What's it like to live in Minnesota?

[Marina The Bat]

I'm considering a move to Minnesota because I'm hearing a lot of pros about living there. I also frequently hear about the con being that it's very cold up there.

I miss the winter weather back in my old hometown and I deeply hate the 120 degree weather and high humidity in Georgia. My old hometown in winter would usually have a few blizzards and the temperature was 0 F in New Years and the coldest i've felt back home was -20 F.

I also hate being in the south and I can hardly find an lgbt community to hang out with. I just don't like being in the south anymore. I also want to find out the cost of living in and the job market and economy in Minnesota. I'm also interested in having a social life and I do want to find out more about college life.

[TxmxthyJS]

It is cold up there and I would know, me and my family have vactioned up there more than a couple of times and I think it is cold up there year round, cause me and family went up there during the Summer one year and it was snowing all the way going up there, but it is nice and the stereotype I think for people who live up there is usually that they are nice- going and they talk a little differently but me and my family usually go up there during a football game for the Minnesota Vikings and also we have went too the Mall Of America, which is a nice mall too go too, so Minnesota isn't for everyone, and I don't like the cold either but it is nice to go up there once in awhile, too live there it depends, if you can handle the cold year round...

[Joyce B]

Your first priority would be a job, in my opinion. Or school, if you are a student. You might find this interesting.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2213820_connect-...polis.html

[Nelle]

It isn't cold all year round. I've lived here for the last 16 years and never once has it snowed in the summer (if memory serves). The latest I remember it snowing is mid-April and by mid to late May it gets pretty nice. I guess nice is relative, but somewhere in the 70's in May. This past year, we had one of the hottest days on record at around 100 degrees. Otherwise most of the summer is somewhere in the late 80's or 90's and yes, humidity can suck. Also, winter varies a lot. A couple of years ago we had a blizzard practically every weekend and last year it hardly snowed.

The cost of living will depend on where you live in MN. The closer you live towards Minneapolis/St. Paul the more expensive it's going to be, but you can always find a great deal somewhere. Just be aware of certain neighborhoods like North Minneapolis that yes, are cheaper to live in, but a lot more dangerous. There are more expensive cities in the suburbs like Edina or Wayzata and cheaper ones like Hopkins or Brooklyn Park.

If you're interested in college life and decent LGBT community try looking more towards the city. For a college with more diversity I'd recommend the U of M Twin Cities. You can also check out St. Paul because they have a ton of colleges. My friend is a lesbian and attended St. Catherine University (a.k.a. St. Kate's) and loved it there, actually that's where she met her girlfriend.

The job market is probably a little better than some states. The unemployment rate is around 5.6% (as of August), but take that for what you will. Each career field is going to vary so it depends on what you're looking to do.

Good luck with your decision!