Moving to Minnesota: Pros & Cons

Are you thinking of moving to Minnesota?

With a population of 5.6 million, Minnesota is the 22^nd most populous state in the US. It’s also a large state, as it covers 225,163 square kilometers. In fact, Minnesota is considered the 12^th largest state in the country. Even with its large population, 60% of its residents live in the “Twin Cities”, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

In this article, we’ll share the pros and cons of living in Minnesota. This information will help you decide if Minnesota is the best city for you and your family.

Pros of Living in Minnesota

1. Great Job Opportunities

In several metropolitan areas, work is easy to find. It’s worth noting that 17 Fortune 500 companies are located here, such as Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group. Other companies like 3M, General Mills, Target and Land O’Lakes have their corporate headquarters here.

Last year, the unemployment rate at Minnesota was around 3%, which is near the national average. The state requires a minimum of $9.65 per hour, which is more than the federal minimum wage. You’ll be able to earn more as it has one of the better rates in the whole of Midwest.

2. Average Cost of Housing

The median value of homes in Minnesota is around $225,000, according to Zillow. If you plan on purchasing a home, the listing price is about $40,000 more than that amount. On the other hand, if you plan to rent a property, the average rental is $1,5000 a month.

Home and rental prices have increased in the recent years, especially in the Twin Cities. But it’s still much lower than other urban areas, like New York City.

If you choose to move in more rural areas like Hoyt Lakes, you can find lower rental rates. For example, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment for just $500 compared to $1500 monthly in the Minneapolis area.

3. Numerous Outdoor Activities to Enjoy

The great outdoors is one of the best pros of living in Minnesota. You’ll be able to find 5 national parks, 76 state parks and 10,000 lakes here. And if you head up north, you can reach the Great Lake’s western-most point. You’ll never run out of fun outdoor activities in Minnesota.

In the summer, there are several hiking, cycling and running trails to discover. You can also enjoy climbing and boating. In this winter, you can enjoy skiing and other winter sports.

4. Home to the Mall of America

The Mall of America is an enormous shopping mall. It took 133,000 tons of steel to build the mall. In fact, because of its enormous size, you can fit 258 Statues of Liberties and 7 Yankee stadiums inside it!

The mall houses some of the best brands in the world. You can also find an indoor theme park that is complete with rollercoaster rides. There are so many stores that you won’t be able to visit them all in one day.

Rest assured that you’re safe when you shop here because the mall has its own counterterrorism unit.

5. Great Culinary Experience

Minnesota is the perfect place for foodies. Even the Smithsonian Magazine has taken notice of the great dining places in the Twin Cities. The local dishes in the state come from different origins, but Minnesota has a lot of Swedish dishes.

Since there are 100,000 Hmong refugees living in Minnesota, there are numerous pop-up restaurants like Union Kitchen. These restaurants introduce the Hmong culture through its dishes, like larb.

When the weather is good, you and your family can enjoy meals on the lakeside or the city’s harbor.

Cons of Living in Minnesota

1. Harsh Winters

Even if you live in the Twin Cities, the winters here can be harsh. It will challenge you physically and emotionally. Snowfall in this state, especially in the northern areas, are commonly measured in feet rather than inches. Even if the plows run full-time after the storm, you can be stuck at home for several days.

The temperatures can regularly drop to -20°F during these times. In fact, the small northern city in Minnesota named Tower experienced -60°F without windchill in 1996.

2. Prevalent Mosquitoes in the Summer

The summers in Minnesota are generally cool, but the temperature can get warm enough to invite mosquitoes. The state has thousands of lakes, which is a natural breeding ground for mosquitoes. Even if Minnesota is the largest producer of sugar beets, you can get several insect bites from the mosquitoes.  It’s crucial to invest in a good insect repellent to be able to enjoy the outdoors throughout the summer.

3. Significant Traffic

If you visit the Twin Cities, you’ll experience heavy traffic, especially during rush hour. Even the side streets can get clogged up, so you can’t use these routes. It’s important to plan your route ahead of time, especially during the winter.

Bottom Line: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Minnesota

With its rich outdoor nature and numerous lakes, Minnesota is a stunning place to live in. There are many pros to moving to Minnesota, but you also need consider the cons as well. In doing so, you will be able to make the right decision.

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons:

• PRO: There are many job opportunities
• CON: The winters are cold and snowy
• PRO: The cost of housing is average
• CON: There are many mosquitos in the summer
• PRO: The food is delicious
• CON: There’s a lot of traffic around the city
• PRO: You can find the best shopping at the Mall of America

For more information, contact MN Property Management Co, LLC today!