Minneapolis vs. Milwaukee (Madison: 2009, buy, law school)

[TheManWithoutQualities]

I'm wondering if anyone familiar with both cities can give me a little advice.

I'm a young professional (27) male - bisexual, white, progressive, with a MA degree - who is applying to law schools this fall for fall 2009. Anyway, I'm originally from Southern New England (near NYC) and lived in NYC as a college student. Since then, I've lived in more than a few places....and have been out in Los Angeles for the past 2.5 years. Really dislike Los Angeles (the superficiality of the culture, the need to drive everywhere, etc. - though I do like the climate).

Anyway, having lived in several distinctive US regions (New England, Middle Atlantic, Deep South, Northwest, California), I have a decent sense of what I'm looking for... in the past couple of years, I've discovered the upper midwest (MN and WI) and really love it - I can easily see myself settling up there.

I'm applying to a few different law schools but in all likelihood, it's going to end up a choice between several schools in the Twin Cities and Marquette in Milwaukee (with an outlying chance, I'll head back to Oregon or Washington state or further south in the midwest, like Kansas City or St. Louis).

I've been to both cities though I've spent a good deal more time in Minneapolis than Milwaukee (I'll be visiting both at different points this summer).

Anyway, I'll sum up my current "evaluation" of both cities and hopefully, people will let me know if I'm making any sense.

Minneapolis (pros):

1.) I think it's a really attractive, livable city with very nice people

2.) I think it's probably a bit more cosmopolitan than Milwaukee, which appeals to me (being close to the Guthrie, a great music scene, etc. appeals to me)

3.) Demographically more in sync with my lifestyle (young professionals, students, etc.)

4.) More educational/vocational options.

5.) Beautiful parks.

Minneapolis (cons):

1.) My understanding is that the climate is worse than Milwaukee (if marginally)

2.) Geographically isolated - I'm not that outdoorsy (though I'd love to visit a lake cabin some summer); weekend trips for me are usually urban adventures. Minneapolis isn't really close to many other cities.

Milwaukee (pros):

1.) I was educated at a Jesuit high school and would like to return to a Jesuit school to cap off my education - thus, Marquette has a certain appeal.

2.) Having lived in NYC and LA, I'm not wanting to live in too big of a city but I do like Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago

3.) I didn't mind Milwaukee's grittiness and I liked it's compact downtown.

4.) Wisconsin law school grads (UW - Madison or Marquette) don't have to take the WI bar. That's a real advantage.


Milwaukee (cons):

1.) My understanding is that Milwaukee is not really comparable to Minneapolis in terms of cultural amenities.

2.) Or professional opportunities, post-grad (though Marquette does monopolize legal externships in the area given that it's the primary law school)


Anyway, does my "analysis" seem radically far off? I probably won't be deciding till early next spring but I like to do early prep work.

Thanks!

[p_U_c_K]

Originally Posted by TheManWithoutQualities

I'm wondering if anyone familiar with both cities can give me a little advice.

I'm a young professional (27) male - bisexual, white, progressive, with a MA degree - who is applying to law schools this fall for fall 2009. Anyway, I'm originally from Southern New England (near NYC) and lived in NYC as a college student. Since then, I've lived in more than a few places....and have been out in Los Angeles for the past 2.5 years. Really dislike Los Angeles (the superficiality of the culture, the need to drive everywhere, etc. - though I do like the climate).

Anyway, having lived in several distinctive US regions (New England, Middle Atlantic, Deep South, Northwest, California), I have a decent sense of what I'm looking for... in the past couple of years, I've discovered the upper midwest (MN and WI) and really love it - I can easily see myself settling up there.

I'm applying to a few different law schools but in all likelihood, it's going to end up a choice between several schools in the Twin Cities and Marquette in Milwaukee (with an outlying chance, I'll head back to Oregon or Washington state or further south in the midwest, like Kansas City or St. Louis).

I've been to both cities though I've spent a good deal more time in Minneapolis than Milwaukee (I'll be visiting both at different points this summer).

Anyway, I'll sum up my current "evaluation" of both cities and hopefully, people will let me know if I'm making any sense.

Minneapolis (pros):

1.) I think it's a really attractive, livable city with very nice people

2.) I think it's probably a bit more cosmopolitan than Milwaukee, which appeals to me (being close to the Guthrie, a great music scene, etc. appeals to me)

3.) Demographically more in sync with my lifestyle (young professionals, students, etc.)

4.) More educational/vocational options.

5.) Beautiful parks.

Minneapolis (cons):

1.) My understanding is that the climate is worse than Milwaukee (if marginally)

2.) Geographically isolated - I'm not that outdoorsy (though I'd love to visit a lake cabin some summer); weekend trips for me are usually urban adventures. Minneapolis isn't really close to many other cities.

Milwaukee (pros):

1.) I was educated at a Jesuit high school and would like to return to a Jesuit school to cap off my education - thus, Marquette has a certain appeal.

2.) Having lived in NYC and LA, I'm not wanting to live in too big of a city but I do like Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago

3.) I didn't mind Milwaukee's grittiness and I liked it's compact downtown.

4.) Wisconsin law school grads (UW - Madison or Marquette) don't have to take the WI bar. That's a real advantage.


Milwaukee (cons):

1.) My understanding is that Milwaukee is not really comparable to Minneapolis in terms of cultural amenities.

2.) Or professional opportunities, post-grad (though Marquette does monopolize legal externships in the area given that it's the primary law school)


Anyway, does my "analysis" seem radically far off? I probably won't be deciding till early next spring but I like to do early prep work.

Thanks!

your pros and cons answer the question for you, mpls is a good fit for you, plus the u of m is a top 20 law school. if you can get in.

[p_U_c_K]

plus if youre gay/bi mpls is a top city to live in (dont ask me why)

[What!]

I cannot answer all your questions but here's some info:
1. Many people bike ride in Minneapolis. Driving in general can be a hassle. In Milwaukee people generally take cars.
2. Milwaukee people talk about racial issues a lot. It is not a political thing, rather a person in Milwaukee will trash talk a person of a different race out of the blue. There is a lot of racial tension and it is a segregated city. Minneapolis is not like that.

That's all I can add now. Bye.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Saint Thomas is Catholic, and the law school is well-respected here. There is also Hamline, the Univ. of Minn. and Wm. Mitchell Coll. of Law. Besides that, you have all the information that one could need to make a decision. I doubt anyone here can help you on this one.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

Saint Thomas is Catholic, and the law school is well-respected here.

Are they Jesuit?

[Minnehahapolitan]

I always thought so, but apparently they are not. I should have done my research on that one. Sorry.

[TheManWithoutQualities]

That's cool. Thanks for all of the advice.

Yeah, St. Thomas is Catholic (and rather conservative) but I liked William Mitchell a great deal.

The race thing in Milwaukee is a concern. Definitely.

[BillyB]

* Minneapolis is the 1st coldest large city in the U.S.
* Milwaukee is the 2nd coldest large city in the U.S.

[TheManWithoutQualities]

Yes, I must admit - there is a tinge of fear when I contemplate the upper Midwest winter.

Though people I know who live there seem to love it...so there must be enough good things to counteract the rough times.

I guess I better buy some thermal underwear if I end up moving there next summer.