Top 15 Reasons Why to Move to Minnesota 

With a population of around 5.5 million, Minnesota is famous for the high quality of life it offers. Thinking of moving to Minnesota? You don’t have to settle in the Twin Cities or the surrounding suburbs. You can opt for a rural residence on a farm, by a lake or in the mountains. Wherever you decide to live, here are 15 things to know before moving to Minnesota. 

1. Minnesota’s economy is a mixed bag. 

Minnesota is tied for 11th place when you rank states by their unemployment rate. Minnesota’s is the 3rd -lowest, at just 3.2%. There are some strong worker-friendly policies in place and we are an entrepreneurial community.  .

2. Minnesotans are famously nice.

You may have heard the phrase “Minnesota Nice.” It refers to the special brand of niceness for which Minnesota residents are famous. Don’t be shocked by how friendly your neighbors are after moving to Minnesota. It’s how they do things there.

3. If you love lakes, you’ll love Minnesota.

Minnesota isn’t known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing. If you love water-based recreation activities like swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing and ice fishing, you’ll love living in Minnesota. Fun Fact: Minnesota has more shoreline than Florida & California combined.

4. Education is our “thing”.

Our K-12 schools are highly rated  in the United States.  Minnesota has 58 of the highest rated high schools in the country.

 According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, “at 48%, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation behind Massachusetts (51%) with the percentage of the population age 25 to 64 earning an associate degree or higher.” There’s plenty of human capital in Minnesota.

5. Cabin Life is part of Minnesota culture.

For Minnesotans of means or those who inherited family cabins, Cabin Life is a feature of every Minnesota summer. Leaving the city or suburbs and making your way to a cabin (preferably on a lake) is a Minnesota tradition.

6. Fairs and festivals abound.

The Minnesota State Fair is quite an occasion, but it’s far from the only game in town. The state of Minnesota is famous for the many fairs and art & snow festivals that take place throughout the year. Minnesotans are big on tradition and the state’s population is always adding new traditions, too.

7. Walking and biking trails crisscross the state.

Minnesotans tend to be an active lot. It’s no surprise, then, that the state has plenty of walking and biking trails (1300 miles of state trails alone) to accommodate residents’ active lifestyle. Why go to a gym when you could take a bike ride through some beautiful Minnesota countryside?

8. Property values vary considerably from town to town.

Minnesota home prices are generally affordable, but there is a variety of prices across the state. A wealthy suburb of the Twin Cities known for its excellent public schools will of course have higher home prices than a down-on-its-luck former paper mill town in the northern part of the state. Overall, though, it’s a great state to be a homeowner.

9. Minnesota is a progressive state.

Minnesota is a progressive state. It has a progressive income tax and a higher-than-the-federal-standard minimum wage. A tuition freeze on public higher education is in the works and the state has a progressive governor. If you’re moving to Minnesota from a red state it will take some getting used to.

10. Caribou Coffee is huge.

Caribou Coffee is Minnesota’s main coffee chain. You may have noticed this fact if you’ve flown through the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. There are plenty of one-off local coffee shops, too, but if you’re craving the dependability of a coffee chain, try Caribou Coffee before you seek out a Starbucks or a Dunkin’ Donuts.

11. Income taxes are pretty steep.

Minnesota has a progressive state income tax system with some of the highest rates in the country. If you’re moving to Minnesota from a state with no income taxes, take Minnesota’s tax regime into account when you’re negotiating your salary at your first Minnesota job.

12. Minnesota has plenty of farm country.

In the southern part of Minnesota farm country is abundant. The state’s top agricultural product is corn, but Minnesota farmers also grow beets, hay, wheat, barley, flax and oats. Livestock is a big part of Minnesota’s agricultural sector, too.

13. Minnesota is becoming more diverse.

Minnesota is far from the most diverse state in the Union, but it’s no longer as homogeneous as it used to be. In fact, the state’s foreign-born population is growing rapidly and residents of color are the fastest-growing segment of the state’s population.

14. There’s a distinct Minnesota accent.

The famous Minnesota accent that people sometimes make fun of is a real thing. Once you move to Minnesota you’ll start to notice it – and maybe even adopt it yourself. Like all regional accents, the Minnesota accent is in danger of fading away, so enjoy it while you can.

15. Minnesota winters can be harsh.

If you hate winter, moving to Minnesota might help.  We love our outdoor sports (and interestingly enough, we are not particularly athletic) skating, snowshoeing, sojourning, walking, skiing, ice sculptures, hockey, snowball fights, followed by hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.  Who can say no to that. 

Bottom Line

Minnesota offers friendly residents and a high standard of living. We’re guessing you’ll be charmed by the state’s natural beauty and its laid-back lifestyle, even if the winters take a little getting used to.