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It shouldn't be a surprise at all. What is surprising is that people actually think dying and stagnant cities should be considered a 2nd best option. I've been to these cities and they're freakin depressing.
The population loss rate has slowed down remarkably in the last several years for all of those cities with Milwaukee and Cincinnati likely to post their first official census to census population gains in a half century when the next official census comes around in 2020.
It shouldn't be a surprise at all. What is surprising is that people actually think dying and stagnant cities should be considered a 2nd best option. I've been to these cities and they're freakin depressing.
I don't find any of those cities depressing except Detroit. That said, I don't think any of them has more (or less) personality than Minneapolis-St. Paul. The idea that Minneapolis is somehow culturally generic seems like a narrow view to me. In a lot of ways, it's one of the most culturally unique cities in the Midwest, which is both the cause and effect of it's ascension to the top of the midwestern heap.
All I can go by is my experience in MPSL (where I've never lived, just visited 2x). Maybe I just don't like the personality there. The other cities have an edge that I don't sense in Minneapolis. Minneapolis feels like a slightly larger Columbus to me. A place where you will end up moving if you're from Minnesota or nearby Wisconsin, but not many people are actually from there. Definitely feels sterile to me, just my perception. To be fair, I do like St. Paul, but Minneapolis (and the area as a whole) is just a snooze to me personally.
All I can go by is my experience in MPSL (where I've never lived, just visited 2x). Maybe I just don't like the personality there. The other cities have an edge that I don't sense in Minneapolis. Minneapolis feels like a slightly larger Columbus to me. A place where you will end up moving if you're from Minnesota or nearby Wisconsin, but not many people are actually from there. Definitely feels sterile to me, just my perception. To be fair, I do like St. Paul, but Minneapolis (and the area as a whole) is just a snooze to me personally.
Are you saying that not many people who live here, are actually from here?
Are you saying that not many people who live here, are actually from here?
My gf from Minnesota seems to have the opinion (and from my time there, I think she's right) that a lot of people grow up in Podunk, MN and then end up in Minneapolis because that's the city. It's a similar dynamic in Columbus, OH (where I have lived- so I know what she means). People just in and out, don't really have a cohesive culture, not compared to some of the other midwestern cities in this poll at least.
Then I'd say it's a tie between Cleveland and Milwaukee. Both cities have a lot going for them and they have potential to be great cities in the next 10 years. Milwaukee wins for it's neighborhoods, amenities, and people. Cleveland wins for it's growth in high tech jobs, and it's location to other cities.
I'd say Milwaukee is more local and "sticky" (people tend to stick around). Where as Cleveland seems to be a little more transient and as a result a little more diverse.
My gf from Minnesota seems to have the opinion (and from my time there, I think she's right) that a lot of people grow up in Podunk, MN and then end up in Minneapolis because that's the city. It's a similar dynamic in Columbus, OH (where I have lived- so I know what she means). People just in and out, don't really have a cohesive culture, not compared to some of the other midwestern cities in this poll at least.
According to the latest Census estimates: % of population born in different state than current residence
Minneapolis: 39.5%
St. Paul: 31.6%
St. Louis: 27.6%
Milwaukee: 26%
Columbus: 24.4%
Cincinnati: 23.5%
Cleveland: 20.4%
Detroit: 19.2%
Foreign Born:
St. Paul: 18.8%
Minneapolis: 17.2%
Columbus: 11.9%
Milwaukee: 9.7%
St. Louis: 6.9%
Detroit: 5.9%
Cincinnati: 5.7%
Cleveland: 4.9%
According to the latest Census estimates: % of population born in different state than current residence
Minneapolis: 39.5%
St. Paul: 31.6%
St. Louis: 27.6%
Milwaukee: 26%
Columbus: 24.4%
Cincinnati: 23.5%
Cleveland: 20.4%
Detroit: 19.2%
Foreign Born:
St. Paul: 18.8%
Minneapolis: 17.2%
Columbus: 11.9%
Milwaukee: 9.7%
St. Louis: 6.9%
Detroit: 5.9%
Cincinnati: 5.7%
Cleveland: 4.9%
That's very interesting to see.
Living in Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee, I would never have expected such high numbers for MN and WI.
Makes me wonder though. It seems like there is a very high number of people in Milwaukee from Illinois (especially since it's only like an hour away). And I also see a large amount of people from WI and Iowa in Minneapolis.
When I was in Cleveland, most of the people I met were from other Ohio cities, but very few were actually from the metro area.
Record low: -32 F
Average low for coldest month: 7 F
Best reply I've seen in a long time!
I'd definitely pick Minneapolis/St Paul. The combination of a strong economy, park system, thriving suburbs, high culture, sports teams, close access to the North Shore, and weather just can't be beat. Plus you get two distinct downtowns.
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