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Minnesota
So you’re thinking about moving to Minnesota?
You have certainly come to the right place. Relocating to any new area—let alone a new state—can be an overwhelming process, so it is important to have someone in touch with the area that you can trust. I have lived in Minnesota my entire life and am eager to assist you in this important time of transition. In the following paragraphs, you will find a great deal of information that will help familiarize you better with many different parts of the state. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone or email.
State Facts
Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota’s history and economy is directly related to the vast number of lakes within the state, as well as its access to the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. The capital of Minnesota is Saint Paul, while the largest is its sister city, Minneapolis. We rank twelfth in the nation in size and 21st in population. The best known symbol of Minnesota is our state bird, the Common Loon, easily spotted in the northern parts of the state, and occasionally as far south as the Twin Cities. But of all the notable bits of trivia about our state, the one we take the most pride in is the description of our residents: “Minnesota Nice.” While of course there is no accurate measure of how nice one state is compared to another, visitors and newcomers are frequently struck by the friendly nature and hospitality common amongst our native residents. We take immense pride in the way we make our guests feel like home in our state.
Geography and Climate
What you have heard about the cold winters is probably true. As the state with the most northern border besides Alaska, the months between December and March yield frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall. Don’t let that scare you off though—as a major Midwestern state, our residents enjoy the experience of having four fully-developed seasons to break up the monotony of the year. Minnesotans never let a little snow get in their way; we boast one of the most efficient snow-plowing systems in the country, not to mention the great winter recreational opportunities such as ice fishing, skating, and sledding. Fall and spring are breezy and comfortable, and exceptionally gorgeous in areas such as Duluth or the eastern Minnesota bluffs. Our summers are reasonably mild, but we still experience heat waves and humidity; generally one can expect a few days in August to hover around the 100 degree mark. Typically, Minnesota folks are outdoor folks; we take the good with the bad, and are rarely startled by a little extreme weather.
The Twin Cities
Comprised of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the Twin Cities are the urban center of the state. Directly adjacent to each other on Interstate 94, newcomers often confuse one with the other; however, any resident of either city will be quick to point out the distinct differences in the flavor and personality of each location.
Minneapolis, as the most populated city in Minnesota, is quite attractive to those looking for a big city experience with a Midwestern feel. The downtown district of Minneapolis is sleek and majestic, boasting one of the most recognizable skylines in the United States. Meanwhile, downtown Saint Paul is known for its stunning red-brick streets and history-rich architecture. A sharp contrast to the bustle of Minneapolis, many people who relocate to Saint Paul are attracted to the small-town feel it manages to capture, while not sacrificing the strong entertainment and recreational amenities of a city.
Both Saint Paul and Minneapolis have a great deal to offer in terms of real estate, and a lot depends on the type of neighborhood you are looking to live in. Let’s take a closer look at each area to help you narrow down your options.
Minneapolis
Regularly named one of the great American cities to live in, Minneapolis is one of the most thriving cultural communities in the country, rich in history and amenities for its nearly 400,000 residents. This budding metropolitan area is the second largest in the Midwest, after Chicago, and is a major attraction to young artists, businessmen, and families alike. Prospective homeowners have a wealth of possibilities in a wide variety of up-and-coming neighborhoods that will undoubtedly make relocating to Minneapolis a rewarding investment and an enriching experience.
Downtown Minneapolis certainly boasts some of the most spectacular high-rise condominiums in the city, with breathtaking views and immediate access to the heart of the city. If you are looking for something a little bit more removed from the highly urban atmosphere, south Minneapolis (commonly referred to as Uptown) is a popular location for singles and families alike, with plenty of single-family homes, condos, and lofts available at reasonable prices. Its trendy business district on Hennepin Avenue, stretching from Lake to Franklin Streets, is popular for live entertainment and fine dining. Also of particular interest in this area is its close proximity to Lake Calhoun, which offers some of the most beautiful lakefront architecture in the area. Northeast Minneapolis is another up-an-coming area, a diverse arts-friendly community. This area is also filled with spacious apartments, duplexes, single-family homes and condominiums, and much more.
Saint Paul
As the state’s capital, Saint Paul is the scenic and historic home to almost 300,000 residents. The neighborhood feel of the city is one of the most distinctive personality traits that sets it apart from Minneapolis. Because of this, Saint Paul tends to attract a slightly older population than its western counterpart; many people who have spent a number of years in the Twin Cities often find Saint Paul to be a satisfying location when they are looking to settle down with a family. Lately, it has been particularly popular amongst former Twin Cities residents who had left the area for awhile, but are now looking to return to the area. Saint Paul provides a comfort and familiarity to people of all walks of life, which is probably why so many find it difficult to leave behind.
The area surrounding Grand Avenue and Snelling is one of the most exciting spots in the cities. Featuring a blend of brand-name stores and local shops, tourists are commonly attracted to this area for its shopping. It also features some of the more gorgeous vintage homes you will find around. Many of these are popular for hands-on buyers who enjoy the art of remodeling, while many other for-sale homes have recently been redone. Additionally, the Cathedral Hill area is a popular attraction both for visitors and for prospective homeowners. Between Selby and Western Avenues, it’s a great location for great restaurants and a buzzing nightlife. Many apartments, condominiums, single family homes and multi-story homes are available here as well.
Suburbs
The suburbs of the Twin Cities are extremely prosperous and have a lot to offer for those who enjoy being near the excitement of the cities but don’t necessarily need it in their day-to-day living. While the suburbs are certainly smaller than Minneapolis and Saint Paul, most of them are actually quite well-sized and populated; in fact, 12 of the suburbs are above the 50,000 resident mark. Of the 17 most-populated cities in the state, only St. Cloud, Rochester and Duluth are outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The suburbs include Bloomington, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Coon Rapids, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Woodbury, Blaine, Lakeville, Minnetonka, White Bear Lake, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Savage, Apple Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Chanhassan, Chaska, Mendota Heights, and Inver Grove Heights.
The largest tourist attraction in the suburbs is undoubtedly Bloomington’s world-famous Mall of America. With a mass area of 4.2 million square feet, the Mall of America is the largest shopping center of its kind in the Midwest, and the second-largest in North America. The MOA (or “Mega Mall” as it is frequently referred to) hosts thousands of hungry shoppers daily, boasting four floors, a unique theme park, scores of restaurants and hundreds of popular shops. More than simply a mall, the MOA is a powerful economic hub of the state of Minnesota, and its popularity has helped place the city of Bloomington firmly at the top of the list of most-populated suburbs of the greater Metro area.
Economy
The economy of Minneapolis is one of the primary reasons this city is so attractive to many people seeking to relocate. Next to other cities of comparable size and population, the education rate and median household income is higher, the unemployment rate is lower, and housing is much more affordable. The Twin Cities combine to contribute nearly two-thirds of Minnesota’s gross state product, which makes it an incredibly lucrative area to build a career in almost any profession.
Of the top thousand publicly traded businesses in the United States, 36 have headquarters in Minnesota, including Target, UnitedHealth Group, 3M, Medtronic, General Mills, U.S. Bankcorp and Best Buy. In 2005, our per capita income ranked tenth at $37, 290. Our taxes tend to be higher than most states, with a 6.5% sales tax and a three bracket income tax system of 5.35%, 7.05% and 7.85%. Still, we look at it as a more than fair trade for the excellent quality of life Minnesota provides for our residents.
Entertainment and Recreation
One of the main reason so many choose to relocate to the Twin Cities is because of the vast amount of entertainment the metro area provides. One of the richest scenes for live theater anywhere, Minneapolis boasts more professional theater companies per capita than any city besides New York. In particular, the Guthrie Theater has received national recognition; with its brand new location and design, taking in a show there is an absolute must for anyone new to the area. Likewise, music lovers can find a great concert to check out on any given night of the week; the First Avenue and 7th Street entry rock venues are favorites for national and local acts, classical connoisseurs will be drawn to the world-class Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, while jazz fans can get cozy at the famous Dakota jazz club. Sports fanatics also have plenty of options—the Twin Cities offer professional teams in every major sport, including the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and Wild.
Much like Minneapolis, Saint Paul offers great opportunities in terms of arts and entertainment. Noted authors F. Scott Fitzgerald (the namesake of the famous Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul) and August Wilson were rooted here, while the ever-popular Garrison Keillor still plays host to his nationally syndicated radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, at the historic Fitzgerald. The annual Minnesota State Fair is always a top draw in August, offering a sprawling carnival, agricultural shows and competitions, and countless booths illuminating the historical tradition of Minnesota (and, of course, endless stands of fried-food-on-a-stick). The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is one of the most elite small orchestras of its kind, and entertains sell-out crowds on a regular basis.
Crime
Your safety is certainly one of the most important factors that should go into your decision of where to relocate. Crime happens everywhere, and while Minnesota is no exception, we take great comfort in the lengths that the state of Minnesota has taken in preventing and punishing petty, felonious and violent crimes. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is constantly working to ensure that your neighborhood is safe and crime free. In December of 2003, they released a study finding that ninety percent of Minnesota residents felt safe in their own communities. As expected, crime rates are higher in the Twin Cities than in other areas of Minnesota, but as a whole, Minnesota regularly ranks below average in terms of crime per capita.
Education
Minnesota takes great pride in its high rate of education and literacy. Ranking fifth in the nation with a high school graduation rate of 84 percent, Minnesota school systems are among the best anywhere. This translates into a higher voter turnout for our state, as well as a high rate of students moving on for post-secondary education. We have a wide number of public and private universities across the state as well as a vast network of community and technical colleges that will suit any vocational interests you may have. I have children of my own and have lived here my entire life, so especially if you are relocating and have questions regarding where to send your own kids, I would be more than happy to help you out.
Greater Minnesota
The majority of the state which is not part of the Twin Cities metro area is commonly referred to as Greater Minnesota. As you travel further north into the state, closer to the Canadian border, town sizes become smaller as do the distances between them. The northern areas play host some incredibly remarkable landscapes that many native Minnesotans feel represents the truer, more natural personality of the state.
Of particular interest to many tourists is Duluth. On the edge of Lake Superior on the eastern part of the state, Duluth houses some of the most beautiful scenery the state has to offer. Each fall, thousands of visitors enjoy a slow drive over Thompson Hill, which provides a view of the city painted with colorful leaves. The summers offer endless outdoor recreation along the shore of Lake Superior at temperatures much less humid than in the southern end of the state. Many cabins and summer homes are available in Duluth, not to mention a great selection of single-family homes and multi-story homes.
Rochester is another city that gathers a lot of recognition for Minnesota. Known primarily for its renowned Mayo Clinic, this world-class hospital facility and medical school provides some of the most talented health care specialists in the world. The city is the third largest city in the state, and is frequently named one of the “Best Places to Live” in Money Magazine. It is also home to one of the largest IBM facilities in the nation. In addition, Rochester fosters one of the more dynamic scenes for arts and music in the state, which provides a number of excellent nightlife opportunities.
About Us
For your convenience, we are a fully cooperating member of the Twin Cities real estate community. The multiple listing service, or MLS, allows all member agents to view what is available in the market so you don’t feel compelled to go with an agent you are not comfortable with. So regardless of the company sign in the yard, please feel free to give me a call to arrange an appointment to view a home that you are interested in. Our website contains many helpful tools to get you started on your journey today, including mortgage rate calculators, mortgage rate quotes, and online mortgage applications. If you would like to browse for yourself, check out our Search Online Now! application. This will grant you access to all of the homes currently available through our multiple listing service.
If you are more interested in renting, or are looking to relocate to Minnesota, I will be happy to help you out with our relocation package and guide. I, as well as many of my clients, own rental property and would be happy to arrange a tour with you to acclimate you with the area. Please check my website as well for our convenient relocation salary calculator and other relocation services.
I’m extremely familiar with the area and have lived in the Twin Cities my entire life. When making an important life decision, such as relocating and/or purchasing a home, it is important to have someone on your side to give you honesty and expertise. I strongly encourage you to contact me with any questions you have or to set up an appointment. I look forward to working with you.