What Living In Minnesota Is Really Like

The Vibe: There’s A Good Reason The Locals Love This State

Home to the Twin Cities, the Juicy Lucy, and Vikings football, there are plenty of ways to fall in love with the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Not only is the Midwest state of Minnesota home to some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, the landscape is made up of big cities that are easy to navigate, small towns, each with a unique sense of charm, and natural beauty that stretches for miles. In recent years, a more diverse crowd has been drawn to the state, as places like Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth have experienced urban growth, making this one part of America that’s definitely on the rise. Whether you prefer the city life of hustle and bustle or a laid back rural vibe, Minnesota has something that anyone can enjoy, provided you don’t mind things getting a little chilly from time to time.

Local Flavor: Snow Or Shine, There’s Always Something Going On

Despite having a few colder months of the year, the communities in Minnesota stay active regardless of the season. A couple of the biggest events in this state include America’s oldest and largest Renaissance Festival, attracting over 280,000 people annually donned with crazy costumes in search of giant turkey legs. There is also the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a celebration in the dead of winter with snow carving competitions, golf on ice, and skating contests, along with close to 75 other events.

Cuisine: Hearty Food That’s Good For The Soul

It’s a little difficult to pin down a single style of cuisine that’s most prominent in Minnesota, other than that a majority of the plates served here are hearty dishes sure to keep you warm during the colder months. There’s a huge presence of Scandinavian and German heritage in the Gopher State, meaning lots of sausage, lutefish, and lefse. Minnesota is also known for their exceptional skill in crafting a meal known as “hot dish”, which is basically a hot casserole filled with a mix of anything you’d ever want. Minnesota’s burger game is also one of the best in the country, known for the “Juicy (Jucy) Lucy,” two patties of meat pressed together with a gooey block of cheese in the center. The beer culture is huge in this state, with a few local breweries including Summit Brewing Company, Surly Brewing Company, and the infamous Hamm’s Brewery. Really you can’t go wrong when it comes to stuffing your face in Minnesota.

Nightlife: Dive Bars Are The Way To Go Here

Blame it on the chilly weather, but people in this state love to drink. However, even the big cities aren’t really known for their club scene, with the exception of downtown Minneapolis, meaning you’re usually better off just checking out the crowded bar down the street. However, a few nightlife areas that tend to light up as the sun sets include Minneapolis’ Warehouse District, often compared to places like the famous Water Street in Milwaukee, Uptown Minneapolis with a less crowded, but still lively bar scene, and Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

Weather: The Weather Here Takes Some Getting Used To

Three seasons out of the year in Minnesota are awesome, as summer temperatures tend to average in the upper 60s to low 70s regardless of where you’re at. Even spring and fall are pleasant, as weather during these months stays mild, with warmer days and chilly nights. It’s the winter that you’ll need to watch out for. During this season, average temperatures drop well below freezing. It gets so cold that huge skywalks have been made in places like the Twin Cities to keep people downtown from actually having to go outside as they’re traveling from place to place. You won’t hear the locals complain too much, but regardless of what they say… its cold! Make sure you practice your snow driving before taking to the roads here.

Safety & Crime: Life Is Safe In Minnesota

With a statewide crime rate of only 2,655 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents, crime in Minnesota is much lower than the national average of 3,099 reported acts per 100,000 residents. That being said, certain places like Duluth and Minneapolis do have higher crime rates, 5,365 and 5,905 reported acts per 100,000, respectively, though higher numbers are fairly typical for areas with a larger population.

Commute: Sometimes Two Wheels Are Better Than Four

Getting around Minnesota is super easy. Whether you’re driving on long, flat highways from one destination to another or trying to get around in one of the larger downtowns, there are few reasons to complain about the local commute, typically taking around 20 minutes each way statewide. Plus, places like Minneapolis and St. Paul are two of the easiest places to get around without a car, regularly winning awards for how walkable and bike-friendly their streets are, with hundreds of miles of bike trails and several pedestrian bridges.

Cost Of Living: Life In Minnesota Won’t Blow Your Savings

When it comes to cost of living, Minnesota as a whole scores a 103 (100 is the average for America). Though the Gopher State is a little more expensive than the national average, it’s not by much, as things like transportation, housing, and utilities still remain pretty cheap. It’s also easy to find places in this state that are much more affordable, even without looking outside of the big cities. On the same scale, cities like Duluth score a 96 and Rochester scores an even lower 92, making it easy to find the right place for your budget in this state.

Sports: Cold Weather Won’t Stop These Crazy Fans

There’s no shortage of live sports in Minnesota, with professional teams like the Twins on the baseball diamond, the Timberwolves shooting hoops, the Vikings on the gridiron, and the Wild taking to the ice. Not to mention the number of other minor league and college squads, like the very popular Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Nature: Minnesota Has It All

Filled with prairies, rocky bluffs, countless lakes, pine marshes, and roughly 90,000 miles of shoreline, Minnesota has it all. Even when it’s cold residents find a way to enjoy nature, whether they’re snowmobiling, ice fishing, or cross country skiing. A few of the prettiest places this state has to offer, all must-sees, include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Itasca State Park, and Fort Snelling State Park, which attracts over 750,000 visitors each year.

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