Living in Minnesota (Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud: fit in, home, schools)

[SueJ999]

Originally Posted by dannl

What is it like to live in Minnesota

... as opposed to where? It'd be easier to make a comparison.

[Diamond Dee]

Former resident of MN. here!It was great living in Rochester really meet some fine people their and I have lots of memories too.also when I lived their in the early nineties fond of Owatonna-Medford- Faribault area. and the drives I would take with family or friends down to the Mississippi River.I still have family in the area so Lord willing I'll be back.

[Sarahbadera]

"The economy isn't very good. I'm fortunate enough to have a decent job, but I could be making a lot more if I lived somewhere else."

I'm not sure about this one. In other places (CA for example) you might make a lot more, but the cost of living (housing, etc.) is proportionately higher. Doesn't the market kinda balance everything out, no matter where you are?

When you look at most cities, the average income is reflected in the average cost of housing, so yes, you might make more money somewhere else, but what's the point if you spend it all in your mortgage? What really matters is the quality of life that you have, day in and day out. I believe that we only get to live once, and it flies by too fast...

That's why we're looking at moving out of the suburbs. Some might have less economic opportunity in more rural areas (although the only thing that WE need to run our business is a telephone and internet service...which is not a problem anymore), but we are interested in a slower pace of life, and schools where our children will not only know everyone's NAME, but their favorite flavor of ice cream, etc.

[Lindenin]

People in my community tell me when they have seen my kids getting into potential trouble. They figure I might like to know. And they know them by name, so they can say "Jack, I don't think your Dad would like that you're doing that".

I like that. Very comforting.

[rob524teach]

Ok- I have read many of the posts in this thread about the pros/cons of living in MN. My husband could possibly be accepting a job from the St. Paul Fire dept. in Jan. Some of the posts are scaring me a bit. I think I am more nervous about the mosquitoes than the snow. Bugs seem to love me...I am a bug magnet. What advice would you give a Southern girl (grew up in Arkansas, living in DC area now) about what to buy in the way of winter clothing? I am pregnant and due in March. I need to find a good maternity coat, but am finding challenges even here in my local shopping area. The salespeople here keep saying I will continue to be so warm from being pregnant. They probably have never lived in MN. Should I take the advice of one website and buy an "army parka" which I am not sure even what that is exactly!?

[Minnehahapolitan]

Well, Mosquitoes are better in more populated areas. If you lived in or near Saint Paul, they woud not be as bad as a rural area or exurb.
As for a winter coat; a heavy, wind and waterproof jacket usually does the trick. Columbia makes a (expensive) coat that lasts for a while. You will want a lighter-weight coat also for fall, early spring. Again, make sure it is wind and waterproof.

[MIKE FROM MINNESOTA]

If you love to hunt and fish their are places all over the state where you can fish and hunt for free....Minnesota is clean with a lot of Scandanavians, Germans, and Irish people. Outstate is very white. Twin Cities are more culturally diverse. Only real bad crime issues are in some sections of Minneapolis and the city fathers seem not too care...very liberal. Lot of ethnic restaurants, theatre is great, golf courses all over the place...good schools. I love it here.

[LuAnn245]

Dear everyone, can I ask how the winters effect life in terms of having money and being able to go to work?...I live in Florida, we may move there, I think I might love it, I have a friend who works at Cub Foods and she makes a WHOLE lot more than me, can you tell me how it works??...I mean, how do you pay your monthly bills when you cant get to work, and how is the minimum wage, is it good?...my daughter turns 20 next month, I am 52, my son is turning 17, Im on my own, but have been left property up there and thought I might go....please help, thanks for all and many Happy Holidays to everyone!...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year from a warm and sunny Jacksonville Florida (where the wages absolutely melt down every year, lol)

[LuAnn245]

Hi, its me again, Luann, can I ask one more favor, what is the cost of housing?...its astronomical down here for almost nothing, I am still paying off a house we live in at the beach, but its near to impossible, houses are almost being given away right here coz there are SO MANY UP FOR SALE, its def a buyers market, so I dont know what I may get, but I have to split it with my ex....so its going to be a tuff go where ever we land, help please...what are rental costs and what are houses going for up there?...I love your architecture, would love a nice 3 bed/2 bath w/fireplace, nothing fancy but DEFINITELY in a safe neighborhood, I have a wild teenager, hes already given me enough grief, help everyone....this comes from the heart with so much thanks....love, LuAnn

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by LuAnn245

Dear everyone, can I ask how the winters effect life in terms of having money and being able to go to work?

It's a nonissue. We have lots of snowplows up here.

Seriously, even the local roads around me were plowed by the time I got up for work most mornings, and that was true in three different suburbs.