Considering a Move to Minnesota

[TXRunner]

We moved to Minnesota about a year ago and had plans to move to a small town ourselves, away from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities. We ended up near Minneapolis and don't regret it one bit. Housing and jobs are harder to come by than we were used to in Texas. Most people here are comfortable in their social circles and not necessarily looking to expand their circle of friends. Looking back, I can't imagine having moved to a small town not knowing anyone. Minneapolis is a small city as it is and once you get about 20-30 miles out you are in small-town territory anyway. I'd consider some more smaller towns or suburbs near Minneapolis/St. Paul. Anyway, just my recommendation.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by TXRunner

We moved to Minnesota about a year ago and had plans to move to a small town ourselves, away from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities. We ended up near Minneapolis and don't regret it one bit. Housing and jobs are harder to come by than we were used to in Texas. Most people here are comfortable in their social circles and not necessarily looking to expand their circle of friends. Looking back, I can't imagine having moved to a small town not knowing anyone. Minneapolis is a small city as it is and once you get about 20-30 miles out you are in small-town territory anyway. I'd consider some more smaller towns or suburbs near Minneapolis/St. Paul. Anyway, just my recommendation.

We also moved here from Texas (DFW) a year and a half ago, and this post seems like a fairly accurate assessment. We were originally slated to land in Mankato or Rochester, but wound up in the southern burbs of the cities. It turned out to be a very good fit for us, except that we grew to like it and then wound up moving to the far northern side of the metro so we could buy a home (much cheaper up here). TXRunner is right when they say it doesn't take long to get into small town territory outside of the cities, especially on our side (north) of town. Cambridge is only 45 minutes from the cities, but it feels like a lot further away. We're 100% small town USA here.

I initially scoffed at the whole idea that people were comfortable in their own circles and were slow to let you in, but I must say that I've found that to be fairly accurate as well. Not that people are mean or rude.....quite the contrary. They're just comfortable with their world, so to speak. Some darn nice folks in these parts and I very much hope to make friends with many of them.

As for Minneapolis (and St. Paul) they aren't "small" cities, but they're definitely smaller than mega metros like DFW and Houston, and I'm guessing that's what TXRunner was trying to convey.

[jmcahacker]

Blue Earth is near Mankato which is a nice sized town with pretty much everything you'd want for shopping or restauraunts. It's also right along the I90 corridor which tends to be a dividing line as far as winter weather goes. Road closures and white outs are frequent in winter because it's wide open farmland for as far as you can see. Scenery is non existant unless you're into corn or bean fields. I live in Albert Lea which is right at the junction of 90 and 35. We're a little over an hour from Mankato, Rochester or the south Metro. Given the choice I would pick the Mankato area over Rochester or the metro but that's me. Rochester is crazy expensive housing and it's all about Mayo Clinic. The metro of course will have more entertainment like concerts, sports, etc if that's important to you. Mankato recently had Verizon close down their call center so I've heard the job market is tight. It's also a large campus for Minnesota State so it's a college town if that's a factor to you. Vikings summer training camp I believe is held there as well.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by jmcahacker

Rochester is crazy expensive housing

You serious? Crazy expensive? Rochester?

It's also a large campus for Minnesota State so it's a college town if that's a factor to you. Vikings summer training camp I believe is held there as well

Not anymore. Training camp is now held at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

You serious? Crazy expensive? Rochester?




Not anymore. Training camp is now held at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan.

It’s all relative, compared to small towns it would be. I looked at homes online in Silver Bay and could get them for $50k. I found a house near Marquette, MI for $15k

[jmcahacker]

IMO, for what you get, it's expensive especially if you have to rent. Not as expensive as the metro areas but way out of line for what's down here as far as amenities.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by wamer27

It’s all relative, compared to small towns it would be. I looked at homes online in Silver Bay and could get them for $50k. I found a house near Marquette, MI for $15k

Ok, well if you're in the market for $15k and $50k homes I guess I can't argue with that. Happy hunting!

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

Ok, well if you're in the market for $15k and $50k homes I guess I can't argue with that. Happy hunting!

I only briefly looked at Silver Bay purely as a owner rental standpoint. I follow real estate as a hobby, it’s interesting what prices of places change once you leave the cities and resort towns.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

Ok, well if you're in the market for $15k and $50k homes I guess I can't argue with that. Happy hunting!

A resort area will have more expensive prices for land then that. I'm looking at a parcel in Vilas County, WI at 5.5 acres for $35K. That is a bargain compared to the Lakes Region of NH where 1 acre with no buildings often go for $20K near Lake Winnipesaukee.