How Is Minneapolis For College Grads? (apartments, employment, neighborhoods)

[XC_Runner]

When I graduate college in a few years, Minneapolis is one of the cities I would consider moving to to start my career.

1. Is Downtown Minneapolis bustling with young people around the under 25 age range?

2. Is there a good amount of computer science jobs in Downtown?

3. Are there a lot of apartments in Downtown?

4. How safe in Minneapolis?

5. Is there a lot of walking traffic in Downtown?

6. Would you consider Downtown Minneapolis as a "stepping stone" city where it would be good for two-three years before moving on, or a city that would be good to settle in for a few decades.

[Citykid3785]

1. Is Downtown Minneapolis bustling with young people around the under 25 age range?
Sure, from a work standpoint. Not so much from a living standpoint.

2. Is there a good amount of computer science jobs in Downtown?
Yes, there is a great employment market for all jobs, better than most of the country. We have a ton of F500 companies.

3. Are there a lot of apartments in Downtown?
Yes

4. How safe in Minneapolis?
Safe for a big city, but there are pockets and times to be wary of.

5. Is there a lot of walking traffic in Downtown?
yes and no. Downtown is dead on the weekends unlike many other downtowns. IMO, it's not the most happening place in the city to live. We have skyways (elevated indoor walkways) that keep people inside, so even during M-F, the streets are pretty empty, but the skyways are packed!!! Outside of 9-5 M-F however, downtown is not has happening of a place as comparable downtowns.

6. Would you consider Downtown Minneapolis as a "stepping stone" city where it would be good for two-three years before moving on, or a city that would be good to settle in for a few decades.
No, you can and should stay here. At 3.5M people, it's far more than a stepping stone. And from a Income/COL ratio standpoint, we can't be beat!!!

[jamnkats]

FWIW, we are moving to MN from the beaches of the Caribbean (seriously sand is my front "yard") so that our daughters have a great environment once they graduate. From the research I've done I'd say yes, it is a great environment but I have read that there is a tend to be cliquish (and thus we are bringing them in at the high school age to try and avoid that) so that is one social thing i've read about.

[bler144]

As Citykid points to, there are jobs/apartments/shopping downtown, but the "bustling 20-something area" you describe is a short jaunt to the south, a la Lyn-Lake/Uptown.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by jamnkats

FWIW, we are moving to MN from the beaches of the Caribbean (seriously sand is my front "yard") so that our daughters have a great environment once they graduate. From the research I've done I'd say yes, it is a great environment but I have read that there is a tend to be cliquish (and thus we are bringing them in at the high school age to try and avoid that) so that is one social thing i've read about.

Speaking of the environment, I suspect you will discover some small differences in climate.

I think MN can be cliquish, but my theory is this is true because (1) Scanadavians and (2) many people born in MN stay in MN and have decades of established friendships already, meaning there aren't as many reasons to be outgoing as you might find in other more transient metro areas.

[XC_Runner]

With everyone saying Minneapolis is not the most exciting town, I am wondering if I should start my career in a city more fit for younger people such as Cincinnati or Pittsburgh. I honestly love Minneapolis but in my opinion, I don't think I would enjoy it long term. Maybe 10-15 years at most if I decide to settle in Minneapolis in a few years.

After college, I think Minneapolis and Cincy is at the top of my list with Pittsburgh and Kansas City behind. What I like about those two cities is availability to everything, once I get a job and make a steady income I could do many things such as going to a few Twins game per month as I am a big baseball fan. I could get season tickets to the new US Bank Stadium or leave the city and drive an hour or so out of Minneapolis to go snowboarding, hunting, and fishing. And in Downtown, everything is relatively walkable.

[MnMomma]

I grew up in Pittsburgh and my family still lives there so I visit frequently. I can't imagine anyone finding Pittsburgh more exciting than Minneapolis at any stage of life. It is a great city with lots to offer, but just doesn't compare to Minneapolis.

[Citykid3785]

Originally Posted by FeelTheBern

With everyone saying Minneapolis is not the most exciting town, I am wondering if I should start my career in a city more fit for younger people such as Cincinnati or Pittsburgh. I honestly love Minneapolis but in my opinion, I don't think I would enjoy it long term. Maybe 10-15 years at most if I decide to settle in Minneapolis in a few years.

After college, I think Minneapolis and Cincy is at the top of my list with Pittsburgh and Kansas City behind. What I like about those two cities is availability to everything, once I get a job and make a steady income I could do many things such as going to a few Twins game per month as I am a big baseball fan. I could get season tickets to the new US Bank Stadium or leave the city and drive an hour or so out of Minneapolis to go snowboarding, hunting, and fishing. And in Downtown, everything is relatively walkable.

To be clear, your questions were about downtown Minneapolis, so that's how I answered them. I would give you different answers if you asked about the city as a whole. I would agree that DT Pittsburgh is more happening the DT Mpls, but you couldn't pay me to live in one of those rundown, earth-tone steelmill neighborhoods outside of DT Pittsburgh!!! I can appreciate Pittsburgh (and it's associated accent/language that seems to be from another planet (see "yinz")), but outside of downtown it's a fairly ugly rust belt city....

[mr roboto]

Listen, many people use 'downtown' when they mean 'the city.' I heard it all the time in Chicago. Suburbanites or small town folk called the whole damn city 'downtown'.

Downtown is the actual huge tall buildings part of a city. MPLS has tons of vibrant neighborhoods that aren't in 'downtown'. In fact it's a great place for a newly graduated college student with a job. But you specifically asked about 'downtown' and like most cities our size the downtown is made more for workday stuff.

[XC_Runner]

At the end of the day, it looks like Minneapolis is the city I will wind up in. Whether I will live there long term or only a few years is a decision by year. Any more suggestions for me in Minneapolis though?