Less than a year until salvation (Minneapolis, Duluth: home, travel, lease)

[Frozen Cane]

The twenties are the perfect time to get out there and explore. Many people don't know what they really want out of life yet, so it's a good idea to change the scenery a few times in order to discover where you're most happy.

I grew up in the Twin Cities, went to school in FL and returned after graduation. At this stage of my life I decided that although MN has many great things going for it, it just wasn't the place for me, so I returned to FL.

Having seen MN from the outside and inside, I can vouch for your feelings that many people who are not from the midwest don't think it has much to offer. On the flip side, midwestern people are very proud of their communities and occasionally put down the south or the coasts.

In MN you can easily grow up with a tinted view of the world, because the services are good, the crime rate is low, and the community is stable. Those are all things that make a city attractive, and as you approach middle age you may discover that you want those qualities in your hometown. Many people who are in love with the midwest either grew up there and/or are established homeowners with families. It's a different story for young people.

So good luck with your move and I hope you find happiness somewhere. I know I was bummed out about my experience "coming home" so I understand your excitement for leaving soon. Personally, I need to try somewhere else, but I'm already considering being a snowbird in the distant future. You might come to the same conclusion....

Originally Posted by ComfortablyNumb

Anyway, next January, I am out of the midwest for good, and I hope to never come back for any reason whatsoever. Any one else share my dislike of the midwest?

[Delaneyland]

I hope you will be able to work through some of your negativity as you grow and see other places. I spent four months in Nigeria when I was 19 and felt much the same way you do now, until I realized compared to other places, MN isn't so bad. There are times when I (like you) ran as fast as I could to get someplace else and once I was there, doubted my judgement. I hope you never, ever doubt your decision to move on, see new things, and seek another way of life.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by ComfortablyNumb

I'm 21 and about to graduate from the University of Wisconsin. I have spent 21 years in either Minnesota or Wisconsin. I have also travelled considerably. And after all of this, I think it is safe to say the only person who would ever want to live in Minnesota or Wisconsin... was born in the midwest. And probably not in Chicago.

Growing up in Maple Grove, you are kept in a shell of ignorance your entire developing life. When you go to places like ANYWHERE ELSE, especially on the coasts, you see how America actually is. You see that it's not just a bunch of psuedo-wealthy racist kids and mediocre ethnic restaurants and neighborhoods that Twin-Cities-ers love to brag about. It's schools are cake and overrated (An honest report in Washington evaluating every states curriculum gave Minnesota a D). You see that Minnesota has absolutely nothing to offer, besides cheap living, and that it's just pathetic. Plus, the winters only make this worse. I was talking about the summer.

It's affordable, though... but thats because there isn't much demand to live there.

Anyway, next January, I am out of the midwest for good, and I hope to never come back for any reason whatsoever. Any one else share my dislike of the midwest?

I don't get why so many people in Minnesota think it's so great. It's just like so many people in Madison think Madison is great. Madison is neat, but it's not great... or anything even close... and anyone who thinks that is just stupid, just like people in Minnesota. Minnesota has this lame inferiority complex; It knows everyone thinks its lame and sucks, and it loves to get super defensive and throw around stats or factoids (Highest somalian concentration!) that no one cares about. Everyone is really psuedo-ambitious or totally unambitious, which explains why tons more people leave the state than move in (-14,000 between 2000 and 2005!).

So I'm sure you'll say "Don't let the door hit you on your way out," but I just wanted to voice my elation at the fact that I am finally breaking out.

Interesting indeed. I'm actually a lifelong resident of PA who wants to relocate to Minnesota, and I'm also a college student. I suppose this is just a case of "different strokes for different folks." By the way, your cost-of-living is NOT "cheap." I just did a search for homes in the Twin Cities, and your prices blow Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA out of the water with exorbitancy! This may be the one thing that makes or breaks me moving to the Twin Cities as opposed to a city like Duluth or Mankato, which seem to be more affordable towns for a graduate student. I've heard nothing but great things about your state, so I'm admittedly flabbergasted here. Even by looking at the U.S. Census your state looks good---so many of your adults hold degrees that you should be proud of yourselves for your commitment towards furthering your educations (thereby attracting higher-paying employers and eventually driving up the cost-of-living for EVERYONE, so I suppose this could be labeled a "bad" thing as well). I'm happy to hear that you're likewise looking for your greener pastures. Two of the main factors that "did me in" with tonight's final decision to leave Scranton, PA were the homophobia and the negative attitudes everyone here have about everything. You'd swear that Scranton was the "Armpit of America" by the way the locals make it out to sound (even though we really came in as the runner-up to Battle Mountain, NV).

Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, and I'll be sure to avoid Maple Grove; it sounds like exactly the "too good for you" suburban stereotype of a sheltered town that I abhor here in PA.

[ScranBarre]

The consensus I'm getting here seems to be "continue to promote Global Warming so that Minneapolis will warm up a bit and it will be paradise." That sounds perfect to me. I can tolerate cold weather rather well, and am looking for older communities with historic architecture, annual festivals, friendly people, and a populace that won't want to shoot me in the head for being "different" (yet still isn't TOO Liberal). Minnesota sounds like a great fit for me!

[M TYPE X]

Grad student in mid-Illinois here ... Michigan is overall a much nicer state in terms of lakes/forests than Illinois. Nothing wrong per se with Illinois (unlike Ohio or Indiana, which reek of hickness), but I never thought of Michigan as a Midwestern state like Illinois or Iowa. In Michigan, it's called bi-coastal syndrome: everything important and good in the world happens BETWEEN Lake Michigan and Lake Huron!

[MomsTn]

Well, if you don't mind cold, and a lot of winter sports, then, you will adjust well here.
Yes, Minnesota is a beautiful place with a lot of recreation, and Minneapolis/St.Paul does have a lot of culture, and activities.
But, don't let anyone tell you that the housing is cheap. Quite the contrary.
However, you can find some decent prices in the suburbs away from the cities.
There are some really nice areas in Minneapolis and St. Paul with older historical homes, but, I'm really not sure what the affordablility is.
There is Minnesota Nice here.
But, there is also Minnesota "not so nice."
There are sections of Minneapolis to absolutely avoid, and yes, there is crime here. That's usually the case with larger cities.
For the most part people are friendly enough here.
Just realize that they tax just about everything, except for food and clothing.

Oh, and ignore the other poster about Maple Grove.
Maple Grove is a very nice area.
I'm thinking maybe that kid lived in a bubble.... cause, the Minneapolis/St.Paul area is very progressive and liberal.
There is a lot of diversity here.

Unfortunetly, we are very conservative.
Note the forum name... yes, we are moving out.
Not because we absolutely hate it here, but, because I just don't like cold, and I'm not a winter person, and my family is from Tennessee and I just want to go home.

Minnesota has a lot of good points.
There are excellent schools here.
There is excellent health care: note the Mayo Clinic....
If you are into sports, you have the Vikings, the Twins, Timberwolves, and the Wilds, not to mention the University teams.

Some people are under the misconception that Minnesotans are backwards and naive.... not so.
Ignore that stupid movie, FARGO, that is NOT Minnesota.
I think you will be very surprised when you come.

WELCOME to MINNESOTA....

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

The consensus I'm getting here seems to be "continue to promote Global Warming so that Minneapolis will warm up a bit and it will be paradise." That sounds perfect to me. I can tolerate cold weather rather well, and am looking for older communities with historic architecture, annual festivals, friendly people, and a populace that won't want to shoot me in the head for being "different" (yet still isn't TOO Liberal). Minnesota sounds like a great fit for me!

[Dustybham]

Reading the first original post was such de-ja-vu for me. The thoughts and feelings I was reading mirrored my own feelings over 20 years ago and to some extent, even now.

In my case, I'm happily looking forward to making the move to Minnesota. I've lived in the deep south all of my life and have long wanted to live and experience different parts of the country. I never thought I would live here as long as I have...but as it often happens, life gets in the way, and you suddenly find yourself married with a child. Then everything changes.

I've traveled a good bit and visited family in different parts of the country, and I can promise, what was stated earlier is so true. There are "good things and bad things about every area of the country."

Keep a copy of what you wrote and look at it in about 10 years. It will tell you a great deal about yourself at 21. It will also teach you a valuable lesson at 31, one that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Good luck with your adventure in life.

dustybham

[tinky]

I found your post so interesting for many reasons. First, I grew up in Michigan and felt about MI exactly the way you do about MN. I couldn't wait to leave. Finally, a couple years after graduation I got out at around 25 years of age.

Since that time I have lived in Ohio (Cincinnati), Oklahoma, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. I have spent a considerable amount of time in Chicago, Philly, Austin TX, and the west coast for personal and/or professional reasons. (I've also traveled to Europe 5 times.) It's now 15 years later and what have I learned?

There are spoiled, rich, sheltered (people) kids everywhere (and I'm a professor--so, trust me--I have first hand experience with this). Racism, homophobia, and ethnocentrism are universals, too. The Midwest does not have a lock on these things. Not by a long shot. And I will tell you that, for better or worse, people in the Midwest (and the South) are more friendly, polite, and well mannered than people on the coasts. You call it "Minnesota nice." I don't know if that's what it is in MI and Ohio, but it's different. And I miss it.

The past couple of years I've found myself wanting to "go home." I miss Michigan. I've visited and taken my husband there. I see it differently than I did when I was younger. What people responding to your post have said about perceptions changing over time is correct. Recently I decided to apply for jobs back in the Midwest and strategically chose to only apply in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I'm sure you thin I'm nuts! LOL Right now I'm considering offers from both MN and WI (Madison, actually). My husband--born and raised in CT--is ready and willing to relocate to the Midwest.

So, that's my story. You will do well to travel and live in other parts of the country. Maybe you'll decide you want to go back to the Midwest someday and maybe you won't. Either way, I think you'll be surprised to find, over time, that (a) the qualities you don't like in people are universal and (b) where you're from isn't too bad at all.

Best of luck to you.

Tinky

[BJB817]

With all the posts of people who left MN, or the midwest for that matter that came back, what was the draw? I'm just curious as someone a little older than the original poster (I'm 32 and married) that's lived in MN their whole life and would like to try somewhere new and much warmer. We're looking at Austin, TX specifically as I'm tired of the winters here as I enjoy outdoor activities in the warmer months but am stuck hibernating for half the year. Rather depressing... Most people we encountered there we encountered were quite friendly and the city seemed "clean" overall. In other words, other than a pay reduction for me which I'm fine with, on paper anyway the quality of life for my wife and I should only improve given our interests and what that area has to offer.

Anyway, back to my original point, what drew you back? Family, career opportunity too good to pass up, general homesickness? Just curious.

[MomsTn]

My husband was born and raised here.
He only left because he'd joined the service, and they sent him to Idaho.
That's where he met me, an ex Air Force brat, and Idaho happened to be the last stop.
WE lived there for 15 years, and loved it... probably would've never left... but, my husband wanted to be closer to his parents.
So, we moved.
Everything doubled... cost of living, housing, insurance....
his pay stayed the same... which put us paycheck to paycheck.
We lost his Dad about five years ago.

At this point, we are really ready to leave Minnesota.
WE had thought about going back to Idaho, but, now, my Dad needs me, so, we are in the process of moving to Tennessee. Plus the fact that I am a southern girl and most of my relatives are in Tennessee with a smattering in West Virginia, and Indiana.

Yes, Minnesota has a lot of good qualities, but, I am not a winter person.
I like much warmer weather.
Two of our kids plan to stay in Minnesota, one wants to move out of state, and another wants to move wherever my hubby, myself and 7 year old move to.
If you have a good salary, like a lot of winter sports and long winters, then, you will like Minnesota.

Originally Posted by BJB817

With all the posts of people who left MN, or the midwest for that matter that came back, what was the draw? I'm just curious as someone a little older than the original poster (I'm 32 and married) that's lived in MN their whole life and would like to try somewhere new and much warmer. We're looking at Austin, TX specifically as I'm tired of the winters here as I enjoy outdoor activities in the warmer months but am stuck hibernating for half the year. Rather depressing... Most people we encountered there we encountered were quite friendly and the city seemed "clean" overall. In other words, other than a pay reduction for me which I'm fine with, on paper anyway the quality of life for my wife and I should only improve given our interests and what that area has to offer.

Anyway, back to my original point, what drew you back? Family, career opportunity too good to pass up, general homesickness? Just curious.