Minneapolis vs. Seattle vs. Chicago (St. Paul, Edina: housing, condo, rent)

[Melaniefl]

Hi,
My husband and I are considering a move to Mpls. We are from Chicago but have been living in Seattle for the past year and probably will continue here for about 1 more year. We miss family, our family cabin in wisconsin and the midwest--down to earth, laid-back yet still fun/opinionated/open-minded type of people hence the move back to that area. STill Love Chicago but love the Seattle type smaller city with outdoors stuff nearby. Considering the UPtown area--love music, food, art and open-minded, friendly cool people. Can anyone tell me how they think Mpls compares with Chicago and Seattle as far as friendliess goes and other characteristics?--we find the people in SEattle almost too laid-back and a bit boring almost--so chilled out is seems they could care less about you! Also, is the cold in the winter as unbearable as people say for the entire winter or what (how does it compare to chicago there?--seattle winters are nothing to a midwesterner). Any thoughts would be appreciated and will help us make a decision.

[yellowsnow]

Personally, I would pick Seattle any day. It's rainy and gloomy but not cold! You have the ocean and excellent seafood right at your door. There is a lot to do in the area as well. You can jump on a ferry and spend the day at Butchart Gardens or shop in Victoria. You get excellent airfares to Hawaii and the orient. It's pretty, you have mountains and ocean. One thing I love about Seattle is that it's alive and full of people all the time. You can go out and walk to openair markets and there's a coffee shop on every corner. Music and the arts are very much alive and well in Seattle. Downtown doesn't become empty when all the commuters leave for the day.

I've never lived in Seattle or Chicago but I have spent weeks at a time in both places. You are lucky to have choices!

[Lindenin]

Well, I can't comment alot on Seattle, but we moved to Minneapolis from Chicago. That was 8 years ago, and we're still here in Minneapolis! We like it alot. Chicago was great too, but Chicago is so massive and the homes that are in the neighborhoods we liked were going for outrageous dollars ($600,000 minimum). In Minneapolis, quality of life is high and home prices, while not cheap, will resemble Seattle more than Chicago.

Oh yeah, the winters. Honestly, not that bad. Sure there are some really nasty cold days, just as there are in Chicago. Frankly, if someone hated cold weather, they shouldn't be considering anywhere north of Kansas City.

So this is one vote for Minneapolis. I'd recommend the HIghland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, SW Minneapolis, or the western suburbs from Edina to Shorewood.

[Melaniefl]

Thanks for your replies. I am hoping houses are cheaper in Minn. however than Seattle, they are actually almost worse here than Chicago at this point unfortunately--it's really getting out of control and forcing a lot of people out. One thing I may not have mentioned is how much I miss family in wisconsin and friends/fam in Chicago so that is another plus for Minn. vs. Seattle! It is certainly beautiful out here and it is why we made the move but missing people all the time is difficult! Yellowsnow, are you saying that Minneapolis is not as thriving as Seattle--is it dead later on in say, the Uptown area? I really do like living in a lively neighborhood...thanks!

[yellowsnow]

There are a few small areas, like parts of uptown, Nicolette Mall, and the theaters that are still populated after business hours. Condo/loft type living is becoming more popular and that is bringing more people into downtown. I believe Minneapolis is improving in this area.

But we have a ways to go to pass Seattle. Seattle has the most alive downtown I have seen in the US.

[Mark S.]

I've never been to Chicago, but I have been to the Twin Cities, and I live near Seattle now. I'd definitely pick Minneapolis over Seattle.

[Melaniefl]

Why Mark S.? why minn. over Seattle? thanks!

[arabianhorselover]

I would say that Chicago has some of the worst weather anywhere. Vary cold and very hot. And so windy! I would certainly choose either Seattle or Minneapolis over that!

[rainbird]

Well I've lived in Minneapolis and I currently live in Seattle. My Brother lived in the Chicago area for a while so I know a little bit about it. For me Chicago is just too big, it takes forever to get around it. If you want to get away from the city for a weekend, where do Chicagoans go? A lot go to WI, MI or MN . I would definintely choose MPLS over Chicago. Chicago has a lot more cultural opportunities than the others. I agree with the poster about Seattle's downtown, there is a lot going on day and night, they have done a much better job at keeping the city alive. Mpls isn't too bad in that regard, but no where near Seattle. The downside on Seattlle definitely is the weather and the housing costs. It's grey and gloomy a good part of the year, that does get to me. Mpls will have the most "reasonable" housing prices, Seattle's are outta reach for a lot of folks, probably even higher than Chicago. I think Mpls may be the most freindly, but that's probably because I grew up in the midwest environment and was comfortable in it. I liked MPLS and I may have stayed there, be it not for the harsh winters. I think you will too.

[Melaniefl]

Rainbird,
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I miss the midwest attitudes more than anything. I love Chicago- it is my home-but you are SO right. It is too big--takes forever to get around, and there is no easy escape to the beauty of the woods. The burbs just go on forever there and I don't think I can go back to that after living out here in Seattle. Another big problem for us here is my husband--who is very smart, kind and very employable has had a heck of a time finding a decent job out here and we are getting really stressed out. Any words of advice anyone regarding job market in Seattle vs. Minneapolis. WE have pretty much decided we will eventually move to Minneapolis to be back near family and our family cabin, etc. in Wisconsin but job market info is really important to us right now as well. THANKS All!