Do you feel a connection with the Twin Cities? (Minneapolis: living, design)

[tvdxer]

This one goes out to all the residents of Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, Midway Township, Canosia Township, Solway Township, Cloquet, Carlton, Scanlon, Brevator Township, Superior, and all the Duluth area:

1. Do you call the Minneapolis - St. Paul - Bloomington metro area "the Cities"?

2. Do you think of them as a completely different place from Duluth, as if you feel no kinship with them, or think things pertaining to the Twin Cities (e.g. national ratings, etc.) are absolutely remote to you?

3. How often do you visit the Minneapolis - St. Paul - Bloomington metro area?

[snofarmer]

NO,
Mpls might as well be in a different state called South Minnesota.
The line is just North of Hinkely, for North Minnesota

[cinnamon_toast]

What's with the "Bloomington" designation?

[Minnesota Metro]

No
Sort of, yes. When I think if major cities in MN, I usually think of minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Duluth
Every other weekend

[Bslette]

Originally Posted by cinnamon_toast

What's with the "Bloomington" designation?

Bloomington is a major city too, it's only slightly smaller than Duluth. It has more skyscrapers and high rises though.

[Beenaroundabit]

1) Yes, I refer to the entire area as "the Cities."

2) Yes, I tend to think of it as an entirely different area, probably because when I lived down there, it seemed that the vast majority of people were from somewhere else and it seemed like a typical transient city (much like DC, but obviously not that extreme). The rest of Minnesota doesn't seem that way at all, even if it happens to be an area with a lot of transient folks living there. Minnesotans outside of the cities seem more accepting of outsiders. That's just been my experience. YMMV.

3) I visit as little as possible. I am not a city person. Especially regarding the traffic, the faster pace, and the crowded feeling that I get in most big cities. I realize MSP isn't that bad on a "city scale" and if you have to live in a major metro area, it's not a bad choice, but I prefer the more remote portions of the country.

[bcgr]

1. Yes.
2. Yes. St Paul is the capital of the state, that's about as close of a relation as I feel other than a few relatives in the area. Otherwise they just feel like some faraway giant city. They're often just an obstacle in the path going further south.
3. Avg ~2x/yr., closer to 4x/yr. if count just driving through.