Why Minneapolis is a Great Place to Live
January 27, 2022 | Moving
Known as the “twin city” of the Minnesota state capital of St. Paul, Minneapolis is a thriving metropolis known for its parks, lakes, and cultural landmarks. Aside from the abundance of recreational and tourist-oriented activities, Minneapolis offers one of the largest economies in the Midwest, acting as the home base for at least five corporate headquarters for companies featured in the Fortune 500.
With more than 400,000 residents calling Minneapolis home, it’s safe to say that Minneapolis is a popular place to live. Whether you’ve decided to put down roots in Minneapolis for work or to raise a family in one of its many award-winning neighborhoods, there are plenty of reasons why people love living in the Twin City. Read our guide to find out more about the best places to visit and live before making your move to Minneapolis!
Why Should I Move to Minneapolis?
Whether it’s across the state or across the country, it’s hard to just pack up and move to a completely new place. While making the transition can be daunting, there are plenty of reasons why moving to Minneapolis could be the perfect choice for you!
For starters, Minneapolis has plenty of attractions and activities to explore, so you can rest assured knowing you’ll never be bored. Between the rich music scene and museums, there’s an abundance of culture to absorb. If you enjoy shopping, the famed Mall of America is only minutes away in Bloomington, so you can easily make a day of shopping at this nearly 5 million square foot mecca. The best part about shopping in Minneapolis: no state tax on clothing.
For all the foodies out there, you’re in luck! Minneapolis has a thriving food and craft beer scene. These are great places to get to know your new coworkers or meet people out at the many bars and restaurants throughout the city.
If you don’t already have a job lined up prior to your move to Minneapolis, you’ll be happy to know that Minneapolis has a strong job market with plenty of notable Fortune 500 companies such as Target headquartered in the area. And if you’re wondering what traffic will be like on your commute to your new job, Minneapolis has a well-organized highway structure that eases the burden of traffic for daily commuters.
Weather in Minneapolis
Depending on if you love or hate the cold, the Minneapolis weather might be a challenge. Minneapolis is one of the coldest metro areas on Earth — and no, that’s not a typo. The winters in Minneapolis range between zero and 20 degrees fahrenheit, although those living in Minneapolis have seen temperatures drop as low as -30 degrees fahrenheit. But it’s not the winter chill that most locals complain about — it’s the length of winter, with chances of snow being probable from October through May.
However, once you get through the winter months, the Spring and Summer seasons are beautiful and mild, with the warmest temperatures averaging in the 80s.
Popular Neighborhoods in Minneapolis
When moving to a new city, nothing is more important than choosing the right place to live. If you live alone, residing in the heart of popular downtown districts might be a selling point for you, but if you have a family with young children, you might prefer a quieter suburb. Luckily, Minneapolis features a variety of neighborhoods that are sure to suit nearly every lifestyle! Here are a few of the most popular options:
Loring Park
Located on the southwestern edge of Downtown Minneapolis, Loring Park is a fan favorite among young professionals, college students, commuters, and families alike. This neighborhood has a close proximity to Downtown and features affordable apartments, condos, and townhomes.
There are plenty of kid- and dog-friendly outdoor spaces to explore, as well as plenty of cultural attractions such as the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the world’s largest urban sculpture park. A big plus for families with children: Loring Park contains a number of high-ranking public schools.
Fulton
Looking for a family-friendly paradise? Well, you’ve found it in Fulton. Just a mere 20 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis, Fulton boasts plenty of parks and greenspaces such as Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek. This small, tight-knit community is also very walkable and features three main thoroughfares lined with cafes, shops, and bars.
Fulton offers excellent public schools and is a haven for those dreaming of owning their own home. From bungalows to renovated single-family homes and custom builds, finding your dream home in the area should be a breeze. However, you might end up paying a pretty penny for it, as it’s not uncommon to find homes in Fulton priced up to $1 million.
Linden Hills
Want to spend your time outdoors without venturing too far off the beaten path? Linden Hills is the perfect Minneapolis neighborhood for you. Bordered by two parks and lakes Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, it’s not uncommon to see people renting boats to take out on the lake or biking and walking along the park trails.
Overall, Linden Hills touts a small-town feel thanks to its local shops and eateries, as well as the unique aesthetic of the old apartments, cottages, and bungalows. Linden Hills is a pricier neighborhood with a decent overall public school rating, making this area a strong choice among families.
North Loop
Also known as The Warehouse District, the North Loop is a trendy neighborhood that’s popular among young working professionals because of its vibrant nightlife. Made up of converted warehouses and new developments, the North Loop offers great walkability, access to public transit, and greenspaces along the Mississippi River.
Most residents in this neighborhood rent with rates ranging between $800-$2800 a month. Rent is fairly affordable for a downtown space, however, the North Loop may not be the ideal spot for families because of its average school system, crime, and safety ratings according to Niche.
Ericsson
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to live in a Minneapolis neighborhood that is rich with culture, Ericsson is the place for you. Considered an up-and-coming neighborhood featuring original architecture, cute bungalows, and plenty of outdoor greenspaces, you’re sure to find a unique place to call home in Ericsson.
While this neighborhood might be great for young professionals and university students, this neighborhood leaves a lot to be desired in the way of public schools for families with young children.
Nordeast
Calling all young artists and budding families: If you still want to enjoy a hip scene as you raise your children, Nordeast is an ideal neighborhood. This area is brimming with blue-collar buildings that have since been converted into studios for artists who work with a variety of mediums. On top of the vibrant art scene, you’ll find in this neighborhood, Nordeast provides a wealth of culture, history, and recreation to discover, including unique bars and delis.
Things to Do in Minneapolis
With so many museums, restaurants, bars and more to be explored, it’s unlikely that we could mention every notable stop in Minneapolis. As you begin to settle in as a Twin City local, use this list to get out there and do some exploring before adding to it yourself:
Minneapolis Sculpture Park
Also called the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, this park is one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country. Once called “The Parade” because of its use as a place to perform military drills, the Minneapolis Sculpture Park is a 19-acre combined campus with the Walker Art Center. About 40 percent of the space is a combination of permanent installations and temporary pieces that are changed throughout the year. The most notable sculpture in the park, the Spoonbridge and Cherry, is located at the center of this expansive greenspace.
Once you’re done taking a walk through the sculpture garden, you can head over to the Walker Art Center or visit the Basilica of Saint Mary nearby.
Walker Art Center
Located in the Lowry Hill neighborhood, The Walker Art Center is a prolific, multidisciplinary contemporary art center featuring art pieces such as books, costumes, drawings, paintings, photography, and more. Focused on modern and contemporary art after 1960, visual arts, performance art, and design are large focuses at this museum.
Minnehaha Falls
Part of Minnehaha Regional Park, Minnehaha Falls is a spectacular sight to see in such an urban city. This park is one of the oldest in Minneapolis, and you’ll often see couples, families, and individuals biking the trails, renting boats to go kayaking, or simply getting in their daily steps.
On your walk through the park, you’ll come across several historical sites that highlight transportation, pioneering, and architecture of the territory throughout time. Structures you’ll come across include the Minnehaha Princess Station, a reconstruction of the Longfellow House in Cambridge, MA, and more.
Weisman Art Museum
Whether you’re a student at the University of Minnesota or a transplant to the area, the Weisman Art Museum is a great place to stop. Featuring modern art collections from Marsden Hartley and Alfred Maurer, including Native American Mimbres pottery and traditional Korean furniture, this museum proves that there’s plenty of culture to soak up in Minneapolis.
Pick up a souvenir at the WAM gift shop on your way out, where you can find plenty of local Minnesota-made goods such as handmade jewelry, soap, toys, and more.
Midtown Global Market
At first glance the Midtown Global Market may seem like your run-of-the-mill farmer’s market, but a closer look would prove you wrong. Initially founded as a neighborhood project to help local entrepreneurs gain access to resources needed to build their businesses, today the Midtown Global Market is a cultural hub featuring 45 companies across 22 cultures. You can find your fair share of new and familiar restaurant cuisine, grocery products, and gifts from unique, local vendors. Throughout the week you can also experience cultural music and dance.
Twin Cities Brewery Tours
If you’re interested in wetting your whistle, living in Minneapolis is a great choice for you. Throughout Minneapolis, you’ll find plenty of unique breweries to explore. If you’re looking for a way to try multiple brews at once, Twin Cities Brewery Tours hosts a variety of beer tours and tastings in both Minneapolis and its sister city, St. Paul. These tours are also a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Find Self Storage for Your Minneapolis Move
By now you should be armed with all the information you need to decide whether moving to Minneapolis is the right fit for you. If the brutal winters don’t scare you away, you’ll find a diverse city with plenty of food to try, local goods to enjoy, outdoor spaces to use, and a variety of neighborhoods and districts to explore.
If you’re planning a big move to Minneapolis, you might be in need of a storage unit to hold your belongings while you close on your dream home. Or maybe you need a storage unit closer to your new home for the items that you already have in storage. No matter your need for self storage, Metro Self Storage offers affordable storage solutions and units in a variety of sizes, meant to perfectly suit all your needs.
In addition to our storage units, many of our facilities offer climate-controlled storage, moving supplies, covered and uncovered vehicle, boat, and RV storage, and more. If you’re ready to embark on your next adventure, find a Minneapolis location near you and rent your storage unit today!
