Pros and Cons
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11/16/2006
I've lived in Minneapolis for a long time and am looking to move away. Not for any bad reasons, I just feel like I'm done here and need a change.
PROS: Prices for every day items and utilities are pretty average. Not expensive but not cheap. There are great inexpensive places to shop though. The housing market is a bit expensive. Very little house for your money. Most "affordable" homes are in the bad neighborhoods, like North Minneapolis. (Steer clear from this area at all costs.) There is something here for everyone. No matter what it is you want to do, you can do/accomplish it in Minneapolis. Very wide diversity here. Diversity is the new trendy thing. You will find people from all walks of life and lifestyles; hippie, trendy, blue-collar, young, old, conservative, liberal, etc., Lots of independent restaurants to choose from! Lots of flavors! The job market is good if you know what you want and where to look. Lots of major companies here. Minneapolis is BIG into the arts, whether you're a writer, painter, sculpter, actor, or just a patron of the arts, you'll get more than you can shake a stick at. The new downtown library is absolutely phenomenal! You also get all four seasons, which leads me to the cons...
CONS: Winters are long and cold. Not as much snow as we've had in decades past. The areas north and south of us seem to get the brunt of it. Right now, 11/16/06, it's 35F and I wore a light jacket to work. Can get to -40 or colder (rarely) with the wind chill. Typically it doesn't get colder than the -teens. When winter starts keeps changing. This year it started in October (no snow yet, though). Skipped right over fall (which only really lasts a week or two. This year it was only a few days!) and went straight to winter. Winter usually relents in April. The summers are the worst for me. HOT and HUMID! A few days over 100 but mostly in the 90's. Summers do not last too long (which I like, because I hate the heat). Usually late July through mid September. To give you an idea of utilities (electric), I live in a small apartment and my electric bill runs $8-11/mo most of the year. (Heat paid in most Mpls apts!) During the summer, I run my AC a LOT and it can be $40-50. Spring is wonderful here. It can get slushy and dirty, but last year it was drier and not as messy. The Uptown area of Minneapolis has mostly independent shops and restaurants, is very artsy and trendy, and can be a fun place to hang out.
Keith | Minneapolis, MN