**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.



Minneapolis

Cosmopolitan & Provincial

**The Best Thing About St. Paul?** Best of both worlds

As the more serious, slightly quieter city of the Twin Cities, St. Paul is more affordable, homier and more suburban, while just over the river from the bigger city amenities of Minneapolis. Meanwhile St. Paul has its own culture, great music, fun activities and an arts scene. 

In the rising WFH culture, direct proximity to a business district drops in importance and St. Paul gets on more equal footing to Minneapolis. 

**The Worst Thing About St. Paul?** Snow and more snow

The climate might be changing, but snowy winters are a constant in St. Paul -- winter will be cold and it will snow. A lot. But the city knows its stuff, so streets get cleaned up fast and the snow is not that disruptive. Renters will want to make sure that the responsibility of snow shoveling is understood because those that do not clear their sidewalks can be fined. 

**How You Living?** Life is good

St. Paul is a great city, with lots to do, good schools and a decent cost of living. It’s a state capitol and as such has a lot of government jobs, and boasts a good public transit system. It’s also comfortable, with nice, easygoing people who are fairly hardy -- given the tough winters. 

Premium neighborhoods for families include Macalester-Groveland and St. Anthony Park. If you crave a mix of surburban & urban check out Summit Hill. It’s downtown, has nice homes but also bars, restaurants, coffee shops and plenty of Zoomers (I think that’s what we’re calling them now) and Millennials. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 
St. Paul is always a good place to live, particularly for families. Young people will enjoy the revitalized downtown, with its hip and happening restaurants and bars, while parents will love the well-regarded school system. 


Top LOOKS for Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

Cosmopolitan & Provincial

94

St. Paul, MN

Pig's Eye

90