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I could have also gone with Des Moines vs Minneapolis, as those are the main areas I want to compare, but I think the differences could apply elsewhere.
I'm curious what differences you have noticed if you have lived in both states (or spent significant time there). Obviously there are some weather differences, more culture/arts/sports/restaurants in Minneapolis, the different terrain to the north, the lakes, the politics. I'm looking for little things you didn't expect to be different - positive or negative. It could be anything: specific foods, some weird different plants, how people drive, things homes have or don't have, general vibe - whatever you might think of. I'm assuming they would be more similar than moving to other parts of the country, but maybe there are a few things. If you moved from one to the other, what did you love/hate/miss?
The politics aren't really that different, what creates that difference is the population distribution. Minnesota is blue because so much of it's population is in the Twin Cities urban area. Des Moines doesn't dominate Iowa's population base enough. The rural areas in both states are very red, and the urban areas are very blue. Minnesota is much more urban, and therefore much more liberal.
A really big one is how sports allegiances sort out: Iowa is rabid about college sports. Iowa's stadium holds 68K, Iowa State's stadium holds 61K, and both schools regularly sell out. Minnesota, the only D1 college in the state holds 50K and struggles mightily with interest and attendance. They're completely focused on their pro teams, and the Gophers are a complete after thought. Iowa has no pro teams, and while people get into pro sports, they're far less passionate about professional sports than Minnesotans. Hockey is massive in Minnesota, and almost non-existent in Iowa. Wrestling and basketball seem more important, especially at the collegiate level in Iowa. Iowa wrestling and Iowa State basketball have religious followings.
Food is a little different too. Minnesota has a far stronger Scandinavian influence, and Iowa a stronger German one. That's not to say there aren't Scandinavian influences in Iowa or German influences in Minnesota (Decorah and New Ulm standout). In Minnesota you see more casseroles and hot dishes at potlucks. Iowa seems more focused on grilling or BBQ, particularly with pork products. Pork chops and brats. Sweet corn seems like a bigger deal in Iowa, where fall products (apples and pumpkin) are bigger in Minnesota.
Both places are very friendly and helpful, but Iowans are more modest and almost self-deprecating, while Minnesotans are very proud (almost to the point of arrogance). Very similar to Texas.
Minnesotans have a more positive relationship with winter. Everyone is either into snowmobiling, skiing, ice fishing, whatever. You see this same mindset in far northern Iowa, but by the time you get to Des Moines, people just kind of hibernate that time of year. They don't get enough snow to really experience those winter activities, but it's almost never nice enough to engage in your regular outdoor activities on a year-round basis either.
Driving seems to be a big difference too. From the Iowa side of the fence, it seems like Minnesota drivers have two modes: they're either going 30 MPH over the speed limit blowing past everyone, or they're sitting in the left lane, going 65, and getting passed on the right. There's no in between. I think that comes down to whether that Minnesotan is part of the Twin Cities commuter circle, or lives in the rural part of the state. Minnesotans complain that Iowa drivers "don't know what they're doing" which usually just means they're in a new place and confused.
One thing I noticed in Minn. that may (or may not) apply to Iowa is the notable presence of Native Americans. In both the cities and rural areas of Minn. that I visited, tribal nations and their citizens were not uncommon at all. There was some prejudice against them, but also a lot of recognition for their culture and contributions. I don’t know if the same exists in Iowa.
One thing I noticed in Minn. that may (or may not) apply to Iowa is the notable presence of Native Americans. In both the cities and rural areas of Minn. that I visited, tribal nations and their citizens were not uncommon at all. There was some prejudice against them, but also a lot of recognition for their culture and contributions. I don’t know if the same exists in Iowa.
No, because Iowa has far fewer reservations.
Minnesota has some large reservations in the northern part of the state, as well as a reservation within the Minneapolis metro. Those tribes also have significant political influence with their casinos and the revenue generated therein.
Iowa only has one reservation (for the Meskwaki), and it's quite small. The tribes that had the most historical dominance in what is now Iowa (the Sioux, Iowa, and Omaha) have reservations in the Dakotas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Iowa's main recognition of Native Americans is through place names. A large number of towns, rivers, counties, etc in Iowa are named after tribes, chiefs, or retained the original indigenous name.
What's interesting to me, Minnesotans see Iowa as a neighboring state akin to themselves. But when I've spent time in IA, they very much seem to associate themselves with IL more. They root for the Bears and what not. Much of Iowa seemed to have a "Chicago overflow" sentiment to me.
Not to state the obvious, but Iowa is more of a passthrough state than MN, as is evidenced by the giant truck stop on route 80. Iowa City is a great college town with a wonderful ped mall. MN views itself, and takes pride in its association with the north, cold, etc. Whereas IA gets much of its identity from farming.
Both state have outsized state fairs that very much set the example for the country, and they share in the drift less region, which is much more beautiful than most Americans would know. I'm talking about places like McGregor, Dubuque, Deborah in Iowa, and Wabasha and Red Wing in MN.
Both also share in a very German/Scandinavian heritage.
In Iowa, they call Sloppy Joes by 2 other names, Maid Rites or "loose meat" sandwiches. All 3 names sounds unappealing to me personally, haha.
Speaking of the largest cities, they are similar in form, different in scale. Both are anchored to a skyway system (Iowa calls them Sky "Walks" however), have a large University, etc.
What's interesting to me, Minnesotans see Iowa as a neighboring state akin to themselves. But when I've spent time in IA, they very much seem to associate themselves with IL more. They root for the Bears and what not. Much of Iowa seemed to have a "Chicago overflow" sentiment to me.
Not to state the obvious, but Iowa is more of a passthrough state than MN, as is evidenced by the giant truck stop on route 80. Iowa City is a great college town with a wonderful ped mall. MN views itself, and takes pride in its association with the north, cold, etc. Whereas IA gets much of its identity from farming.
Both state have outsized state fairs that very much set the example for the country, and they share in the drift less region, which is much more beautiful than most Americans would know. I'm talking about places like McGregor, Dubuque, Deborah in Iowa, and Wabasha and Red Wing in MN.
Both also share in a very German/Scandinavian heritage.
In Iowa, they call Sloppy Joes by 2 other names, Maid Rites or "loose meat" sandwiches. All 3 names sounds unappealing to me personally, haha.
Speaking of the largest cities, they are similar in form, different in scale. Both are anchored to a skyway system (Iowa calls them Sky "Walks" however), have a large University, etc.
I think that "Chicago overflow" kind of dies west of Iowa City (which is very influenced by Chicago - there are as many kids from Illinois at U of I as there are kids from Iowa). In the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, and Dubuque, that's quite true. Des Moines is more linked to Kansas City, northern Iowa more to Minnesota, Wisconsin, or South Dakota (depending on orientation east to west), and western Iowa to Omaha/Lincoln.
Sloppy Joes and Maid Rites/loose meats are two different things. Maid Rites/loose meats have no binding sauce. Sloppy Joes have a binding sauce.
What's interesting to me, Minnesotans see Iowa as a neighboring state akin to themselves. But when I've spent time in IA, they very much seem to associate themselves with IL more. They root for the Bears and what not. Much of Iowa seemed to have a "Chicago overflow" sentiment to me.
In terms of sports, yes. Lots of Chicago fans here (and KC). As far as associating with the people, I don't see it so much. But Illinois feels very similar to Iowa outside of Chicago.
It's funny that you say that about Minnesotans though. I've always thought of Minnesota (and residents) as similar to Iowa, but I've met Minnesotans who clearly didn't feel the same. I have a friend (nice person, lol) who laughed and emphatically disagreed with me on this topic.
The only part of Iowa that seemed like Minnesota to me was the far northern part of the state, north of Mason City. The rest of the state has a more Illinois feel.
In terms of sports, yes. Lots of Chicago fans here (and KC). As far as associating with the people, I don't see it so much. But Illinois feels very similar to Iowa outside of Chicago.
It's funny that you say that about Minnesotans though. I've always thought of Minnesota (and residents) as similar to Iowa, but I've met Minnesotans who clearly didn't feel the same. I have a friend (nice person, lol) who laughed and emphatically disagreed with me on this topic.
I attended high school in Minnesota, and my brother lives in St Paul.
Minnesotans respond with something bordering on disgust when they find out you're from Iowa. They honestly view Iowans as inferior humans and want little association with them.
Minnesotans respond with something bordering on disgust when they find out you're from Iowa. They honestly view Iowans as inferior humans and want little association with them.
Yes, exactly.
And I daresay there's a bit of that from Iowans when it comes to Missouri. Maybe it's related to the different accents...
Last edited by scatteredthunder; 09-14-2023 at 09:04 AM..
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