Whats Winona Like? (Rochester, Garvin: rentals, houses, buy)

[akronbball]

I am curious as to what others think about Winona since I am a finalist for a position there. I have been there but did not have much of a chance to drive around and get a good assessment of how it would be to live there. I know it’s a college town and I am just a few years out of college so that’s not to big of a deal, but I would rather not live around houses that are always having big keggers. I have always lived in larger cities but still enjoy the outdoors, fishing and mountain biking so know I could do those types of things as well. What types of places are there to workout and does anyone know if Winona State ever has open gyms to play basketball? If anyone else can provide any details about how it would be like to live there or about different things people do for fun that would be great.

[akronbball]

Does anyone know anything about Winona? I was offered a job there.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Winona is a lovely town. Very historic, a good housing stock. Wonderful scenery and nature, the best in Minnesota in my opinion. If I had to move outstate, it would prob. be to Winona.

[oconnorcm3]

Hi,

Congratulations on receiving the job offer. I just saw this thread on Winona so thought that I'd comment on it. I wonder what decision you made on the job?

I grew up in Winona and love it. I left shortly after graduating from Winona State University (but that was 27 years ago). I have family in Winona so go 'home' to visit every year or two (we live overseas so it's difficult to get back).

Summer in Winona is lovely. The Mississippi offers easy boating, jet skiing, water skiing or just hanging out on an island during the day. It doesn't get as crowded as the river does closer to the Twin Cities. Garvin Heights is fun to hike or bike on plus there is a bike path (3 miles and 1 mile) around the two lakes in Winona. During the winter one can ice skate on the lake (or used to be able to, not so sure with global warming). LaCrosse is only 30 minutes away, as is Rochester (40 minutes). Both cities offer everything that Winona doesn't have. Winona actually does have a lot of stores near the highway so there probably isn't much that you can't buy there.

University parties can get loud but the housing for uni students is pretty well controlled. Only x number of rentals in an area. That means that most of the city remains a normal city with private university scattered around. The bar scene, during the school year, is vibrant and lively, I think (it was 27 years ago!). The parks are great and Lake Winona has free summer band concerts once a week, in the evenings.

There is a thread on Winona, earlier on. If you do a search using 'Winona', you're sure to find it. Best of luck with your decision.

Mari

[AllCity RayofMinneapolis]