Where should we move to in MN (Minneapolis, St. Paul: job market, university) - Minnesota - City-Data Forum

Nilkc · 08-13-2010, 06:00 PM

Hello everyone, My girlfriend and I will be moving to MN next summer and we are trying to decide in what area to settle. She is interviewing in Duluth, St. Cloud, the Fargo/Moorehead area and the Minneapolis/St. Paul area (Buffalo/Hastings). I was wondering what people think of these different areas. Cost of living, crime, job market (for me), taxes...things of that nature. We are already prepared for the winters and know what to expect there.

DeeDubb · 08-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Well, The twin cities and its suburbs are a major metro area. So if you like crowds and traffic and many urban activities to do, then that is probably best for you.

Duluth is beautiful with its high hills/cliffs and lake superior. It is a bit breezy there and usually a little cooler year round due to the lake. I believe Duluth is the 2nd largest metro area in the state (maybe Rochester, though). There is a ton of outdoor rec activities to be enjoyed there.

Fargo/Moorehead is more flat terrain and open spaces. It is the least populated of the three areas you mentioned, and probably the quietest and more laid back.

I am not entirely sure about the job market in each place, but I would guess Fargo/Moorehead is doing alright being their close proximity to the Dakotas.

Politically, Fargo/Moorehead is more conservative than Duluth and the Twin Cities. Those two areas are very liberal.

Hope this helps.

golfgal · 08-13-2010, 06:42 PM

The places you have mentioned are all over the place for every category you mentioned-helpful I know. You mentioned a job for you but not what you do. Also, what kind of an environment do you like, rural, suburban, urban? The job that you list as Buffalo/Hastings, is that two separate jobs because if not, they are a good hour and a half apart.

Nilkc · 08-13-2010, 07:26 PM

Thanks golfgal for the quick response. I am currently working as a airline mechanic, but I know that there will be few opportunities for me to find a job in that field after I move unless we move pretty close to the cities. I will be looking for anything in a maintenance field or possibly teaching since I have done that in the past. We would love to live on a lake, but if not that at least rural to suburban. To answer your last question, yes the Buffalo/Hastings is two seperate jobs, but with the same company. She will have to pick one to interview at and she is still not sure which.

Nilkc · 08-13-2010, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the info DeeDubb. Not the easiest decision to make and I appreciate the feedback I am getting here.

DeeDubb · 08-14-2010, 10:17 AM

Oops...forgot to mention anything about St Cloud. It is a pretty good size urban area with a smaller airport. A big college is there plus St Johns University not far away...so it has a good size young crowd from the colleges. And it is only an hour or so from the Twin Cities metro area.

It is right on the Mississippi River, and if you visit there you must see Muntsinger Gardens right across the river from St Cloud State University.

I believe the job market at St Cloud is doing relatively well.

Radical_Car · 08-15-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nilkc

and the Minneapolis/St. Paul area (Buffalo/Hastings). I was wondering what people think of these different areas. Cost of living,

Im confused here, are you looking into Minneapolis and/or St. Paul or are you looking into just Buffalo and Hastings? Buffalo and hastings are way on opposite ends of the metro just about, Buffalo really isn't part of the Twin Cities, there is still a good amount of country in between there and Plymouth. Buffalo is cool though if you like fairly small towns and Buffalo has some cool lakes also and a cool little downtown area. Theres also Walmart Supercenter and Target and 2 grocery stores(Cub Foods and Coborns). I know NOTHING about Hastings.

golfgal · 08-15-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radical_Car

Im confused here, are you looking into Minneapolis and/or St. Paul or are you looking into just Buffalo and Hastings? Buffalo and hastings are way on opposite ends of the metro just about, Buffalo really isn't part of the Twin Cities, there is still a good amount of country in between there and Plymouth. Buffalo is cool though if you like fairly small towns and Buffalo has some cool lakes also and a cool little downtown area. Theres also Walmart Supercenter and Target and 2 grocery stores(Cub Foods and Coborns). I know NOTHING about Hastings.

He said the Buffalo and Hastings jobs are two separate jobs. Hastings to the MSP airport is a very easy commute for you if you want to stay in airline mechanics.

MN55 · 08-15-2010, 10:28 PM

Yea I was just going to say that. If you want to live close to an international airport and want an airline job, Hastings is clearly the best choice although I am unfamiliar with the Fargo area which may have a decent sized airport (I don't know).

qolson · 08-16-2010, 12:43 PM

Despite their never-ending PR campaign to the contrary, Fargo/Moorhead is one of the most desolate (in all meanings of the word) places on earth. You're better off sticking with the southern half of Minnesota. Slightly warmer weather, many more things to do and way more job opportunities. Can you tell I live up north? LOL