looking to move to the area (Minneapolis, Lakeville: real estate, to rent, low crime)

[25or6to4]

hello, looking to move my family, 2 kids, 20 & 18 and myself to the area, we came up the first of the month, liked what we saw, and are coming back up next week to look around some more, we are from kentucky, i work for ford, but considering taking the buyout and starting over. so tell me what's it really like living there?? as far as your winters' go we look forward to the cold and snow (we don't get enough here in louisville to suite our tastes) i'm 40 and of course will be starting over-looking for a new job- so what's the market like? i can tell you all the people we came in contact with seem really cool and laid back, we like the idea of your cities so close together sprinkled in with all your lakes and parks. the smart thing to me seems to rent a house for a year or so till i get my feet back on the ground and get setteled in. so any thoughts and input you guys can share will really be great.
thanks for your time guys i really appreciate it, because after all, moving across country with your family can really be a head trip

[Astron1000]

Welcome to the Twin Cities! Like I said in another post, it's like having TWO cities to enjoy.

For nearly 40 years Minneapolis/St.Paul have regularly shown up on multiple national rankings as being the best places to "raise a family." "most literate," "best educated," "longest-lived," "healthiest," or some other criteria for "liveableness."

To be honest, yes, the winters are challenging. But if it weren't for that I'd say the Twin Cities are among the very best places to live in the US if you are raising a family. Generally good schools and lots of great neighborhoods, the Twin Cities offer lots of opportunities for involvement with the community and are pretty friendly places.

I don't know all of what your real concerns are but keep asking questions on this forum. People are quite willing to offer opinions and this forum is among the better ones to hear contrary opinions and specific recommendations regarding your questions.

[Quagmire]

We moved here 22 years ago and love it here. As mentioned on many of the threads, there are great suburbs to raise kids all around the cities. I live in Lakeville and love it in this area. Good parks, schools, medical, low crime, good quality of life.

There are other places in the country with cheaper real estate, and better winters, but no place is perfect. It is hard to get someone to leave Minnesota.