St. Cloud, Minnesota: Large family relocation? (Virginia, Richmond: house prices, to buy, square footage)

[jimmyjam1]

Originally Posted by ocsid

I really, really hate to say this, but you're wrong. St. Cloud has had a recent history of racist incidents and hate crimes. A simple google search of St. Cloud racism will bring up quite a few unpleasant incidents over the last decade or more. By no means am I painting the city as a bunch of torch wielding klansmen, but there have been some fairly serious problems there over the years.

Minnesota has a reputation as being fairly insular and provincial, some of it justified, some a stereotype, but the area around Stearns County and St. Cloud is even worse. Not just in the "it's hard to make friends in Minnesota" way, but in the "we don't like outsiders or anything different from us" kind of way.

Not trying to stir up a hornets nest, but there have been problems.

Ok. Relocate 15,000+ Somalians into the average American city of 70,000 and see how the locals react. St Cloud is tolerant. In fact, considering the influx of East Africans into Central MN, I'd say that St Cloud is VERY tolerant.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by jimmyjam1

Ok. Relocate 15,000+ Somalians into the average American city of 70,000 and see how the locals react. St Cloud is tolerant. In fact, considering the influx of East Africans into Central MN, I'd say that St Cloud is VERY tolerant.

That's an ... as we say here in Minnesota... "interesting" perspective. I don't know if it's fair to label current St. Cloud with the racist label or not, but given the many problems with racism that they've had over the past five or so years I think it's very, very difficult to describe it as very tolerant. There's really no excuse for the kind of behavior that has gone on there. Of course it's also unfair to assume that the actions of the racist residents are representative of the community norms, but it has had a history of problems with hate crimes.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

That's an ... as we say here in Minnesota... "interesting" perspective. I don't know if it's fair to label current St. Cloud with the racist label or not, but given the many problems with racism that they've had over the past five or so years I think it's very, very difficult to describe it as very tolerant. There's really no excuse for the kind of behavior that has gone on there. Of course it's also unfair to assume that the actions of the racist residents are representative of the community norms, but it has had a history of problems with hate crimes.

Like Minneapolis you mean???

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Like Minneapolis you mean???

St. Cloud has a FAR higher hate crime per capita rate than Minneapolis. And fair or not, you can't deny that St. Cloud at least has the reputation of having more racism than any other Minnesota city. I'm not suggesting that that's an accurate view or not, but it's a far stretch to say that, given its documented examples of incidents in recent years, it's a stretch to suggest that it's a "VERY tolerant" city. Most of its residents may well be very tolerant -- and for what it's worth, the people I know who live in or are from St. Cloud certainly are -- but it's also a city that has struggled more than most with problems with racism, both recently and historically.

[Sarah42]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeachie

Starting more in depth research about the area. DH would be working "downtown" which compared to Richmond, Virginia isn't really downtown.

Let me tell you about our family and then you can tell me what you think and maybe suggest areas to check out.

DH has been for a work related trip and said that the people are very friendly. The cost of living is lower than Richmond area.

We homeschool our oldest two but we were considering putting our almost 5 year old in public kindergarten this fall. He has some special needs and attends private OT. We are in the process of having things evaluated for public school supports.

We adopted him as a newborn and he is biracial. We know that the diversity we would find there isn't near what we have found here. This is a huge sticking point to me and my husband.

Our almost 4 year old has speech issues following being intubated and sedated in an emergency situation-- so I'm worried about moving him from his beloved speech therapist. We are also having him evaluated through this school system. I'm not sure how transferring all of that would work.

We are a "large" family (in quotes because we have a small family compared to many of our friends) and I'm a SAHM that is also a full time student-- Online.

We are a conservative (but loving, get along with almost everyone) Christian family. In Georgia, we were members of a very large Southern Baptist church but we've recently left the denomination for a non-denominational small church. The diversity in our church is unlike anything we have ever found before.

I'm also worried about the weather. I do love the sun. LOL Bright sunny days make me happy. My children don't ice skate/play hockey (which is all my husband's coworkers talked about in their free time. LOL) We are more of a football/basketball family. We have attended a minor league hockey game and we thought that was fun.

We do spend a good portion of our winter at our family Y, using the indoor pool, working out and letting the kids burn off energy.

We'd also be giving up access to Busch Gardens for spring/summer though and the DC Zoo. Our whole recreation category looks like it would have to change if we moved.

OH! Another big thing is that we deal with multiple food allergies in our family. Living in Richmond metro, we have excellent access to specialty foods (coconut milk, coconut yogurt, etc.) A friend said that I would probably have no issue finding these items in Minneapolis and that it isn't a "hard" drive to make.

Thoughts?

If you live there (or nearby) tell me why you love it and what your favorite things are to do.

My family moved here almost 6 years ago. We live in Eden Prairie. I love everything here except the weather. If I could move my house, neighborhood, friends, etc., 800 miles south, I would! I am from California so I did grow up very spoiled with the mild weather. I am not going to say much about the weather. You know the winters are harsh and cold. People here deal with it and you will be surprised at how hearty Minnesotans are. Shopping in a snow storm? No problem. Going out to together the mail with -40 wind chills? Absolutely. The sun does shine even though it is cold and that helps. There are a lot of indoor activities which helps too. The summers are short, but can be beautiful and the lakes and natural beauty make you feel like you are truly on vacation. Just know that after 6 winters, I am feeling ready to move on. I have adjusted, but I do not like the cold at all.

Everything on your list is here. Schools are fabulous and you will not believe the support that you will get for your kids. I have two with IEP's so I do have experience with special needs. There is a lot to do from zoos, to amusement parks, museums, indoor playgrounds, gyms, etc. Minnesotans are a polite and kind bunch, but most if my friends happen to be fellow transplants. You will find the cost of housing to be reasonable. Taxes are higher in California so I did not find them t be so high. You will not have any problems finding speciality foods.

Good luck deciding! Have you been here before?

[lordvader44]

Our "hate crimes" in Minnesota are nothing compared to other parts of the country. Your son will be fine as there are lots of bi racial people in this town. A crime is crime, you don't have to add hate to it to make it more or less of a crime and st cloud has a low crime rate.

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I find the racial talk to be interesting. We are originally from Georgia. We've had several Richmond locals comment asking if we'd ever move our son further south. Sure we would. In fact, I've NEVER had any issue in Georgia with him. I've had multiple comments here in "diverse" Richmond, Virginia.

Oh well.

We've been scouring the internet for housing and to get a feel for the area (as well as we can from the East Coast.) Looks like our first trip is next week.

I'll report back! Thanks for your help!

[StcLurker]

I live right in st cloud. If you have any specific questions just message me and I will answer as best as I can

[GeorgiaPeachie]

We're back! We found everyone to be super friendly. We viewed 19 houses while we were there and made an offer before we left. The area wasn't as diverse as Richmond, of course, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I did have to buy a coat on Wednesday. The snow was blowing sideways and I was SICK of being wet. LOL So a coat and a headband to cover my ears were bought. I was in a MUCH more pleasant mood after that.

We were shocked at the cost of living difference. We saw a movie in between all our appts (we needed some distractions and to turn off our brain for a bit.) Amazing prices compared to VA.

The house prices were a shock too. And all the three car garages! We were rather shocked to not see any houses with a true master suite (master bath too.) Lots of "walk through" bathrooms. And lots of wood grain for cabinets.

*smile*

Oh and of course, we stopped in at the Mall of America. WOWZA.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeachie

We're back! We found everyone to be super friendly. We viewed 19 houses while we were there and made an offer before we left. The area wasn't as diverse as Richmond, of course, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I did have to buy a coat on Wednesday. The snow was blowing sideways and I was SICK of being wet. LOL So a coat and a headband to cover my ears were bought. I was in a MUCH more pleasant mood after that.

We were shocked at the cost of living difference. We saw a movie in between all our appts (we needed some distractions and to turn off our brain for a bit.) Amazing prices compared to VA.

The house prices were a shock too. And all the three car garages! We were rather shocked to not see any houses with a true master suite (master bath too.) Lots of "walk through" bathrooms. And lots of wood grain for cabinets.

*smile*

Oh and of course, we stopped in at the Mall of America. WOWZA.

Shocked in a good way or bad way? I'm guessing you were just not in the price range to see true master suites and real wood cabinets. Both are pretty much standard above $300,000-$350,000 or so.