Relocating will I need a car of live downtown? (Minneapolis: apartments, rentals)

[Aesquilin]

I'm relocating from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Rochester, Minnesota. I was wondering if I could get advice on best places to live downtown, how is public transportation and if I will need a car. I will be working at the Mayo Clinic. Thanks!

[thomas_943]

The transportation within Rochester is great!

There is the bus service [http://www.rochesterbus.com/cityline...ines_main.htm] That operates M-Sat (half day on saturday).

And there are bike paths and bike lanes on the roads throughout the whole city.

Also, see if you can contact HR at Mayo about transportation information. Working at Mayo, you can get a bus pass at a discount or free for traveling to and from work. Do not, however, use the pass for personal use... [unless its a monthly, non-punch pass, but I didn't say that].

I lived in Rochester for 3-4 years and spent most of that time using my bike as transportation, and bused it when I had shopping to do. (Grew up in the area, but live out of town).

[thomas_943]

Oh! There's also skyways and subways all over downtown area... Rochester MN - Hotels - Things To Do - Visitor Information - Rochester MN Convention & Visitors Bureau or http://www.rochestercvb.org/includes...ith-hotels.pdf

[tornado9989]

If you are living downtown, and working at the Mayo Clinic, you will probably not need a car. There are a large amount of apartments downtown, or very close to downtown. The bus system was mentioned earlier. I just wanted to add that the city has a new bus system. The routes can be seen here: Rochester City Lines Routes

The skyway system and subway system were mentioned. They are air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. The skyway system is also growing with the new development. Also, just to make it clear, the "subway" isn't a train, it's an underground walkway filled with many shops and restaurants.

If you need a taxi, there are two taxi services currently, but a third one may soon be launched.

If you need to go to the Twin Cities, there is regular bus service to go there.

If you ever want to fly somewhere, you have two options for airports. Rochester International Airport is located on the south side of town. It's not too big at the moment, but new airlines and nonstop destinations are starting to come to the airport, and a new terminal is planned. If you want to go to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, you could take an airport shuttle, or start at Rochester's airport and transfer at MSP.

As I stated earlier, there are many apartments downtown. You could probably find one here: Rochester Apartment Rentals | Rochester MN Apartment Finder

[Aesquilin]

Thanks the links have been super helpfull. I will contact HR to see what they can recommend. If any of you any a recommendation on neighborhoods just let me know. Thanks again.