Living and commuting in SE Minnesota (Rochester, Winona: house, universities, dangerous)

[Rennfam]

My husband will be assigned to Rochester and myself to La Crosse. I received some helpful advice on areas in the WI forum but a new issue has arisen. We were thinking of the Winona area BUT have been told that inthe winter the road from Winona to Rochester is treacherous - called the road of death - whereas if we lived nearer La Crescent or nearer 90 we would be better off. What can we expect as far as commuting?

Thanks in advance!

[fromupthere]

There are quite a few accidents on Hwy 14 (although I'm not sure of the statics on that particular stretch), but you could look at 90 between the 2. I haven't really been to any of those towns myself, but there's Houston and Rushford on the south side of 90. Otherwise, St. Charles, Dover and Eyota aren't too far off 90 but are on Hwy 14. I think pretty much anywhere you're going to run risks in the winter.

[golfgal]

I don't know if you heard but they closed the bridge in Winona causing people to have to drive at least an extra 35 miles each way to get into Wisconsin. Right now it would be best to find a place that has easier access to a bridge for getting in and out of WI.

Honestly, if the weather is bad it isn't going to make a difference if you are on 14 or 90. 90 frequently closes because of snow drifts. 14 is a 2 lane highway for the most part (might be 4 in some spots toward Rochester) and 90 is a 4 lane interstate. Just given that 90 is an easier road to travel most of the time.

[fromupthere]

At this time, they are reporting the bridge will be closed for just 2-3 weeks. I wouldn't let that make a decision for me on where I moved. It also is not the bridge that goes from Minnesota to LaCrosse. That is farther south. If you wouldn't need to use that bridge for your travels, it should not matter that it is closed.

[Rennfam]

As we continue our move research, we're being told that I-90 closes "12-15 times" each wintre between Rochester and WI. I've googled it and cannot find out anything except that gates exist. What's the news on the ground? Does it close this frequently? If so what do folks to about getting to work?
Thanks

[fromupthere]

As of the last couple of years, I guess I don't recall it being closed that much. I know they do close parts of it occasionally but it doesn't seem like it was that much. I could be wrong though since we don't drive it that often.

[TiffMH]

Winona is about the best decent sized town in the area and many people make the commute from Winona to Rochester everyday. 14 is not so bad, even in the winter if you are used to driving it. It does tend to be windier on 90 and in the winter there is more drifting. If you want a decent sized town where you can do all of your shopping and have a few more entertainment options then Winona is your best bet.

I would not recommend Rollingstone as an option. We moved here three years ago and do not like it. People are not friendly and we have had nothing but problems. There really are not many more options unless you want to live in the country or in a small town that has nothing in it. Hope this helps.

[SWD]

I live in Winona--
I love the town and many folks will commute to Rochester or LaCrosse. It's a 35-45 min. commute to LaCrosse and closer to an hr to Rochester, depending on where you are going. I 90 does shut down in the winter sometimes but for good reason. When 90 closes, you shouldn't be on the roads, period. I prefer going to Rochester via I-90 than Hwy 14 (which my husband also thinks is dangerous, but I think is OK. It's just that its a country road that gets a lot of use...mixing tractors and people speeding to work isn't great.)

p.s. if you are working for Mayo, they run a bus from Winona in the mornings and evenings.

LeCrescent is charming and close to LaCrosse (I'd check that commute to Rochester though), although it is more of a bedroom community than anything else. Winona has two universities and lots of arts in the summer, plus two lakes and river activities.

Rushford is worth looking at, but it is a very small town atmosphere. they also got hit hard with freak flooding last year...buy a house that it on high ground. Rushford is near a major rail-trail for biking and a pretty area.

[Rennfam]

Wow thanks for al the input! I really appreciate it.

[fromupthere]

Rennfam, have you figured things out? I saw your post in the Wisconsin section too so wondering what you have figured out.