Moving to MN from New jersey (Minneapolis, Minnetonka: houses, find a job, neighborhoods) - Minneapolis - St. Paul - Minnesota -Twin Cities - City-Data Forum

Unsure070 · 03-02-2021, 03:22 PM

Hi. My family is looking at homes in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul suburbs. Any East coasters here that can share their experiences. How do you like living there? Has making close friends been hard? Ty!

Isaysos · 03-05-2021, 02:22 PM

Some suburbs may be harder to meet people than others. But if you have kids and are looking in the burbs, your golden and should be able to connect that way. Especially as things get more normal this summer and fall.

Camden Northsider · 03-06-2021, 04:30 PM

Not an East Coaster, but if you're used to a more urban feel, then I'd strongly advise looking within the cities of Minneapolis & St Paul. The East Coasters I know that moved to the city feel like they dodged a bullet in *not* moving to the suburbs here, which IMO tend to be pretty bland, insular, and homogeneous in almost every way imaginable. First ring suburbs are sometimes exceptions to this rule. If that's your thing then by all means, but newcomers to this area should really understand they'll see lot of posts here and elsewhere that make city life out to be some kind of bad/scary/dystopia of liberal insanity, vs the idyllic American dream offered by suburban tract developments amidst dying malls, big boxes, and national chains. My advice is to be wary of that hype-- there are beautiful neighborhoods throughout both cities proper.

daboywonder2002 · 03-07-2021, 01:03 PM

I moved here from the Philly area to Edina. So my experience is more of a culture shock when it comes to not seeing a lot of black people. I can say for me when it comes to like nationalities, I haven't seen a lot of Italians and Puerto Ricans here in Minnesota. Where as you see plenty of them in Jersey and Philly. Food wise- you're not gonna find hoagies, cheese steaks and pizza similar to the east coast. Are there great pizza places here in Minnesota? Absolutely but it's all a matter of preference. Hoagies- I mean I like Jersey Mikes but it's not the same as the East coast

Unsure070 · 03-07-2021, 01:57 PM

Daboywonder2002,
I have a 20 year old daughter who is Puerto Rican. I think dating will be a huge shock for her coming from NJ.
I also have three younger boys. They have time to meet friends in school and what not. I worry more for my daughter having to break into social circles. How do you like Mn? Are you happy with your move? Do you plan on staying long term? I think I might miss the ocean and easy access to nyc. We didn’t go into the city often, but it was nice having a train blocks away from my house.

daboywonder2002 · 03-07-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unsure070

Daboywonder2002,
I have a 20 year old daughter who is Puerto Rican. I think dating will be a huge shock for her coming from NJ.
I also have three younger boys. They have time to meet friends in school and what not. I worry more for my daughter having to break into social circles. How do you like Mn? Are you happy with your move? Do you plan on staying long term? I think I might miss the ocean and easy access to nyc. We didn’t go into the city often, but it was nice having a train blocks away from my house.

I have been here since 2010. I didn't plan on staying but and part of it is on me for not being agressive enough with my job search. Im not relocating until I find a job. My goal is to move to Raleigh NC or the Dc area. Minnesota has lakes. You will definitely miss the beaches in New jersey. Oh and when i say it's gets cold. You might think well it snows in New jersey but nooooo. The cold here is a different beast. i'm talking single digit to negative temps. I like Minnesota overrall when it comes to the education system (k-12) and safety and things to do. Minnesota has the best park system, shopping is affordable. You shouldn't get bored. I can even deal with the weather. Things I don't like are lack of African American professionals and just being far from family.

Unsure070 · 03-08-2021, 08:37 AM

daboywonder2002
Thanks for the reply. And I agree. If I were an African American I might even choose an Atlanta suburb. The houses are affordable and gorgeous. I only ruled it out because of the heat and I hear traffic is really bad, schools are also a hit or miss. We sold out house in Nj months ago and we are at our summer house down south. I really miss NJ a lot more than I anticipated. I really hope that changes when we finally land in Mn. I have spent winters there and have a brother who lives on lake Minnetonka. Boating is something I really look forward to. I’m just praying I feel at home because I’m so used to the east coast and left my best friends behind. It’s scary and a gamble. They say to do what you fear the most. I just rather run back home though

Velo Rider · 03-08-2021, 11:30 AM

Man. You have family on Lake Minnetonka, you have it made! I'm jealous

That lake is gorgeous and you have to have serious money to live the life on that lake.

jmgg · 03-08-2021, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velo Rider

Man. You have family on Lake Minnetonka, you have it made! I'm jealous

That lake is gorgeous and you have to have serious money to live the life on that lake.

Yep, Unsure070 will have a good start when he comes here if people in his family can afford a house on Lake Minnetonka. I went on a boat excursion there a couple years age from the Wayzata side. Wonderful experience and boy are there some homes on those shores. That's living the good life.

Unsure070 · 03-08-2021, 01:43 PM

I keep thinking I’ll miss the Jersey Shore, but the lakes will hopefully make up for it. It’s a different kind of beauty for sure. I guess there’s good and bad everywhere. I know for sure I’ll miss the Pizza and the characters of the northeast, but I think “quality of life” has to trump all other things since I have kids to think about.