Accepting a New Job in the Twin Cities Area (Minneapolis: apartments, rent)

[Troubador]

Hello to all! As my title says, I might be accepting a job in the Twin Cities area, and would very much appreciate any and all thoughts on the following questions:

1. What are the cultural opportunities like? Is there much to do outside of "outdoorsy" activities in the area? Keep in mind I'm coming from SoCal...

2. Are people here really that friendly, from everything I've heard and read?

3. Is it advisable to get an SUV for the winter months? I currently drive a Honda Civic.

4. What is the dating scene like for a mid-thiry male? The area appears to be a very family-friendly enviornment/mostly married couples, and I was just curious how the 30-something single people fare in this department.

5. What are you looking at to heat a 1000k sq ft place during the winter months?

6. What are some of the best places to live in an upscale apartment if you are working in Eden Prarie? How far out can I search for living arrangements and still have a decent drive to work without too-heavy of traffic? Keep in mind again that I'm from SoCal (Los Angeles), so I'm used to very heavy traffic...

7. Are there many mountain biking trails?

Thanks for all who take the time out to help and answer my questions!!

[Minnehahapolitan]

1. Minneapolis has amazing cultural opportunities, unsurmounted by cities of any similar size, and even some that are larger. The Mpls. Inst of Arts, The Walker, The Sculpture Garden, new architectural statements, The Guthrie, various smaller theaters, The Cedar, The Southern, The Bell, good variety of movie theaters, Glenwood Avenue is very slowly transforming into a center of design. It never bores.
2. People are friendly, but it takes a good effort to become friends. Not to hyperbolize too much, a Minneapolitan is your true friend when they put people into woodchipprs with you. It takes some doing, but its worth it in the end.
3. There is no need for an SUV, especially not in the cities. If you get stuck (you likely won't.), the friendly people actually come and help you dig out, seriously.
4. I couldn't tell you anything about the dating scene here.
5. " " " " the price to heat a house.
6. thje most upscale areas of Mpls. are west and south of downtown. Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina, SW Mpls, The Lake areas of Mpls., Excelsior, Lake Mtka., Mtka. All those areas will have no to OK commutes. Generally, south of 394 and west of 35W. Descending in urbanity as you move out of downtown.
7. I don't know about Mountain biking (Buck Hill in the summer, I think), but there are plenty of paved and other bike trails.

[golfgal]

Eden Prairie and the surrounding towns are good for what you are looking for, nice apartments, easy commute. To heat an apartment in the winter won't cost much, $50 maybe. To heat a 1000 sq foot house, depends on the house. A house in that size range will probably be a 1950's post-war house and your heating bills will be in the $100 range at worst providing the attic is properly insulated and your windows are good.

Most of the state parks have mountain bike trails--some more difficult then others. Up in Lutsen (north of Duluth) they have GREAT bike/hiking trails so it is an option for the weekend. There are plenty of outdoorsy things to do--keep in mind that we are the Land of 10,000 lakes. I heard a statistic once that no one in Minnesota lives farther then 2 miles from a body of water.

Dating--can't help you much but in my experience from way back when, a lot depends on the age of your coworkers if the dating scene is good or not.

[yellowsnow]

If you live in SoCal, the winter will be a major shock to your system. Just do what you can to understand what you are getting yourself into. Winter lasts for a long time here. Ice, slush, and slop get old fast. If you're in an apt, you won't have to shovel!

For city driving you will be fine in your little car. Every other year or so, you might end up giving yourself a snow day but that's about it. We pay really high taxes to get snow removal and it's usually pretty good.

Lots of places to go mountain biking but not enough good weather. That bike will be parked a lot of the year. There are lots of good parks and trails all over the state. Lots of lakes and water.

Good clubs, good theater. Lots of restaurants etc. I don't know about the dating scene but my single friends seem to have dates when they want. I pay about $250.00 per month to heat 3200sf.

[roneb]

Culturally, you'll find the twin cities rewarding, if a little more low key.

The best mountain biking, as said by an earlier poster, is on the North Shore of Lake Superior, a few hours out of town.

Skip the SUV. You're actually better off in your front wheel drive Civic. What a lot of people don't realize is that four wheel drive helps get you moving, but does nothing to help stop you. And the gains you get in steering are usually more than offset by the high center of gravity. If you've evry driven up into the Sierras in bad weather, you may have noticed what I frequently see - most of the cars that have gone off the road are SUV's.

[Isaysos]

Don't get an SUV, that would not be smart. Too many people drive those around here to begin with. Dating should not be too big of a problem if you are straight or gay. I would advise living within 10 miles or less from where you work unless you like traffic I guess. Out doors things would depend on the season. Not sure if your into hunting, I am not so cant help you out there, but people usually go northwards for those things. In the city we have many lakes and bike trails. Not really mountin biking since the area is pretty flat but nice trails, I especially like the one going from Hopkins to Victoria along Lake Minnetonka. I would suggest living in Minneaplis or St. Paul if you are single and looking, as many suburbanites tend to be married. I think you will find Minneapolis to your liking, what ever your preference.

[chilaili]

If you rent, the heat and A/C is usually included in the price. Of course that makes the rent higher, but it's one less thing to worry about and you won't have fluctuating bills.

Dating is 50-50. If you read other posts on that here you'll get a slew of varying opinions, but there are lots of opportunities to go out and meet people if you make an effort.

TONS of cultural opportunities: theatres, cinemas, parks, museums, festivals, galleries, etc, etc.

As the Twin Cities are relatively flat, biking is not going to be "moutainous" but there are lots of trails for it around there. And you won't see many SUVs around town - a regular car will do you fine, especially if you live close to downtown as that seems to get plowed sooner.

[kuan]

Get some snow tires. You'll thank yourself.

People here are helpful, friendly depends on you and who you choose to hang with.

Traffic isn't that bad compared to LA.

For mountain biking, check out

Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Discussion Forums - Powered by vBulletin

There's not much mtb'n in the winter though, the trails change to ski trails.

Pick up XC skiing. We have great skiing here.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Troubador

5. What are you looking at to heat a 1000k sq ft place during the winter months?

Heating a 1 million square foot home will be VERY expensive!

[kuan]

Originally Posted by moving123456

Heating a 1 million square foot home will be VERY expensive!

What he's not telling you is he's going to be living under the jumbotron at the metrodome.