Are you dreaming of living in Minneapolis? If so, you’re not alone. The Twin City metropolitan area (Minneapolis-St. Paul) centers around the St. Croi, Minnesota, and Mississippi rivers. Uniquely located, these waterways create many lakes and provide waterfront properties and endless recreation for all of Hennepin County.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul communities are diverse, and their thriving sporting, arts, and culture scene showcases their vibrant and supportive nature. Consistently, Minneapolis delivers a top-notch quality of life. Accordingly, this big city is home to the highest-ranking healthcare facilities in the entire Midwest. In a land of abundance and vibrancy, conservation and preservation are at the forefront, making Minneapolis a front-runner in keeping its ecosystem clean and preserving the quality of its natural resources. Let’s sail through the City of Lakes and discover if relocating to Minnesota is the perfect destination.
1. Living in Minneapolis is a Wonderland
Known as one of the best cities for lake activities, Minneapolis offers watersport adventures like boating, water skiing, and ice fishing; the Chain of Lakes Regional Park is a popular outdoor hotspot. During the humid and hot summer, the area hosts various water activities and recreational locales, including Lake Harriet and Lyndale Park.
In contrast to the warm season, Minnesota is the third-coldest state in the U.S., and Minneapolis averages 24 days below 0′ F each year. Offering drastic seasonal shifts, outdoor recreation in this region is abundant year-round. The average annual snowfall in Minneapolis is 37.3”. As the showcase winter months begin, Minnesotans spend the cold month cross-country skiing, taking on hockey sports, and ice fishing.
The city of Minneapolis offers one of the largest climate-controlled enclosed pedestrian skyway systems in the world. Initially built in the 1960s, the skyway system spans 9.5 miles, seamlessly linking to parking garages, businesses, restaurants, and retail shops. With the local area’s fierce cold winters and humid summers, the climate-controlled skyways provide shelter and allow street walkability to pedestrians year-round.
2. Living in Minneapolis is Vibrant
Minneapolis appreciates creativity, from cultural heritage to renowned art exhibits. Check out their Art museum lineup: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Mill City Museum, the Museum of Russian Art, the Weisman Art Museum, the American Swedish Institute, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Minnesota History Center, these are just a few of the venues for art appreciation. In addition, throughout the summer, neighborhoods teem with outdoor activities and farmer’s Markets showcasing local artisan and crafted goods.
Minneapolis residents proudly revere Midwestern sports teams. The community is abuzz with support for their local teams: the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), the Minnesota Twins (MLB) at Target Field, the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), the Minnesota Lynx (WMBA), and the Minnesota Wild (NHL). Watch the town come alive as the age-old rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, take on the Wisconsin Badgers.
3. Living in Minneapolis is High-Quality
Several factors contribute to Minneapolis’s high quality of life. First and foremost, the Minnesota metro area houses some of the best healthcare facilities nationwide, including the University of Minnesota Medical Center and Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Fostering innovation and research, nationally acclaimed education institutions like the University of Minnesota‘s flagship campus, Minneapolis College, the Art Institutes International Minnesota, Augsburg University, Hamline University, and North Central University offer high-quality education right in the heart of Minnesota. Niche ranks the public school system with a B- score, placing Minneapolis higher than the national average.
The food scene well represents the city’s cultural diversity. From Ethiopian and Asian cuisine to farm-to-table restaurants and local breweries and taprooms, living in Minneapolis is abundant. For starters, who doesn’t love a good local IPA or cider and delicious food served in the trendiest local hangout?
Minnesota’s world-famous Mall of America is located nearby in Bloomington. It draws families to its theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, aquarium, SEA LIFE Minnesota, and 500-plus stores. Mall visitors aren’t simply perusing shops; the Mall of America is a comprehensive entertainment complex.
4. Living in Minneapolis is Convenient
The Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington Metropolitan Area, known as the Twin Cities, includes 15 counties. Metro Transit provides public transportation throughout the area. It meets the needs of Twin City residents with its Light Rail, which offers a Blue Line, a Green Line, and citywide Bus Routes. Metro Public Transit optimizes transportation with its Speed and Reliability Program.
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is on the city’s south side. Serving as Delta Airlines’s second-largest hub, the MSP is a significant economic generator for the town. The MSP provides 86,900 jobs, $15.9 billion in business revenue, $3.7 billion in personal income, $2.5 billion in local purchases, and $546 million in state and local taxes.
Not only is Minneapolis centrally located, the airport offers seamless travel in and out of the city. With abundant public transportation options, commuters, residents, and visitors conveniently travel throughout the city.
5. Living in Minneapolis is Lucrative
Minneapolis ranks 8th among the Best Places to Live For Young Professionals. Additionally, Minneapolis is relatively affordable compared to metropolitan major cities around America. According to RentCafe, the cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. The competitive housing market in Minneapolis continues to drive up home prices. However, in 2024, the median sales price is $339,450, which ranks 21% lower than the national average. Coupling these facts with its low unemployment rate indicates a strong economy for investment.
This city is ripe with innovation, offering a dynamic mix of a thriving job market and flourishing cultural venues and attractions. With 16 Fortune 500 companies in Minnesota alone, the workforce is booming. Some heavy hitters are Medtronic, Ameriprise Financial, Target, General Mills, U.S. Bank, 3M, and UnitedHealth Group.
Desirable Neighborhoods
Linden Hills offers residents dense suburban neighborhoods with bars, local shops, cafes, and green spaces.
Loring Park is a highly walkable neighborhood. Located near Downtown Minneapolis, shopping, dining, and nightlife options are abundant. The neighborhood ioverflows with culture and local events, including the art installations in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Walker Art Center.
Uptown is a trendy social neighborhood filled with young, diverse residents. Restaurants range from high-end to eclectic and artistic, serving every variety of dining styles from casual to elegant. Uptown’s claim to fame is its sizzling nightlife .scene
North Loop is filled with modern spaces and converted warehouse buildings featuring chic new condos; this historic community offers boutique living and unique dining options. Charmingly located along the riverfront, this neighborhood provides recreation and urban living, all within walking distance.
Edina is an upscale neighborhood filled with large homes and some of the best schools in the area. Popular among families, this golfing community represents residents seeking all of the amenities of a big city alongside the suburban feel of a quiet and safe neighborhood.
If the City of Lakes isn’t big enough, Chicago is the closest major metropolitan city to Minneapolis, located 400 miles away.
Ready to Move to Minneapolis?
Imagine experiencing life in the City of Lakes, where Midwest values merge with urban living. This unique city is known for its traditional values and friendly community. Seasonal weather hits hard at every level, and outdoor recreation is abundant, so life in Minnesota caters to residents with a wide range of interests.
Why not get the ball rolling and buy into the American dream by connecting with a lender who can finance your next real estate adventure? Now is the best time to improve your quality of life and finance a new home in Minneapolis. Taking the plunge and purchasing a new property in Minnesota is only a click or a phone call away.
The Steps are Simple:
Schedule a Call: An experienced loan officer can discuss your needs and guide you through the possibilities.
Get Approved: We’ll help you through the application process and facilitate the steps for approval.
Exhale: Put your feet up and feel secure knowing you made the best decisions about your home loan.
With proper guidance, you can get your first home, accommodate your growing family, and start that renovation project—whatever goal is on the horizon. An alliance with Mortgage Insiders will give you the confidence to know that your mortgage loan is setting you up for financial success. Mortgage Insiders offers today’s latest financial news and mortgage trends. Check out our channel for current events.
