Relocating to Winona (Minneapolis, Rochester: crime rate, home search, schools)

[cyclonejen]

Please share info on Winona as we are considering a job offer. One of the important things is education (we have a 1.5 year old).

Is Winona most blue collar, white collar?
Where are nice areas to start a home search?
etc, etc, etc..

I'd appreciate any opinions which will help our decision!!

[Kristi Gardner]

I sent your request to a couple of people I know that actually live there. I live in Onalaska, WI. It is 1/2 hour south of Winona on the WI side of the Mississippi. Winona is an ecletic town...especially for the midwest. It seems to have a lot going for it with culture, sports, religion, political groups and a variety of different schools to choose from. It has a number of different festivals including the Shakespear festival, Steamboat days and Huckfinn Days. There are a number of small communities within 1 hour that have a variety of small town activities. The twin cities (Minneapolis and St Paul.."big city") are 2 1/2 hours to the north, Rochester (Mayo Clinic) is 1 hour away and LaCrosse is just 1/2 hour. Housing is very affordable. The crime rate is low. The traffic is minimal. The scenery is beautiful. There are organic stores, a university, a seminary ...as I said ..eclectic. I personally have considered moving there. The people that I know who do live there really love it. Good luck making your decision.