I can't take the Winter much more. (Minneapolis, St. Paul: hotel, school)

[northstar22]

Iowa is definitely a good suggestion, maybe even extreme southern Minnesota near the Iowa border. You'd still be able to experience four seasons without the brutal winters of northern MN. I'd definitely pass on Georgia. Not only is the crime rate ridiculously high, but the state government is extremely right wing. It will definitely be a major culture shock coming from Minnesota, or any northern state.

[west336]

Try moving SE to either the Cities or the SE small towns near Rochester or La Crosse (which are a good 5+ degrees warmerthan the Cities on average during winter). The reason I suggest this is because, if you are a "small town guy", I'd imagine it'd be VERY difficult to assimilate to a new rural culture in other states, but ESPECIALLY the Deep South! If you don't like SE MN and think even that is just too cold for you, try another Midwestern state first before moving even further South. I'd recommend Ohio if you love fall or spring, because that's what Ohio does very well. Its winters and summers are okay, but fall is the season I love most here and it lasts a solid 3 months or so, unlike MN. You don't have to go all the way down to GA to have longer falls.

I do know what you are talking about though with the differences in temps here. Every year I see the Cities fall behind the rest of the U.S. by 2-4 weeks in the spring I just look to Northern MN to see that it could be worse! I'd say the Twin Cities are a good 10-15 degrees warmer on average in the winter. There is also this "urban heat island effect" that keeps the overnight lows more moderate (relatively) and often we are the highest reading in the state in winter or spring as the snow melts faster on the asphalt and such.

[Ghengis]

no biggie, winter's almost over and days start getting longer in less than two months. I need to remember to get my lawn mower blades sharpened soon.

[queenswake]

I'd say move. Get it out of your system so you have the experience and never second guess yourself in the future. But be warned that most people do end up moving back to MN eventually. There is something about the place that draws just about everyone back. No one can explain it.

Just remember that there are tradeoffs. People in MN complain about the heat and humidity of the summer. Granted, many days are bad. But try the ENTIRE summer of those bad days. I am in the DC area and I have the AC on from May until Sept. Never turn it off. Never open a window. It's that bad. We do have longer springs and falls here, but for someone with Viking blood, it's not enough of a tradeoff. The only time I enjoy summer is when I'm in the water. Otherwise, what kind of summer is it when you are trapped inside all the time?

I think anyone living up where you do needs to save up money for at least one trip during the winter to get away from that cold.

[Kamsack]

Someone mentioned Missouri earlier I believe and I would echo that as a possibility. I lived in Springfield MO (edge of the Ozarks) before moving up north and for someone who wants to still have some winter and snow but not much of it and for someone who likes warmth but not the terrible humidity then the Ozark region is a good choice. Springfield is a large enough city to have job opportunities and home prices and taxes are very reasonable.

You could switch places with me as I wanted to move north as the winters werent cold enough for me... I live about 70 miles south of the Canadian border.

Dan

[yoyoma02]

Originally Posted by queenswake

I'd say move. Get it out of your system so you have the experience and never second guess yourself in the future. But be warned that most people do end up moving back to MN eventually. There is something about the place that draws just about everyone back. No one can explain it.

Just remember that there are tradeoffs. People in MN complain about the heat and humidity of the summer. Granted, many days are bad. But try the ENTIRE summer of those bad days. I am in the DC area and I have the AC on from May until Sept. Never turn it off. Never open a window. It's that bad. We do have longer springs and falls here, but for someone with Viking blood, it's not enough of a tradeoff. The only time I enjoy summer is when I'm in the water. Otherwise, what kind of summer is it when you are trapped inside all the time?

I think anyone living up where you do needs to save up money for at least one trip during the winter to get away from that cold.

This is so true. I escaped MN a year and a half ago. I have set up a great life for myself in a warm climate. However, I hear Minneapolis calling my name again in the next few years... ugh, I can't stand the cold.

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

Coming from an outsider, I actually think the Minnesota winters are great. Where I'm from, the winters are cloudy, it snows a lot but the snow quickly melts, and the air is damp so it really hits you to the core. In Minnesota people actually can enjoy the winter, you can get out and skate outdoors (a novelty for me), you can ski all winter long, the sun shines bright, and I actually like seeing just how cold it can get.

I think Minnesotans don't always appreciate what they have. I think Minnesota winter is actually the best time of the year here. Summers are too hot and mosquito infested, falls are short, springs are wet and muddy, winter is just beautiful though.

[freezengirl]

Originally Posted by DaninEGF

Someone mentioned Missouri earlier I believe and I would echo that as a possibility. I lived in Springfield MO (edge of the Ozarks) before moving up north and for someone who wants to still have some winter and snow but not much of it and for someone who likes warmth but not the terrible humidity then the Ozark region is a good choice. Springfield is a large enough city to have job opportunities and home prices and taxes are very reasonable.

You could switch places with me as I wanted to move north as the winters werent cold enough for me... I live about 70 miles south of the Canadian border.

Dan

Now Dan, that would make you one of those Southerners I've heard tell of! Both my husband and I are originally from International Falls area-everything is south of there!

[queenswake]

Originally Posted by AGuyFromCleveland18

Coming from an outsider, I actually think the Minnesota winters are great. Where I'm from, the winters are cloudy, it snows a lot but the snow quickly melts, and the air is damp so it really hits you to the core. In Minnesota people actually can enjoy the winter, you can get out and skate outdoors (a novelty for me), you can ski all winter long, the sun shines bright, and I actually like seeing just how cold it can get.

That's a good point. Winter in many areas of the country is just kind of bleh. The snow melts fast so you are left with cold weather, but brown everywhere. Lakes don't freeze so in the winter they are just kind of there, without any way to enjoy them. Yes, it is warmer and more tolerable, but at least in MN you can get out and do things. I think it's crucial as a Minnesotan to find some winter outdoor activity you like in order to make it out with any sanity. Either that or with a nice travel budget to take frequent trips down south.

[queenswake]

I think one of the the differences between where you live and the Twin Cities is the larger number of indoor things to do in the Twin Cities. Up there, you have the bar, the Wal-Mart, and maybe a movie theater to go into. The rest of the time you are hanging out at home. In the metro area, there are all sorts of things going on and place to go to keep you busy and out of the house.