Question for Warm Weather Transplants (Minneapolis, Austin: low crime, house, good schools)

[WannaBeinBoston]

About this time of the year, I start thinking about moving to a warmer state and I have been for the past several years. Housing and jobs are what keeps us here, or rather, inability to sell our home without bringing cash to the table is what keeps us here. So therefore, I feel fairly trapped in a place I don't want to be. Mind you, the Twin Cities has been a great place for us to live for almost 20-yrs. As I look across the U.S at places I think about moving to, there are downfalls to all those places, or maybe it's lack of familiarity.

I want to ask those that are moving to the Twin Cities from warm areas like Dallas, Charlotte, San Diego...what's bringing you here? I know why people that grew up here stay but what's keeping other transplants like myself from moving? Thanks in advance.

[Call me Gina]

My family moved here from Austin, TX last June. Our primary motivations to move were that we wanted to live in a more progressive state, we wanted a better school system for our children, and I really, really hated the heat.

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by Call me Gina

My family moved here from Austin, TX last June. Our primary motivations to move were that we wanted to live in a more progressive state, we wanted a better school system for our children, and I really, really hated the heat.

We're doing the opposite and moving to Austin this summer. We really, really hate the cold.

To answer the original question, we have family here, but it's still not keeping us here! We're headed back to warmer pastures (spent the last 11 years in Phoenix and am desperate to get back to a warmer climate)!

[golfgal]

I am not a transplant but we have several friends that are and they have all moved here because of the abysmal schools in their previous locations (Austin, Tx is one of them). Our friends from California couldn't stand the traffic and high cost of living either (San Diego is one of my favorite places to visit though).

We have friends that lived in Arkansas and couldn't wait to get out--again, schools and general "culture" there. We have some other friends that moved from the Atlanta area and when they first moved they had total sticker shock with the housing prices so they asked their builder from Atlanta if he would come build the same house they had there here, he said "sure, if you want your house to fall apart in 5 years I can do that". He then educated him on the need for good windows, insulation, etc. here .

We just spent a week in Missouri and it doesn't take long to notice the difference in the education level of the general public in Missouri vs MN, WI, IA.

[StilltheSame]

We are here from SFL because of a great job opportunity, the schools, the size of the city and the variety of things to do in a city this size.

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I am not a transplant but we have several friends that are and they have all moved here because of the abysmal schools in their previous locations (Austin, Tx is one of them).

Interesting. In all the research we've done, there are EXCELLENT schools in the Austin area, which is one of the main reasons we're moving there.

Do you know what ISD they came from?

[WannaBeinBoston]

Thanks to those that have responded. I find myself struggling to reconcile the good schools, stable economy, excellent healthcare, and low crime rates that the Twin Cities has to offer vs. the long cold winters. I can't be the only one. Maybe it's seasonal affliction disorder but this wasn't the case for me 5 or 10-yrs ago. I am a 20-yr transplant and have done well to adapt and adopt to living here but am wondering if it's just me agitating for a change in scenery, ie. warmth.

[Globe199]

Originally Posted by intmd8r

Interesting. In all the research we've done, there are EXCELLENT schools in the Austin area, which is one of the main reasons we're moving there.

Do you know what ISD they came from?

Warm weather notwithstanding, I don't think I could tolerate living in Texas. I've heard from many people that Austin is an island of sanity, but I still think it's probably backwards. Just my uneducated, pre-conceived notion of a deeply red state.

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by WannaBeinBoston

Thanks to those that have responded. I find myself struggling to reconcile the good schools, stable economy, excellent healthcare, and low crime rates that the Twin Cities has to offer vs. the long cold winters. I can't be the only one. Maybe it's seasonal affliction disorder but this wasn't the case for me 5 or 10-yrs ago. I am a 20-yr transplant and have done well to adapt and adopt to living here but am wondering if it's just me agitating for a change in scenery, ie. warmth.

Different times call for different circumstances. Minneapolis may not be a fit for us in 10 years when our kids are in college and our circumstances have changed - but its good for us now. I am not of the mindset that you are destined to live in one location - change is good. Sounds like it may be time to consider a move. We are so fortunate in the US to have such vast options - take them!

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by Globe199

Warm weather notwithstanding, I don't think I could tolerate living in Texas. I've heard from many people that Austin is an island of sanity, but I still think it's probably backwards. Just my uneducated, pre-conceived notion of a deeply red state.

Austin is more of a live and let live kind of city where people don't really care about where you lean politically; they care more about if you're a good neighbor, etc., which I welcome with open arms.