Needing some info about Owatonna/Mankato

[leighberkshire]

I wouldnt worry about the traffic, I lived in LA are for 10 years and am now living south of Owatonna even on a "bad day" traffic is nothing like LA.

I would however, be more concerned about the weather, no other way to say it but winter here SUCKS!!!!!

Owatonna and Mankato are both growing communities with lots to offer.

Good luck

[RNJessica]

I lived in Mankato for 22 years and just recently moved to Houston TX. We are moving back this summer. The only thing that my husband didn't like is there is less for entertainment in the smaller towns and we had to drive a ways to get to Minneapolis. There is not much traffic between Owatonna and Mankato. You will have to watch out and plan accordingly when it snows though. People will slow down a lot. The highways are only two lane (one in each direction). I went to MSU, Mankato. I really enjoyed it.

[midwest456]

My brother and I stayed in a motel in Owatonna two years ago when we were up there for our aunt's funeral. We were right off the highway and it was summer, but it was nice and quiet. I don't know how much it offers in jobs or otherwise but it was a pleasant place to stay IMO.

[rlhs76]

I live in rochester which is about 45 minutes east of owatonna. We go to Mankato quite often. Waseca woud be my choice of town to live in in your situation. There is a new four lane highway that was just completed from Waseca to Mankato. It now only takes about 20 minutes to make that trip. And Mankato State is easy to get to from the east. It can't be more than 15 minutes back to Owatonna. Waseca is small and probably doesn't have a lot going on at night. Another option would be to look at living east of Owatonna and attending the University center in Rochester. The have extensions of Winona State and the University of Minnesota there.

[Amac]

Originally Posted by fullhouse

Hi I live in waseca and the drive from here to mankato takes about 30 min from waseca to owatonna is only about 20 min. I saw that you had asked about serving jobs and they are plentiful around her ( if you go to mankato you have your pick of resturants, I myself work in Owatonna at the Perkins Family resturant and I know they are always looking for servers there and the tips are pretty good depending on how much you are use to making, on an average you can make about 100 a day, if you need any more info on the restratants around this area and I can email you, if you are looking for a certain type of resturant.

Can you tell me a little bit more about Waseca? Spefically is the 30 minute drive something that's a reasonable commute in the winter, or would someone be better off staying in Mankato? Also, are there any rentals in Waseca? I need to find something for 6 months

[PBC19]

Originally Posted by marebear63

Hello,

i currently live in Los Angeles,CA and may be moving to Owatonna MN in June for about 9 months. I'll be moving with my boyfriend whos doing a training program in Owatonna, but if i go with him i plan to go to the State University in Mankato, which is why i asked about both cities.

I have no idea what to expect. Since i'll be living in Owatonna, can anyone tell me what that city is like? Also what cities are between owatonna and mankato that would be a good place to live (to make the commute for me a tad less long)

Is the traffic bad around there? Also im curious to know if there are a lot of big restaurants around this area because i'll have to waitress to get by while im there.
Im not even going to ask about the weather!! The winters sound scary...ive never ever driven in snow.

Anywyas, any feedback would be great!!

Do not worry about traffic. I live in Seattle now, but am from southern MN. The issue for you is winter weather driving.....that and the inevitable major culture shock you will go through. Neither town is a "city" they are both quite tiny compared to LA....look on the internet for population info. You do not want a long commute in the winter. Personally, if it's only for 9 mos I'd stay in LA...your boyfriend then can live in Owatonna at some cheap apt and not have a commute. I'm not trying to sound negative, but by your email I don't think you have any idea what you're getting into :-) Why not just stay in LA and get a roommate for a few mos??

[Diamond Dee]

I highly recommend the Owatonna area its a great place to work and live.
and mankato is a college town for sure you'll like the resturants their good selection.

[kg1701d]

Traffic, rent, commuting and all that will be no problem. These cities are NOTHING like LA. Not that they are bad in any way, I actually really like Mankato and Owatonna but the culture will be real different. There's no beach and designer clothing stores so they might look at you a little weird if you're really interested in that stuff. People, especially the younger group doesn't really drink socially all that much, its more like binge drinking night after night. Mankato is definately a college town and thats what is going to dominate the nightlife. I wouldn't be scared of getting a job around there, they are both growing communities. Again, I like them both and I love out state MN, I grew up in the country on a farm N of a town of 1,800 so I understand it. Be prepared for the differences and embrace it and I'm sure you'll love either!

[my54ford]

hows traffic going that way?

Traffic between O town and Waseca kinda sucks hwy 14 is only 2 lane there but changes into 4 lane in Waseca and don't let the 45 miles scare you! In California that can be a 3 hour drive. I can make the trip from Owatonna to Mankato in about 40 easy minutes......
Good luck!