Where is Podunk, Minnesota? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: job market, college, living)

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Yeah, I'm not trying to question the functionality of the wall (typically they are built for a reason) but I just think the overall planning of Mankato could have been done alot better and there leaves alot to be desired from a city beautification standpoint. If you want to see a similar sized college town done right, check out Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It's like Mankato except better in almost every way.

[Radical_Car]

And thats ok! I love people with different opinions and I love hearing different perspectives and interpretations on things, and of course I still love Mankato. I've been through Eau Claire before and stayed in a Holiday Inn there. It was a nice lovely college town and was also very beautiful. I'd love to spend more time there. Though I still love Mankato and like both Mankato and Eau Claire a lot better then St. Cloud.

[northstar22]

Of course, does Eau Claire or St. Cloud have a pyramid? Or white-sand beaches? Mountains? 70-degree winters? Mankato DOES: Mankato, MN Home Page

[MSPLove]

You know I've not spent a lot of time at all in St. Cloud, but I drove through there recently and it actually struck me as a quaint little gem. I guess it's kind of what you're looking for in life too, I don't know.... the proximity to The Cities is appealing, but it seems big enough to offer some good things. You guys say it's really that dull? Hmmm.

[Radical_Car]

The proximity of the cities is what I like best about it, though it's still not as good as actually living in the cities IMO and its also bigger then Willmar and other towns like that. It's not my favorite and I don't really like it but it isn't the worse and i'd rather live here then a lot of other places.

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

I can't speak for St. Cloud and Rochester, but Mankato has plenty of things to see and do. There's the University, Minneopa State Park, the Sakatah Trail, miles of Minnesota River Valley and prairie nature trails, waterfalls, cliffs, forest, grassland. The downtown area has plenty of interesting bars and restaurants. Lakes are just 10 minutes to the east.

I can't speak for Mankato and Rochester, but St. Cloud has plenty of things to see and do. There's the University(and SCTC, SJU, CSB), Lake Maria State Park Lake Maria State Park: Minnesota DNR, the Lake Wobegon trail http://lakewobegontrail.com/, miles of Mississippi River and prairie nature trails(Beaver Island Trails,Campus Recreation : St. Cloud State University), waterfalls, cliffs, forest, grassland Quarry Park and Nature Preserve | County Parks | Recreation | Stearns County, Minnesota. The downtown area has plenty of interesting bars and restaurants http://www.stclouddowntown.com/pages/Dining/. Lakes are just 10 minutes the west.

I get it. You like Mankato now that you're there. You've never really experienced St. Cloud. That's fine, but I really wouldn't jump quick to defend a place like Mankato as 'podunk'. Many people understand that that's what the place is like -nice things to do, entertainment, colleges, etc., however that still doesn't change the fact that it's in the middle basically nowhere, and it's still a really sleepy town by all means of the phrase. Now, I like places like Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, St. Cloud, etc., but I wouldn't call them 'fun' capitals of the world. However, I wouldn't call them 'Podunk' either. If places like Mankato, St. Cloud and Rochester are 'podunk' what does that make the towns in my list below?

To the OP, I would say Brainerd. Marshall. Austin. Willmar. East Grand Forks. Albert Lea.

[Ben Around]

Gotta be Morris.

[northstar22]

Morris at least has a university. I'd think somewhere like Faribault or Albert Lea would be more boring.

[Radical_Car]

Originally Posted by knke0204

I can't speak for Mankato and Rochester, but St. Cloud has plenty of things to see and do. There's the University(and SCTC, SJU, CSB), Lake Maria State Park Lake Maria State Park: Minnesota DNR, the Lake Wobegon trail HomeLake Wobegon Trail, miles of Mississippi River and prairie nature trails(Beaver Island Trails,Campus Recreation : St. Cloud State University), waterfalls, cliffs, forest, grassland Quarry Park and Nature Preserve | County Parks | Recreation | Stearns County, Minnesota. The downtown area has plenty of interesting bars and restaurants St. Cloud Downtown Council - Dining. Lakes are just 10 minutes the west.

I get it. You like Mankato now that you're there. You've never really experienced St. Cloud. That's fine, but I really wouldn't jump quick to defend a place like Mankato as 'podunk'. Many people understand that that's what the place is like -nice things to do, entertainment, colleges, etc., however that still doesn't change the fact that it's in the middle basically nowhere, and it's still a really sleepy town by all means of the phrase. Now, I like places like Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, St. Cloud, etc., but I wouldn't call them 'fun' capitals of the world. However, I wouldn't call them 'Podunk' either. If places like Mankato, St. Cloud and Rochester are 'podunk' what does that make the towns in my list below?

To the OP, I would say Brainerd. Marshall. Austin. Willmar. East Grand Forks. Albert Lea.

Lol, you forgot one of the biggest attractions in St. Cloud, the paramount theatre. Only been there once I believe, on a field trip in Middle school. From what I remember it was pretty much a theatre, nothing mind blowing or amazing or anything compared to ones in the cities, though I guess its cool for a city the size of St. Cloud.

[light_shimmer]

My vote for Podunk : International Falls