Commuting in bad weather (Minneapolis, St. Paul: renting, HOA, to buy)

[jxr182gmail]

I'm sure you guys get tired of weather questions so let me apologize in advance. My partner and I are looking at relocating to Bloomington for a job I've been offered there. We are from Oklahoma City and love the idea of moving up north to a more open minded and naturally beautiful area, but I'm worried about the weather. Oklahoma City has a few salt trucks, but when snow hits, a couple of inches shuts everything down and work is called off for a day or two. I know this will not be the case in Minneapolis since you guys are more prepared for that sort of thing, but to be realistic could I expect to live in Minneapolis or St. Paul and make it to work in Bloomington in bad weather? How tolerant are people of just plain not being able to make it up there due to weather, or are the road crews such pros it's not even an issue?
Thanks guys!

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by jxr182gmail

I'm sure you guys get tired of weather questions so let me apologize in advance. My partner and I are looking at relocating to Bloomington for a job I've been offered there. We are from Oklahoma City and love the idea of moving up north to a more open minded and naturally beautiful area, but I'm worried about the weather. Oklahoma City has a few salt trucks, but when snow hits, a couple of inches shuts everything down and work is called off for a day or two. I know this will not be the case in Minneapolis since you guys are more prepared for that sort of thing, but to be realistic could I expect to live in Minneapolis or St. Paul and make it to work in Bloomington in bad weather? How tolerant are people of just plain not being able to make it up there due to weather, or are the road crews such pros it's not even an issue?
Thanks guys!

In general, you'll typically have a harder time making it in and out of your driveway than commuting in even the worst weather.

[1stpontiac]

Originally Posted by jxr182gmail

I'm sure you guys get tired of weather questions so let me apologize in advance. My partner and I are looking at relocating to Bloomington for a job I've been offered there. We are from Oklahoma City and love the idea of moving up north to a more open minded and naturally beautiful area, but I'm worried about the weather. Oklahoma City has a few salt trucks, but when snow hits, a couple of inches shuts everything down and work is called off for a day or two. I know this will not be the case in Minneapolis since you guys are more prepared for that sort of thing, but to be realistic could I expect to live in Minneapolis or St. Paul and make it to work in Bloomington in bad weather? How tolerant are people of just plain not being able to make it up there due to weather, or are the road crews such pros it's not even an issue?
Thanks guys!

Everyone else will be in the same boat as you, so people will be tolerant unless you act completely terrified and refuse to drive when there is only a minor dusting.

Generally, though, commuting will only be a problem a few days each winter. For a couple of inches, you'll want to leave some extra time, but there are so many more trucks and crews here that the major roads will be passable pretty quickly. It takes a pretty major dump to shut down roads for more than a day after it stops (although it can happen).

The hardest part of your commute will likely be getting off of your own residential street, particularly if it is a small one that is low on the clearing priority list.

[rogead]

I carry a pair of titanium snowshoes in the back of the car...just in case...

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by rogead

I carry a pair of titanium snowshoes in the back of the car...just in case...

I tried those once but the racket they made after I tied them to my tires was unbearable.

[redwolf fan]

How about reality,folks?

It depends what time of the day the snow falls.

Even a few inches at rush hour will create chaos.

I recall watching the 6:00 news on KSTP5 and hearing them report of all the acciodents and delays.

No,Minnesotans do not know how to drive in snow if it happens during rush hour !

[chilaili]

One thing to consider: Your workplace may not allow for snow days. My old employer's attitude was that if the building never closed and people could make it in (never mind where from) then snowdays didn't exist. If you didn't make it in, you took it as a vacation day. For the most part, the main roads, freeways and especially in downtown St Paul will get plowed first. Side streets and suburbs later in the day. If you are renting, check with the landlords what their snow removal plan is like - do they have onsite blowers or guys that shovel? If you choose to buy, see if there's an HOA and check with them. And start reading the posts about how to drive in the snow and what kind of car/tires you might need and what to keep in the car for emergencies.

[Kebinminn]

Commuting in bad weather just sucks. The street crews are good but there's a lot of snow and a lot of cars and they can't keep up most of the time. Expect your commute to double or, most likely, triple when the snow flies.

Employers understand traffic delays due to weather but the reality is that people commute from all over. Not being able to get to Bloomington from South Mpls won't fly when you have someone coming from the northern suburbs.

[golfgal]

I disagree with Red Wolf, most Minnesotans DO know how to drive in rush hour in bad weather, however, there is always that one person that thinks their car is impervious to bad weather that causes accidents.


Minneapolis to Bloomington will not be an issue in bad weather because you can take the surface streets, most likely, vs the freeways/highways. There is negligible commute time difference on the surface streets even during the worst weather because the speed limits pretty much prevent the above person from causing problems.

[Ben Around]

Transit options are good in the Metro, particularly in the cities and inner ring burbs. I use it to get to work. On snowy days, I'm often at work on time while my co-workers who drive in are late (and cranky when they get there!). The transit system NEVER shuts down.