Navigation Jump Links
- Minneapolis At-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Minneapolis
- Economy and job outlook in Minneapolis
- Real estate in Minneapolis
- The top neighborhoods in Minneapolis
- How to get around in Minneapolis
- Minneapolis school and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Minneapolis
- 10 Can’t miss things to do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis At-A-Glance
Are you a fan of farmers’ markets, amazing coffee, and a diverse, mouth-watering food scene? Do you love camping, fishing, and embracing “lake life”? Are you into sports, world-class shopping, eclectic art, and unforgettable live music experiences?
Well, we have some fantastic news for you. Minneapolis might just be your perfect match.
Yes, Minneapolis is where the iconic Mall of America and the legendary Prince were born, but did you know that Vince Vaughn, Target, and the Coen brothers also hail from this remarkable city? Beyond these impressive claims to fame, Minneapolis is known and loved for oh so much more.
Experience The Magic Of Minneapolis
High taxes. Cold winters. There you have it; the two biggest complaints you’ll hear about Minneapolis are out of the way. Are those cons accurate? Yes. The city ranks 8th highest in the nation for tax burdens and it’s the third coldest state in the U.S. Are there enough pros to make up for these cons? You betcha! Plenty more.
Hotspot for Fitness Fanatics
Minneapolis can often be found in the top ten “Healthiest Cities in America” lists (like this one). From its 100+ miles of walking and cycling trails to its more than 270 parks to its easy access to fresh food at farmers’ markets, this city makes it easy to stay healthy.
Water-Lovers’ Paradise
Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and over a dozen are right in Minneapolis. Locals love fishing, swimming, kayaking and boating at Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park, where five of the largest lakes in the state come together.
Music Venues Galore
With a solid reputation as one of the “Best American Cities for Live Music” by sources like Reader’s Digest, Minneapolis is a haven for music lovers. Whether it’s catching your favorite A-list artists on tour or enjoying one of many exciting annual music festivals, this city has got you covered year-round.
Vibrant Sports Scene
The Twin Cities boast six professional sports teams, so whatever your sport(s) of choice, you’ll have someone to root for on game day. Get ready to cheer for the Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL), and Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Fill Up on Good Eats and Strong Coffee
When some of the globe’s top chefs hail Minneapolis as one of the “best food cities in the world,” you KNOW you’ve found foodie heaven. And the palate-pleasing doesn’t stop there. Minnie is also known for its wait-ten-minutes-in-line-worthy coffee. Also noteworthy, the city was the first in the country to import fair-trade coffee.
Enjoy A Wealth Of Professional Opportunities
Minneapolis’ low unemployment rate and robust economy draw businesses and young professionals nationwide. In fact, Niche recently listed the city as one of the top ten “Best Cities for Young Professionals in America.” Health care, social assistance, government and manufacturing are the city’s leading industries, and a handful of the state’s 15 Fortune 500 companies call Minneapolis home. Top employers for people new to town or just joining the workforce include the Mayo Clinic, Allina Health System, the State of Minnesota and the United States Federal Government.
Minneapolis is experiencing rapid growth in the tech industry, with startups fueling innovation and adding numerous jobs to the job market. If you’re looking to start a new business in the city, you’ll be in good hands with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
A Booming Real Estate Market
Minneapolis boasts an exceptionally competitive real estate market, with homes selling within an average of 15 days and over half of the properties selling over the asking price. Bidding wars are becoming more commonplace as the demand for housing skyrockets.
The average home value in the city is just over $340,000, with prices expected to increase at least 3 percent in the next year. Just over half of Minneapolitans are renters, with average costs sitting at:
Studio: $1,095
1 Bedroom: $1,367
2 Bedrooms: $1,938
3 Bedrooms: $1,950
4 Bedrooms: $2,445
Notable Neighborhoods To Have On Your Radar
Downtown West Minneapolis
If you live for the nightlife, love walking to work and don’t mind crowds, Downtown West is your neighborhood. The amenities are rich, and the entertainment options are exciting and endless. You’ll find Target Field here, along with the famous Hennepin Theatre District and the IDS Center. Having the Minneapolis Skywalk System at your doorstep means you can get pretty much anywhere quickly and warmly, which you’ll definitely appreciate come winter!
Loring Park
This gem of a neighborhood is in the heart of Minneapolis and is famous for its pond, fountains, gardens and beautifully manicured walkways. Residents here can picnic in the park or play tennis, basketball or soccer if they’re craving something more active. Families enjoy the area’s recreational opportunities, and lovers of the arts enjoy having the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in their backyard.
North Loop
Also known as the Warehouse District, this eclectic area is popular with Minneapolis’s young and artistic. Commuting to downtown is easy, and you’ll have no trouble finding trendy bars, boutiques and breweries here. North Loop is known and loved for its vibrancy and walkability. Target Field and Target Center are located in the heart of the neighborhood, making it the perfect spot for music and sports lovers.
Making Your Way Through Minnie
Due to the bitter Minnesota winters, almost 70 percent of Minneapolitans drive or carpool to work. However, the other 30 percent have several reliable options.
- Cycling: Aside from Portland, Minneapolis has the highest number of cycling commuters in America’s large cities. Cyclists benefit from the city’s 120 miles of bikeways and Nice Ride Minnesota, a popular bike share program.
- Walking: Minneapolis boasts a walk score of 70, so putting your car in storage is a viable option here. The Minneapolis Skyway System makes downtown commuting a breeze with nearly 10 miles of enclosed pedestrian bridges. These elevated winter-friendly spaces connect an astounding 80 city blocks downtown.
- Public Transit: Metro Transit is the city’s primary form of public transit, offering its residents light rail and bus service. Local bus routes run throughout the city, and express routes offer rides for longer distances. The METRO Light Rail has two lines, the Blue Line, which connects the downtown area to the airport and the Mall of America and the Green Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul.
- Taxis & Rideshare: Several reliable rideshare options are available to patrons in Minneapolis with Uber and Lyft leading the way. Taxis are also available throughout the city.
Where Students Find Success In Minneapolis
Families sending their children to school in Minneapolis have several excellent options. The city’s public school system serves over 35,000 and is known for its high test scores and low student-to-teacher ratios. Homeschooling and magnet programs are also viable options for parents looking for something less traditional. Additionally, there are dozens of private schools to choose from.
Students heading to college or university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area have close to 30 options. The area’s largest higher learning institutions are the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Augsburg University and Metropolitan State University. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has over 50,000 students, offers over 100 degree options and is one of the top research institutions in the U.S. Augsburg University is a private university with over 3,000 students. The school offers 11 degree programs and boasts a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Metropolitan State University has over 10,500 students enrolled in over 75 graduate and undergraduate programs.
Minneapolis Embraces Four Full Seasons
One of the perks of living in this Midwest city is enjoying four distinct seasons. Here’s a breakdown of each one:
Winter: If you move to Minnie, don’t forget your parka and snow boots. Winter highs reach the mid-20s, and the lows drop to a chilly 10 degrees. You’ll get to build lots of snowmen with the city’s annual average of 51.2 inches of snowfall.
Spring: Once the snow melts, springtime highs can reach up to 70 degrees while the lows can dip to the mid-40s. Expect some rain, but not storms. Those tend to hold off until the hot summer months.
Summer: Yes, Minneapolis is known for its bitterly cold winters, but the beautiful summers more than make up for it. Highs reach the 80s, and lows don’t usually drop below 60 degrees. August is the city’s wettest month, so don’t leave home without your umbrella.
Fall: Many people love fall more than any other season due to the sunshine and stunning changing leaves that grace the city. Expect highs around 50 degrees and lows into the mid-30s.
10 Minneapolis Things To Do
With a metro area population of 2.9 million, you can count on filling your social calendar with any number of festivals, events, explorations and experiences. Here are ten places/things you won’t want to miss in Minnie.
- Visit Minnehaha Regional Park: This popular park features a stunning 53-foot waterfall, a wading pool, a picnic area, a disc golf course, limestone bluffs and more. It’s easy to see why it attracts more than a quarter of a million people each year.
- Treat Your Tastebuds: The food scene in Minnie is fierce and two of the best places to fill your belly are the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and the Midtown Global Market.
- Be Inspired by the Arts: The city’s impressive arts scene can be best enjoyed at the Walker Art Center, Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art) and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the world’s largest urban sculpture park.
- Step Back in Time: Visit the Mill City Museum and learn about Minneapolis’ past as the flour milling capital of the world. Don’t miss out on the fascinating “Four Tower” multimedia show.
- Catch a Live Theater Performance: If you’re a theater buff, you’re in for a treat. Minneapolis has a thriving theater community. You won’t want to miss The Guthrie Theater. This renowned three-theater complex stages innovative and entertaining performances year-round.
- Shop Til You Drop: Visiting the Mall of America while in Minneapolis is a must-do. As one of the nation’s largest shopping/entertainment complexes, you can explore the aquarium, get your adrenaline pumping at the amusement park and shop at nearly 500 stores.
- Hop On a Bike: Cycle the famous Midtown Greenway, an impressive 5.5-mile walking and cycling trail situated in the heart of Minneapolis. The trail is open 24/7 and is meticulously maintained throughout the year, with winter plowing and nighttime lighting.
- Cheer on the Twins: Grab a hotdog and a cold drink at Target Field and cheer on the town’s beloved baseball team, the Minnesota Twins.
- Channel Your Inner Rockstar: Head to First Avenue, Minneapolis’ top live music venue. You may recognize the famous building from Prince’s movie Purple Rain. Megastars Tina Turner, U2, Coldplay and Run DMC have all made stops at this popular venue.
- Stroll Through a Market: If you love to support local and shop for unique trinkets and gifts, check out the Midtown Global Market. You’ll find close to 50 vendors selling their wares along with various live performances and events.
