How is Twin Cities ranked among American cities? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: low crime, affordable house)

[Missourian11]

This is an interesting, fun thread that focuses on how Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) ranks among other American cities based in the following categories: quality of life, cost of living, economy, overall health of its residents, diversity, climate, crime rate, quality of education, and the availability of big city amenties such as arts, leisure, and entertainment. Also list cities that are very similar to Twin Cities.

[Ben Around]

Based on your criteria, I'd say Denver.

[akronbball]

I'd say Seattle meets quite a few.

[Missourian11]

Since I am moving to Twin Cities this summer, I will post what I've learned from my own research along with my two visits to Minnesota.

Twin Cities is both the 16th largest metropolitan area and the 13th largest combined statistical metropolitan area in the U.S. with 3.5 million residents.

It is the largest city in the Upper Midwest outside Chicago.

Nearly 60% of Minnesota's population lives in the Twin Cities Metro Area.

It has cultural organizations that draw creative people and audiences to the city for theater, visual art, writing, and music. Also, the community's diverse population has a long tradition of charitable support through progressive public social programs, as well as private and corporate philanthropy.

Minnesota is known for its relatively liberal social and political orientation, and has a high rate of civic participation and voter turnout.

Minnesota ranks among the healthiest states, and has a highly literate population. Education is essential to Minnesotans and the state has many good school systems. Same goes for colleges and universities in the state.

Twin Cities is very diverse by Minnesota's standards with immigrants from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Hot summers and harsh, cold winters are the characteristics of the climate. Minnesotans generally enjoy their winters by enduring it with winter sports and activities.

Minnesota has a stable economy with unemployment rate of 7.3% and 10th highest personal income in the nation.

Minnesota enjoys plenty of fine and performing arts, entertainment, and shopping especially at the Mall of America with tax-free clothings along with many professional sports in Twin Cities, top-notch education, and health industries including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Denver, CO is very similar to Twin Cities in its size and climate with the exception of the mountains. Seattle does in some ways too.

[DaPerpKazoo]

I would say Seattle is most similar, followed by Denver. Pittsburgh and Portland are also relatively similar to Mpls, but in very different ways.

[DirtMagurt]

Denver

[Missourian11]

According to the poll, people think Seattle is more similar to Minneapolis than Denver by one vote.

Why do you think Minneapolis has more in common with Seattle than Denver?

[Missourian11]

I would like to add something about Minnesota/Twin Cities.

According to CNN's Best Places to Live 2010, five of top 100 best places to live are in MN and all are surburbs of Twin Cities.

1. Eden Prairie
11. Plymouth
13. Woodbury
15. Eagan
20. Apple Valley

Only CO, CT, MN, and NY have the most best places among 50 states.

[uptown_urbanist]

Those "best places" lists are really subjective. None of those suburbs, for example, would make it onto my top five list of places to live in the Twin Cities. They are all boring, bland suburbs. They have decent schools, low crime, decent schools, and nothing much going on -- that's why they make the list. I'm sure that blandness makes it very desirable for many -- you can buy a relatively affordable house and live the modern suburban lifestyle -- but that's only "best" if that happens to be what you're looking for in a location.

[knke0204]

Those lists are nice, as those are all very nice suburbs. But that's just what they are. Typical, generic suburbs. Albeit clean, friendly, pretty, manicured, plasticy, good education, nice streets, new establishments, parks and trails... But not my cup of tea.