Is Minnesota a good place for us? Thinking of relocating here...

[nitram]

We have been here for the past 4 weeks in a suburb of NE Minneapolis. 3 days after arriving there were 3 tornadoes nearby with one hitting 1/4 mile near us. A week later 3 more tornadoes hit in the Minneapolis area. In the time frame that we've been here there has been over 10 inches of rain and the humidity is almost as bad a Florida.
AZ is looking better everyday.
Oh yes, taxes are atrocious. Twice as high from where we came from. They tax you here for everything, including labor.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by nitram

We have been here for the past 4 weeks in a suburb of NE Minneapolis. 3 days after arriving there were 3 tornadoes nearby with one hitting 1/4 mile near us. A week later 3 more tornadoes hit in the Minneapolis area. In the time frame that we've been here there has been over 10 inches of rain and the humidity is almost as bad a Florida.

The tornados in the metro are not really a common event. Every few years you'll have some in the area, but what you've seen is pretty rare. Bad timing.

Consider that the Twin Cities normally gets 25 inches of total precip a YEAR on average. It sounds like the Twin Cities has been hit with a couple of uncommon weather events in quick succession. I don't remember ever hearing about tornado activity in south Minneapolis in the 40 years I lived in the SW metro ... most tornados would hit the NW and north central burbs (Blaine, etc.), or bypass the metro completely and hammer Wisconsin instead.

Oh yes, taxes are atrocious. Twice as high from where we came from. They tax you here for everything, including labor.

Many groceries aren't taxed, and most sales tax is what? 6.5%? That isn't bad for a medium-sized metro. And properly taxes in Hennepin County were comparable to what I pay here in Cobb County GA these days (metro Atlanta). Most property taxes in the Atlanta area are higher.

Where did you come from?

[uptown_urbanist]

I've never seen a tornado in Minnesota. I've seen tornado damage, and I know people who have seen tornadoes, but the recent tornado that went through south Minneapolis was noteworthy because it was so unusual (there was another one that went through SW Minneapolis in the early '80s, I think; my old boss still talks about that.). Tornadoes can happen anywhere, but overall from the natural distaster standpoint MN is still a pretty safe place to live. To potential newcomers and recent arrivals, don't let recent weather scare you. To put it in perspective, MN doesn't have hurricanes, doesn't have earthquakes, floods aren't as an issue in most parts of the state, there aren't the wildfires like you find in places like southern California, etc. Even the tornadoes aren't as common in MN as in some states. From a nature/safety concern, cold weather is probably one of the most potentially dangerous things, but if you have a warm coat, don't get lost in the wilderness, and don't drive on not-quite-frozen lakes even that's not likely to be an issue.

[Slig]

I've lived in the Twin Cities for the high majority of my 27 years. Besides this last tornado in South Minneapolis I only remember one other tornado in the metro area, which happened in the Fridley/Blaine area back in 1987 or so. I lived in Blaine at the time and I remember having to go in the basement until the storm passed. That should give you a pretty good idea of how rare they are.

[LupeeJ]

Just wanted to say "Hello" and get some advice! My husband is in the Army and we currently live in Las Vegas....Yes, they actually do have houses here! Anyway, my husband and I and our 3 boys are going to be transferring to MN in January....I know we couldn't have picked a bettter month! I was hoping that soemone could give me some advice on what cities or towns are better for raising a family! I would like to be somewhere that is safe, has good schools, has alot to do with the kids, is close to all your festivities and is very pretty! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[nitram]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

The tornados in the metro are not really a common event. Every few years you'll have some in the area, but what you've seen is pretty rare. Bad timing.

Consider that the Twin Cities normally gets 25 inches of total precip a YEAR on average. It sounds like the Twin Cities has been hit with a couple of uncommon weather events in quick succession. I don't remember ever hearing about tornado activity in south Minneapolis in the 40 years I lived in the SW metro ... most tornados would hit the NW and north central burbs (Blaine, etc.), or bypass the metro completely and hammer Wisconsin instead.


Many groceries aren't taxed, and most sales tax is what? 6.5%? That isn't bad for a medium-sized metro. And properly taxes in Hennepin County were comparable to what I pay here in Cobb County GA these days (metro Atlanta). Most property taxes in the Atlanta area are higher.

Where did you come from?

From AZ. Ppty taxes at our AZ area are 1/2 of MN. No grocery taxes. And no taxes on any labor work as is in MN.
AZ also has no tornados, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or high humidity except for 6 weeks in the monsoon type season. Yes it gets hot in the summer, but it's a dry heat with little or no humidity 10 months out of the year.
About 1/2 of AZ winter population is from MN.
Thanx for your nice response.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by LupeeJ

Just wanted to say "Hello" and get some advice! My husband is in the Army and we currently live in Las Vegas....Yes, they actually do have houses here! Anyway, my husband and I and our 3 boys are going to be transferring to MN in January....I know we couldn't have picked a bettter month! I was hoping that soemone could give me some advice on what cities or towns are better for raising a family! I would like to be somewhere that is safe, has good schools, has alot to do with the kids, is close to all your festivities and is very pretty! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Lupee, hello and thanks!

I do not have anything against living in the metro area of any large city, its just that its not me. Ive lived in the cities and was born there moved away and returned many years later and lived in several different parts of the metro. E. St Paul, S Mpls., Golden Valley, RIchfield, Brooklyn Park, and others. I lived and worked there, didnt like it though. Five years I stayed, long enough for me! Hope to not have to live there again, thats just how I feel.

Ive lived in northern MN. my whole life, cant see any reason of living anywhere else for now. Have seen over forty northern winters, cant wait for the next one to come.

Dont have a snowblower though I have a 2.5 car garage with many feet of sidewalk to clear beings Im on a corner and the alley. Still shovel by hand and thats the way it is.

I cut split and stacked firewood for many years and sold wood by the cord 4x4x8'. Grew up hunting and hearing folks talk around the campfire. Listen to whats now classic country from the 60 70 and 80s. Some country that is today is "hot new country". Dont care for most of it. "Nothing like the steel guitar crying in the night"

Fiddles and banjos and guitars playing "Orange Blossom Special" at Rollag MN. on a Satrurday night after the sparks show in the machine shed. Going to country auctions and rodeos at a small town local fair, where theres dirt and no parking lot except for a field.

Living in such a state as Mn. going outside in the winter with carharts and sorrells, and the heavy pants that outside workers wear, having any color flannel shirt as long as its worn proud. You will fit in. Choppers and hand mitts will never go out of style.

Going up to Ely, Mn. for a day trip and driving back to Duluth after seeing all the sites, makes Duluth the prime distance. Duluth is close to all I like to do and places to go. Driving from the metro will add a good 5-6 hours drive time total up to Ely and back in one day, By the time you get there and spend two hours its now time to go home. Some day trip that would be, no thanks from me. Some way with Grand Marias.

I just think there is more to do in this part of the state that I enjoy. I enjoy all of Mn and any other state for that matter. One summer job I had was working at Mt. Rushmore in SD. Another summer job I had was Working at Yellowstone National Park. Another summer job I had was working in LaGrange GA. as a carpenters helper, boy was that a different kind of heat down there, was not used to that at all!!

For me the reasons are many for living in Duluth. Its just part of what and who Im about, the way I was raised up with working and learning lessons in life. In thre wintertime wood splits easiest, when its -25F and its time to go to work or on the lunch hour stepping outside to start up the truck for awhile, and knowing with confidence that the truck will start and having a good battery.

-10, -20, -30 F is the wintertime and you know its cold when they cancel school in Duluth and the ski slopes are even closed. Frostbite can happen in just a few minutes on exposed skin. People can and do die. It can be serious when in a blizzard. Sections of highways are closed and or blocked off in some blizzards.

Spring thaws can bring horrible flooding destroying all that is important.
People here are helpful and thoughtful. Most wont hesitate on giving the extra helping hand when needed.
Winter storms in Duluth can and do happen, but being prepared and not doing anything foolish all will be fine most likely. Camping fishing hiking in the remote areas with your sons and husband. All the beauty that is offered here found no where else, Lake Superior and beyond. The Fall colors!!

I love living in Duluth and all that it has to offer for me. Its where I will hopefully stay for awhile longer.

Thanks

[ZaraZoteBuccaneer]

Originally Posted by demtion35

Lupee, hello and thanks!


Ive lived in northern MN. my whole life, cant see any reason of living anywhere else for now. Have seen over forty northern winters, cant wait for the next one to come.

You are a true Minnesota boy. Kinda neat to see things through your eyes. This is the type of attitude that built Minnesota in the start. Cool to read your post. All of it. Even if someone doesn't like some of the elemental things you described, one has to admire your spirit about it.

[Shince]

I don't know what the previous writer meant by there not being "normal people" in the cities. The cities are diverse - culturally, religiously and racially (relatively speaking - this is Minnesota!); the suburbs are largely white; some are as much as 87% white.

[CO_Rider]

Originally Posted by Mucya

All the comments will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Take a look at Rochester, MN. Both IBM & Mayo Clinic there. Some nice small towns in any direction.
We lived there until retirement 16 yrs ago and then moved here to Western Colorado. Only thing keeping us from going back is the long cold winters. Much easier to handle when young like you.