4 Reasons Minneapolis is a Great Place

Minneapolis is a great place to live. It’s a friendly, hospitable, and affordable place to make a home for a family.

Minneapolis also has many tourist attractions, and this means there are jobs here in the hospitality industry. The food is great, and the cost of living is reasonable.

One unfortunate downside is the weather. In winter, it gets very snowy and very cold.

Is Minneapolis a Good Place to Live?

Yes, but it is a mixed bag of things. Education is good, and the entire state ranks 7^th among the best educational systems in the country. 

The cost of living is higher than the national average, but it comes with the good stuff. It is not that expensive for no reason.

Pros of Living in Minneapolis MN

1. Cost of Living

The cost of living index in the city is 106.5 against a score of 100. A score of 100 means it is the national average.

While this figure seems high, one gets it back because the city is a marvel in itself. Healthcare is affordable in the city, with a rating of 78.5. 

Although the cost of living here is roughly 3% higher than in most cities, at least there are jobs waiting for people who move here. Housing and utilities are about 1% lower than the national average.

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2. Strong Job Market

The job market in Minneapolis is strong but its growth is creeping.

The industries with the highest employment rating are:

• Manufacturing
• Retail Trade
• Professional services

The growth prediction in the next ten years is 36%. This prediction is higher than the prediction for the national average. To be able to live decently n Minneapolis, one has to take account of the taxes, as it can eat up one’s salary.

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3. Nature and Landscape

Nature lovers will find Minneapolis attractive. There are many parks here, and the city itself always tops the list of best cities if nature is taken into account.

One popular spot here is the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. It is a regional park, and it is comprised of several lakes that offer a good view of the city’s skyline.

There are paved paths for bikers and joggers in the park, and people who want to skate can also do so the whole year. During summer, one can visit the beaches, do some kayaking and many more.

Minneapolis also has an abundance of fishing spots. The good news is that these fishing spots are kid-friendly. Overall, the city is an exciting place to raise children.

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4. Food and Culture Scene

Foodies have nothing to say but the best things about the food culture in the city. There is not much to do here during the winter, but plenty of restaurants exist.

From bars to restaurants, the city is sprawling with options. Then, there is the craft beer scene. This craft beer scene seems to be a trend that is now becoming popular all over the country.

There are now 81 breweries in the city. Anyone who wants a taste of a different kind of beer and simply go to the bars and get some. The most prominent craft beer brands here are Grain Belt Beer and the Schmidt Brewery.

Cons of Living in Minneapolis MN

1. Weather

Minneapolis is pretty much cloudy and windy. It is sad weather, and the winters are freezing. The summers here are warm but wet. The typical temperature averages 9 degrees and 83 degrees when it is hot.

The warm season only lasts for about four months, and the cold season is the same. Most of the time, there is rain, which makes it a challenge to live here.

2. Crime Rate

Crime is a problem in the city. Its crime rate index is 2 out of a score of 100, where 100 is the safest. There are 5,000 violent crimes and 20,000 property crimes here per year.

It has been observed that some people who live in the city seem to distrust the police. They typically will not call the police if they have disputes—they settle the issue on their own.

Minneapolis is fairly safe, as the crimes that happen are concentrated in some areas only. Petty crimes can occur, but it is mostly tourists who are the target. In addition, one should not walk alone at night.

3. High Taxes

The city charges one of the highest tax rates in the country. The state itself charges 6.875 percent on purchases. Minneapolis charges an additional 0.5%, which is called a sales tax.

The thing is that even if the purchase was made outside the city limits, this sales tax applies for as long as a Minneapolis resident made the purchase.

There is also an income tax in Minneapolis. This income tax is graduated, and there are four rates that range between 5.35% and 9.85%.

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Best Suburbs to Live in Minneapolis MN

• Stillwater – the suburb has a small population; the school ranking here is A, which means it is best to raise a family in this suburb.
• Inner Grove Heights –runs along the Mississippi River, and there are many parks in this area. The suburb is only 20 minutes away from downtown.
• Mendota Heights – the suburb has a rich offering of scenery; it is a small suburb with many parks and places for hiking.
• Shoreview – there are many shores here from 11 lakes. There are public beaches and nature parks, and reserves.
• Plymouth –is one of the largest cities in the state where one can find the French Regional Park; the area is a good place for skiing during winter.

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Conclusion

Minneapolis is a good place to live, albeit the crime rate is high. It is dangerous to live in the city, but one has options of suburbs where it is peaceful. One can also simply find out which areas are dangerous and avoid them. Minneapolis is good for singles, young professionals, retirees, and also families that have kids. The city offers schools that rank among the best in the country.