’s healthiest city by Forbes. It could be the clean air, the lack of smoking, or the readily available fleet of bikes. There are just so many ways to get outside and get healthy in the Twin Cities. Gasp at a 53-foot waterfall in the center of the city. Conquer the mighty Mississippi via boat, raft, or kayak. Catch a fish on one of the 10,000 plus lakes. Minneapolis is also home to a whopping 197 parks, the city is ranked number one in the nation for its park system. In fact, 94% of residents live within 10 minutes of one. Sounds like it is time to dust off those rollerblades from the 90’s.
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Written by Haley Kieser
