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It's probably more comparable to Denver and Portland than what you're seeking. The northeastern cities are probably what you're looking for....more formal, fast-paced, career-driven, people wearing shirt & tie on a Saturday workday, etc along with those long-established entertainment options during downtime.
Minneapolis absolutely does have a cosmopolitan feel. It's the anchor of a 3.4 million person metro area so It can't be THAT small. It's got a high standard of living, and a very professional feel with all of the companies anchored there. Compare it to Denver and Portland if you want, but those cities cover a land area almost 3 times that of "Minne" it's not a fair gauge. If the Twin cities merged governments they'd have more people than both, and still be 40sq mi smaller.
Based on the things described in your OP I'd say it'd be worth at least taking a look. The Twin Cities hit on all points you have described, you will find the cultural component particularly surprising. In terms of the mindset and how people live, it is not going be laid back hipster centric and casual as Denver or Portland. One caveat and the only thing people can really gripe about is the sometimes bitter cold that hits the cities. It is the winter version of Phoenix if you will.
HK, Singapore and London sound fantastic but for now I'm trying to stay local )
I get it, but your post just screamed HK to me. With Singapore fitting just as well. Your earning potential would probably take quite a hit though, unless you were transferred over by a US company paying an ex-pat salary.
Anyway, based on your concern over Minneapolis' size and cosmopolitan feel, I'm pretty much thinking you have just a few options:
NYC, DC and Chicago. Perhaps Philly, Boston and SF, although with SF you'd be confined to small areas trying to avoid the alternative lifestyles.
Houston is a fine city. But it seems the overall culture there would not jive with what you seek. Someone like you could fit in, but you seem to want a majority of people to be like you which would not be the case.
Houston is laid back but NYC, DC, or Chicago best fits you. Out of all three NYC and DC will give you the highest pay but also the higher cost of living. DC is a very beautiful city, very cosmopolitan and has lots of things to do. Very hustle and bustle and you have your type A person, you're surrounded by young business professionals. NYC and DC are both very expensive so that's one take back.
I get it, but your post just screamed HK to me. With Singapore fitting just as well. Your earning potential would probably take quite a hit though, unless you were transferred over by a US company paying an ex-pat salary.
Anyway, based on your concern over Minneapolis' size and cosmopolitan feel, I'm pretty much thinking you have just a few options:
NYC, DC and Chicago. Perhaps Philly, Boston and SF, although with SF you'd be confined to small areas trying to avoid the alternative lifestyles.
Houston is a fine city. But it seems the overall culture there would not jive with what you seek. Someone like you could fit in, but you seem to want a majority of people to be like you which would not be the case.
Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful reply!
I would love to live in a city like Singapore but right now a city like Chicago would have more opportunities in my field. The cost of living is also relatively low, which is a huge plus since I prefer not to live paycheck to paycheck (and who doesn't )
Consider Minneapolis, as the weather alone will force you to continue being a workaholic! Lived there for 21 years. Those long winters, what else is there to do but work-work-work or drink-drink-drink!
Thank you all for your replies, it helps me a lot to make the best decision.
I noted that LA hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet. Is the culture there more leisure oriented?
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