Quality of Life
Ideal is how we describe our cities. It's the best of both worlds and livable without a doubt.
A robust arts and entertainment scene, top-notch restaurants, superior educational institutions, an innovative workforce, high worker productivity, renowned healthcare facilities, abundant lakes, affordable housing, philanthropic initiatives, diverse communities, environmental consciousness. They all influence our way of life in Minneapolis Saint Paul.
But even better, here, you can have it all – without compromise. Balance is the essence of Minneapolis Saint Paul. People who live here don’t ever leave. People who visit want to stay. There’s really no better endorsement than that.
Check out what Richard Florida has to say about Minneapolis Saint Paul's Quality of Life: http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=501936.
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Because there's so much to do and so many resources in Minneapolis Saint Paul, we're continuing to add information to this section daily. Visit often. If you have your own story or resources to share, please post a comment below. Thanks!
MSP Insecurity (Nick) - 01/29/2008
Maybe because I'm a transplant, I just don't get the MSP insecurity complex. I've never seen a city so devoted to telling people how great they are. Every time the Twin Cities make a "list" of any sort, it gets blasted all over the local TV and radio outlets. "Oh my God! We're the 4th best city in the country for couples who want to adopt and also want to work at a Fortune 500 company!" The local magazines are even worse. Every article is about how hip the Twin Cities are. We've got all kinds of restaurants! And we have the highest number of theaters per-capita outside of Broadway! And we've got nightclubs too, with dancing and stuff! Our State Fair is the super-hugest in the whole world!
Look, the Twin Cities are never going to be taken seriously as a major urban center to anyone living outside the midwest. You're not New York and you're not LA. You never will be and that's OK. You're a nice, clean, safe city with a lot to do and a great place to raise a family located in the absolute middle of nowhere with one of the worst winters in the country. Be happy with who you are.
And I know, the winters make the summer that much nicer...
MSP Insecurity:Rebuttal (Sadie) - 02/01/2008
I'd like to know why you have such an issue with others' pride in the city they live, love and work in. No, it isn't anywhere near the equivalent of Chicago or New York, but it's still worthy of a little praise. Many people from all over the globe (yes, globe) visit the Minneapolis/St. Paul area solely for it's favorable reviews in the areas you mentioned.
What you did forget was the exploding art population, the local artists, and the culture. It isn't ideal if you enjoy smut, constant noise and incredibly rude people, however if you enjoy city life on a much smaller (and more personable) scale, the twin cities has quite a bit to offer.
MSP Insecurity: Response (Ryan) - 02/04/2008
"You're a nice, clean, safe city with a lot to do and a great place to raise a family located in the absolute middle of nowhere with one of the worst winters in the country."
What you define as "worst winters," we define as "best winters." The land of 10,000 lakes thrives on the winter season. Some people, like yourself, may not like the cold or winter at all. But that's what I believe keeps the bad people out of this great state. Winter is actually my preferred season, and winter anywhere else outside of Minnesota wouldn't feel right. Snowmobiling, Ice Fishing, Snowboarding, and of course HOCKEY. We have the best high school hockey teams in the nation, along with the numerous division one hockey colleges throughout the state.
The largest mall in the United States is located here. And about your list comment....It's not our fault that just about everytime a top ten list comes out that we're on it :D I actually prefer living here and plan on staying here for the rest of my life. If you don't like it Chicago is a short drive away.........
Exactly why we need a campaign (Josh) - 02/06/2008
The commercials i heard on the radio definitely got me to visit the site. I guess i didn't know why since i already live here and kind of know what to do.
I'd like to see more dollars put into helping others access the local scene and benefit from what we have to offer. Of course free will gives one the power to do something or not, but I don't think it's that we need more people to move here, we just need to figure out how to make ourselves happier. Curses S.A.D!
Buy local. thats my tip. Clothes, gifts, etc. Start utilizing the vendors in the MSP as they are some of the most amazing people and deserve your hard earned dollars vs. Target.
A little perspective maybe? (Larry) - 02/23/2008
42 years in South Miami, FL and the last 16 in the Minneapolis area. Miami - paradise lost, conjested, feeble infrastructure, culturally diverse/divided, corrupt and crime-ridden; quality of life good if you enjoy the former attributes as a whole. I didn't.
You can have the 4 months of wet heat, I'll take the 4 months of real winter any day and enjoy every one. If you're going to live north of the frost-line why live in some forsaken drab brown ugliness during winter? Besides, the addage "the weather keeps the rift-raft out" seems to work here. The fewer people who truly get what MN is about and want to move here, the better IMHO. I love the vistors who are curious about the state and visit often but think we live live in an ice-box and would never move here.
Urban sprawl and feature-less suburbs are beginning to take their toll on this beautiful state. Plant some trees and bushes people, get some curb appeal and watch you property values rise. If necessary legislate it (and I'm a Republican).
As I watched Miami go from a beautiful wonderland in the 50's and 60's to mess it is today, I'm getting the same uneasy feeling that we'll suffer the same fate if our elected officials don't start growing a backbone and doing the right things for the state, counties and cities. Bridges, storm sewers and pollution are a few of the pressing issues that require hard decisions. If you like it here, pony up and accept a litttle pain to preserve what you love about MN. The last I checked Merlin and his magic wand were fictional. Get a grip on the issues and don't legislate yourselves off of every positive list this state has managed to get on to save a buck. Politicians, how about a little "let's do this for MN" instead of for your re-election? Take a tip from other metropolitan areas that were once thriving and diverse but didn't pay attention. I love it here and unless it's left to unravel at the hands of unsuspecting public officials, I'm happily staying put. And no, I'm not a politician or public official.
some tough love (Rachel Zemmer) - 02/24/2008
I have come to love the twin cities in the 30 years I've lived here. But I think we have a special kind of flavor that doesn't have anything to do with prizes or being like New York. It does seem like a mark of insecurity to have to get all excited about winning this prize or that. After all we expect no less from this fine city. Our winters are what makes us strive so hard to make the cities so livable. It's OK to disparage them a little My cousin used to say about Burlington Vermont, a town on the same lattitude as the twin cities; It's habitable because it's inhabitable.
Re: Nicks insecurity (Nathan) - 03/26/2008
Well oh noes. I'm not sure why people taking pride in the city that they live in is considered shameful. Why take issue with that? Is spreading the good word about a place that for some folk makes them happy a bad thing?
I think not.
I've been to both coasts and why yes they offer some things which are only unique to those cities. Does minneapolis/st. paul not offer its own things that are unique?
Of course.
Heaven forbid our local government may attempt to tell others things that make this place special and also attempt to attract business which may open here and bring more jobs along with it.
So move to whatever area may make you happy Nick but please make sure to bring the poor attitude along with.
Looking for a safe city to raise familly and work.. (Sheri) - 04/26/2008
Hi, I'm from Maine, so the cold don't bother me, Im just wondering if there is lots of work there and if its safe to raise kids? hows the crime and schools? And , the work im in is shipping live lobster, think i'd have a market there?? Thanks for ya time..
Go Minneapolis/St. Paul! (Derek Nyberg) - 05/10/2008
Greetings from the East Coast! Growing up in Minnesota and living in Minneapolis for a few years and now relocating to Boston, I have found that I took for granted all the great things Minneapolis/St. Paul had to offer. Beautiful parks, friendly and real people, community-minded enthusiasm, clean sidewalks, cutting-edge theatre, amazing architecture, fun nightlife, affordable living....the list goes on. Have some pride MSP and don't let the negativity surrounding the winters slow you down! Embrace it and make it the best. And from what I gather, it will be nothing less.
Exactly why we need a campaign: Response (Brittany) - 06/05/2008
"Buy local. thats my tip. Clothes, gifts, etc. Start utilizing the vendors in the MSP as they are some of the most amazing people and deserve your hard earned dollars vs. Target."
Josh - Target is local. Target Corporation was founded in MN and is based in 3 huge buildings downtown. Not to mention the enormous and expanding campus that is also in Brooklyn Park.
While Target does bring a lot to the area and offers a great deal more than retail items - it also has a Forensics Lab that local, state, and federal goverments use in the Brooklyn Park location.
I do agree with what you were trying to say - in that people need to start buying items from the smaller more specialized stores that are headed by great local entrepreneurs vs. the big box stores like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.
Local Artist Says It Best (Derek) - 06/06/2008
Atmosphere (local MSP hip-hop group) - Shh...
i wanted to make a song about where im from
you know
big ups my hometown
my territory
my state but,
i couldnt figure out much to brag about
well, prince lives here
we got ten thousand lakes
but wait
the women are beautiful
to me they are
and were not infested
with pretentious movie stars
and it hit me man
minnesota is dope
if only simply for not what we have
but what we dont
its all fair
it aint out there
its in there
its in the mirror
behind the breast
under the hair
follow the dream
doesn't mean leave the love
roam if you must
but come home when you've seen enough
i love new york and cali
but i aint movin
too over populated
saturated with humans
and im not big on rappers, actors, or models
if i had to dip
id prolly skip to Chicago
None of this
next to this
no one
no where
like damn im from minnesota
land of the cold air
too many mesquitoes and a fair share of egos
but like my man Sabe says
thats where my mommy stays
so if the people laugh and giggle when you tell em where you live
say shh...say shh..
and if you know this is where you wanna raise your kids
say shh...say shh..
if your from the midwest and it doesnt matter where
say shh...say shh
if you can drink tap water and breathe the air
say shh...say shh...
Got trees and vegetation in the City i stay
the rents in the mail
and i can always find a parking space
the women out number the men two to one
got parks and zoo's and things to do with my son
the night life aint all that
but thats ok
i dont need to be distracted by the devil everyday
and the jobs aint really hard to find
infact, you could have mine if you knew how to rhyme
This is for everyone around the planet
that wishes they were from somewhere other than where they're standin
dont take it for granted
instead take a look around
quit complaing and build somthing on that ground
plant somthing on that ground
dance and sleep on that ground
get on your hands and knees and watch the ants walk around the ground
make a family
make magic
make a mess
take the stress
fill your motovation
and build your nest
it sucks that you think where im from is whack
but as long as thats enough to keep your ass from comin' back
and with a smile and a hint of sarcasim he says
I beg your pardon, but this is my secret garden
(etc...)
