What is the difference in charcter between Minneapolis and St Paul? (St. Paul: neighborhoods, university)

[Snallygaster]

Despite being the Twin Cities, I have a hunch St Paul and Minneapolis have totally distinct and different personalities. How are these two cities different in character and personality?

[Mr. In-Between]

I've lived in both. The way it always felt to me is that St. Paul is a city that knows who it is, is happy to be that city, and is always looking for ways to celebrate and improve on what it is, while Minneapolis is always trying to be New York On The Prairie. St. Paul has a comfortable, homey vibe to me, and Minneapolis is just... bleh. Nice parks, great cultural experiences, but not much personality.

[Grizzly Addams]

Originally Posted by Albert_The_Crocodile

I've lived in both. The way it always felt to me is that St. Paul is a city that knows who it is, is happy to be that city, and is always looking for ways to celebrate and improve on what it is, while Minneapolis is always trying to be New York On The Prairie. St. Paul has a comfortable, homey vibe to me, and Minneapolis is just... bleh. Nice parks, great cultural experiences, but not much personality.

If you were next to me, I'd pat you on the back and give a thumbs up.

[Teak]

Minneapolis plows the snow from its roads pronto, and St. Paul, until recently, didn't.

[unnativeelpasoan]

Originally Posted by Snallygaster

Despite being the Twin Cities, I have a hunch St Paul and Minneapolis have totally distinct and different personalities. How are these two cities different in character and personality?

This thread should be in the Minneapolis-St. Paul forum.

[Chain of Lakes]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Addams

If you were next to me, I'd pat you on the back and give a thumbs up.

If you were next to me, I'd guess you were one of those St. Paul weirdos that obsesses about Minneapolis.

I don't ever hear Minneapolis folks talking about St. Paul in this same way.

I like St. Paul. It feels less like a city, but is nice. You don't need to lash out at your neighbor to feel good about yourself.

...and if we're discussing personality, it may be good to point out that things like Minneapolis bands (think Replacements, Prince, The Time, The Suburbs, Trip Shakespeare, Soul Asylum, The Suicide Commandos, Husker Du, Atmosphere, Dessa, etc.) are certainly full of personality.

You can whine all you want about Minneapolis trying to be New York, or whatever else you like to complain about, but there is no denying the creative atmosphere in Minneapolis.....and to me, creativity comes from personality.

St. Paul people, including those that run the local newspaper, need to get over this inferiority complex.

[Yosh01]

Minneapolis is the city of class, St. Paul the city of charm

Minneapolis is like Wonder Bread, St. Paul is like pumpernickel

[manbylake]

St. Paul is a spouse for a long-term homey relationship.

Minneapolis is a vibrant lover for some excitement.

[Mr. In-Between]

Originally Posted by Chain of Lakes

I like St. Paul. It feels less like a city, but is nice. You don't need to lash out at your neighbor to feel good about yourself.

"Lashing out?" Are you kidding me? You seriously call that "lashing out?" Wow. Guess we hit a sore spot somehow. Sorry about that.

Originally Posted by Chain of Lakes

...and if we're discussing personality, it may be good to point out that things like Minneapolis bands (think Replacements, Prince, The Time, The Suburbs, Trip Shakespeare, Soul Asylum, The Suicide Commandos, Husker Du, Atmosphere, Dessa, etc.) are certainly full of personality.

You can whine all you want about Minneapolis trying to be New York, or whatever else you like to complain about, but there is no denying the creative atmosphere in Minneapolis.....and to me, creativity comes from personality.

I couldn't disagree more. If you're going to use those bands as an example, how many of them do you actually know? Because I used to party and hang out with members of at least 5 of the 10 bands you named, and worked with a few of them, and while they're very creative and somewhat interesting to be around, "personality" isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when I remember them. There's a lot more to personality than being able to toss off a lyric or guitar riff. I found most of them rather vacuous and full of themselves most of the time, to be honest.

But anyway, this is obviously something that you're really sensitive about for some reason, so I'll drop it rather than hurt your feelings any further. Have a good night!

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by Albert_The_Crocodile

I've lived in both. The way it always felt to me is that St. Paul is a city that knows who it is, is happy to be that city, and is always looking for ways to celebrate and improve on what it is, while Minneapolis is always trying to be New York On The Prairie. St. Paul has a comfortable, homey vibe to me, and Minneapolis is just... bleh. Nice parks, great cultural experiences, but not much personality.

Many people would disagree with your last sentence, because nice parks and especially great cultural experiences add personality to a city IMO. Yes, the arts do offer personality and if that is not your thing then how about Minneapolis having 3 of the 4 major sports teams as well as the WNBA champion Lynx. St. Paul has a lot to offer as well with its historic preservation and Victorian charm along Summit and Grand Avenues. They also add personality. Both cities have ethnic attractions/neighborhoods. Examples are District Del Sol in St. Paul and Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. Examples of ethnic streets are South Nicollet and East Lake in Minneapolis; University Avenue in St. Paul. Both cities also have other great neighborhoods (SP: Cathedral Hill, Mac-Groveland; Mpls: Linden Hills, Loring Park, Uptown).

Both cities should be proud of what they have and complement each other well.