Husband's job opportunity in Minniapolis...from England!! (Minneapolis: homes, property taxes)

[michaelsmum]

Hi all
We live in England and my husband has just returned from a weeks work in Minneapolis, where his company's head office is. He's talking about the opportunity to move out and I'd love some input from you all!

We have three children, aged 6, 4 and 2 and I know it would be a fabulous opportunity for them.

I know this is a dull question but would we be better off coming to live in Minnesota or Wisconscin (I guess I'm really aksing weather wise!!!)

Thanks for reading,

x

[golfgal]

It really depends on where the office is actually located. There is very little difference in cost between western Wisconsin and MN so your real savings comes from living close to where he will work and cutting down on the commute time. Where is his office exactly?

[michaelsmum]

Hi Golfgal
It's in the centre, Third Street, I think.
Thanks

[golfgal]

Do you mean right in downtown Minneapolis then?

Living in Western WI would be a long commute.

What type of town would you like to live in, smaller, larger, urban, suburban, rural?

One thing that Minnesota has that WI doesn't is their Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program. It is a GREAT way to meet families with kids the same age as you children. There are classes in every district in the state and they are for kids birth to kindergarten.

[Sarah Maske]

Hello Michaelsmom,

This would be a great opportunity for your family. There really isn't any weather difference between Wisconsin and Minnesota although Eastern Wisconsin tends to be a touch warmer. Home prices are lower in Western Wisconsin than they are in the Eastern Minnesota suburbs that border Wisconsin, however property taxes are markedly higher in Western Wisconsin than the Minnesota side.

If your husband is working in Downtown Minneapolis, then, you have an abundance of areas to choose from.

Good luck and let us know how your decision progresses!

Take care,
Sarah

[bobblehead123]

It also depends on whether you want a metro area or a rural area. The commute from Wisconsin would be brutal. Look at the milage, it might be the same as going from one country to the next in europe.

[Sarah Maske]

Good point Bobble.

Also, keep in mind we don't have a sophisticated train system here to easily transport people long distances like you do in the UK. They're working on it here but we are still very car dependent, unfortunately.

[oconnorcm3]

Hi,

I grew up in southeastern Minnesota but currently live in Ireland and have a daughter studying in Scotland. Comparing Minnesota and Wisconsin is a bit like comparing England and Scotland, or England and Ireland. There is very little difference. The same is true of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The weather is basically the same, the homes and towns are the same and the people are actually nearly the same (although there is more diversity with time).

Working in Minneapolis means that you really should live in Minnesota. The commute from Wisconsin would kill your husband. There are so many choices of where to live in the greater Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul). I'd study a map of where your husband's job is and go in circles out from there, and decide what will be best for your family. This forum is a great place to do research.

What an exciting time to take your children overseas. You'll love living in Minnesota and love the bright, winter days. Snow makes a wonderful reflective material and it is great to need sunglasses in winter. In Ireland (and England and Scotland) you just need an umbrella for the winter.

Best of luck with your decision!

Mari

[chilaili]

Just wanted to say I'm a Brit living in the US and I spent 10 years living and working in Minnesota (1995-2005) so if you have any questions about the transition, please don't hesitate to ask!