Transplants, What Surprised You About the Twin Cities? (Minneapolis, Eden Prairie: best city, live)

[Kiltmadoc]

I have repeatedly been surprised about how much the twin cities have the same feel as I recall San Francisco felt in the the late 70's-80's. People are mellow, there are many interesting things going on and there is easy access to lots of "culture" should one desire.

[rzzz]

The bike paths are great, probably the best I've seen anywhere in the USA.

The downtown is very 'dead' compared to other places I've lived, and even compared to itself 20 years ago.

A new micro brew tap room opens up seemingly every week.

Drivers are bad, but in a different way than most areas. Frustration occurs because someone is driving too slow in the left lane, slows down in the merge lane, or does not take their turn at a 4 way stop.

Nice rentals are surprisingly expensive, but there are many inexpensive homes available to buy.

[Ghengis]

I'd say my biggest surprise after being gone for several years and out of touch due to a somewhat forced circumstance beyond my immediate control, was all the new furniture in the house in which I grew up in. It also surprised the new residents to find I was familar with the home's layout and resulted in new locks being installed not long after my release...err, I mean return.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

I'd say my biggest surprise after being gone for several years and out of touch due to a somewhat forced circumstance beyond my immediate control, was all the new furniture in the house in which I grew up in. It also surprised the new residents to find I was familar with the home's layout and resulted in new locks being installed not long after my release...err, I mean return.

And Gary Cuozzo is no longer throwing incomplete passes in the direction of Dave Osborn any more.

I know--it takes some getting used to....

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by Old Prospector

What surprised me the most is how slow traffic moves. Drivers are definitely more "cautious" here compared to some of the larger markets that I've lived. The speed limits are usually slower as well. I've noticed a lot of people driving under the speed limit in the passing lanes. Merging is more difficult since people often don't slow down or speed up to let you in. And what's with all of the cloverleaf interchanges here? Talk about a dangerous design. Add the summer construction (169 being closed) and all of the freeways with only two lanes has made me very frustrated during my commute.

Bingo. My gf and I find this to be the most annoying thing living here since leaving L.A. We are used to driving *fast* and merging at faster speeds. Now I find myself driving slower in the passing lane as well since we are readjusting to every one else's speed and not wanting to attract police attention.

On the plus side it is SO nice to just drive the speed limit and enjoy the day without the manic, 75+mph stop and go craziness that is Los Angeles traffic where every day that you come home without being in an accident is considered a pretty good day.

[Old Prospector]

Originally Posted by wushuliu

Bingo. My gf and I find this to be the most annoying thing living here since leaving L.A. We are used to driving *fast* and merging at faster speeds. Now I find myself driving slower in the passing lane as well since we are readjusting to every one else's speed and not wanting to attract police attention.

On the plus side it is SO nice to just drive the speed limit and enjoy the day without the manic, 75+mph stop and go craziness that is Los Angeles traffic where every day that you come home without being in an accident is considered a pretty good day.

I bet your insurance costs are less here too.

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by Old Prospector

I bet your insurance costs are less here too.

[Nmngolfer]

Coming from northern Minnesota I'm surprised how much milder the weather is (consistently 10 degrees warmer year round) and how fast the streets are plowed after heavy snowfall.

[rzzz]

Also, returning to MN after some time away, I am surprised that Uptown has turned "bro."

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by rzzz

Also, returning to MN after some time away, I am surprised that Uptown has turned "bro."

most of what you say is now beginning to make sense to me