4 good reasons ? (Minnetonka, Viking: rental, crime, townhouse)

[dannl]

Give me 4 good reasons a person would want to move to Minnesota and call that state there home.

Or 4 reasons I would not like to live in Minnesota.

[angelaf]

4 good reasons: Some parts of the state have nice scenery. Many places have lower crime and cost of living than other parts of the country. There are lots of lakes in MN if you like water. There are 4 distinct seasons in Minnesota, nice fall colors and sometimes nice springs.

4 bad reasons: The seasons get pretty extreme: Winters are very long and harsh, with lots of snow and cold, and very little sunlight. Summers can be equally intense--it's been around 90* up here for the last few days, and the humidity is insane. Also with the summer comes mosquitoes like no other place can shake a stick at. The cost of living, while lower than some places, is also higher than many other areas... for example, someone moving from Southern California would probably find Minnesota pretty cheap, but someone moving from, say the Southeastern US would find it more expensive. There is a huge problem with meth (crank) in Minnesota, and it's getting worse.

I could go on... It might be the perfect place for you, or the last place on earth you'd want to live, depending on your priorities and circumstances.

[elfyum]

Now WAIT a minute here!!! I have bever been to MN, but have you ever been to THE EVERGLADES??? In the SUMMER????????? When you get to the visitor center they ask if you have "full gear"! Here's what you hear-the whole time- "BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"!!!!!!!! My FACE was bitten up WITH repellent!!!!!!! (No, we did NOT have "full gear"! But better believe we will before we hike The Everglades again! Which we WILL one day-I love it there! ) I do believe we have have a bigger "stick to shake" atcha!

[angelaf]

Could be, elfyum. I haven't been there... I'll try to keep it that way, too!

[MiaDolFan]

4 good reasons.
1) If someone got a multimillion dollar contract with the Twins
2) If someone got a multimillion dollar contract with the Vikings
3) If someone got a multimillion dollar contract with the Timberwolves.
4) If someone were so jacked up on crystal meth that they didn't realize how rediculously cold it is there.

[angelaf]

Oh yeah... I just thought of one other thing about MN that most people don't think of. It's dang windy here. Windier than Chicago according to city-data's charts. It's a real PITA. Especially in the winter when the wind-chill brings the temps down into dangerous territory.
MiaDolFan... It's not cold today. 82 and sunny...

[restlessinmn]

I've lived here for almost 2 years now. This is my first experience living in the Midwest. I've lived in southern new england, the mid-atlantic, the desert southwest and the mountain southwest. I can tell you that there is no perfect place.

Here are my observations about MN...

Pros -
1. There are an abundance of good restaurants, theatres, museums, music, and outdoor activities. You really have to like water sports and winter sports to get the most of out the outdoor activities.

2. The suburban public schools are mostly very good.

3. The economy seems to be relatively strong right now. Unemployment is low.

4. Less traffic than most major metro areas that I have lived in or commuted through.

5. You can live near lakes and still be a short distance to the city.

6. There are some beautiful areas throughout the state. Lots of options for weekend or day trips.

Cons -

1. It is the coldest place that I have ever lived and the wind compounds the bitterly cold temps. I have literally been brought to tears from the wind whipping on a cold day. The fall is beautiful but it's way too short. Summers are nice but the bugs make it unenjoyable more times than not. Last September, my kids were covered in mosquito bites from playing outside. They are not allowed to play outside near dusk and dawn anymore which has reduced the number of bites a little. It can get hot and humid in the summer but it comes and goes and usually doesn't last for long stretches.

2. If you want to live in a nice suburb with good schools, you must be prepared for price shock. We have not bought a house here yet because I don't think it's a good value. I just don't like it here enough to pay what houses cost in our area. Prices are coming down a bit though.

3. Most people are not as nice as the saying goes. Most drivers are just as rude as any other place that I've been. I have met some VERY nice people here but people are very slow to let you in, if they ever do. I can't say that I've made any "friends" but I know a lot of friendly people.

4. The crime in the city has risen dramatically. What bothers me the most is there have been many more murders this summer than last. There seems to be a lot of drug problems and the crime that goes along with it, usually theft. This is not unique to MN but it is a problem that exists here and isn't getting better. I hope the city starts doing something about it because it's starting to regain it's 'murderapolis' nickname again.

I think that my biggest complaint about living here is the weather. When we first moved here, I was miserable. For the first 6-8 months, I literally wanted to pack up and leave. It has taken me awhile but I can see why people like living here. However, I doubt that we will stay here long-term.

[Mark S.]

Restlessinmn,

Where are you at in Minnesota? Are you in the Twin Cities, another metro area, or one of the small towns?

[restlessinmn]

We are in Minnetonka (our neighbors have lakefront property). We rent a house with acreage and pay around $1500/month. That's about the going rate for a house in this area - most are just a regular lot though without acreage. We just lucked out with this house.

For comparison, a townhouse in a rental community in the same area will run about $1200/month for a 3 bedroom.

You couldn't buy a house in this area and have a payment of less than $2000/month. Houses on our side of the street go for $600k+ while the houses on the lakefront are easily million dollar homes. So, it made better sense for us to rent

[restlessinmn]

Mark S. -I noticed you were considering a move to Maine. Have you been to Maine?? When we lived in southern new england, we took a road trip to bar harbor. what a beautiful state.