5 Things to Know Before You Move to Minneapolis
Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, friendly faces, and rural sprawl, but it has a hidden metropolitan gem, too. In fact, two of the biggest cities in Minnesota are right next to each other. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are often referred to as the Twin Cities, and they’re home to over 3 million people!
Minneapolis is an amazing area that has widely flown under the radar for far too long, so U-Box is here to show it some love. If you’re looking to move somewhere new, Minneapolis is a great choice for families, young professionals, and everyone in between. Let’s cover some of the biggest factors to consider before living it up in the Twin Cities.
Where is Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is only a 15-minute drive from Minnesota’s state capital of Saint Paul. Since the two cities are so close, that’s why we often refer to them as the Twin Cities!
What County is Minneapolis in?
Minneapolis is in Hennepin County. Unlike its twin, Saint Paul is in neighboring Ramsey County.
What is the Time Zone in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis and the rest of Minnesota is in the Central Time Zone.
1. There Are So Many Things to Do in Minneapolis!
People like to assume that there’s not much going on in the Midwest, but there’s plenty of things to see and do in Minneapolis and its surrounding cities.
Must-See Places in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Institute of Art
With a dedication to conservation, research, and uplifting marginalized stories, the Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the best places to learn about many different cultures and their art. With a constant rotation of impactful exhibits, you can easily spend all day at the MIA, and it’ll keep you coming back for more!
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Looking for affordable fun at any time of day? The Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden is open until midnight, and it’s open for 360 days a year. There are over 60 sculptures across 11 acres of land, accompanied by a self-guided tour for all ages. If you like to enjoy art and fresh air, this is a must-see in Minneapolis.
Mall of America
This mall is basically a theme park with how much it offers! This mall is 4 stories high, with over 500 stores and 400 events a year. Almost 40 million people visit the Mall of America in a single year, making the state of Minnesota almost 2 billion dollars annually.
Concerts in Minneapolis
Summer and fall are prime concert seasons in Minneapolis, with events popping up multiple times a week. For bigger artists, you’ll probably want to hit up the Xcel Energy Center or the Target Center, which are also the homes of Minnesota’s hockey and basketball teams respectively.
If you are more of an indie darling, you’ll enjoy concerts at smaller music venues, like the Green Room or First Avenue. These venues are also great for a quick bite and some delicious cocktails!
2. People Feel Safe in Minneapolis
Crime has been a major talking point when it comes to Minneapolis for years, but the conversation has intensified since 2020. In reality, crime is on the decline. There has been an 8.6% decline in violent crimes specifically. So, while there is a common misconception about safety in Minneapolis, many residents report feeling relatively safe in their city.
3. Minneapolis has Great Food!
Where is the best place to eat in Minneapolis? Well, it depends on what you’re craving! Minneapolis is a very diverse city, and it shows in the cuisine.
For yummy Japanese food, Billy Sushi is the hottest spot in the Twin Cities. But if you’re looking for more authentic South-Asian cooking, Union Hmong Kitchen is a world-renowned restaurant you need to try.
If you want award-winning cooking, Owamni by The Sioux Chef was named James Beard’s Best New Restaurant back in 2022. This indigenous style cooking is unlike anything else and deserves all the praise it’s received so far.
Can’t get enough of Latin cuisine? Then check out the Mercado Central marketplace! With over 30 businesses and delicious restaurants, you can spend a whole day here and walk away full and happy.
4. The Cost of Living is Rising
Living in Minnesota is affordable, but the cost of living is rising in the Twin Cities. We covered before that some of the average rent in Minneapolis sits at around $1,300, and the typical salary evens out to about $44,947. House prices in Minnesota have risen about 2% over the last year, with the average house selling for about $316,980.
If you want to live in Minneapolis, you’ll probably find that there are more housing options in St. Paul. But here are some great neighborhoods in Minneapolis, according to Niche.
- Lauderdale is a good mix of city and suburbia. There’s a pretty even split between renters and homeowners. And the median rent is only $1,288!
- Falcon Heights is next to Lauderdale, so it’s similar in many ways. But as a bonus, the median rent is about $100 less, at $1,162. This is also home to the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fair!
- Medina is more of a true suburb, more suited for families. Most of the people living here own their homes, which usually sell for $680,000.
5. The Summers are Perfect
We have all heard about the brutal winters that roll through Minnesota. And unfortunately, fall and spring can also be pretty brisk, with an average temperature of 45 degrees across both seasons.
But that doesn’t account for the gorgeous summer weather. With an average temperature of 71 degrees, Minnesota is the perfect place for outdoor fun in the summer months. You can find plenty of hiking and biking trails, water sports, and camping opportunities in Minneapolis. From the Chain of Lakes to the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, you’ll never run out of beautiful sights to explore.
Moving to Minneapolis with U-Box
So, are you interested in Minneapolis? Whether you want to live in the Midwest, or try your luck somewhere else, U-Box can help you get there! U-Box containers are portable storage units that keep your stuff protected during moves, renovations, and other unexpected life events.
U-Box containers can be delivered right to your door, and can stay with you, or returned to a local U-Haul center for safe keeping. No matter what you need it for, the flexibility of U-Box is unmatched!
Ready to get rolling? So are we!