Is there any other city outside MN like the twin cities?? (Minneapolis: foreclosures, Home Depot)

[MsIndependant]

Hello,

My family is planning to relocate out of MN at the end of the school year. The only problem is where to. I haven't traveled much so I don't know where there are cities similiar to the Twin Cities, which is my ideal place to live near.

My family loves all outdoor activities all year except for Winters. We camp, fish, boat, walk, bike, BBQ, go to dog parks (I have four dogs), I'm a soccer mom so soccer needs to a highlight, you name it we do it. I would like to live in a place we can do all that but not have the extreme weather. I can handle winter, but not MN's winter. It's finally defeated me.

Also, I am Spanish and my husband is Asian so we need to have restaurants and markets that carry at least Asian food. I'm more Americanized so the Spanish atmosphere is not a concern to me. I plan on keeping my child in public school as long as the testing schools are good. I also have always lived in the suburds, so I don't necessarily want to live IN the cities. Currently we are 30 minutes from downtown.

As for work, I am a paralegal and my husband is in construction.

Can anyone please give me ideas where is a good place to relocate?

Thanks in advance!

[MrMinneapolis]

i heard denver is comparable to the cities in both size and activities.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Portland is a city that has been compared to Minneapolis in the past.

[MplsTodd]

Portland, Denver, Seattle were the first places that came to my mind. Possibly Austin TX too

[uptown_urbanist]

Go wherever the jobs are. That's the reality in this job market. That said, I'd look into the DC metro area; I wouldn't say that Washington DC is at all like the Twin Cities, but its suburbs offer what it sounds like you're looking for, and the winters are far more mild. There are some good public school districts outside of DC, too. Most significantly, I've heard that the DC job market is currently better than many places, so you might have better luck of finding something there. Specifically, maybe check into Northern Virginia's DC suburbs but within commuting distance of both central DC as well as the NOVA job markets, has lots of outdoor activities, and is within easy driving distance of the Shenandoah Valley (and its National Park, National Forest, etc) as well as many other beautiful and diverse outdoor activities and opportunities for camping, fishing, etc. DC and Virginia get some snow and winter temperatures, but it's far milder than what you'll find in MN. You'll be able to find plenty of both Asian and Spanish options in the area.

[fashionguy]

I second that. From statistics, numbers and city planning, Denver seems most comparable to the Twin Cities. I don't think Portland and Seattle are similar to here. They belong to those "cool, fancy" places with a higher cost of living.

Originally Posted by MrMinneapolis

i heard denver is comparable to the cities in both size and activities.

[icewater]

DENVER FOR SURE.
Huge hispanic aspect everywhere, and some asian pockets that are similar to University frogtown or Nicollet ave areas. Soccer is as big as anywhere else, and there is at least 1 pro team. Many outdoor activities are exactly the same as in the TCs....no lakes so minimal watersports, but mountain sports seem to make up for it. Simple winters that will make you laugh at the snowplowing ineptness of Denver public works. Easy to deal with but actually a bit frustrating.

The dog-loving here in Denver is ridiculous. You can bring 'em just about anywhere (home depot, etc) and there are many dog parks.

Unfortunately I don't think the Denver public school system, other than Cherry Creek maybe, is up to par with Mpls or Stp. I don't have a student attending, but the impression i get is that there are many short weeks or off days. Plus, the state as a whole doesn't have the education reputation (deserved or not?) that MN does.

The job situation may be slow due to the economy and the amount of foreclosures that have stagnated new construction. That said, there are jobs here......look on the various online sites for a feel of what's out there. The doomsayers will have you believe there is no work here, but it IS available if you're willing to work.

It's very similar here, but please take a couple days' visit before making this huge leap.
Good Luck!

[mmhl]

Denver housing is more expensive however, and the cost of living is a little higher. It is a great area though. But like the above poster says, schools are not as good as a whole. Having gone through a lay-off with my husband however, I'd just start applying for jobs everywhere & move where you get a job. That's what we are doing. You can find outdoor activities everywhere.

[MN55]

^Despite that I'd still say Denver is the most comparable to the Twin Cities.

I agree with the person above who said that Portland and Seattle aren't very similar. Really, outside a few neighborhoods in Minneapolis, I see almost no comparisons between the metro areas. The quality of life is high in both places but that's about as similar as it gets. (This is true for Portland at least. I've never been to Seattle but I'd assume it's quite similar to Portland).

[MN55]

I also see Madison, WI as a very similar, albeit much smaller, city as the Twin Cities.