Moving to Rochester, MN (Woodbury, Byron: best school, maintenance, safety)

[Die30]

Hi all,

Will be moving soon and trying to get prepared, have two kids (elementary and middle school), we can see good comments about the education system in Minnesota and Rochester, but the scores available in Zillow doesn't look that promising. It would be our preference to take advantage of public schools but if those are not that great I'm considering private school as option. Would like to know what your suggestions...

Are schools good (Zillow score doesn't look very positive)?
What is the best school district in the area?
What about the Byron school district/area? Would you have a better recommendation?

Also weather wise we are moving from a southern state with two cars one (minivan) front wheel drive and the other (sport coupe) rear wheel drive , i know winters are special over there, would you recommend to consider getting different kind of vehicles?

Thanks a lot!!

[jennifat]

If you're coming from the South, Minnesota's public education system will be vastly superior. I definitely would not worry about individual school districts in the Rochester area.

You shouldn't have any trouble with the vehicles you currently have. I've owned nothing but compact sedans my who life and have never had any issues. Just be sure to keep in your trunk a small snow shovel, some kitty litter or sand (to pour around any stuck tires for traction), and maybe some old rugs in case you need to shove your way out of a snowbank.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Die30

Hi all,

Will be moving soon and trying to get prepared, have two kids (elementary and middle school), we can see good comments about the education system in Minnesota and Rochester, but the scores available in Zillow doesn't look that promising. It would be our preference to take advantage of public schools but if those are not that great I'm considering private school as option. Would like to know what your suggestions...

Are schools good (Zillow score doesn't look very positive)?
What is the best school district in the area?
What about the Byron school district/area? Would you have a better recommendation?

Also weather wise we are moving from a southern state with two cars one (minivan) front wheel drive and the other (sport coupe) rear wheel drive , i know winters are special over there, would you recommend to consider getting different kind of vehicles?

Thanks a lot!!

In the winter you'll often find that your rear-wheel drive sport coupe is pretty worthless. Not only does the rear wheel drive not work very well in snow OR ice, but being a small car and not having much clearance over snow makes it even worse. In the upper Midwest, it's hard to beat owning at least one vehicle with all wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. I'd make that a priority for next winter if you move up here.

As jennifat stated, the academics in general from towns in the Rochester area are going to be better than most areas in the south.

[Die30]

Originally Posted by jennifat

If you're coming from the South, Minnesota's public education system will be vastly superior. I definitely would not worry about individual school districts in the Rochester area.

You shouldn't have any trouble with the vehicles you currently have. I've owned nothing but compact sedans my who life and have never had any issues. Just be sure to keep in your trunk a small snow shovel, some kitty litter or sand (to pour around any stuck tires for traction), and maybe some old rugs in case you need to shove your way out of a snowbank.

Thanks Jennifat!!

[Die30]

Originally Posted by jmgg

In the winter you'll often find that your rear-wheel drive sport coupe is pretty worthless. Not only does the rear wheel drive not work very well in snow OR ice, but being a small car and not having much clearance over snow makes it even worse. In the upper Midwest, it's hard to beat owning at least one vehicle with all wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. I'd make that a priority for next winter if you move up here.

As jennifat stated, the academics in general from towns in the Rochester area are going to be better than most areas in the south.

Thanks jmgg!!!

[WoodburyWoody]

We get snow, ice, icy snow. But if you are driving in city, the crews are extremely good at getting the streets clear and are funded well/equipped well to handle it. Being a major metro - a a medial center not only for the region but beyond - Rochester leaders take winter street maintenance seriously. Major highways/interstates are taken care of as well - if there is an advisory to stay off of them, heed it and stay home.

Front wheel drive is fine for city driving in Minnesota. Rear wheel is not, mostly because of ice - this winter in particular has had a lot of ice formation as we get hit with snow (one of the snowiest on record) and then get a warming trend and even rain, which creates ice on the roads overnight). But, we all used to drive rear-wheel cars and pickups and many people then would swap out their tires for snow tires for better traction. We've been back for 20+ years (Twin Cities) and did fine with front wheel drive cars and one mini van until recently (I have an on-demand 4WD SUV and others now have AWD Subarus - it does make a difference and is kind of fun).

Regardless of what you do, I *strongly* recommend that everyone who drives spend an afternoon of the first weekend you are here that we get snow in an empty parking lot and practice for a bit in conditions, to get used to it. It is really easy to master and a little experience goes a long way toward safety.


Welcome to Minnesota.

[Die30]

Originally Posted by WoodburyWoody

We get snow, ice, icy snow. But if you are driving in city, the crews are extremely good at getting the streets clear and are funded well/equipped well to handle it. Being a major metro - a a medial center not only for the region but beyond - Rochester leaders take winter street maintenance seriously. Major highways/interstates are taken care of as well - if there is an advisory to stay off of them, heed it and stay home.

Front wheel drive is fine for city driving in Minnesota. Rear wheel is not, mostly because of ice - this winter in particular has had a lot of ice formation as we get hit with snow (one of the snowiest on record) and then get a warming trend and even rain, which creates ice on the roads overnight). But, we all used to drive rear-wheel cars and pickups and many people then would swap out their tires for snow tires for better traction. We've been back for 20+ years (Twin Cities) and did fine with front wheel drive cars and one mini van until recently (I have an on-demand 4WD SUV and others now have AWD Subarus - it does make a difference and is kind of fun).

Regardless of what you do, I *strongly* recommend that everyone who drives spend an afternoon of the first weekend you are here that we get snow in an empty parking lot and practice for a bit in conditions, to get used to it. It is really easy to master and a little experience goes a long way toward safety.


Welcome to Minnesota.

Thanks wood!!!