Looking for an equidistant town between Mankato and St. Paul (Chanhassen: construction, living)

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Good point. Either way, having a commute to Mankato and St. Paul is just not going to work. On the east coast where you can travel for 90 miles and never really get out of "the city" it's a different story--especially with the train systems, etc. It's just not the same thing here.

Plus the OP is probably not going to be living on a state highway, anyway, so the biggest challenge some days may be getting from their house to a main highway. There's a reason there are more school closings and delays outstate than in the cities. It takes time to plow all those county roads. Apparently longer than the streets of Minneapolis.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Plus the OP is probably not going to be living on a state highway, anyway, so the biggest challenge some days may be getting from their house to a main highway. There's a reason there are more school closings and delays outstate than in the cities. It takes time to plow all those county roads. Apparently longer than the streets of Minneapolis.

Plowing is one thing but it's really the blowing snow and reduced visibility that is responsible for the closings more often than not. We lived "in town" and would wonder why schools were closed but get to the edge of town and you couldn't see across the street. There is just nothing blocking the wind out there.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Having driven in major rural roads for 15+ years in all kinds of different winter weather, I beg to differ.

Please provide examples of routes that have had issues and specific times where you had problems with the commute. Where in the state? Which roads? What kinds of issues?

General statements don't mean much, GG. I drove rather a lot in the wintertime on rural roads in MN in the 25 years or so I lived up there, mainly in the western, southwestern, and south central parts of the state, and I also know the 169 route between Mankato and the Twin Cities rather well, tho obviously not recently.

Other than immediately around a relatively major snowstorm, travel on those roads is not all that exciting, and there aren't very many variables.

A commute on 169 would be trivial. As others have said, sideroads can certainly be a big issue, but we aren't talking about those. Are we?

[golfgal]

13, 169, 35, 19, 22, 99, 4, 212, 59, 23

Those are just the major roads. Have you ever LIVED in rural MN?

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Please provide examples of routes that have had issues and specific times where you had problems with the commute. Where in the state? Which roads? What kinds of issues?

General statements don't mean much, GG. I drove rather a lot in the wintertime on rural roads in MN in the 25 years or so I lived up there, mainly in the western, southwestern, and south central parts of the state, and I also know the 169 route between Mankato and the Twin Cities rather well, tho obviously not recently.

Other than immediately around a relatively major snowstorm, travel on those roads is not all that exciting, and there aren't very many variables.

A commute on 169 would be trivial. As others have said, sideroads can certainly be a big issue, but we aren't talking about those. Are we?

I think that was the point that golfgal and I were trying to make, rc: that a relatively major snowstorm would play havoc with a commute from New Prague or a similar spot to either the cities or Mankato. It would be very long commute by Twin Cities standards, but our point was that in a winter storm (or flooding) it wouldn't be doable at all, at least not in a time frame that could ensure that the OP would be getting to work or back safely or on time. I also think that we are talking about the side roads, as the topic at hand was commuting between Mankato and the cities which would likely include some side roads.

[golfgal]

Since we have moved to the Twin Cities area, our kids have had ONE snow day--and that was really for fog--in almost 8 years. Towns like New Prague and points south tend to have 3-4 snow days/year. There were times in SW MN where we had a snow day almost every week. Unless you have lived through it, you just don't understand the difference being in the open farm country makes.

Also, looking back at snow fall totals for that year '02-03, the Twin Cities had about 15 inches of snow all winter, most of it in March. Less then 4" fell Dec-Feb.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by golfgal

13, 169, 35, 19, 22, 99, 4, 212, 59, 23

Those are just the major roads. Have you ever LIVED in rural MN?

*rolls eyes*

In my experience, my dear, you're blowing smoke. Sorry. And yes I have, and I've had a number of relatives who have lived in rural MN and rural SD.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

I think that was the point that golfgal and I were trying to make, rc: that a relatively major snowstorm would play havoc with a commute from New Prague or a similar spot to either the cities or Mankato. It would be very long commute by Twin Cities standards, but our point was that in a winter storm (or flooding) it wouldn't be doable at all, at least not in a time frame that could ensure that the OP would be getting to work or back safely or on time. I also think that we are talking about the side roads, as the topic at hand was commuting between Mankato and the cities which would likely include some side roads.

I agree that winter storms and flood season can play havoc. I said that. What do you guys want?

Other than those events, which are relatively few and far between, such a commute isn't all that bad, which was my entire fricking point.

[Ghengis]

school snow closings and regular people needing to go to work are the same? I'll be sure to remember to pass that on to my boss next time.

[Kebinminn]

I do understand how roads can be worse in the country, I lived in South Central MN for several years and blowing snow can make a difference. I wouldn't say if happens all of the time but light snow and wind can look different in the boonies than it does in the city.

With that said many people commute from St Cloud to the cities or Wisconsin to the west side. It's not ideal but I see no reason why two people can't do it. Just keep in mind that you may want to be prepared to stay in a hotel in Mankato if the roads are too windy and get a roadside assistance plan.

I'd suggest the Shakopee area.