english natives living in usa (Minneapolis, Minnetonka: schools, camp, closing)

[golfgal]

It was 74° at our house yesterday, October 30th and 65° on Halloween. How does that mean winter? I have also golfed, in shorts, in February in MN with golf courses opening March 1st. It really varies from year to year.

[loobilu]

hello chilaili, just wanted to say found your comments very informative and helpful, got lots to consider with this move and must say my head is in the shed at the moment but taken everything on board that you have said and thanks for taking the time to help.

[loobilu]

Originally Posted by golfgal

As someone that lives in the suburbs that is not always true. You could EASILY get around our town without having to drive to get anything and with the bus system available it can take you where you need if you can't walk there. Not all suburbs are walkable, but there are many that are.

thanks very much for your comments much appreciated.. i am learning to drive at the moment but the thought of having to drive in america as soon as we relocate is daunting to me, obviously with time i will do it, but i want to get used to things nice and slow..

[loobilu]

Originally Posted by golfgal

It was 74° at our house yesterday, October 30th and 65° on Halloween. How does that mean winter? I have also golfed, in shorts, in February in MN with golf courses opening March 1st. It really varies from year to year.

so are you an english native?

[loobilu]

Originally Posted by MplsTodd

Chiliali is generally correct in their comments, with exception of the following:

Winter can be brutal, but there's no way it lasts 6-8 months! In 1991, we did have the infamous Halloween blizzard, so I suppose that winter probably lasted 5.5 months, but typically the snow arrives late Nov-early Dec and will last until late March/early April.

Also, relative to rest of the US, our summers are not very hot nor very humid. If you want extreme heat AND humidity, try Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, or St Louis.


In the Twin Cities area, I'd recommend SW Minneapolis/Edina/St Louis Park for walkable neighborhoods that are interesting. I've met several people from Europe and Australia living in Linden Hills. There's also Highland Park/Mac-Groveland area of St. Paul.

But there's also lots of nice suburban areas too--it just depends what you're interested in.

thanks for your help on my queries, definitely going to take a look at the areas you suggest.. and feeling quite relieved that the winters are not so long, i like the snow but not for that long....

[Plymn]

Glad you mentioned Plymouth, rated the most livable city in the US by Money Magazine. There are many great options in the western Minneapolis suburbs. Very family oriented. Great place to raise a family.

[loobilu]

Originally Posted by Plymn

Glad you mentioned Plymouth, rated the most livable city in the US by Money Magazine. There are many great options in the western Minneapolis suburbs. Very family oriented. Great place to raise a family.

yes i have been taking a good look at plymouth and it looks very promising, thanks.!!

[SassyBelle]

Yes, we've had snowfall in April, but it never stayed on the ground. March weather can be quite mixed, so one could consider it a winter month in Minnesota.

As far as the suburbs, most of them have been growing and improving infrastructure. The are many mini-shopping canters with coffee shops, grocery and drug stores, dvd rentals, restaurants and boutiques you can walk to. And certainly, many parks everywhere. Plymouth is one of the very friendly and well planned suburbs. It is a good prospect for you.

[chilaili]

Am I the only one who remembers the Winter of 1995/96 where the windchill in the Twin Cities hit -50º? Boy, wasn't that fun?

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Am I the only one who remembers the Winter of 1995/96 where the windchill in the Twin Cities hit -50º? Boy, wasn't that fun?

I also remember that same year when it was 106* on the sidewalk.