How about this "Minnesota Ice" vs. "Minnesota Nice" stuff?? (Minneapolis: house, neighborhood)

[PacEyeDoc]

As a single professional male trying to decide where to move in the MW, this "Ice vs Nice" issue seems to be pretty important. I'm just wondering how bad it really is (if it really is bad at all). I've read some other threads which say it can be almost impossible to break into the social fabric if you're not a MN native, is this true?? I lived in the south for a few years and found that everyone was really friendly, but had no interest in anything beyond superficial interaction. I'd hate to find the same thing again up north. Any comments from other singles who've moved in from out of state? Do you find that women from the area are put off if you're not from MN? etc.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by PacEyeDoc

As a single professional male trying to decide where to move in the MW, this "Ice vs Nice" issue seems to be pretty important. I'm just wondering how bad it really is (if it really is bad at all). I've read some other threads which say it can be almost impossible to break into the social fabric if you're not a MN native, is this true?? I lived in the south for a few years and found that everyone was really friendly, but had no interest in anything beyond superficial interaction. I'd hate to find the same thing again up north. Any comments from other singles who've moved in from out of state? Do you find that women from the area are put off if you're not from MN? etc.

I'm a Minnesota native. But for the most part people are people. You ask about Mn women. Not being a native Minnesotan is an advantage with the ladies. Women, please forgive me for the generalizations. But they love accents (other than our own)

Let's face it...a message board is where people like to whine about anything and everything. I take 99% of it with a grain of salt. My sister lives in Edina in a young person neighborhood. They have made great friends with the neighbors. They even have a neighborhood card club.

[awsun1980]

I don't understand this whole thing, either. I am from MN, but just moved back here & have lived in other states, including the South. I'm a woman & would actually prefer it if I met someone who wasn't from here. I think it's always going to depend on the situation. I actually met a LOT of rude people when I lived in TX--a lot of people didn't like that I was from 'the north' as they called it. MIDWEST. So that debunked my idea of 'southern hospitality.' People are people & it doesn't matter where you live, you're going to find just as much rude people as you will nice. Just my 2 cents..

[uptown_urbanist]

You should take a look at Richard Florida's book, Who's Your City. He lists Minneapolis as one of the good cities for younger people, which you may find reassuring. He also discusses different regions of the country in terms of larger characteristics, which may be both interesting and useful if you'll be relocating.

I'm originally from MN (Minneapolis) and am not single, so can't help you there. But I doubt that many women would have a problem with you if you're not from MN (there are plenty of single women in the state who aren't from MN either, for that matter), and the ones who would be bothered wouldn't be the kind you'd want to date anyway. I agree with the poster above who says it is more likely to work in your advantage.

I think the "Minnesota Ice" thing is way overblown, although I think you'll want to pick the right neighborhood. The same thing could be said of anywhere, though; if you're single and move into a neighborhood where everyone is married and have lives revolving around their teenage kids, for example, then you'll probably have a tougher time. It's probably tougher in MN to find good friends than in some places, as so many people are from the state and have an already-established social network, but if you make an effort to get involved and get to know people then you should be fine, or at least not find it significantly more difficult than you would elsewhere. My single friends in all areas of the country have run into the same kind of issues and have had the same sorts of complaints, regardless of what coast/region/city they live in, so some of the difficulties of meeting people (friends or potential dates) once you're out of school are probably just universal issues faced by everyone in modern American society.

[Anneee]

I've lived in Minnesota for 15 years and I think that the reason for the Minnesota ICE phenomenon is that people here have so little truly free time. They work hard, they tend to have large extended families that they're very involved with and feel responsible for. And, when they do have a spare moment, they invest it in existing friendships or their communities, or they work on maintaining their homes. These are busy people!

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by Anneee

I've lived in Minnesota for 15 years and I think that the reason for the Minnesota ICE phenomenon is that people here have so little truly free time. They work hard, they tend to have large extended families that they're very involved with and feel responsible for. And, when they do have a spare moment, they invest it in existing friendships or their communities, or they work on maintaining their homes. These are busy people!

Very much agree with the above...

[Kebinminn]

Originally Posted by Anneee

I've lived in Minnesota for 15 years and I think that the reason for the Minnesota ICE phenomenon is that people here have so little truly free time. They work hard, they tend to have large extended families that they're very involved with and feel responsible for. And, when they do have a spare moment, they invest it in existing friendships or their communities, or they work on maintaining their homes. These are busy people!

I agree with this too. People work all day, the night is family time. Socialization has changed a lot.

I did find it hard to get to know people but it's not impossible. The more naturally social you are the easier it will be.

[kuan]

I think MN's state motto should be work hard, play hard. Never in my life have I encountered a bunch of people who took their weekends so seriously. Before I moved here I had never heard of half day Fridays. Turns out a few companies shut down at 1pm on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And then there's the fishing opener. Where my wife works half the parking lot is empty the day before fishing opener.

Then there's golf. Did you know Minnesota has one golf course per thousand people?

[cdubs3201]

Originally Posted by PacEyeDoc

As a single professional male trying to decide where to move in the MW, this "Ice vs Nice" issue seems to be pretty important. I'm just wondering how bad it really is (if it really is bad at all). I've read some other threads which say it can be almost impossible to break into the social fabric if you're not a MN native, is this true?? I lived in the south for a few years and found that everyone was really friendly, but had no interest in anything beyond superficial interaction. I'd hate to find the same thing again up north. Any comments from other singles who've moved in from out of state? Do you find that women from the area are put off if you're not from MN? etc.

Here's what I've found. It's a lot easier to meet people through similar activities, hobbies, interests, etc. What do you spend your free time doing? If it's sitting in your house watching movies all day then you will have a tough time meeting new people.

However, an example like myself, I play recreational baseball. I tried out for a team and made it, and now my teammates are almost like my second family.

Moral of the story: Just make sure you make an effort to participate in things you enjoy, you will probably meet friends along the way.

[tindo80]

I moved to MN for school, and although I am in a relationship, I have found that MN ICE seems to be more of a standard than anything else. Someone mentioned that it may be because people have such little free time. I dont think its that, considering (here in the TC) you see people out at bars uptown, or at the parks exercising all the time. People go hunting, skiing, gambling at the casinos etc etc.

For some reason, people in MN tend to get comfortable with a single set of friends early on, then isolate themselves socially. Where in, say Seattle or Portland, one can go to a basketball game or (in seattles case) a football or baseball game, and almost instantly have conservation spark up between people sitting around you, here, everyone keeps to their bubble.

If you come here with friends, or upon arriving you are placed in a spot with other newcomers who will also be looking for friends, youll do fine. Otherwise, button up for the ice storm.