Sans the riots and the traffic. And as a long-time Twins fan, going to a night game at Target Field is off the list.
Moved to MN. Interesting observations
- Thread starter TrailCy
- Start date
There were so many friends I made from IL that were crazy smart but it ended up being way cheaper for them to come to ISU. Almost no one I knew went to ISU from WI before I went, this break made it cheaper for me to got to ISU than UW and I know a lot of others in Western WI that have attended since!
I read through to page 6 and skipped the rest. LOL. But now I'll definitely be making some of my own observations when we're in MN.
We're moving up to the TC area (Otsego) in May. The development we'll be in does not have an HOA and I plan to proudly display our Cyclone flags. We've talked about attending a Gopher football game during an ISU away weekend. And (even though we're Chiefs fans) attending a Vikings game or two. A hockey game is definitely something we'll go to. Neither of us are huge baseball fans, but it appears quite a few MN are. Otherwise, a fishing pontoon and lake trips are on our agenda. And...FWIW, we lived up here for 3 years in the late 80's....so we're fully aware of what the winters are like.
We moved to Pella in 2018 and had heard for YEARS how Pella people were unfriendly, "if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much" and they have excessive restrictions throughout the community. Our experience has been the complete opposite. Everyone has been great. People are very friendly and welcoming. You CAN mow on Sunday. Different areas of the city have HOAs and it sounds like each is slightly different. I can totally understand some of the ordinances the city has. The city and a majority of the residents take pride in their community and how it looks.
When we move to Otsego, we plan to do the same thing we did here. Sit in our driveway and say "hi" to neighbors that walk by. Set out a couple extra chairs so they can stop and chat. Fix some brisket and pulled pork and invite the neighbors over for a cookout.
We're moving up to the TC area (Otsego) in May. The development we'll be in does not have an HOA and I plan to proudly display our Cyclone flags. We've talked about attending a Gopher football game during an ISU away weekend. And (even though we're Chiefs fans) attending a Vikings game or two. A hockey game is definitely something we'll go to. Neither of us are huge baseball fans, but it appears quite a few MN are. Otherwise, a fishing pontoon and lake trips are on our agenda. And...FWIW, we lived up here for 3 years in the late 80's....so we're fully aware of what the winters are like.
We moved to Pella in 2018 and had heard for YEARS how Pella people were unfriendly, "if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much" and they have excessive restrictions throughout the community. Our experience has been the complete opposite. Everyone has been great. People are very friendly and welcoming. You CAN mow on Sunday. Different areas of the city have HOAs and it sounds like each is slightly different. I can totally understand some of the ordinances the city has. The city and a majority of the residents take pride in their community and how it looks.
When we move to Otsego, we plan to do the same thing we did here. Sit in our driveway and say "hi" to neighbors that walk by. Set out a couple extra chairs so they can stop and chat. Fix some brisket and pulled pork and invite the neighbors over for a cookout.
The university of Illinois is hard to get into because they cap enrollment and they rely upon Iowa and Iowa State to educate the kids that can't get into Illinois.
We get out of state tuition and the Illinois government doesn't have to expand any of the illinois-based universities.
You generally have to be in the top 10% of your class to get into Illinois. Imagine being in a suburban Chicagoland school that has 500 kids in a class and you're the 70th rated kid and can't get into Illinois. Iowa and Iowa State welcome them with open arms.
Wisconsin has similar situation with U of W.
No, my daughter has gone twice in the last year with her friends. Beyond her the rest of our family hasn't been there in at least the last two years if not much longer.
I’m not sure anyone is saying the Twin Cities aren’t chock full of awesome amenities - they are.
What people don’t like about the area is the attitude of many of the locals.
It’s kind of like Ghandi’s quote about Christianity. Minnesota is a very nice place. Minnesotans? Ehhh…
What people don’t like about the area is the attitude of many of the locals.
It’s kind of like Ghandi’s quote about Christianity. Minnesota is a very nice place. Minnesotans? Ehhh…
Being a Vikings fan and having enjoyed the TC every time I went, I'd love to live there. I think my boys would enjoy it as well. The wife, however, well lets just say I'd have to leave her in PHX.
Grew up in Iowa, moved to Minny in late 80s after graduating ISU. I have seen plenty and I will sum it up for you.
1) Very nice here in the summers. North of the Twin Cities with all the lakes, camping, hunting, fishing, etc. is truly a treasure. Very beautiful.
2) Yes it gets cold here. Sooner in the fall and longer in the spring than Iowa. You make of the winter what you will. You can embrace it, or loathe it. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, Atv's, all fun. Or stay inside and catch up on reading, Netflix, Home projects, etc.
3) Agree on the Minnesota "Group" thing. Since moving here, I have made some good friends, but not tons of them. Iowans are far more open minded in this area. The people here are nice, but you have to kind of penetrate that barrier first.
4) Traffic is not bad. It has it's moments no doubt, but comparing it to other big cities this is nothing to lose your $hit over.
5) Restaurants and entertainment (sports, theater, city gatherings) are pretty good.
6) Minnesota state Fair kicks a$$
7) The ISU to Hok ratio is about 50:50
8) Schools are really good for raising your kids.
9) State taxes are high
10) Hok fans are still douches here with the "go Hawks" thing. They will always be classless morons.
You now have all you need to know from someone that has been here for more than 30 years.
1) Very nice here in the summers. North of the Twin Cities with all the lakes, camping, hunting, fishing, etc. is truly a treasure. Very beautiful.
2) Yes it gets cold here. Sooner in the fall and longer in the spring than Iowa. You make of the winter what you will. You can embrace it, or loathe it. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, Atv's, all fun. Or stay inside and catch up on reading, Netflix, Home projects, etc.
3) Agree on the Minnesota "Group" thing. Since moving here, I have made some good friends, but not tons of them. Iowans are far more open minded in this area. The people here are nice, but you have to kind of penetrate that barrier first.
4) Traffic is not bad. It has it's moments no doubt, but comparing it to other big cities this is nothing to lose your $hit over.
5) Restaurants and entertainment (sports, theater, city gatherings) are pretty good.
6) Minnesota state Fair kicks a$$
7) The ISU to Hok ratio is about 50:50
8) Schools are really good for raising your kids.
9) State taxes are high
10) Hok fans are still douches here with the "go Hawks" thing. They will always be classless morons.
You now have all you need to know from someone that has been here for more than 30 years.
You must live fairly close to my brother (also an ISU grad), he is just off Voyager at Mt Estes Dr.
Best post of the thread. I think every point is right on.
I lived in Uptown and then St Louis Park for a few years after graduating. I very much enjoyed my time there. I prefer Minnesota winters to the freeze/thaw ******** you get in Des Moines (and non-stop wind). I could see moving back to the cities at some point, but my wife vetoes based on traffic whenever it's brought up 
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I lived in Uptown and then St Louis Park for a few years after graduating. I very much enjoyed my time there. I prefer Minnesota winters to the freeze/thaw ******** you get in Des Moines (and non-stop wind). I could see moving back to the cities at some point, but my wife vetoes based on traffic whenever it's brought up
I agree on the winters. Many hate them here and I completely understand, but I would take MN winters over Iowa as well.
This is literally a generalization said by every bordering state about a fellow border state. This isn’t unique to Minnesotans and I can guarantee you there are people in states that border Iowa say the same thing about Iowans.
In my anecdotal experience, It’s rare for Minnesotans to give Iowa credit for anything. Iowans give Minnesota considerably more credit in my experience.
Minnesotans treat the Dakotas the same way. They’ll begrudgingly admit Wisconsin is pretty.
Minnesota doesn’t look at Iowa as a border rival like Iowa looks at Minnesota. Wisconsin is their “border rival.” If you want a comparison, look at what nebraskans think of Iowans.