Minneapolis will be one of the few “winners” from climate change. The only thing that would make it better is if they had easy access to mountains.

It’s also really, really, REALLY friggin white. People there are even more oblivious within their UMC white bubble than folks in Chevy Chase. It’s an amazing place, but I think it would be difficult for well-educated POC to live there.

I grew up in Minneapolis, moved to DC for 14 years, and moved back to Minneapolis 3 years ago. What I can say most about Minneapolis is that it has all of the aspects of a larger city in a smaller, less stressful, cheaper package. The arts here are huge -- all kinds. I think we have the second most theater seats per capita to NYC or something like that. A lot of craftsmen, musicians, breweries all over the place. It's authentic and non-flashy. Like DC, people are also well-read, educated, and our NPR station here is one of the most popular in the country.

The summers make the winters worth it. It doesn't get dark here until after 10 so they are just magical. Many people spend them on our near our many lakes. We have humidity here, but it's not every single day for 4 months like in DC. Here, most people do not have their AC on from spring until fall. It's wonderful to have windows open and actually exist in comfort. I literally only come inside to sleep during the summer. The rest of the time I'm out on the back deck.

Our schools are also very good.

I would. Best friend from college lives there (St. Paul actually) and just flat out loves it. Every time I visit I fall more in love with it. It's a fabulous area.

If you can deal with a brutal winter, sure. Have heard it's awesome the 3 months a year it isn't snowing.

I would move there in a heartbeat. We like Winterfell!

I would move there. It's very pretty and consistently ranks amongst the happiest cities in the US.

Anonymous wrote:The cold and snow really do last 7 months out of the year.

It’s cheaper than DC, but not super cheap.

Traffic is more of an issue than you’d think for a city of its size.

Call BS (Fargo here, and we're colder than Mpls) --it all depends. Some years are awful, in 2014 there were piles of snow into May. The following fall we were warm well into December. Last winter it was cold and snowy through April (but had no snow until after Thanksgiving), and hit the 80s on May 1. GW has had a significant impact on the weather up here in the past 20 years.

Snow is possible anytime from late September through early May but the real snow months are December through March.

You do acclimate. We feel as cold as anyone else when the first snow comes, by January when a 30 degree day comes along we're delirious over the warmth.

Spectacular scenery north (along Lake Superior) and south (the Mississippi Valley).

The cold and snow really do last 7 months out of the year.

It’s cheaper than DC, but not super cheap.

Traffic is more of an issue than you’d think for a city of its size.

I moved to DC area from Minneapolis 3 years ago. Lived there for 8.5 years; spent 5 years in SE Minnesota (Rochester) before that.

The cold winter weather gets old if it carries into March and April without ever warming up.

Public schools are excellent, particularly in the suburbs. Private schools are available if you wish but seriously, you do not need them.

Medical/health care options are far more accessible and much better organized than anything I've found in the DMV. My health plan options there were far superior & much less expensive than my options as a federal government employee here.

FABULOUS restaurants (particularly in Minneapolis), great arts and culture, great outdoor spaces.

Easier pace of life. Lower cost of living.

If I were you, I would strongly consider doing it.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Originally from Portland, ME. Winters comparable? If they are I think I can handle it.

I don't know about ME- this year it got into the 30s in October, had a few days above freezing, settled into the twenties and will stay cold. What I didn't take into account was that the snow doesn't melt, it just keeps piling and piling. Last year was heavy snow into April.

People don't let it stop them- we were out last night after quite a bit of snow. It was cold. Restaurants were crowded. I've lived in a few different places- Minneapolis is one of my favorites. Be careful about living too far from any action if you like to go out.

I think people make too much of the weather- it's a big deal if you're from a place like San Diego, but not if you have some experience with a colder climate. You get used to it- buy a warm coat. I noticed that people here are fit- that's a plus. Sometimes in DC I would see quite a few folks who looked overworked and could use some time in the gym or on hike. A lot less of that here- more sports, more outdoors, better work/life balance.

OP here. Originally from Portland, ME. Winters comparable? If they are I think I can handle it.

Relative said she'd consider moving back if it weren't for the snow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you move there with young children for a good job opp?

Yes- I live in Minneapolis (former DCUM). Recommend South Minneapolis, Edina, Wayzata or Minnetonka areas to live. Best public school districts- Edina, Minnetonka, Wayzata. Best privates- Blake, Breck.

Now that that's out of the way...clean, nice people, good schools, decent restaurants/cultural activities. Life centers around the lakes in the summer. There are some weapons grade bugs here, also have to watch for lyme, but you're probably used to that.

Right now it's 14 degrees with a lot of snow that won't melt before we get more more snow. Will be down to -8F next week. You need a snow blower, heavy waterproof boots, and heavy coat/gloves/hat.

There are weird quirks to the houses- everyone has a water softener, an air exchanger, a furnace humidifier. You want these things, trust me.

I love it here.

pp here again- I realized that I didn't really answer. Minneapolis is just a nice place- you can get out of the rat race, have a slightly less expensive life style, and hang out with passive aggressive Minnesota "nice." It is a good change of pace. It's a good place to land.

The weather....I'm from the Midwest, so not too shocked or bothered, but it's cold. It started to get cold in October and except for one or two days, it hasn't been above freezing since Mid November. You have to be kind of tough and rev up that snow blower (a shovel won't cut it)-- or pay to have someone shovel your driveway. Some of our neighbors do that but it's a bit expensive and I like pushing the snow blower. Very satisfying and quite a work out.

Anonymous wrote:Would you move there with young children for a good job opp?

Yes- I live in Minneapolis (former DCUM). Recommend South Minneapolis, Edina, Wayzata or Minnetonka areas to live. Best public school districts- Edina, Minnetonka, Wayzata. Best privates- Blake, Breck.

Now that that's out of the way...clean, nice people, good schools, decent restaurants/cultural activities. Life centers around the lakes in the summer. There are some weapons grade bugs here, also have to watch for lyme, but you're probably used to that.

Right now it's 14 degrees with a lot of snow that won't melt before we get more more snow. Will be down to -8F next week. You need a snow blower, heavy waterproof boots, and heavy coat/gloves/hat.

There are weird quirks to the houses- everyone has a water softener, an air exchanger, a furnace humidifier. You want these things, trust me.

I love it here.

Would you move there with young children for a good job opp?