It's big enough to feel cosmopolitan but small enough to avoid that scene when you’re not feeling it. In other words, if you like a Hobbit lifestyle but want to reserve the right to mix with the erudite, arts-oriented crowd, the twin cities are good for you. You can get the city when you want it, and the quiet life when you don’t. 

Here's a pov on Minneapolis from a transplant:*Speaking only for myself here...I love it. I'm originally from California, spent about 6 years in New Jersey, and have been here for a little over 6 years now. To me, Minneapolis is the right scale of city -- it's big enough that it has everything you might want out of a city (food, arts, culture, music, sports, etc) but small enough that it's not overwhelming, either on a physical scale like the sprawl of LA or on a density/people scale like a place like NYC.*

For more reviews of Minneapolis from locals check out: [**The Buzz**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/minneapolis?page=buzz)


It's Just Right

The Best Thing About Minneapolis?

Winter is a six month grind in the Twin Cities that can be difficult to adjust to if you’re not used to winters. While the city does its best to mitigate the havoc this can wreak on city infrastructure, winter driving in Minneapolis has historically been more of an issue than in other midwest cities like Chicago. Brush up on your winter driving skills and pack a coat or three.

Here's a local with a pretty balanced pov on the weather:*Summers are hot and humid, and in some places the mosquitoes are out of control. Fall is really nice until late October or early November. After that the bottom drops out, and you are in for a brutal winter. The cold can be really painful, even dangerous. Realistically, you'll switch to shorts in early May.*

Winter is Coming

The Worst Thing About Minneapolis?

Minneapolitans are considered nice-ish, public radio listening, Prius/Subaru-driving, fashion-illiterate, hardworking, responsible, slightly judgmental and environmentally conscious. Locals are well educated and there is a certain ‘house mouse’ vibe (readers, walkers and urban monks), but make no mistake, Minneapolitans get loud for their pro baseball, football, hockey (of course) and basketball teams. 

Minneapolis is also serious about performing arts, none more so than theater, and the city is known for its quality craft beer scene. One common critique is that dating and making new friends is hard as it tends to be a standoffish culture (the term ‘passive-aggressive’ gets tossed around a lot in conversations about twin city dwellers).

If you want to see what locals get up to for fun and culture check out the calendar of events:https://www.minneapolis.org/calendar/

Lifestyle Of Minneapolis

There’s more variety in Minneapolis than you might think for a medium-sized midwest city. Big name corporations like Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth headline the list of local Fortune 500s. Health and medical jobs are also readily available as Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Upsher-Smith and the National Bone Marrow Donor Program are prominent local employers. Finally, industrial and food heavyweights 3M and Cargill round out the robust economy. Generally, the average wage is slightly higher and the average cost of living slightly lower than national averages, so on balance it’s a solid economy. 


Workstyle Of Minneapolis

The job market in Minneapolis is excellent, with good wages and an unemployment rate well below the national average. That coupled with a smaller town feel makes Minneapolis a great place for youngsters or families to consider. 


Stable Market and a Cozy Midwestern Atmosphere

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**The Good, the bad and the ugly**

Minneapolis is a city of dualities. First, Minneapolis is Minneapolis-St. Paul (referred to as ‘the cities’ not the city) and together -- it’s the big metropolis in The North Country. The twin cities love loners. Residents are largely well educated and there is a certain ‘house mouse’ reclusive culture (readers, walkers and urban monks) but they are also big participants in professional baseball, football, ice hockey (of course) and basketball and Minneapolis is serious about performing arts but none more so than theater.  There’s ‘Minnesota Nice’ and ‘Meannosota Ice.’ It’s ethnically diverse and has a history of taking in refugees (lots of ethnic restaurants) yet very segregated and has a strong Nordic thing going on. It leans blue but the outer burbs can be deeply red. Its spirit is very American yet kind of Canadian. 

Minneapolis denizens are hardcore public radio, Prius-driving ( or Volkswagen or Subaru), fashion-illiterate, nice but not friendly, hardworking, responsible, slightly judgmental and environmentally conscious. There may also be some underlying racism.

**The Best Thing About Minneapolis?** 

It's big enough to feel cosmopolitan but small enough to be able to get around that if you’re not feeling in the mood. It’s also best if you're prepared to embrace the winter.

**The Worst Thing About Minneapolis?** 

Winter is six months long and it can be very cold and snowy. If you’re not into that or used to that, that might be a problem for you.  Dating and making new friends is hard as it tends to be a standoffish culture (the term ‘passive-aggressive’ gets tossed around a lot in conversations about twin city dwellers.)


**How You Living?** 

The majority of Minneapolis residents are renters but millennials are still buying.  Demand for housing near downtown is driving a boom in both owner-occupied and rental housing in neighborhoods like the North Loop and Downtown West where luxury apartments are going up and driving crime down but rents are not cheap. In places like Whittier, near downtown, the majority of residents are renters and have been for a long time. Neighborhoods like Lynnhurst, by the shores of Lake Harriet, are largely single-family homes that tend to change hands from owner to owner. Single family homes are a combo of one-story ranch, two-story and split levels. Baby boomers looking forward to retirement years are choosing one story homes for their ease of accessibility but many people prefer the classic charm of the two-story --  foyers and such. Also, lofts.



Nicknamed “Twin Cities,” Minneapolis and St. Paul are close enough to connect by an easy to navigate rail system. Both cities are in the central northeast part of the state, close to Wisconsin. Minneapolis lies along the Mississippi and the Minnesota River, highlighting the importance of water to both the city and the state of Minnesota. As “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minneapolis doesn’t disappoint with 13 lakes, wetlands, rivers, creeks and waterfalls, and more all within city limits. Minneapolis and St. Paul sit tucked away from other major midwest cities. The closest major metropolitan area is Chicago, a 6-hour drive southeast.


The Area

Minneapolis locals can be a bit cold, so if you’re a young professional moving to the area, we hope you have an office where you can get to know some people your age or close to it. Getting settled and feeling welcome are important to a lot of people, which is why it’s crucial for young professionals to live in a neighborhood with a lot to do and a (relatively) friendly feel. We suggest checking out North Loop, a popular alternative to the recently underwhelming Uptown. It’s a decently walkable neighborhood with a ton of condos, coffee shops, cocktail bars, breweries, and restaurants. It’s full of young professionals so there’s a chance you’ll find it easier than most to make friends living here. Bonus points for being close to the river and the rail system. 
- North Loop
- Uptown
- Loring Park


Young Professionals

North Loop

Northeast is one of the newer LGBTQ neighborhoods and is home to a growing collection of LGBTQ+ owned and supportive art galleries, cafes, boutiques, microbreweries and overall community. 

If you're looking for a quieter choice consider Loring Park. Primarily residential the area is known for its beautiful green spaces, lake and extensive hiking and biking trails. It also has cool cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops.
- Northeast Minneapolis
- Loring Park
- Powderhorn Park



LGBTQ+

Northeast

Although taxes in Minneapolis can seem high, the overall cost of living can seem downright cheap if you are moving from a large city like Chicago or NYC. We suggest starting your search in Northeast. If you are ready to start a family but can’t quite picture yourself in the suburbs, this is your spot. It’s a popular spot thanks to the breweries, yoga studios, and adorable houses. You’ll have a super short commute if you work downtown, since it’s nestled right near the northeast corner of Minneapolis’ downtown. 
- Northeast
- Loring Park
- Linden Hills


Young Families

Loring Park 

Linden Hills is a hit amongst families in Minneapolis. Located southwest of downtown, this neighborhood also borders two of the city's lakes: Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, as well as Lake Harriet Bandshell Park and Lyndale Park Rose Garden. This neighborhood has access to some great schools as well as bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks for weekends out with family or friends. 
- Linden Hills
- Fulton
- Nokomis


Established Families

Linden Hills

If you recently retired and find yourself itching for a new place to live where you can really enjoy yourself, look no further. In Minneapolis you get two cities in one with St. Paul a quick train ride away. If you want to be close to the action, look no further than Loring Park. There are homes to rent or buy, it’s downtown adjacent, and it’s the spot to be for the huge spring/summer/fall festivals and events in the park.
- Loring Park
- Uptown
- North Loop


Retirees

Uptown

Minneapolis

**How do you like living in Minneapolis?**

Speaking only for myself here...I love it. I'm originally from California, spent about 6 years in New Jersey, and have been here for a little over 6 years now. To me, Minneapolis is the right scale of city -- it's big enough that it has everything you might want out of a city (food, arts, culture, music, sports, etc) but small enough that it's not overwhelming, either on a physical scale like the sprawl of LA or on a density/people scale like a place like NYC.

There are two things I don't like: Winter, which lasts 5-6 months, and I personally found it tough to make friends outside of work as a late-twenty-something when I moved here. It's only been in the last 2 or so years that I feel I have a solid social circle. Then again, if you're more proactive than I was, you may not have the same problem.



**Do you enjoy living in Minnesota?**

I have lived here for almost my whole life. I’ve also lived in the Netherlands. I have visited 27 countries and many of their major cities and guess what? You probably guessed, I would rather live here and just continue traveling. I would NOT say that “Minnesota Nice” means that people here will stab you in the back, which is hyperbole. What it really means is that the general culture is afraid of confrontation and will default to politeness. I discovered that parts of Northern Europe are like this and Japan. Our state is beautiful, it (the metro)has been recognized nationally as having wonderful restaurants, breweries, arts. We have many gorgeous state parks around the entire state. If you are embrace the outdoors and the seasons, you too, can love it like I do (and so many others). Get outside, learn how to dress smartly for the cold weather! Hey, some never do and they tend to be miserable in the winter. 🤷‍♂️But that’s their choice!

**What is it like to live in Minneapolis, MN?**

A mixed bag. Awesomeness, ordinary stuff and crapulosity all thrown together.

There’s a lot of glossy promotional material out there, combined with a bunch of negativity and pessimism. In reality, Minneapolis is a lot of things. It’s a Russian doll. A couple million people in the same place having different experiences of it.

Personally, I agree with the poet James Wright, who after he taught for a few years at the University of Minnesota, just wanted to watch a chicken hawk floating over William Duffy’s farm out in the country.[1] But you can't make a living staring at chicken hawks. So here we are.

Like every other urban area, Minneapolis has pros and cons and everything in between.

It is:

- Awesome, underperforming, snobby, elitist, ordinary, nice, pretty, ugly, quiet, crowded and empty, vibrant and self-absorbed… all at the same time. That’s called a city.

- Cosmopolitan and also proud to be provincial. A large(ish) city in an isolated corner of America. Two worlds sharing identical GPS coordinates. That's not a bad thing. There’s a passion for everything “local” here. Local beer, local sports, local books. The local vibe somehow manages to be good and suffocating at the same time. But really, all cities are like that.

- Progressive, left-leaning, and still one of the most racially segregated metros in the U.S. While proud to be an island of progressivism in the mostly conservative Midwest, the Twin Cities are also where Justine Diamond and Philando Castile were gunned down by trigger-happy cops. This isn’t Mayberry or “Lake Wobegon.” (It's also not "Detroit on the Mississippi.")

- Gay-friendly if that’s important to you. Seriously, though, most of America is gay-friendly in 2020.

- One of the more well-educated and literate cities in the U.S., but also one where you don’t have to go very far to find people living in ugly poverty. Then again, if you want to find work in Minneapolis and don't have a criminal record, you’ll find it. It’s not a difficult place to find “a job” in, though that job might not be anything special. The unemployed here are either picky, unemployable, or aren't trying.

- Minneapolis-St. Paul has one of the few urban light rail systems in the U.S. This is a good thing. But, pssst… it’s in a city. Cities are magnets for mental instability and rude behavior. Light rail suffers from that. At some hours more than others, but people who aren’t aware of this are either blind, really tolerant of that kind of stuff, or don’t actually take light rail and therefore don’t know what they’re talking about.
- Lot of successful people around, lot of creative talent, combined with plenty of people who are just barely squeaking through. Again, that’s par for the course for American cities.

**What is it like to live in Minneapolis, MN?**

It's pretty awesome, actually. I was born here but moved to Europe before I was a year old. Moved back at age 7. Moved away. Moved back. Moved away. Moved back. Wash, rinse, repeat. Moved back in 2002, for likely the last time. I don't see myself leaving.

What's it like? The first thing everyone will tell you about is the weather. Summers are hot and humid, and in some places the mosquitoes are out of control. Fall is really nice until late October or early November. After that the bottom drops out, and you are in for a brutal winter. The cold can be really painful, even dangerous. The snow? Not so bad, really, compared to places like upstate New York and anywhere in the path of lake-effect precipitation. Spring comes late. Realistically, you'll switch to shorts in early May.

The people are a mixed bag -- you'll hear about Minnesota Nice. You'll also hear about Minnesota Passive-Aggressive. Both are true, to a point. People are people, though, and there's enough immigration from the outside world where it's all diluted into a really fun mix. We have large Hmong and Somali communities, and a history of taking in refugees, so the food and restaurant options in town are amazing. I'd put our best restaurants on the same level as any other city in the western hemisphere.

Politically, Minnesota has usually leaned Democrat, and the Twin Cities remain that way, mostly. Some of the outer-ring burbs have gone red, and the rural counties are a mixed bag. Generally speaking, we're pretty accepting here, regardless of origin, sexuality, skin color, whatever. Cultural diversity is great, as mentioned in the previous paragraph -- and there's vibrant arts and music scenes here (seriously, like 30,000 people showed up outside First Ave when Prince died). Oh, and the people here are wicked smart -- we're one of the best-educated and well-read metro areas in the country.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cosmopolitan & Provincial

Looklyloo Score: 91