How do you meet new people in MSP? (Minneapolis, Apple Valley: transplants, how much)
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It does seem like everyone in MSP has established there network of friends by the time they graduate from college?
If not by the time they meet their significant other they have join their network of friends.
What about those single men and women that find themselves now out of the loop because they are in there late 20's to late thirties that didn't get married like the rest of the group?
I grew up in rural MN my whole life and then moved to MSP area after college. I have always worked for a small to mid-size company in the suburbs that doesn't have all the benefits of the softball/v-ball leagues?
Most of my friends now are from WI and IA. They all have said, "How do you meet people after college in MSP other than co-workers??
Any ideas??
It does seem like everyone in MSP has established there network of friends by the time they graduate from college?
If not by the time they meet their significant other they have join their network of friends.
What about those single men and women that find themselves now out of the loop because they are in there late 20's to late thirties that didn't get married like the rest of the group?
I grew up in rural MN my whole life and then moved to MSP area after college. I have always worked for a small to mid-size company in the suburbs that doesn't have all the benefits of the softball/v-ball leagues?
Most of my friends now are from WI and IA. They all have said, "How do you meet people after college in MSP other than co-workers??
Any ideas??
I had EXACTLY the same issue when I moved to MN. My suggestions would be: There used to be a monthly get-together in Minneapolis that would meet at different bar/restuarant locations each time. I can't remember the name of it but I think it's something like "First Thursdays". Maybe if you looked it up online you could track it down. Or what about volunteering at, say, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley (I did that for several years and it's great fun) or the Minneapolis Institute of Art? You could also join the local YM/WCA or a running club.
It does seem like everyone in MSP has established there network of friends by the time they graduate from college?
If not by the time they meet their significant other they have join their network of friends.
What about those single men and women that find themselves now out of the loop because they are in there late 20's to late thirties that didn't get married like the rest of the group?
I grew up in rural MN my whole life and then moved to MSP area after college. I have always worked for a small to mid-size company in the suburbs that doesn't have all the benefits of the softball/v-ball leagues?
Most of my friends now are from WI and IA. They all have said, "How do you meet people after college in MSP other than co-workers??
Any ideas??
I had the same problem when I moved here from Texas. Minnesota nice is really just on the surface. Everyone seems to have their own little group and newcomers are not really as welcome as you would think.
You can try joining a non-profit group or volunteering. There are TONS of non-profit organizations in MSP. Humane Socity, Environmental groups, fishing/outdoors groups, National Organization for Women, and since this is a caucus state, the local political groups are always looking for people.
Try contacting the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits at http://www.mncn.org/ or the Non-Profit Yellowpages at http://nonprofityellowpages.org/ypsearch.asp and check out their member organization list. I am sure you will find something you are interested in...
Good luck!
Last edited by Navelinski; 05-07-2007 at 08:47 AM..
Reason: forgot to add a link
Join REI groups/clubs (camping, outdoor hiking events, canoing trips) if you are interested in the outdoors. Join the group of interest - don't make the mistake and join a dancing salsa group if you hate dancing. Be real and be honest with yourself. I met the best people in coffee shops that are attached to bookstores - highland park (favorite). Hooked up every Monday night and discussed current events - made it an outing. Good luck.
<I had the same problem when I moved here from Texas. Minnesota nice is really just on the surface. Everyone seems to have their own little group and newcomers are not really as welcome as you would think.>
Funny - I had the same problem when I did the exact opposite move - from Minnesota to Texas - a few years ago. I was used to a supportive network of friends in Minnesota, but in Texas I thought I must have had the plague or something. They were nice enough, but nobody went out of their way to get very close to me (and I'm not that bad of a person).
When I moved back to Minnesota, after being away for quite a while, I wanted to establish a new network of friends. Many of my old friends had moved on, and frankly I had new interests and pursuits and I wanted friends who had that in common.
I found 2 places that worked well: 1st, church. Now, I fully recognize that not everyone is a churchgoer or wants to get too involved in their church, but if you are the church type, this can be a great way to get to know people. 2nd, my running club. I found a very active running club online, who got together a few times a week to run together (I can only make it about once a week). These people were friendly, warm, and embracing, and most importantly we had a common interest that bonded us.
we've been here 9yrs and agree that it is really hard to meet new friends here. We've really just given up. Tried every group club, etc. turns out minnesotans seem to be more interested in making a new friend if you are FROM here originally. Then to be honest you'll be good enough. If you're from some other state, they won't be interested. we've really just felt ignored by them. Truly it's a weird tough place to make friends. We've tried it all. Minnesota nice is a surface, hi how are you. Not a true interest in making a new friend.
And I'm from Minnesota.
While I haven't lived there for nearly 10 years-- my same group of friends from high school is still very close. It's especially true of the ones still in MN. When we get together, it's the same crew.
I'm not sure what it is. I think it is an Upper Midwest thing. It happens here in the Green Bay/Appleton, WI area too. People are nice on the surface-- but are very hard to get to know if you are not "from here". It's not that way in Michigan or Illinois, for example.
I think people from MN/WI kind of have a superiority complex when it comes to outsiders. Maybe it's because so often, these states, and the cities in them are so consistently high ranked when it comes to quality of life. People tend to look down at people who aren't "born and bred".
But, I agree. It's really weird. I've heard the same sentiments from others that have moved to MN/WI. And I notice it, having lived elsewhere. Minnesotans and Wisconsinites seem offended if you move away-- and then come back.
Why is it that every thread becomes some gripe session? A guy asks for some ideas on how to meet people in Minneapolis, and everyone begins talking about how much things suck.
And motown, so suggest that Michigan is an easier place to meet people than here is a head-scratcher. Maybe I was missing there whatever you were missing here.
The only place I've lived in between the coasts where it was genuinely easy to meet people was Chicago. So many people there are youthful, energetic transplants, that you seem to meet new friends every single day.
I didn't have trouble meeting people when I moved to MN, but then again, I wasn't waiting for them to come to me either.
I once knew a lady who moved here from the south. From the moment she got here, she had the greener grass syndrome. Talking about how everything down there was better, how Minnesota doesn't compare, etc. I kept thinking - "if you don't like Minnesota, I have no problem with that... but why in the world don't you move back to Georgia?"
Rule #1 - If you want to make new friends here, it is best to not complian incessantly about our State. You don't have to fall in love with it, but it is a turnoff if 90% of your conversation is ripping on someone's home. I'm guessing that goes for any part of the country.
There are plenty of ways to meet people here. Through work, neighborhood stuff, healthclubs, church, sporting events, etc. It is true that people already have some tight networks, but there are lots of people like me who are more than happy to make a nice new friend, whether they grew up in Anoka or Alaska.
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How do you meet new people in MSP?
