Less than a year until salvation (Minneapolis, Duluth: vacation, job, health)

[northbound74]

The interesting thing about the upper midwest is it's character-building. You're cold, you suffer, you shovel, you work, and there are no sunset ocean views. You go to the lake in the summer and suffer with mosquitoes. It's a state where people work hard and they don't seem to expect the moon. The kind of values that will serve you well, the rest of your life, wherever you live

.

Very well said.

[moving123456]

I left MN in my mid 20's for NC thinking it must be nicer since everyone and their brother seemed to be moving there. I was wrong and didn't like what I found in NC, so I headed for FL some time later. I have also done quite a bit of traveling around the country since leaving. Now I am in my early 30's, have realized how nice life in MN really was, and counting the days until I can return.

I haven't seen a post pay gas pump or a highway rest area that didn't need 24/7 armed security since moving out of MN.

[roneb]

Comfortablynumb's reaction to where he/she grew up is nothing new. It will be interesting to see what time on one of the "coasts" brings. Speaking as a West Coaster, they may find people out here to be shallow, self-serving, money/profit oriented, and much less sincere then they were back in MN/WI. The grass isn't always greener. I, for one, would love to be back in the midwest. And I live in one of those supposed meccas that people flock to!

[mystree]

Warmer temperatures and sunshine alone won't make you happy,trust me I know.We have been in South Carolina for 7 years and we can't wait to leave.We are closing on a house the 25th of this month.I hate winter and snow but prefer Mn to here. To each his own.

[northbound74]

Speaking as a West Coaster, they may find people out here to be shallow, self-serving, money/profit oriented, and much less sincere then they were back in MN/WI.

I have a theory on that. It may not be completely true, nor would it apply to everybody that lives in such places.
I think that when you have a bunch of people gathered in a place based mostly on it's climate, natural beauty, or "trendiness", they aren't necessarily there for the "people" aspect. Therefore, what you describe is what becomes of the place.
This may sound cheesy, corny, and all that, but I love the midwest because of the people. Having lived in six different states in various parts of the country, I know that human nature is the same anywhere, but cultures are certainly different.
People in the midwest (at least the part I'm familiar with) are for the most part genuine, polite, pleasant... I know not everyone is that way, but it looks to be the norm overall. There doesn't seem to be an ulterior motive behind it, either. For example, while growing up in the south, I observed the so-called "southern hospitality" as being more of a political stance than a sincere concern for strangers. People in the midwest may not flock to you and want to be your friend (or pretend to do so), but they seem to care about you at least on some "fellow human" level.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by northbound74

I have a theory on that. It may not be completely true, nor would it apply to everybody that lives in such places.
I think that when you have a bunch of people gathered in a place based mostly on it's climate, natural beauty, or "trendiness", they aren't necessarily there for the "people" aspect. Therefore, what you describe is what becomes of the place.
This may sound cheesy, corny, and all that, but I love the midwest because of the people. Having lived in six different states in various parts of the country, I know that human nature is the same anywhere, but cultures are certainly different.
People in the midwest (at least the part I'm familiar with) are for the most part genuine, polite, pleasant... I know not everyone is that way, but it looks to be the norm overall. There doesn't seem to be an ulterior motive behind it, either. For example, while growing up in the south, I observed the so-called "southern hospitality" as being more of a political stance than a sincere concern for strangers. People in the midwest may not flock to you and want to be your friend (or pretend to do so), but they seem to care about you at least on some "fellow human" level.

You're insight on the West Coast is probably true in many ways. And you've summed up my experiences with people from the midwest quite nicely!

[excelsiorgal]

I've met people like the OP who call the midwest or Minnesota or (enter city name) "dull" -- "not much to offer" -- "pathetic" -- and these are the people who lack imagination, who grow bored very easily because they haven't a lot of inner resources to draw on, and who don't have a lot of innate curiosity about their surroundings. There are always new people to meet -- new ideas to encounter -- new landscapes to explore -- no matter where you live: small town, big city, suburb, exurb, midwest, coast, etc. And in bigger cities (e.g. MSP) there are always a lot of resources such as museums, libraries, theater, live music, sports, etc., no to mention the diversity of people. There is definitely something for everyone -- that is, for people who chose to look for it, and not expect it to come after them.

The original poster is young and fairly inexperienced and, as other posters have said, your 20's is a great time to explore. By all means, get out of MN and see what you can see! Find somewhere that suits you. But I've lived around the US and in western Europe and visited many, many places and I have to say that "pathetic" is a state of mind and not a place you visit or live. The OP's comment that everyone who thinks Minnesota or Wisconsin are "great" is "just stupid" -- well, that says far more about the OP than it does about MN, WI, or their admirers.

So remember, OP: no matter where you go -- there you are.

[Ishten]

Wow, I think the OP cut/pasted from my post-collegiate diary entry. Go find what you're looking for. For me, it's a return to the midwest, but I didn't know it until I lived out west, down south and in the east. No worries though, I hear the average person relocates 4-5 times in his life. Good luck.

[molochai2580]

Originally Posted by Ishten

No worries though, I hear the average person relocates 4-5 times in his life. Good luck.

LOL well there must be about 8 people who let me have their relocations.

(of course having both parents in the military tends to do that to a person.)

[jkc1970]

Originally Posted by northbound74

I have a theory on that. It may not be completely true, nor would it apply to everybody that lives in such places.
I think that when you have a bunch of people gathered in a place based mostly on it's climate, natural beauty, or "trendiness", they aren't necessarily there for the "people" aspect. Therefore, what you describe is what becomes of the place.
This may sound cheesy, corny, and all that, but I love the midwest because of the people. Having lived in six different states in various parts of the country, I know that human nature is the same anywhere, but cultures are certainly different.
People in the midwest (at least the part I'm familiar with) are for the most part genuine, polite, pleasant... I know not everyone is that way, but it looks to be the norm overall. There doesn't seem to be an ulterior motive behind it, either. For example, while growing up in the south, I observed the so-called "southern hospitality" as being more of a political stance than a sincere concern for strangers. People in the midwest may not flock to you and want to be your friend (or pretend to do so), but they seem to care about you at least on some "fellow human" level.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who had this theory. I have had the same observation about places people move to solely because of climate or natural beauty. I am glad I am not the only one. I am from the midwest (Ohio) but have lived all over - North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Washington DC, Colorado, Pennsylvania. I would like to move back to the midwest because people and communities seem more stable.