Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Has anyone spent considerable amounts of time in these two areas? I'm considering a move to one of these locations later this year and still not sure which is a better fit.
The factors I am most concerned about are:
Economy
COL
Rental Availability, Quality, Prices, etc.
Social Scene
Local Culture (people wise)
Cultural Activities
Outdoor Options
Air and Water Quality
Food Scene
General Cleanliness (Portland looks crappy and grungy)
How are they similar and different?
The only thing I like about Portland is the high quality of food you can buy here at the stores and farmers markets, etc. The water is decent too.
What are your preferences regarding "outdoor options?" The cities are probably pretty equal across the board, so this category may be the only thing you have to discern one from the other. If you're more into trail hiking, camping, etc, Denver is the better pick. If you're more into water sports, boating, etc, Twin Cities is a better choice.
Has anyone spent considerable amounts of time in these two areas? I'm considering a move to one of these locations later this year and still not sure which is a better fit.
How are they similar and different?
I know both of these areas well. Minneapolis - St. Paul tops Denver.
- Economy - Minneapolis / St. Paul has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and has a large number of Fortune 1000 and private companies headquartered there. Denver is no slouch either with a pretty low unemployment rate and growing economy.
- COL - Pretty close
- Rental Availability, Quality, Prices, etc. - Pretty close in regards to availability and quality, but Denver has higher home prices.
- Social Scene - Pretty close - it would be pretty easy for you to network in both cities.
- Local Culture (people wise) - Minneapolis / St. Paul - take a look at the musicians / bands that have come out of the Twin Cities area (i.e. Bob Dylan, Prince, etc...)
- Cultural Activities - The core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are more diverse and have events like the Hmong New Year you can attend
- Outdoor Options - Depends on what outdoor activities you are into
- General Cleanliness (Portland looks crappy and grungy) - Both are pretty clean, but Minneapolis / St. Paul is one of the cleanest areas in the country.
It's tough. Denver is much warmer climate wise. Minneapolis has much nicer people (Denver is jerk-central). Both have their share of traffic jams and mousetraps.
Denver is closer to skiing.
MSP has amazing Farmer's markets.
Best areas to actually live in each are the suburbs. For MSP it's Edina, Eden Prarie, etc. Den: Lookout Mountain, etc.
It's tough. Denver is much warmer climate wise. Minneapolis has much nicer people (Denver is jerk-central). Both have their share of traffic jams and mousetraps.
Not necessarily true:
Major US cities that normally have freezing temperatures, of 32 °F (0 °C) or less, on over 100 days each year
This proves you can slant statistics to show whatever you want. Compare the average daily high temps and you get a much different picture.
Average December highs: Minneapolis 27.1 and Denver 43.3
Average January highs: Minneapolis 23.7 and Denver 44.5
Average February highs: Minneapolis 28.9 and Denver 46.1
The higher number of days below 32 degrees is only due to the low humidity of Denver that contributes to the large daily swing of temperatures.
Well, how about this - I've experienced both during the winter and Denver gets freakin cold too. I was in Denver for Christmas and it was COLD. Anyone who says it doesn't is either in some weird denial or has never been there.
BTW, I'm not denying Minneapolis has more severe winters.
That's an extremely misleading statistic. Denver's climate is considerably drier than the Twin Cities and the rate of radiational cooling here is much higher. Diurnal swings of 30+ degrees are commonplace - even in the summer.
Highs in Denver during the dead of winter are 15-20 degrees warmer than M/SP.
Average Daily High
Fall/Winter
Date Denver M/SP
10/01 72 65
11/01 59 50
12/01 45 32
01/01 43 24
02/01 44 25
03/01 50 34
Summer
06/01 77 74
07/01 87 83
08/01 90 83
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
