Fair point. Looks like Minneapolis snowfall is 45-50" while Detroit is 41" and Grand Rapids/ Kzoo are around 70". Average temps in winter are colder but it is sunnier. I really wasn't trying to start something, just remembering all the conversations with friends/family when I am back in A2 about how "cold and snowy it is in Minnesota" when it's all basically the same thing - a long winter. I guess living in Minneapolis for this long has affected me - defensive about the city's merit and talking too long about the weather!
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, moved to Minneapolis for grad school 13 years ago (wow...time flies) and have lived in many different neighborhoods. I agree with general consensus that Uptown would be your first bet. It used to be hippie, but now is gentrified with bars and restaurants. It is very close to a few nice lakes within the city where you can jog and people watch. Uptown is a few miles south of downtown. Northeast Minneapolis is now more of the place for hipsters, lots of old school corner bars and a fledgling arts scene. I don't think too many people actually live in Downtown but if you have a job there, that would be another good option. The Grand avenue area near St. Paul is another nice place for 20-somethings. A little more laid back in St. Paul, also a good vibe from a variety of liberal arts colleges (Macalaster, Hamline, etc.). Unless you want to be near your job and want to buy a house with a yard, I wouldn't recommend anywhere outside of Minneapolis or St. Paul. A few suburbs are nice (Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Woodbury) but basically for old men (like me) with families.
I think Minneapolis is a great town. Restaurant and culture scene are thriving - great food here. Lakes are great in the summer and lots of skiing and hockey in the winter. I think it's hilarious when people from Michigan make any comment about the weather in Minnesota like there's a difference. Minneapolis is considerably sunnier and about 10 degrees colder than Michigan during winter. It also gets less snow. I for one would rather have a bunch of winter sun with highs from 15-25 than 4 months of clouds and lots more slush/ice.
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Fair point. Looks like Minneapolis snowfall is 45-50" while Detroit is 41" and Grand Rapids/ Kzoo are around 70". Average temps in winter are colder but it is sunnier. I really wasn't trying to start something, just remembering all the conversations with friends/family when I am back in A2 about how "cold and snowy it is in Minnesota" when it's all basically the same thing - a long winter. I guess living in Minneapolis for this long has affected me - defensive about the city's merit and talking too long about the weather!
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, moved to Minneapolis for grad school 13 years ago (wow...time flies) and have lived in many different neighborhoods. I agree with general consensus that Uptown would be your first bet. It used to be hippie, but now is gentrified with bars and restaurants. It is very close to a few nice lakes within the city where you can jog and people watch. Uptown is a few miles south of downtown. Northeast Minneapolis is now more of the place for hipsters, lots of old school corner bars and a fledgling arts scene. I don't think too many people actually live in Downtown but if you have a job there, that would be another good option. The Grand avenue area near St. Paul is another nice place for 20-somethings. A little more laid back in St. Paul, also a good vibe from a variety of liberal arts colleges (Macalaster, Hamline, etc.). Unless you want to be near your job and want to buy a house with a yard, I wouldn't recommend anywhere outside of Minneapolis or St. Paul. A few suburbs are nice (Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Woodbury) but basically for old men (like me) with families.
I think Minneapolis is a great town. Restaurant and culture scene are thriving - great food here. Lakes are great in the summer and lots of skiing and hockey in the winter. I think it's hilarious when people from Michigan make any comment about the weather in Minnesota like there's a difference. Minneapolis is considerably sunnier and about 10 degrees colder than Michigan during winter. It also gets less snow. I for one would rather have a bunch of winter sun with highs from 15-25 than 4 months of clouds and lots more slush/ice.