Less than a year until salvation (Ely, Dent: for sale, real estate, school)

[roneb]

want_out, if you think the suburbs in MN are bland and cookie cutter, please visit ANY larger community on the west coast. Here in Portland there are hillside after hillside of "McMansions". I've found most towns in MN to be very nice, with an absence of "development style housing".

timber_mt, Oregon gets old too - been here 20+ years and am ready for a change. And as a father of four, the great schools in MN are a MAJOR draw over what Oregon has to offer.

[timber mt]

roneb. If you have kids , good schools are more important than weather . I thought portland had good schools. I may move from Southern Oregon some day , but not back to Minnesota. If I ever move, it will be some where warmer, not colder! Minnesota is better than the states close by it , but it can't compare the northwest . My relatives talk about how great Minnesota summers are. [average at best IMO] They only think that, because summer is better than winter. Like hitting your self in the head with a hammer because it feels so good when you stop.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by timber mt

They only think that, because summer is better than winter.

Generally summer is always better than winter in most northern states, but that's not why I like our summers so much. They go over 100 degrees maybe a couple of days out of the season, but otherwise they usually stay right around the mid-70s to high 80s.

[kuan]

I don't get people. Winter is fantastic in Minnesota. Whatever you do in the summer you can do in winter. You can almost ski out your front door. The Three Rivers Park District, Minneapolis, St. Paul parks, all have great ski trails. It's the best way to get some serious aerobic exercise without the pounding your body takes if you run. The bicycle trails are plowed in the winter, especially the commuter trails. You can go snow biking in the city at Wirth Park. You can fish all day and not have to deal with mosquitos. You can sail your iceboat or kiteboard or nordic skate on the lakes. (kiteboarding is kinda hard) You can go knock the puck around with the kids at the local parks. Go up North and watch the river otters play on the ice. All you need is clothing.

[kuan]

Originally Posted by want_out

People are nice but they are not interested in really getting to know you. Everyone here grew up here and you will find if you're not from around here that you are left out and there are very few young or even older professionals that move here so you will be alone.

People here are good people in general, and good is not synonymous with nice. It's not that they're not interested, nobody wants to pry. That is the Scandinavian way. Start talking about your wife's problems and you'll be answered with a nod and an "hmmmmm, interesting. So what do you think of the new Honeycrisp apples?"

[marmac]

the OP talks about people leaving Minnesota.

However, my guess is many of them that leave are retired people who want warmer winters.

They have lived their working lives in Minnesota, did well financially for 40 years, had their kids recieve a great education, and sold their house for twice what they will pay for one down south.

I'll bet most of those retired people who move--------list the main drawback of leaving their grown children in Minnesota. Their children realize Minnesota is a better place for them to raise their children,educate them, and earn a good wage.

I believe if we look closely at the statistics----we will find that Minnesota offers a person a great place to spend your working life. A place that gives you the option (financial freedom ) to re-locate to a warmer place upon retiring

I view this as a + for Minnesota rather than a -

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by kuan

I don't get people. Winter is fantastic in Minnesota. Whatever you do in the summer you can do in winter. You can almost ski out your front door. The Three Rivers Park District, Minneapolis, St. Paul parks, all have great ski trails. It's the best way to get some serious aerobic exercise without the pounding your body takes if you run. The bicycle trails are plowed in the winter, especially the commuter trails. You can go snow biking in the city at Wirth Park. You can fish all day and not have to deal with mosquitos. You can sail your iceboat or kiteboard or nordic skate on the lakes. (kiteboarding is kinda hard) You can go knock the puck around with the kids at the local parks. Go up North and watch the river otters play on the ice. All you need is clothing.

Finally! Another person who loves winter! I was getting so tired of negative talk about winter and "Nothing to do because it is so cold" Whine, whine, whine. kuan, I agree with you completely.

[Minnesota is cold]

I read the first post and just thought it was refreshing to read, a young person bluntly speaking out... (pseduo-wealthy kids).
I have lived in MN my whole life with a constant yearing to leave but stayed.. because my family. I got married and divorced and stayed to keep my son by his dad.. now he's grow 20yrs old and my current husband and I finally feel like we can leave. Of course the parents are pissed cuz' were taking the little ones but It was only my oldest son that has kept me here if I were to be honest. It would suck to leave and not be in the same state as him, but now- even though he lives with me I rarely see him and mostly just communicate via phone- so not much would change- he can live with my brother which is closer to his work, etc..
Man this rant reeks of quilt for wanting to leave MN and leave my oldest behind doesn't it?

[aluminumpork]

In my experience (which is admittedly limited), people seem to want to leave a place, not be because of things wrong with the city or state, but because of the things that have happened to them there. For example, the majority of my friends who want to leave to Duluth, don't want to leave because there's anything wrong with the city, but because they have ties to people or events that they want to get away from, to get "fresh start". I would have to guess that this is more likely the case in smaller cities, where it can be hard to get away.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by aluminumpork

In my experience (which is admittedly limited), people seem to want to leave a place, not be because of things wrong with the city or state, but because of the things that have happened to them there. For example, the majority of my friends who want to leave to Duluth, don't want to leave because there's anything wrong with the city, but because they have ties to people or events that they want to get away from, to get "fresh start". I would have to guess that this is more likely the case in smaller cities, where it can be hard to get away.

Definitely a good observation that is not limited to the young. I'm mid forties and if I was to be totally honest with myself that is a large part of the reason for my wanting to move from a location that most of America seems to always classify as ideal.