9 Reasons Why Moving To Minnesota Is Such A Great Idea!
Thinking about moving to Minnesota? If you’re like most people, you don’t know anything about it. Packing up to move to another place, even from one house to another, in the same state, is one of the most difficult things to do. You have to leave all you know and move to a strange new place where you have to do what almost feels like starting over again.
Now, moving to a whole new state where you don’t know anywhere or anyone is even more daunting…
The good thing is, if you’re about to shift your life to a whole new state, things must be looking up. And if you’re moving to Minnesota, things must really be looking up!
But before you start celebrating your move to the North Star State, first you have to get here. Easier said than done.
Before your move, you have to choose the neighborhood you’re going to move to, the house you’re going to live in, and if you have kids, ensure there are good schools around. And is it far from your new job? I mean, how do you do all this if you do not know the area, and you’ve not moved here yet?
That’s where I come in. My name is Justin Culley, and I am a local Realtor in Oakdale, MN. At Bridge Realty, I help young people and young families moving to Minnesota find and buy their dream homes. I assist them in transitioning from their old lives to the new and improved lives in Minnesota!
I have helped hundreds of young people and families to settle into neighborhoods they have come to call home throughout my career. And I want to help you make your move a pleasant and enjoyable experience.
So now that’s out of the way, here are nine reasons you should definitely consider moving to Minnesota!
1. Job Market… There are 15+ Fortune 500 Companies in the Twin Cities
One reason you might be considering the idea of moving to Minnesota, is because of a job relocation. Besides St. Paul and Minneapolis, the cities that make up the Twin Cities, sitting just nine miles apart, they’re also both on the shore of the Mississippi River. Previously home to major milling and railroad companies, the area is now riddled with fortune 500 companies. And it’s safe to say that the area is conducive for big ideas.
Giant companies like Target, Bes Buy, 3M, General Mill, just to name a few, have chosen to call the Twin Cities home. This has led to a blossoming middle class, a vibrant working force, and a healthy SME sect. Finding a job in Minnesota is not as challenging as in most other parts of the country, and with the minimum wage at $10 per hour, your hard work won’t be in vain.
Technology companies and startups are also finding Minneapolis and St. Paul conducive for technology to boom and are quickly becoming known as the Silicon Lakes of Minnesota. With this upsurge in technology companies, great growth is expected over the coming years and great opportunities to go with.
Moving to Minnesota to spread your wings as an employee or an employer may be a good strategic move to make now and enjoy the benefits of when the area’s technology industry eventually matures. People are leaving Silicon Valley, and the land of 10,000 lakes in Minnesota is where they are moving to.
Here is the list of top employers across the state.
So if you have any hesitations about moving to Minnesota because you’re not certain about the job market, don’t be. Minnesota is not only a great place to live, but it’s also a great place to work, with opportunities left, right, and center!
2. Cost of Living
So we have already established that if you’re planning on moving to Minnesota, it’s a great place to spread your industrial wings because opportunities are plentiful, and the minimum wage is good. But after all that hard work, do you have to spend all your money just to be in Minnesota? That’s a resounding no.
In Minnesota, the cost of living is very affordable compared to other states and cities with the same amenities and living standards. And don’t just take my word for it. The Atlantic ranked Minneapolis as the second top city for social mobility, ranked by affordability. I mean, if The Atlantic says it, it must be true. Right?
Taxes in the state are also not exorbitant; actually, that’s one of the reasons so many big companies have their headquarters here. And the local government supports local businesses and local communities. The general feeling is that they want you to move here and succeed.
If you’re wondering how much your monthly mortgage payment will be, then give our Home Mortgage Calculator a shot!
To that effect, apartments are fairly affordable, with a one-bedroom running you anything from $800 to $1,200. But one thing to consider is that Minneapolis sits on the higher end of that spectrum, and St. Paul sits on the affordable side. And with these two being so close to each other, commuting between the two is not such a crazy idea.
But as I had previously mentioned, good opportunities are available. Compared to other prime cities such as New York, Minnesota likes to compete with life in Minnesota is pretty good.
So to recap, the taxes are not that bad, rent is not that high, and the cities can stand up to any big city in the country. Awesome. Looks like you’ll be moving to Minnesota in no time! Let’s keep going….
3. A Booming Real Estate Market
It goes without saying, but Minnesota is a beautiful place to live. The architectural scene is vibrant, and the real estate market is riper than ever. Not to say that the cost of owning a home is astronomical, it’s very affordable, with a modest home costing about $275,000. Though, the cost of real estate around the Twin Cities and the whole of Minnesota, in general, has been rising over the last 5-7 years.
Don’t let that discourage your dreams of moving to Minnesota though! We have several affordable and beautiful suburbs all around the Twin Cities! The cities listed below are just some of the major areas we help home buyers and home sellers achieve their real estate goals. Click on a city (i.e. Oakdale, Maplewood, Woodbury) to learn more about the community and view homes recently listed for sale:
If you are looking to move to a state where you can finally be a homeowner, Minnesota is the place to be. There are different financing options and a wide variety of properties to choose from. Real estate is ever appreciating, and it’s probably a good idea to get on board now before it becomes too expensive.
Highly valued waterfront properties are also available around most of the 10,000 lakes, and I tell you the views are to die for. There is a lot of fresh air. The suburbs are nice and water and electricity barely ever go out. I am talking about you, Texas.
So if you want to put your money in a place your family will enjoy living and appreciate over time, try out one of the many growing suburbs in Minnesota.
4. Awesome Education and Highly Rated Schools
Besides the job market and where you’ll call home, another very important factor to consider when moving to Minnesota, is the education your kids, or future kids, will receive. No need to worry! Minnesota is ranked among the best in the nation, overall.
If you want to advance your education, Minnesota is a great place to move. Higher institutions such as the University of Minnesota and Bethany Lutheran College offer numerous associate and bachelor’s degrees that you can pursue. The learning standards are pretty high in the state, and a degree from any of its institutions will serve you well.
If, on the other hand, you’re not interested in pursuing higher education, but you have a young family that’s hungry for education. Minnesotan schools are certain to give your kids a good education with a higher than average GPA. In fact, Schools in Minnesota were ranked seventh in the country for quality and safety.
The local communities and local government have prioritized schools at all levels and for all communities living in Minnesota. Many kids come here for schooling and travel back home during the holidays because the education system is that good.
So whether you choose a public or private school for yourself or your kids when moving to Minnesota, you can rest assured the education here is top-notch!
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5. All of the Local Lakes and Outdoor Activities
By now, you have a good job, a nice house, you’re educated, and your kids are in a good school. Life is good. But what do you do with yourself during your downtime? A question you will never have to ask yourself after moving to Minnesota, is: “What am I going to do now?”
The land of the 10,000 lakes has a lot of water activities, outdoor parks, and natural scenery to melt your heart away. You can take out your picnic basket during the summer months and enjoy a serene afternoon out with your family or loved ones in the park. You can try out hiking on one of the many trails around, or if you’re the adventurous type like me, visit one of the many lakes.
Minnesota isn’t known as the land of 10,000 lakes for no reason. There are so many beautiful lakes and so many water activities here that your relationship with water will never be the same. You can go swimming, fishing, water skiing, speed boating, waterboarding; actually, I think that one is a CIA torture tactic, but if you’re to make friends, what’s a little water on your face. Am I right, or am I right. Here is just a small list of local activities that Minnesotans often enjoy:
- Hiking and rock climbing
- Bird watching
- Snowshoeing and cross country skiing
- Walking, especially around the many lakes
- Fishing and ice fishing
So if you move to the land of 10,000 lakes, expect to be more physically active because there are many fun activities you can do outside on and off the water. Minnesotans love to partake in outdoor recreation and we were recently ranked the 8th fittest state in the country. If you enjoy spending time in nature, moving to Minnesota could be just ticket for you!
6. Great Restaurants, Theaters, and Festivals
If you love eating out, you’re going to love all of the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul truly are melting pots of different cultures, pan intended, and the different cuisines have amalgamated to form this rich, flavorful food scene that’s only found here. When walking the streets of St. Paul, you can feel the strong aroma emanating from big pots boiling with some of the best ingredients the state has to offer, calling to you.
The restaurants are posh but simple. You can choose valet parking or take an Uber. The food is hot, but not burn your tongue hot, the right kind of hot. The mood in the restaurants is romantic and inviting. And after a date out in St. Paul, you’ll most likely get lucky!
Apart from the food and romantic setting, the cultural diversity, and the amazing Minnesotan personality, it doesn’t stop there. If you go into some of our theaters, you will find shows and movies airing from all walks of life. Not to mean we don’t get the usual Hollywood blockbusters. We do. But really talented creators have established their roots here, and in turn, made the Minnesotan art scene come alive and have a stronger pulse than ever before.
And the festivals. Please, don’t get me started on the festivals. Okay, you talked me into it. Minnesota is home to more than 30 festivals that take place at different times of the year, celebrating different things. They are culturally diverse, and you will find something interesting to do or learn something new about a different culture from a different part of the world just by attending a few.
Here are a variety of fun happenings and events are hosted throughout the year, including, but not limited to :
- WeFest and other country music festivals
- The Minnesota Renaissance Festival
- Sever’s Fall Festival and Corn Maze
- The Saint Paul Winter Carnival
- The Minneapolis Aquatennial
- The Twin Cities Marathon
- Grandma’s Marathon
As you can see, there are a lot of fun activities to do while in Minnesota. Your mundane, boring life will seem like a distant memory once you experience the diverse experiences Minnesota has to offer.
7. The Minnesota State Fair
So… moving to Minnesota has many benefits, but none outweigh the importance of the Great Minnesota Get Together! The Minnesota state fair was originated back in 1859 and is still going stronger than ever. Although the rides, exhibits and people watching certainly are part of the draw here, it’s the ‘deep-fried-food-on-a-stick‘ that attracts 100,000’s visitors every year!
Just in case you feel like 30 plus festivals are not enough, Minnesota outdoes itself every year by organizing the second-largest state fair in the United States by the number of attendees. The fair, also lovingly known as The Great Minnesota Get Together, is conveniently located between St. Paul and the city of Roseville, an easy to get to location for anyone in the state.
It holds exhibits from local farmers, apparel stands, food stands, giant rides, live music, and other attractions you’ll find entertaining.
So if you move anywhere within the state, it’s nice to know you can conveniently get to the state fair.
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8. Winter Activities
I don’t know if anyone told you this, but Minnesota is cold in the winter. Like, freeze your ass off cold. But once you get used to the cold, you’ll find that it’s actually not that bad. And in true Minnesota fashion, there is a lot of fun things to do out in the snow.
You can test your zeal out on the snow cross-country skiing. If skis are not your fashion item, how does a 120 horsepower snowmobile sound? Exactly. There are many open hills and fields filled with fresh powder for you to ski and ride your snowmobile to your heart’s content.
And as if that’s not enough, there are even more fun activities to do on the ice. If you love animals, to be precise, dogs. This one is for you. Dog sledding. Need I say more?
If a shot of adrenalin isn’t what you’re looking for and a more intellectual event is more your thing, St. Paul is the home of the oldest winter festival. Held in Rice Park, the festival hosts a variety of exhibits, including ice sculptures, parades, poetry, and live music from talented artists. You will freeze half your brain, but you will leave feeling culturally woke and more sophisticated than everyone else. And as you know, feeling socially gratified is more important than freezing half to death.
But all jokes aside, if you love snow, x-mass trees, and x-mas lighting, you will love Minnesota during Xmas. Most of the homes are decorated, everyone is usually in a good mood, and Santa always stops by. Winter here is nothing short of magical, and I hope you get to see it.
9. The Craft Beer Scene is Real
What was that? I am sorry I couldn’t hear you over the sound of me enjoying my burger and chucking down my pint of cold craft beer. That’s right, we believe in barstool philanthropy and that it takes a whole community to raise a more purposeful pint. If you can’t tell by now, the beer here is like food. We can’t seem to have enough of it.
Well, being the birthplace of more than 100 brewers, Minnesota enjoys a healthy Beer life. It’s not uncommon to find beer tourists or whiskey hoppers in the Twin City area. What is a bear tourist or a whiskey hopper, you may ask? These are people who come into the state with one goal in mind. To hit as many breweries and distilleries in the state and taste their products.
Here are some of Minnesota’s favorite breweries to check out:
- Fulton Beer in Minneapolis
- Surly Brewery in Minneapolis
- Bent Paddle Brewing Company in Duluth
- Island City Brewing Company in Winona
- Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater
- Indeed Brewing Company and Taproom in Minneapolis
- Revelation Ale Works in Hallock
If that’s not your thing but would still like to partake in the beer-drinking, take away beer is picking up; you can pick your poison and conveniently have it delivered to your door. So as you can see, Minnesota is a very sheik place to live, and you won’t regret moving here.
Here’s the skinny…
Moving logistics, especially interstate, are cumbersome. Factor in the stresses of settling in a new and unfamiliar place; it’s understandable why many don’t like change. But when moving to a lovely place such as in the communities in Minnesota, the move and the change becomes a bit more bearable.
And with the help of my broker and myself, Bridge Realty – Justin Culley, finding your new home and moving to Minnesota will be even less stressful. We’ll help you buy your new place and make your transition hassle-free!
Relocating your home can be a significant undertaking. If you’re considering moving to Minnesota or relocating within the state, I would love to help. So if you’re planning on moving to Minnesota and are looking for an experienced local agent to help you pick and buy your new home, look no further. If you would like to reach out to me by call or text for inquiries, at (612) 581-6842. Happy house hunting!
Check out some of our other blog posts!
- What’s behind rising home prices in Minnesota, and many parts of the U.S.?
- 10 Things To Bring With You When House Hunting
- 5 hot features home sellers frequently forget to mention…
- How to save money when you buy a home
- Moving to Minnesota? Here Are 9 Reasons Why You Should!
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