Perhaps that's why Minnesota / the Twin Cities listed by multiple sources as one of the top places to live in the United States. Here's why I love it:
1. The People
I have met fabulous people from all over the United States, but Minnesota is my home base. It is where I have made a varieties dear and loyal friends throughout various stages of my life. So many of these friendships have turned LIFELONG, and my friends are both a joy to spend time with and have a wonderful influence on me.
Oh, and my family's here too which KNOCKS MY SOCKS OFF!
2. The Roads
I have NEVER before had such a great appreciation for midwestern roads in my life -- especially those in Minnesota. At least in the Twin Cities, our roads are typically flat and easy to maneuver, well-lit, and come with nice size shoulders for incase you need to pull over.
Drivers are also "more often than not" good sports -- I'm not saying we don't have any aggressive drivers -- and do a decent job of taking turns and not tailgating. (Note: This is not all the time. You will find your fare share of tailgaters in Minnesota, but I wouldn't call tailgating the "norm." -- I would also like to warn against people not using turn signals, but from my experience this seems to be a trend all throughout the U.S.)
3. The Geographical Layout (Variety; Proximity; Walking/Biking...)
Ah, geography. Some people complain about Minnesota being "too flat," but personally I think our flatness makes for easy transportation and great visibility on the road. Walking and biking places is easy to do both in and outside of the city. Most cities and suburbs have sidewalks pretty near everywhere.
Another pro to Minnesota is that we have VARIETY. If you like the busy city feel you can go to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, but if you prefer a refreshing break from the hustle-bustle you are just a frogs leap away from beautiful scenery. If you like a balance of being near lovely parks and scenery while also near to stores and activities (all this with a safe and friendly neighborhood feel), there are a plethora of suburbs all around the Twin Cities that provide not only parks and greenery but easy accessibility to shopping and other forms of recreation.
Oh! And Minnesota has an amazing History that we aren't afraid to display through places such as the Mill Ruins Park. Looking for an incredible day for scenery and pictures? The Stone Arch Bridge is a MUST VISIT. It's the PERFECT blend of nature, beautiful architecture, and the city-scape all in one place.
4. The Lakes
Having always lived in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I've taken driving next to multiple lakes wherever I go for granted. A swim? Easy-peasy. If you like the clear water and chlorine we've got plenty of activity centers with pools, but if you're going for the "au natural" vibe or simply want to take a loop around the lake, we have so many options! Lot of parks and walking trails are situated next to looks, and if you go for even just a mile or two you might get to hike by multiple lakes (all while in a suburb just miles from downtown).
Just want to dip your feet in the water? You can typically either just walk a few blocks or drive a few miles to fill that desire. Boating? Fishing? Looking for a cabin? We've got all of the above. HELLO, SUMMER!
5. The Celebrations / Festivities
Just because we often spend somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 of the year buried in snow does NOT mean we hide out throughout the year. Minnesotans know how to make the most of any weather. We celebrate each season with a variety of celebrations. On just about any weekend you can look up nearby cities are find one.
Our most popular and iconic attractions include the Minnesota State Fair where we celebrate our Minnesota pride with music, animal exhibits, over 300 food vendors, and more! We also celebrate our culture with the Irish Fest, Polish Fest, Scottish Fest, and more. Come winter we don't stay hidden indoors but go on the town for ice skating, ice sculptures, parades, and yes (more food) at events such as the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Red Bull Crashed Ice, Holidazzle, and more.
We are a hearty and celebratory crowd year round and know how to make the best out of any season!
6. The Stores
To add to it's geographical genius, the Twin Cities has stores galore. You can often find two to four Walmarts within a ten mile radius. Target is everywhere. And then we've got our beautiful midwestern go-to grocery stories like Cub. Looking for discounts? Aldi is just a few miles away if not across the street. Not only are the prices decent but the produce in our state is robust due to being in such close proximity to the food transportation systems including Highway I-94?
We also have a plethora of shopping malls where you can indulge your retail desires or simply grab a cup of coffee and go for a stores-galore walk.
7. The Schools
Minnesota has been listed among the top states for public education. We have a plethora of schools with solid academics and stellar graduation rates. Our number of school districts is exceptional and we also have a variety of types of schools including public, private, charter, or immersion.
We also have an incredible number of special education options including a variety of schools created specifically for special education (including Lionsgate, Spero, Carner Blue...) and lots of organizations dedicated to helping people dealing with specific disabilities not only in academic but in social and recreational aspects of their lives.
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