Opinions of Rochester, MN? (Minneapolis: neighborhoods, schools, live)

[bipeguy]

SBelle, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I was on vacation.

Rochester has a plethera of cultures. With the Mayo Clinic being a teaching hospital and IBM computers and the canning plant that draws migrant workers, there are many classes here. There is plenty to do and many jobs available for those who are willing to work. Schools are here to further your education if you wish and that will help you get into a better paying job as well.

My opinion is simple...we're all here makin' a buck and trying to live life the best we can. We live by the "Golden Rule" and hope others do as well. If you don't, the law will catch up to you.

Best of luck to you
Bipeguy

[SBelle]

Thanks Bipeguy!!!

[grayslove]

My fiance and myself are thinking of relocating to rochester he is in the computer fieled of working and i am a photographer/artist and we both want to take more college courses to broaden our horizons. I had a few questions though i was hoping someone could answer for me, I have done alot of online research about this wonderful town and it sounds too good to be true! this doesnt daunt my loving hubby to be, but i am a bit more cautious and wondered about a few things. Is the job market good there? is it easy to find work as he is from the uk and im a us citazen, is there any problems with people from other countries like england? or will we fit right in?were both in the under 40 age bracket. another thing is we kind of want a quiet area to live in what parts are suggested? also i am worried about the flooding i heard on the news today.Is flooding a problem there? and how is the realestate market? from what ive seen houses go for about 159,000 for a 4 bedroom, also how are the neigbors we are kinda looking for a downhome feel with good people. basicaly a good place to raise our future in. thank you for any help!

[Ibtannin]

answered in your other thread lol

[localinsight]

Dear grayslove,
Does your boyfriend already have a job? IBM is here but they haven't been hiring for a while. In fact, they have downsized. You might want to check on that. There are probably some areas, like technical service, that are ok. Sorry I can't be more helpful, I'm not in the computer area.
How did you come to pick Rochester? It seems that the twin cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) would have more to offer someone in the arts. Is there a particular program you would specifically come here for?
It is a good sized city, very safe overall. I think it would be easy to relocate here. If you wanted to move up to the cities, it's only 1 1/2 hours away.
Good luck.

[kathy55439]

there are lots of nice small towns near by. MN housing in high in any city area.....

[grayslove]

does anyone know what towns are nearbye the cities then? or outside rochester? any help is apreaciated

[pinemouse]

I am probably not doing this right, but I wanted to know if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me?

My family and I will be moving to the Rochester area in Dec. from IL. We have five kids, 19, 18, 15, 6 & 3.
Here are my questions, ANY help is so greatly appreciated!!!

Our oldest is in college in IL, and we are trying to find a way for him to be able to meet friends his age, in MN, (on his breaks and holidays home from college) so he will not always want to go back to IL and look forward to coming to MN.

Any ideas on how he can meet new friends his age during these times? He is very athletic, (loves lacrosse, football, basketball and working out) and will be getting a degree in criminal justice and very sociable. I know this may sound odd, but I am a desperate Mom trying to keep my son close to a home he doesn't know, instead of always going back to IL!!

My husband will be working in Dodge Center, any recommendations on any areas with a good commute for my husband and a nice place to live that one could have a few acres and a horse or two would be great!

Also if anyone can suggest or comment on the best high schools, elementary & preschools for "new kids", whether private or public in the area?

And last but not least any suggestions on Lutheran churches, ELCA, in the area?

Whew!!!
Again any help is greatly appreciated, ( I know I'm asking a lot)
Thanks so much!!!!

[mgmstar]

I lived in Rochester for about five years. My husband worked at Mayo in the computer field. I worked in engineering. He was always worrying about IBM laying off workers and housing prices dropping (in case we had to sell). We both agreed we didn't care for the conservative politics in that town either.

We lived in the Elton Hills neighborhood where, at that time, three bedroom ramblers were selling for $65,000. They are now around $150,000. These are very nice houses built in the 50's with decent sized yards.

If I were to move back to Rochester I would choose to live in the northeast area, either up in the northern heights area or further out. Some of the northern heights houses have awesome views of the city.

I periodically search for job openings in Rochester and very rarely find anything in my field but you might be luckier.

Here's a good website for checking house prices. You can search by zip code too. Rochester, Byron and Stewartville, Minnesota Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale - Jolene Dosdall - NUMBER1EXPERT™

Also the newspaper is called Rochester Post Bulletin and they have a website you could check to get a feel for what's happening.

I loved Quarry Hill Nature Center for xc skiing and hiking. And there are some nice state parks in that part of the state.

Rochester is very hilly so the chance of your house flooding out is minimal...unless you insist on living in a flood plain.

I wouldn't mind living there again if I weren't living in Shangri-La right now!

[pinemouse]

Thank so much for the information!!