COMMENT BY
bruce from St. Paul, MN
COMMENT ABOUT PLACE
Saint Paul, MN
COMMENT
More laid back than minneapolis
As a sibling in the Twin Cities, living in Saint Paul stands as the more quiet sister to minneapolis. in contrast it is cheaper, quiter, and slower paced. Many people say downtown is dead in at night despite attempts to transform it into mini-minneapolis. The east side is course and gritty, but the south west is like an idylic small town. Summit Avenue is a stately and historic boulevard that runs through the western center half of the city. Saint Paul is interesting and has a lot of nooks and crannies. It was built around the rivers and railroads which run through the area creating pockets of community and unusual topography. People from grid-based minneapolis can get hopelessly lost and fear crossing the river lest they drive around aimlessly and have to miss supper. A large influx of Hmong, Somali and Latinos in the last 10 years have changed the city dramatically with mixed results. An explosion of condos have been blanketing the city as well. Overall, it is OK. You could do worse, I s'pose. It is very midwestern and is kinda backward in some respects - but not like Duluth. There is the cold, snow and ice in the winter, which proves too much for the lazy - who do not live here. Transplants often complain that the people are nice but stand-offish. Indeed, it can be difficult to make friends here. Don't expect someone to accept your dinner date unless you offer several times! "No, thanks" is a genetic habit around here.