Planning to Relocate to Minnesota? Minnesota is a real gem of a place to live, and it is not just the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” The people, scenery, and economy are a great package deal that draws many people from all over the country. Minnesota has a nice selection of cities that all have many features that suit career advancements and leisure activities. Even though there are cold winters, traffic and high taxes that are downfalls, they are not as important as all of the good things about Minnesota. Every person and family in the country could find something that they enjoy about it.

Is Minnesota The Right Place for Your Next Move?

Minnesota was ranked the 4th best state in the country for quality of life. Funny enough, what makes Minnesota appealing is a matter of preference. The job market is good, many areas are affordable, the scenery is nice, and the people are nice. Plus, Minnesota residents get to enjoy distinct seasons and thousands of lakes with the opportunity to get outside all year round.

Minnesota is not perfect and does not cater to everyone. The features and people that make Minnesota enjoyable can also be considered hard to deal with. These challenging features include long winters, city traffic, high taxes, and bad allergies. In addition, rural areas are very quiet, and living in the cities can have long commutes.

Minnesota is a great area to settle down, with all of its amenities and a striking environment with many activities to do. All of the appealing features of Minnesota compare well against many other states in the Midwest.

Things to Know About Minnesota

10 Pros and Cons of Living In Minnesota

1. Pro: Affordability of Minnesota Living

Affordability is one of the many reasons people choose to move to Minnesota, and for good reason. On a general scale, the cost of living in Minnesota is about 3% lower than the national average, ultimately allowing citizens to spend less. The cost of housing is one of the many reasons, with the median home price of $340,000 compared to the national median of about $425,000. Minneapolis homes are cheaper compared to the rest of the country. Saint Paul’s residents also see living costs being about 5%-6% lower than the national average. The monthly average for utility bills is between $150 and $200, and groceries are also cheaper than in most densely populated states. Minnesota also offers affordable living in the smaller, more rural areas of the state, making it the perfect place for someone who is price-conscious yet also does not want to sacrifice quality in any capacity.

2. Con: Minnesota’s less-populated locations are often viewed as Remote

Peaceful? Yes. Restorative? Absolutely. Views within the less populated areas of Minnesota are unparalleled by most other states but can feel more remote to people who are more active. Small- to medium-sized communities that encapsulate the rural areas in Minnesota are located anywhere between 30 miles to over 60 miles from the closest large city, making it harder to find and access the nearest shopping, health care, and even employment resources. Most forms of public transportation fail to reach rural areas of the state and can even create a sense of dependency on a personal vehicle. On a scale of amenities, small towns can easily follow a stringent and slow pace to the discontent of some people, compared to Minneapolis and St. Paul.

3. Pro: Breathtaking Sights Throughout Minnesota

Living in Minnesota has its parks, and one of them is the gorgeous scenery. Minnesota may be called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it really has over 11,000 of them. With all of these lakes, there are endless things to do, such as boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Lake Shore is famous for its rocky shoreline and its breathtaking views of the water. If you are into nature, Voyageurs National Park would be a great place to consider. This park has over 218,000 acres total of forest, lakes and wilderness areas. It is also home to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This area attracts so many visitors due to its gorgeous lakes and picturesque landscapes. Whether it is the scenic trails by Duluth or the green parks by Saint Louis Park, Minnesota has tons of outdoor scenery to offer throughout the year.

4. Con: Summer Mosquitoes In Minnesota

Unfortunately, Big swarms of mosquitoes come with the gorgeous scenery every summer. The many lakes, rivers, and wetlands in Minnesota provide the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed, especially when the weather is warm and humid. These pests are the most active from late spring to August, especially during the evening when you are closest to the water or woods. Due to the large swarms of mosquitoes, camping, hiking and outdoor gatherings are made very uncomfortable. The scenery really is gorgeous, but the heavy presence of mosquitoes is also very intimidating, and most people have to learn to manage the mosquitoes and scenery every summer.

5. Pro: Minnesota Has A Robust Job Economy

One reason Minnesota is an appealing place to reside is the robust job economy. Minnesota boasts a low unemployment rate of about 3%, which is below the national unemployment average. Employment opportunities in the submarket of Minneapolis and St. Paul can be found in various industries like healthcare, technology, and finance. Target Corporation, 3M and General Mills are a few of the companies that employ thousands of Minnesotans.  Minnesota has a high average median household income of almost $78,000 compared to the national median household income. Job security and income potential make Minnesota a region of interest for employees and families who want economic stability.

6. Con: Have High Volume of Traffic and Extended Commute Times

Living in the greater metropolitan areas of Minneapolis and st. Paul means that at some points you will experience an extensive commute. Major Highways I-35W and I-94 will experience rush hour traffic. If you are commuting from the suburbs to the Twin Cities center, don’t be surprised if you spend 30 to 60 minutes in travel. The burden of construction and the infamous Minnesota winter will only increase the length of time spent on the highway. The busiest areas of Minnesota have a lot to offer by way of employment and amenities, but the long periods of time spent driving can add to the stress of commuting.

7. Pro: Welcoming Communities

People who move to Minnesota find their neighbours to be warm and friendly, and many enjoy the various local events that foster connection. Community gatherings, festivals, and neighborhood block parties are quite frequent. The Minnesota State Fair, while an iconic event, is a prime opportunity to show off the Midwest’s warm welcome and friendly competition. Whether living in Duluth or a Minneapolis suburb, residents are usually willing to offer their assistance to local organisations and fellow residents, creating a great impression and a fantastic living atmosphere for new families.

8. Con: Higher Taxes

Relocating to Minnesota is especially difficult for many people who are tax-averse. Minnesota imposes a high income tax, as the top leaders in Saint Paul place a 10% tax on everyone with an income that is deemed to be high. Sales taxes are also generally high, and even Minnesota’s neighbours frequently enjoy cheaper property taxation. Residents in some Minnesota counties face an even higher property tax, which increases housing costs. While there are social benefits to higher taxes, especially with funding education and social services, the residual effects of funding public services can be felt throughout the entire state.

9. Pro: Enjoying All Four Seasons in Minnesota

Minnesota residents get to experience the fun of four distinct seasons each year. It makes the state a beautiful place to live, and there is plenty of variety throughout the year. Summer brings warmer temperatures. In the winter, cold-weather sports like skiing and ice fishing become popular. Autumn brings falling leaves, and winter turns them into snow. Spring marks the warming of the parks and the rest of nature. Each season brings its own charm. Living in Minnesota makes it even more charming because residents have a fun variety year-round.

10. Con: Seasonal Allergies Can Be A Problem

For some people, living in Minnesota is more challenging because it is more allergy-provoking. Minnesota is beautiful and very green and lush, but there are plenty of plants throughout the state. There are three main causes of allergies in Minnesota: tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen from early to mid-summer and fall allergies caused by ragweed. The main problem in Minnesota is that the weather is very windy, and this makes the pollen count much higher. These conditions are especially problematic for people with allergies who like to be outside. Minnesota is beautiful, but allergy season can be prolonged and problematic for some people.