Minneapolis: USAs most Canadian city? (Austin: apartment, high crime, neighborhoods)

[Govie]

As a Minnesotan who's been to three Canadian provinces I've always thought we were a unique state in America. I think we're "Canada lite," I suppose. In other words, we're not in Canada and we're not of America; we're basically our own, unique identity and culture. We're our own people. (Just my opinion)

Then again we're probably more like Sweden (in MANY ways - politically, culturally) than any other state in America too, so...

lol

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by Govie

Then again we're probably more like Sweden (in MANY ways - politically, culturally) than any other state in America too, so...

Try getting their tax levels and you may begin to see where the Swedish and Minnesotans differentiate.

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by Govie

As a Minnesotan who's been to three Canadian provinces I've always thought we were a unique state in America. I think we're "Canada lite," I suppose. In other words, we're not in Canada and we're not of America; we're basically our own, unique identity and culture. We're our own people. (Just my opinion)

I dont know what you mean by we're not of America? America has many different regions and i think we fit in pretty well with the Upper Midwest, i fell if Omaha, Des Moines, Millwaukee were larger they may feel alot like Minneapolis....

Originally Posted by Govie

Then again we're probably more like Sweden (in MANY ways - politically, culturally) than any other state in America too, so...
lol

Stockholm and Minneapolis have a good bicycle culture but thats about it... If they had that Marriage Bill in Sweden the bill would of been something like 70 percent No, 30 percent Yes... So politically Minnesota is pretty Conservative compared to Sweden.

[TerryDactyls]

Most Canadian cities have numerous park areas, walking paths and trails, and are usually very clean. Minneapolis has that same combination. Add to that the weather factor and you have an American version of a Canadian city.

[Govie]

Originally Posted by xandrex

Try getting their tax levels and you may begin to see where the Swedish and Minnesotans differentiate.

There are more Swedes (I believe Danes and Norwegians as well) in Minnesota than any other place on the planet outside of Sweden.

I did some brief research on John A. Johnson (MN Governor of Swedish descent) a few years back in college and it was common of those who made their new home Minnesota from Sweden to write back how similar it was here to the "homeland." A lot of the culture that was brought over, I suppose, is what I mean.

And we are one of the most liberal states in the Union as well so, yeah, while not as close socialist to Sweden, culturally there are a TON of people here who are descendant of their Scandinavian ancestors.


One other thing, having been to Winnipeg, I do remember it having at least a similar feeling to the Twin Cities, no lie. Thunder Bay similar to Duluth. It's been a while since I've been there though ('00).

One thing for sure though, when you're American and in Canada, you know you're in a different country. You can't deny that.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

I dont know what you mean by we're not of America? America has many different regions and i think we fit in pretty well with the Upper Midwest, i fell if Omaha, Des Moines, Millwaukee were larger they may feel alot like Minneapolis....



Stockholm and Minneapolis have a good bicycle culture but thats about it... If they had that Marriage Bill in Sweden the bill would of been something like 70 percent No, 30 percent Yes... So politically Minnesota is pretty Conservative compared to Sweden.

on the marriage bill, that was VERY split depending on location. If speaking about Minneapolis, the city is very liberal. And voted 78% no.

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

I would agree with the above list. After moving to Atlanta, which is and/or has none of the above things, it's a lot more obvious to me.

Atlanta isn't "fairly liberal"?

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

Atlanta isn't "fairly liberal"?

I can only assume he was referring to the area and state in general, though certainly the liberalism that Atlanta has would be different than what we have up here in Minneapolis (or at least I would guess).

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

Atlanta isn't "fairly liberal"?

The City of Atlanta is liberal on some issues, but the black community is actually quite conservative on many issues as well. Keep in mind that the Southern Baptist church, a very strong evangelical Christian denomination, tends to dominate down here.

The Atlanta metro itself is more conservative than liberal.

Georgia is conservative with islands of liberalism in a few places.

There's also very little spirit of cooperation down here ... metro counties are rivals with each other and with the City of Atlanta, and there's a lot more animosity between them than in the Twin Cities. There's also a lot of racial tension here in politics ... not only are blacks and whites often suspicious of each other, but both groups are not fond of the increasing latino population.

It's VERY different from MN, and Atlanta is very different from the Twin Cities. Minnesotan cooperation is seem as socialism down here, and that term is not a positive one.

[Campeador]

Interesting thread. I completely agree and have thought of Minneapolis as very Canadian in feel ever since I left MN some 15 years ago. In that time I've met many Canadians and have always found them to feel very similar to the folks I grew up with. Similar values, sense of humor and overall feel. It's a bit hard to define, really, but it's definitely noticeable.

I also lived for a time between Seattle and Vancouver, and spent time in both cities. They have a different vibe from Toronto and Minneapolis. Weather and geography likely has something to do with it. People have a "drizzly" feel to them--nothing gets them too excited, they felt comatose to me.

Also, the mention of Sweden up thread rings true to me as well. When I traveled there I felt very much at home. It was like visiting with long lost ancestors. A tangible familiarity.