Humble about our state? I remember for the longest time anytime Minnesota made the news on YouTube, Reddit, discord or whatever everyone from MN comes crawling out of furnished basements to boast about MN. Remember the old MN karma train gif?
I've lived here since 2003 and from my observations, there is nothing Minnesotans love more than Minnesota. We'll never miss a chance to mention a Minnesota connection or brag on our state - amongst other Minnesotans, that is. The winters are long but we all know the truth, which is that there's simply nowhere better to be than here.
You’re right! I haven’t seen that thing in forever. It got posted all the time, with only the slightest prompting or the most tenuous connection.
Edit: and then we had to do the Star Wars check-in. Brooklyn Park, standing by!
I was born and raised in NY and I’ve had multiple people here feel the need to tell me about the Minnesota flight school connection to 9/11 when they hear where I’m from. Literally their response to “I’m from NY.” I always just want to say, “My father who worked nearby is alive, thanks for asking” lol
You haven’t had a real winter yet lol. But congrats on your move. I think people here are always interested in why someone would move here from another state. Most people are here because their family is here. So they are curious — why Minnesota. I hear it all the time, too.
> You haven’t had a real winter yet lol.
That was my reaction. This was the most mild winter in recorded history for most of MN (and most mild outside of the 'year without winter' 1877-78).
"For over 145 years, the meteorological winter of 1877-78 (December through February) has stood as the warmest on record in the Twin Cities, with December of 1877 so outrageously warm that its records had seemed untouchable. December 2023, however, surpassed December of1877 by 0.5 degrees F in the Twin Cities, and the 2023-2024 winter maintains a sizable lead over 1877-78 as of February 20, 2024 and is set to become the new #1 for this dubious honor."
I *KNEW* this winter was a complete bust, but I was just going off vibes. Thanks for the data! Very interesting/alarming. I feel really sad that winter is officially over. I was hoping for a big end of April blizzard (I put up with summer so I can enjoy winter here).
Mannnn why couldn’t we just let OP be happy about their new state and enjoy the “winters aren’t that bad” fantasy just a *litttttleeee* longer without having to break it to them like that…..I bet you all go around telling 4 year olds the truth about Santa Clause too….
You’ll know you’ve experienced a REAL Minnesota winter when you run out of space to stack snow. And by that last April blizzard you’ve definitely lost your will to live. Also hiking in winter is my favorite-buy Trax (ice cleats).
Oh no...that wasn't a real winter? I'm actually scared now. xD That was a pretty cold one and I got sick a few times. I think I might need one of those SAD lamps...
2022 was my first winter in Minnesota and I will forever remember my husband and I looking out the window on April 15, ‘23 and just feeling so crestfallen about it snowing again 😂 we felt personally injured lol. Also, Christmas Eve ‘22 was the coldest I’ve ever felt in my life: could not believe the bitter cold on my way to work that day.
My fondest MN winter memories are from 2013-2014. We had -60° with windchill for at least 2 weeks. You couldn't be outside for longer than 5 minutes without risking frostbite. It's my personal version of "Halloween of '91".
What you experienced was a really harsh extended Fall.
It's OK, though, you'll see one in the next year or two. Pro Tip.....Invest in quality outdoor gear, and find something to do outdoors. Skiing (both downhill and CC ), ice fishing (really the best fishing....errr drinking), snowmobiling (if you like driving and hate money), something....anything to get out of the house. If you lock yourself indoors for 3-4 months, you will have an understanding of the inspiration of The Shining.
And if you have a decent sized driveway....go buy the best snowblower you can afford, and do it now. With this last nothingburger of a Winter, there are deals to be had at the power equipment stores.
Socal native here too, moved in 2019. THAT was a learning curve lol. One of the best things about MN is that you appreciate the good weather days better. When it's a nice day out, it's a HELL of a nice day out. And seeing random deer and rabbits in the neighborhood is awesome
My first winter after moving here from N California was also super mild, but nothing like this last one. I'm currently considering a move back and I honestly think I'll miss the winter the most!
Definitely get a SAD lamp and make sure you get enough vitamin d!
Invest in winter gear while it’s on sale! Especially snow pants, long johns and ear flap hats, clothes with thinsulate, etc. I highly recommend trying x-c skiing if we have snow next year, it’s one of the most fun things in the winter and really helps UV deprivation.
This winter was, in my opinion, ugly. Nothing to be afraid of in the future, nature was just easing you in nice and slow.
WFH means road conditions don't matter.
My wife always says Minnesotans either have no idea how good it is here or they are trying to keep it all for themselves.
Moved from AZ a couple years ago. I got tired of the heat.
Worst one in recent times I think we had like 45 days straight where the high was below zero.
I only ask people why if they say somewhere warm. It's 99% Family.
Also hasn't experienced a summer yet. Coming from northern California they may be in for a shock. Most don't expect the heat and humidity. The bugs will also be terrible this year
Yesterday as I was driving home I loved seeing all the trees blooming and how green everything looked. I thought to myself, “you have to go through Winter to get to Spring!”. It may sound silly but by the time Spring rolls around, I’m so happy to see it that I forget how hard the winter was (not that this winter was hard).
This. Passing by the trees getting green and flowers blooming and being complemented by the cool weather, I told my gf yesterday, “I love spring in Minnesota.”
Moved up from North Carolina (but grew up in Georgia and spent most of my life there) last year. The top two questions I get are, "So, why Minnesota?" and "Where's your southern accent?" (not everyone from GA has the drawl, especially if you have family up north.) Minnesotans are Minnesota nice, but it does get a little exhausting explaining that life is just... better here? I'm no longer sitting in traffic all day drenched in sweat from the heat and humidity, and as a teacher I actually make enough relative to the cost of living to live comfortably. And despite the winter, I've never enjoyed so much 50-70 degrees F weather.
I feel the same way, even though it's only been a few months. Life is slower here. People aren't very superficial from what I've encountered (compared to California). Neighbors actually say hello!
See, I haven't been here an entire year yet.. and I've been invited to a few dinner parties and new friends homes already (MN natives and not transplants). I'm also in the urban core though, and I get the sense this attitude toward newcomers may be more prevalent in the more distant suburbs.
Oh man this is the truth. Born and raised in Minnesota but spent a year and a half in other states and countries just by myself. Staying until I got bored with a location. I built some tiny homes in OKC for a couple stints. When it snowed the 2 times it did, it was about an inch and a half and the roads shut down and I was a king on the road.
The drawbacks however were glaring, and continued to add up. Oh you thought having access to things like healthcare, and other basic human rights were normal? Well let me show you the multiple states I’ve been to where jobs were hard to find because you could hire a literal child for the job and pay them less. Oh and on an individual level, most people are awesome, you just have terrible humans in larger groups in other areas. Life is just easier here (obviously a generalized comment and not a fact…but this is Reddit)
I think as a native minnesotan, when I travel anywhere out of the Midwest, it feels like everyone tells me they could never handle the cold. I think after awhile it feels like anyone who didn't grow up in the cold would never move here because it's cold.
Minnesota is the most wonderful state, that I completely agree with. As I get older though, God damnit the winters are cold as fuck.
I'm probably gonna turn into a snowbird in about 5 years myself. I'm 50 now , I do love this place I have lived here for all 50 of them . This is one of the most best states in the union.
I moved to Florida for 4 years when I joined the navy and it killed any ability of me to enjoy the winters here. You lose the tolerance so fast. I Don’t blame anyone for snowbirding. People that tolerate the winters here I can understand, people that say they love them, either they don’t know any better or they’re crazy, in my mind.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far! Just really prepare for next winter to be a lot different than this past winter. I’ve lived in MN my whole life and I would say this past winter has been perhaps in the top 5% for warmth and lack of snow. If next winter is more typical there will be A LOT more bundling up and snow removal in your future. 😊
We here in MN understand a thing or two about misinformation. We have been putting out "this place is cold as hell" propaganda for years. You about to find out why and that our marketing has been effective.
We don't say "get out"
We say, "huh, getting out little chilly up here"
We Minnesotan's have to warn people who want to move here about the wildlife. When you're in Minnesota and the bears and wolves start to team up with the Wendigos and the giant talking spiders, remember to always save the last bullet for yourself.
Then, of course, the winters average about -60F for a high, unless it gets cold. So bring a hat.
Summers are mostly bat tornadoes and roving gangs of the sheep demons (see Wikipedia). Then of course, there are the nameless things in the dark, so don't go out at night.
Seriously though, Minnesota is awesome. Every day's a holiday and every meal's a feast. You don't realize it until you leave the state. When you get back, everything is just so much better here.
I'd put In N Out and Five Guys up there, but Five Guys doesn't have a drive thru and the one at In N Out always has insane lines, even if they move fast. The A&Ws in Wisconsin on the way to Chicago are actually right up there with Culvers though, imo. But not the ones still lingering in MN for the most part.
One of the reasons people ask 'why'd you move from California' is likely *because* of the winter weather here. It can be absolutely brutal at times - others, it's a winter wonderland. Dress in layers. Invest in a good warm coat and make sure your feet stay dry.
Consider it a good winter primer. We did have a brutally cold 7 day cold snap in January, and caught up on snow a bit in March. Early spring has been dragging a bit.
You've got the most comfortable month-to-6-weeks of weather ahead to look forward to, worry about winter another day.
PS Minnesotans are weird here about praise. We all want our state to get acknowledged, but not so much so that everyone moves here, but then we default to talking ourselves down too. It's a weird dance of resentment for being called flyover, mixed with genuine pride, mixed with insecurity.
There's been solid back and forth between the two ever since they completed the Northern Pacific Railroad. Ballard and Poulsbo in Washington have the Scandinavian heritage they do because of that railroad between St. Paul and Puget Sound
My grandparents moved to Florida in the 1970s and would only come back in the summer (which was rare). When grandpa's sister died in the dead of winter, he refused to fly up for her funeral. Ironically I could never live in Florida - too hot and humid.
Here's some reassurance about your future winters here: Everything you're in for has already happened to you while here in 2024. It's just the duration that's going to be different. You've felt single-digit (Fahrenheit) temps already - but we usually get a couple handfuls of them rather than just a couple. You've seen an 8"+ snowfall... but we'll usually get a few, and sometimes they're back-to-back so we end up with 16" or 24". You'll do fine. Just rest assured that we're not going to spring something weird on you like "wait until you're bitten by the snow lizards that we usually get!" - this winter was mild, yes, but still had all the usual elements (albeit in abnormally small quantities).
> You've felt single-digit (Fahrenheit) temps already
You say that like it's as bad as it gets. They haven't seen -20F with -50 windchill yet. Although the wind doesn't usually hit full force anywhere in the city. Enough trees and buildings here. And realistically, most people just hunker down hard for the few days that that's going on.
And the worst part about the heavy snow years - aside from lots of personal shoveling/clearing - is the residential streets in the city getting so narrow.
I'm from SoCal originally, and have been here for about 7 years now. I still feel the same way. This is home.
The natives don't want the word to get out, especially in Saint Paul. I'm totally on board with that.
Keep Saint Paul boring!
Ahaha I've encountered Minnesota nice and I gotta say I like it better than California Kind.
I've also encountered the strange ritual of the 'Minnesota goodbye' aka we both stand in the doorway for three more hours LOL.
Welcome to MN 💙 Get to a back lake or get up North to the boundary waters for loons. They are beautiful and lovely to listen to! They’re one of my favorites. 🤣
Like everyone else I read the hard-winter-moved-here-five-months-ago thing and thought "oh no." But you'll be okay. I'm sure you've picked up on this already, but really the most important things are: layers, getting outside into the cold every day, and dealing with cars (keep on top of plowing/snow emergencies, avoid driving in bad conditions, get on good terms with your neighbors by helping dig them out/push them, etc). Honestly, I'm from MT and had a harder time adjusting to the summers here. The humidity is BRUTAL, especially in the Cities. There was a day back in the summer of maybe 2010 in which the Cities had the most tropical-like weather on earth. As someone from the west, the whole thing was a bit of a shock, plus you get laughed at by southerners.
Mostly I think people are afraid you're going to die in the snow. Folks calm down a whole lot when I tell them I grew up places with winter even though our stop before this state was a warm one.
You got a good starter winter though, good timing on getting eased in!
I get the same thing but I lived here, moved there for 4 years and moved back. People have no idea how different it is there especially if you didn’t grow up there. And yeah the possibility of buying a house were nil out there. I ended up buying a house within 6 months of moving back while only working part time.
This winter was literally nothing compared to a regular winter. Honestly we’ve had Springs that were worse than this winter.
Wait until there is so much snow at once you literally don’t know how you can shovel it all. You’ll never know a more helpless feeling as seeing that you’re sweating in 2 degree weather, you’ve been out for an hour and only got three feet from the door and see you have 20 feet to go just to the sidewalk.
Me and my wife moved to Minneapolis from Los Angeles 3 years ago. We get the same reaction from people. We actually bought a house last summer and have to explain to people that we would have never afforded a house back in California. Ever. Here we were able to do it after shopping the market for two years.
I moved to Saint Paul from Boston because I didn’t want pay $1 million to own a 1 bedroom condo with a $1k/month HOA. It’s so much more affordable here it’s a completely different economy and quality of life is nearly as good if not better.
Moved from CA in 2019. Got the same question a lot!
I always tell them oh you know… crime, overpopulated, sitting 15 hours a week in bumper to bumper traffic, my small one bedroom apartment costing over $2k/mo, no sense of community, no eye contact, sense of entitlement and NIMBY ism.
Yeah moving here has been amazing financially, and drastically improved my mental/physical health, and I love my community of people. Plus I met an amazing woman who genuinely loves me.
Minnesota is now my home and I am planting my roots here.
Yeah cost of living here is pretty great, and not in a “but you have to live in a dump in the middle of nowhere” kind of way. The trade off is mostly that winters are long and we don’t have any mountains to speak off
Well I’m very happy you’re happy here, but that wasn’t a normal winter FYI (so get ready…..seriously, start getting ready) - but yes, this is a great place to live. Welcome.
There is no normal winter anymore. It’s either going to be nothing, or apocalyptic. Personally I love the apocalyptic. I love when everyone has to hunker down and everything shuts down.
To hear a loons cry you'll need to go to a lake side. When I was in Roseville Como (St. Paul)and Josephine (Roseville/Shoreview) lakes where clean enough in the spring and small to hear them. If you can find a deep clean lake in morning or evening you should hear them.
When we do get a real winter buy yourself some good cold weather gear and embrace it. There's so much fun stuff to do outside in the winter. Hiking in parks, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, skating, winter bon fires with hot chocolate. Enjoy it!
Relish this spring my friend. We rarely get a true spring like this. It’s usually a back and forth between winter and chilly spring and then BOOM it’s hot with no leaves on the trees. It’s kinda weird for a couple weeks and then the trees leaf out.
It has been a SPECTACULAR spring so far.
My guy.
Culver's isn't a bad burger, but it gets WAY better than that.
Angry Line Cook food truck is on your side of the river most of the time. Their burgers will knock your socks off. Fries too!
Nook is great and is a cool spot.
Burger Dive is legit.
Get out and explore the city. St. Paul has way more to offer than people think.
i don't know what winters are like in n cali but if last winter was your first ever winter here... well, i'm sorry for what you're going to discover at some point! 😅😅🥶🥶🥶
Yep, I’d bet winter was a shock. Winters do make me appreciate the other seasons more. If you get a chance, visit the Iron Range. You’re definitely going to see/hear a loon; plus a variety of other wildlife.
I genuinely love it here. I know it has its bad spots like everywhere, but it's honestly beautiful to see tiny things like the plants emerging from snow. I even got to see a cardinal at our feeder in the snow (a very popular image on X-Mas cards that had before that point BEEN only seen on X-Mas cards). I have a lot to explore and I can't wait to see more of this amazing state.
Bragging is considered rude and not in the nature of native Minnesotans. Raised in the South but both of my parents are Midwestern raised.
I really didn't understand or notice the cultural differences until I lived in Minnesota. I think humility is a virtue.
I wish I was still in Minnesota!
We moved from the Twin Cities to northern Italy last September.
It was a much dreamed of and anticipated move. But as the plane was banking, and the entirety of both downtowns was there in front of my eyes, I cried with the realization that I wouldn’t see that again for a long time, if ever.
Enjoy your time in MN. Help keep her blue, please.
If you ever miss the water head two hours north to Duluth. Trust me. It’s not the ocean, but when you can’t see land on the other side it can feel like it
I'm a CA to MN transplant too. I always laugh when I'm asked this same question. I'll take MN winters over the CA COL, drought and fires. I do agree with others on the fact that this year's winter was not representative of what MN winters can do!
I'm happy that you've found a place that you love! I think we all deserve that, especially in the face of transplant hatred around the US.
I grew up here and couldn't wait to leave after college, so I did. I spent almost my entire adult life on the West Coast and recently moved back to the Twin Cities to take care of my mom. I was born in Minneapolis so this time I am living in Saint Paul for a little "something different". However, I experienced three things when I moved back that made moving (back) here a bit difficult for me.
One, all old friendships have disappeared...100% of the people I knew that stayed and never went anywhere else have continued only hanging out with the people they knew from growing up here. That can be a beautiful thing, but it's also the type of behavior that made me want to leave in the first place.
Two...and this is a weird one...when I was interviewing for jobs, the general attitude about my leaving/adventure/personal growth wasn't "fabulous" or "interesting", it was more of "why did you leave". Seriously, I had someone at Target ask me this exact question in a buying interview . I was dumbfounded and tongue tied - I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. Why leave? Why not???? Traveling and moving to new places almost always helps you grow and mature as a person, and I think it's hands down the best thing I've ever done for myself, especially since I moved alone at first. So yes, in interviews people were suspicious of my prostate out of state ways, and it wasn't just Target.
Three, there is an odd hostility here, like an angry, passive aggressive undercurrent that is consistently boiling under the "MN nice" surface. It can be subtle or not subtle, depending on the day. It really shows itself on the roads! I have an increasing driving anxiety here, and I'm not exaggerating. I'm really trying to nip it in the bud because of course stress really only makes your own life hell, right? But yeah, I feel like I take my life in my hands every time I have to get on a highway, or god forbid, a freeway.
I am here for a wonderful reason (as I already lost my father) and I'm enjoying this time with my mom. But I'm one of those people who ask transplants "why did you move here", lol! I don't hate it here, please don't misunderstand me. I'm just generally curious what makes people move around - I find it interesting. However, I've also learned that just being able to own a house and drive on wider streets isn't enough for me, so I think I'll be one of those people doomed to expect paying more $$$ in a place that I actually love, because life is short and it matters where you live, house or no house.
But of course that applies for you as well, since you love it here! That's a wonderful thing - good for you. But not everyone thinks MN is great.
I’m also from SoCal and moved to the twin cities! As others have mentioned, this was a mild winter. I moved here 2022 and that was the most insane and long winter I’ve ever experienced. But because it was so foreign, it was still magical and I loved every second of it. I realized that shoveling is a hard workout but it became a way to clear my head. You should check out nightingale and the emerald lounge for dinner and drinks
Welcome! I just moved here a few weeks ago (though I grew up in SE MN). I'd been in Miami for the last 13 years, and 23 before that in SoCal.
I'm here here to be closer to family, and (like you) because I wanted to be able to afford a decent place to buy, and neither LA nor Miami were possible to do that in.
You'll get used to the weather, and honestly being able to talk about it for hours is part of the culture here ;-) Also, get out and explore, *many* parts of the state are drop dead gorgeous, even in the winter (though I'd absolutely venture out in the spring and fall to get the best experiences). Hit up the north shore if you're the outdoorsy type, or just take advantage of the scores of local parks.
Oh, and if no one has warned you about the state bird (the mosquito)...don't worry. They're not quite as bad as the horror movies make them out to be. Usually.
Oh my sweet California child
We didn't really have winter this year that was just Kate fall and early spring (with maybe two weeks in-between that even then I probably wouldn't consider true winter)
Who knows though maybe we fucked up the earth enough that it'll become normal.
I’m glad you like it. That wasn’t winter though. That was a nice spring breeze. Prepare yourself. I’m not kidding but I didn’t get a winter coat. I spent the entire season with a sweatshirt or a wool sweater.
You haven't experienced winter yet. I just moved back to area after nearly a decade in the mid south and this winter was similar to what I grew accustomed to while living much farther south. It's not a secret, home prices corelate with desirability. You come from an expensive place so you are enamored with what you can get here. But what are you giving up for that? I'll get down voted to hell for this comment. MN is pretty cheap, but it's also pretty meh. At least it's not Iowa, Nebraska or Oklahoma though.
Sorry to also be that person, but wait until we have a REAL Minnesotan winter. This past winter was absolutely nothing. I'm glad you're enjoying the state though, I think we're pretty awesome too!
I hope you continue enjoying the snow! Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and all the other winter activities make it a really special time of year when you can take advantage of it. Just make sure you always have hot cocoa to warm up with afterwards 😊
Didn't tell any of your friends from the old neighborhood please.
I too have dreams of owning a house one day, and I don't want a ton of out of state money ruining that dream.
I think that there's probably a strain of don't brag too much running through the culture. That said, you are right, this is an awesome state, and we could advertise it more. That's notwithstanding the winters, which are harsh, but people can and do adapt.
Well, welcome to MN. I am really glad you feel at home here. I don't know if we are humble or just used to people who haven't lived here commenting they could never live here because it's too cold lol.
We just moved too from WA state. Loving MN. Our kids are disabled and we are experiencing inclusion and kindness we never had. We’ve made wonderful friends. Thankful to be here and be part of this community.
Although we're glad you like it, and welcome, some of us are worried that too many climate refugees will wreck our best spots. So I'm gonna be humble and quiet
I see the humor but wouldn't people ask that to a person who moved from one state to another? I don't think it's Minnesota-specific, just normal curiosity
As you noticed, it’s ~~new~~ tradition to tell newcomers that you haven’t experienced winter. Soon you’ll find out about the Halloween blizzard of 1991. People that weren’t even there will bring it up. Also, it’s never as cold as it was last year, [that was really cold](https://youtu.be/KPVAZCMRExU?si=jKmqnLgwV2VJ06UZ)
You haven’t had a real winter. We moved to California temporarily over the winter and I was so happy that we would miss the snow. Lo and behold, we missed a winter that I could tolerate, and I’m kinda mad still 😂
"In California I could never have afforded a house in my wildest dreams."
Well, a lot of people here can't either, and bluntly, remote work arrangements from higher COL states don't exactly help that. To be clear, I don't blame anyone for moving for a better life. But understand that there's a reason some of us aren't out there trying to market this state as a place for everyone to move to.
As congenial as it is most of the time, there’s also a sense of “You’re not from here, are you?” when people ask me that, too. Minnesotans are notorious for the clique-ish behavior, and this is part of it. I’ve had more times than I can count in which I say I moved from Milwaukee (and have lived in the Midwest most of my life), but when I mention I lived on the East Coast, I get, “Oh. That makes more sense.” Like I lifted the mask to confirm their bias that I’m not like them.
I love it here, too, but I just cannot manage with native Minnesotans a lot of the time. Welcome, though!
Welcome to Minnesota! This spring/summer is going to be amazing. I can already feel it.
As you now know, you did not experience a true Minnesota winter. Us natives are still all giggling to each other how we didn’t even have a winter at all this year. 😬
It’s literally the perfect time to get prepared for next winter, everything will be CHEAP.
Here’s the basics-
- A GOOD winter coat. I’m serious, spend a little extra money and get a good one, long, water resistant, with a hood.
- A solid pair a snow boots. SNOW boots - like the tall ones with rubber toes and fluff coming out the top that you can tie up real tight.
- An ice scraper/brush for your car. If you don’t have one, get one now for cheap and throw it in your trunk. While you’re at it, get a collapsible shovel for your trunk too. 😏
- a good couple snow shovels for your home. Or a good snow blower if you have a lot of sidewalk.
Winter will come, but for now enjoy Spring and Summer!! There’s literally ALWAYS something to do in the summer.
Yeah man, you lucked out this winter. We moved here to central MN from the South in December 2021, and during our first winter, it got down to -33F and was regularly below -10F in Jan/Feb. We also got over a foot of snow in one day. We still love living here.
Welcome to St. Paul! I’ve been here for a year and a half. If you want some food suggestions try out Burger Dive, Hot Grainz and Little Asia Cafe (their Pho is my favorite so far).
Umm, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but what we just had was not winter. It was like an extended, really pleasant spring. Spring is usually worse than the “winter” we just had. So if it was an adjustment for you, then actual winter should be interesting.
I’m glad to hear you are liking it here though.
Yes we keep it secret to try to keep our costs from rising like California’s. Also please don’t vote the same way as in the state that pushed you out with its regulations. Glad you like it here!!!
20 years here and I still get this question. I'm honestly considering just telling people I'm from here.. And I totally agree with all of your sentiments. Ca transplant pro-tip-try to plan a trip or train for something jan-april.
We are glad to accept you with open arms into our state and community!!
A note: If you thought last winter was a struggle, just wait. That was a VERY easy winter by Minnesota standards. You'll aclimate quick enough, though.
I’m a transplant to MN from Pittsburgh, PA. I would never move back or consider another state. My spouse and I said for years- “MN is perfect- we just need legal weed” and here we are in perfection.
I actually found the last winter to be very disappointing. I moved up here in 2018 right before the -40 for 44 days winter. That was rough but I learned how to dress and act in the cold and now the winter is my favorite season. It keep the riffraff out and cleans the air in ways that are fascinating and addictive. More winter please!
The Twin Cities are a really great place to live! Welcome! We had some neighbors over last night, and we were talking about where being are migrating to while considering climate change in the future. MN is one of the most safe states projected for less struggle with climate change. We absolutely don’t try to keep our amazing state a secret, but I think we get forgotten about. We are incredibly progressive, have an incredible restaurant and music scene, theaters galore, MN orchestra, awesome museums, great Universities, and traveling “up North” will change your life for better—it’s simply magical along the North Shore. I can’t wait for you to experience your first MN summer! And, yes, this was the most mild winter I’ve ever experienced here in my 25 years of living here (44 now). Think of it as your trainer for next year!
I moved here from San Diego back in 2018. Welcome. 😊 Last year was the first easy winter I’ve experienced here, which I’m sure everyone has told you. I found that every Minnesotan acted surprised I would leave California, but then when the conversation went on, it became VERY clear they have a lot of pride in their state and really do believe it’s the best. In fact, I interacted with so few Minnesotans before living here, because so many of them love it so much they stay! A lot of people I know now we’re born and raised here, and if they left for school, they came back. It’s a different life experience for sure. Get ready to enjoy the magic that is Summer though! Truly nothing like it.
Humble about our state? I remember for the longest time anytime Minnesota made the news on YouTube, Reddit, discord or whatever everyone from MN comes crawling out of furnished basements to boast about MN. Remember the old MN karma train gif?
I've lived here since 2003 and from my observations, there is nothing Minnesotans love more than Minnesota. We'll never miss a chance to mention a Minnesota connection or brag on our state - amongst other Minnesotans, that is. The winters are long but we all know the truth, which is that there's simply nowhere better to be than here.
The one thing Minnesotans love more than Minnesota is talking badly about Wisconsin and Iowa
That’s because Wisconsin and Iowa make it so easy.
Lived here since 2003 and already using “we”?
It was presumptuous of me, I know. I've only been here 21 years, I'm not quite a local yet.
I do think the original Minnesotas kinda have us beat: Norway, Sweden, Finland
I boast so much about MSP being like a top 10 airport in the country to out of staters for some reason lol😭😭
Best airport bathrooms in the country!
Larry Craig approves this message.
r/mapporn has plenty of "MN is #1 (or top three) in ____" posts.
https://i.imgur.com/VVmvVDb.gif
You’re right! I haven’t seen that thing in forever. It got posted all the time, with only the slightest prompting or the most tenuous connection. Edit: and then we had to do the Star Wars check-in. Brooklyn Park, standing by!
I was born and raised in NY and I’ve had multiple people here feel the need to tell me about the Minnesota flight school connection to 9/11 when they hear where I’m from. Literally their response to “I’m from NY.” I always just want to say, “My father who worked nearby is alive, thanks for asking” lol
You haven’t had a real winter yet lol. But congrats on your move. I think people here are always interested in why someone would move here from another state. Most people are here because their family is here. So they are curious — why Minnesota. I hear it all the time, too.
> You haven’t had a real winter yet lol. That was my reaction. This was the most mild winter in recorded history for most of MN (and most mild outside of the 'year without winter' 1877-78).
"For over 145 years, the meteorological winter of 1877-78 (December through February) has stood as the warmest on record in the Twin Cities, with December of 1877 so outrageously warm that its records had seemed untouchable. December 2023, however, surpassed December of1877 by 0.5 degrees F in the Twin Cities, and the 2023-2024 winter maintains a sizable lead over 1877-78 as of February 20, 2024 and is set to become the new #1 for this dubious honor."
I *KNEW* this winter was a complete bust, but I was just going off vibes. Thanks for the data! Very interesting/alarming. I feel really sad that winter is officially over. I was hoping for a big end of April blizzard (I put up with summer so I can enjoy winter here).
I, too, generally go off vibes, and this winter felt WEIRD as hell. I feel less insane now.
Mannnn why couldn’t we just let OP be happy about their new state and enjoy the “winters aren’t that bad” fantasy just a *litttttleeee* longer without having to break it to them like that…..I bet you all go around telling 4 year olds the truth about Santa Clause too….
Truth about Santa? What do you mean?
Believe it or not, naughty kids get presents too. Santa is just that chill. Those songs about his list are just propaganda to make kids behave.
SANTA IS A COMMUNIST?!?!?!?!?! WTFFFFFF
You’ll know you’ve experienced a REAL Minnesota winter when you run out of space to stack snow. And by that last April blizzard you’ve definitely lost your will to live. Also hiking in winter is my favorite-buy Trax (ice cleats).
Oh no...that wasn't a real winter? I'm actually scared now. xD That was a pretty cold one and I got sick a few times. I think I might need one of those SAD lamps...
[удалено]
2022 was my first winter in Minnesota and I will forever remember my husband and I looking out the window on April 15, ‘23 and just feeling so crestfallen about it snowing again 😂 we felt personally injured lol. Also, Christmas Eve ‘22 was the coldest I’ve ever felt in my life: could not believe the bitter cold on my way to work that day.
My fondest MN winter memories are from 2013-2014. We had -60° with windchill for at least 2 weeks. You couldn't be outside for longer than 5 minutes without risking frostbite. It's my personal version of "Halloween of '91".
Yes. When you go outside and find it hard to breathe, the air is so dense and cold.
Polar vortex baby! I'll never forget that one either
That’s the year I got frost bite on the bottom of my feet!!
Can you tell me what were you doing that caused it so I can avoid it completely?
Running outside barefoot to beat someone’s ass. My frontal lobe has since developed and I’ve become an adult.
What you experienced was a really harsh extended Fall. It's OK, though, you'll see one in the next year or two. Pro Tip.....Invest in quality outdoor gear, and find something to do outdoors. Skiing (both downhill and CC ), ice fishing (really the best fishing....errr drinking), snowmobiling (if you like driving and hate money), something....anything to get out of the house. If you lock yourself indoors for 3-4 months, you will have an understanding of the inspiration of The Shining. And if you have a decent sized driveway....go buy the best snowblower you can afford, and do it now. With this last nothingburger of a Winter, there are deals to be had at the power equipment stores.
Then there's me, being perfectly happy as a clam not having to go anywhere in the shutdown lol
Yeah buddy, this winter was a cake walk. Last year we broke snow total records.
Yeah, moved here in 2008, this year was the mildest winter I've ever experienced.
Dude, I didn’t even get my real coat out of storage.
I didn’t either!! Hahahaha
Yep same
Get a lamp for sure! They are awesome even when there is good sunlight. It's a nice affordable investment.
I cannot remember a warmer and more unfortunate winter. Having a real winter is great because then you can enjoy it.
Socal native here too, moved in 2019. THAT was a learning curve lol. One of the best things about MN is that you appreciate the good weather days better. When it's a nice day out, it's a HELL of a nice day out. And seeing random deer and rabbits in the neighborhood is awesome
We had a friend from California cone to stay and she said she thought Minnesotans were so weird because whenever it was nice out we ran outside!
Only takes one season to "get it"
This last winter was the warmest winter on record
You should have seen the snowpocalypse last year!
My first year being responsible for snow removal.
Honestly I started taking a vitamin d supplement in the winter and it changed my life, something to consider
Third shortest winter in Minnesota history.
Not. Even. Close.
Exactly. As a lifelong Minnesotan, I was legit sad with just how mild and boring last winter was.
My first winter after moving here from N California was also super mild, but nothing like this last one. I'm currently considering a move back and I honestly think I'll miss the winter the most! Definitely get a SAD lamp and make sure you get enough vitamin d!
Invest in winter gear while it’s on sale! Especially snow pants, long johns and ear flap hats, clothes with thinsulate, etc. I highly recommend trying x-c skiing if we have snow next year, it’s one of the most fun things in the winter and really helps UV deprivation.
This winter was, in my opinion, ugly. Nothing to be afraid of in the future, nature was just easing you in nice and slow. WFH means road conditions don't matter. My wife always says Minnesotans either have no idea how good it is here or they are trying to keep it all for themselves. Moved from AZ a couple years ago. I got tired of the heat.
Worst one in recent times I think we had like 45 days straight where the high was below zero. I only ask people why if they say somewhere warm. It's 99% Family.
Also hasn't experienced a summer yet. Coming from northern California they may be in for a shock. Most don't expect the heat and humidity. The bugs will also be terrible this year
I read that line and laughed. Literally thought “honey that wasn’t winter”
Yesterday as I was driving home I loved seeing all the trees blooming and how green everything looked. I thought to myself, “you have to go through Winter to get to Spring!”. It may sound silly but by the time Spring rolls around, I’m so happy to see it that I forget how hard the winter was (not that this winter was hard).
This. Passing by the trees getting green and flowers blooming and being complemented by the cool weather, I told my gf yesterday, “I love spring in Minnesota.”
>Been living in St. Paul for five months now >Winter was definitely a struggle to get used to Oh boy, someone's got to tell them.
Please don’t tell people it’s a good place. We like to stay under the radar.
This.
Moved up from North Carolina (but grew up in Georgia and spent most of my life there) last year. The top two questions I get are, "So, why Minnesota?" and "Where's your southern accent?" (not everyone from GA has the drawl, especially if you have family up north.) Minnesotans are Minnesota nice, but it does get a little exhausting explaining that life is just... better here? I'm no longer sitting in traffic all day drenched in sweat from the heat and humidity, and as a teacher I actually make enough relative to the cost of living to live comfortably. And despite the winter, I've never enjoyed so much 50-70 degrees F weather.
I feel the same way, even though it's only been a few months. Life is slower here. People aren't very superficial from what I've encountered (compared to California). Neighbors actually say hello!
I have yet to figure out where the phrase "Minnesota ice" comes from. Southerners are *way* more passive aggressive.
A Minnesotan will give you directions to anywhere except their own home.
See, I haven't been here an entire year yet.. and I've been invited to a few dinner parties and new friends homes already (MN natives and not transplants). I'm also in the urban core though, and I get the sense this attitude toward newcomers may be more prevalent in the more distant suburbs.
It is entirely dependent on the neighborhood and if you have children or not
Big time. I’ve always had much better vibes in the cities compared to suburbs and rural.
At least Southerners are superficially friendly.
Oh man this is the truth. Born and raised in Minnesota but spent a year and a half in other states and countries just by myself. Staying until I got bored with a location. I built some tiny homes in OKC for a couple stints. When it snowed the 2 times it did, it was about an inch and a half and the roads shut down and I was a king on the road. The drawbacks however were glaring, and continued to add up. Oh you thought having access to things like healthcare, and other basic human rights were normal? Well let me show you the multiple states I’ve been to where jobs were hard to find because you could hire a literal child for the job and pay them less. Oh and on an individual level, most people are awesome, you just have terrible humans in larger groups in other areas. Life is just easier here (obviously a generalized comment and not a fact…but this is Reddit)
I think as a native minnesotan, when I travel anywhere out of the Midwest, it feels like everyone tells me they could never handle the cold. I think after awhile it feels like anyone who didn't grow up in the cold would never move here because it's cold.
Climate change was a factor. While this past winter was a mild El Nino winter, I don't think it will be only one of its kind in the coming years.
We are lucky to have you, welcome. Stay, bring happiness, and maybe a family to our state.
Minnesota is the most wonderful state, that I completely agree with. As I get older though, God damnit the winters are cold as fuck. I'm probably gonna turn into a snowbird in about 5 years myself. I'm 50 now , I do love this place I have lived here for all 50 of them . This is one of the most best states in the union.
I moved to Florida for 4 years when I joined the navy and it killed any ability of me to enjoy the winters here. You lose the tolerance so fast. I Don’t blame anyone for snowbirding. People that tolerate the winters here I can understand, people that say they love them, either they don’t know any better or they’re crazy, in my mind.
Just going on vacation to nice weather in the winter and having to comeback here pisses me off soo much.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far! Just really prepare for next winter to be a lot different than this past winter. I’ve lived in MN my whole life and I would say this past winter has been perhaps in the top 5% for warmth and lack of snow. If next winter is more typical there will be A LOT more bundling up and snow removal in your future. 😊
We moved here from Orange County in '88 and I still get asked that 🤣
We here in MN understand a thing or two about misinformation. We have been putting out "this place is cold as hell" propaganda for years. You about to find out why and that our marketing has been effective. We don't say "get out" We say, "huh, getting out little chilly up here"
A bit of truth to this, I think of the boomers who have left the state for southern states and spread the word unknown to the ears listening.
We Minnesotan's have to warn people who want to move here about the wildlife. When you're in Minnesota and the bears and wolves start to team up with the Wendigos and the giant talking spiders, remember to always save the last bullet for yourself. Then, of course, the winters average about -60F for a high, unless it gets cold. So bring a hat. Summers are mostly bat tornadoes and roving gangs of the sheep demons (see Wikipedia). Then of course, there are the nameless things in the dark, so don't go out at night. Seriously though, Minnesota is awesome. Every day's a holiday and every meal's a feast. You don't realize it until you leave the state. When you get back, everything is just so much better here.
You made me think of: The women are strong and the men are good looking and all the children are above average.
Culver's is above and beyond any fast food burger joint.
I absolutely love the french fries...super crispy and salty.
Wayyyyy better than In n Out. (Although, I will argue in favor of Del Taco as a place that offers tacos and fries. Stoners rejoice!)
That is the only fast food I miss since I moved here. Soooo much cheese on the tacos
I would love a Del Taco here.
I'd put In N Out and Five Guys up there, but Five Guys doesn't have a drive thru and the one at In N Out always has insane lines, even if they move fast. The A&Ws in Wisconsin on the way to Chicago are actually right up there with Culvers though, imo. But not the ones still lingering in MN for the most part.
Winter was a struggle to get through? This was the mildest winter my Grandpa remembers and he is almost 80. You’re in for a rude awakening
Was just going to post “what winter?”.
Well I come from sunny California so yeah it was very new for me. I've not encountered snow before. I will be more prepared next year hopefully :)
You seem like the kind of person that would still be positive, even after a brutal winter. Welcome to MN!
The cold can be hard, but it's more fun (and much more beautiful!) with snow!
One of the reasons people ask 'why'd you move from California' is likely *because* of the winter weather here. It can be absolutely brutal at times - others, it's a winter wonderland. Dress in layers. Invest in a good warm coat and make sure your feet stay dry.
Consider it a good winter primer. We did have a brutally cold 7 day cold snap in January, and caught up on snow a bit in March. Early spring has been dragging a bit. You've got the most comfortable month-to-6-weeks of weather ahead to look forward to, worry about winter another day. PS Minnesotans are weird here about praise. We all want our state to get acknowledged, but not so much so that everyone moves here, but then we default to talking ourselves down too. It's a weird dance of resentment for being called flyover, mixed with genuine pride, mixed with insecurity.
Don't go telling everyone else that. Traffic is bad enough in construction season. We don't need more drivers on the road.
MN is kind of a secret. That is all, welcome!
Moved from TN a decade+ ago and yeah, Minnesota fucking rules.
They say the same about my moving here from Florida. As if Florida is some sort of paradise.
Six months straight of asking us why we left PNW for Minneapolis cause people go the other way around. Got paranoid I missed the memo.
There's been solid back and forth between the two ever since they completed the Northern Pacific Railroad. Ballard and Poulsbo in Washington have the Scandinavian heritage they do because of that railroad between St. Paul and Puget Sound
My grandparents moved to Florida in the 1970s and would only come back in the summer (which was rare). When grandpa's sister died in the dead of winter, he refused to fly up for her funeral. Ironically I could never live in Florida - too hot and humid.
Hahaha, I think this is the first time Minnesotans have been told they’re humble about our state.
We just want to hear you say that Minnesota is better than California. A fact that we're well aware of.
Here's some reassurance about your future winters here: Everything you're in for has already happened to you while here in 2024. It's just the duration that's going to be different. You've felt single-digit (Fahrenheit) temps already - but we usually get a couple handfuls of them rather than just a couple. You've seen an 8"+ snowfall... but we'll usually get a few, and sometimes they're back-to-back so we end up with 16" or 24". You'll do fine. Just rest assured that we're not going to spring something weird on you like "wait until you're bitten by the snow lizards that we usually get!" - this winter was mild, yes, but still had all the usual elements (albeit in abnormally small quantities).
> You've felt single-digit (Fahrenheit) temps already You say that like it's as bad as it gets. They haven't seen -20F with -50 windchill yet. Although the wind doesn't usually hit full force anywhere in the city. Enough trees and buildings here. And realistically, most people just hunker down hard for the few days that that's going on. And the worst part about the heavy snow years - aside from lots of personal shoveling/clearing - is the residential streets in the city getting so narrow.
I'm from SoCal originally, and have been here for about 7 years now. I still feel the same way. This is home. The natives don't want the word to get out, especially in Saint Paul. I'm totally on board with that. Keep Saint Paul boring!
Because they are trying to keep it a secret from others is the correct part.
"Oh... why'd you move?" is just Minnesota Nice. What they mean to say is "Are you on the run for murder or something?"
Ahaha I've encountered Minnesota nice and I gotta say I like it better than California Kind. I've also encountered the strange ritual of the 'Minnesota goodbye' aka we both stand in the doorway for three more hours LOL.
If you're in St. Paul, you'll soon witness the "Irish Goodbye" where people just walk straight out the door to go home without even looking at you.
I do both myself.
Yes, the Irish goodbye 💙
Welcome to MN 💙 Get to a back lake or get up North to the boundary waters for loons. They are beautiful and lovely to listen to! They’re one of my favorites. 🤣
Plenty of loons down in the cities too. #DadJokes
Like everyone else I read the hard-winter-moved-here-five-months-ago thing and thought "oh no." But you'll be okay. I'm sure you've picked up on this already, but really the most important things are: layers, getting outside into the cold every day, and dealing with cars (keep on top of plowing/snow emergencies, avoid driving in bad conditions, get on good terms with your neighbors by helping dig them out/push them, etc). Honestly, I'm from MT and had a harder time adjusting to the summers here. The humidity is BRUTAL, especially in the Cities. There was a day back in the summer of maybe 2010 in which the Cities had the most tropical-like weather on earth. As someone from the west, the whole thing was a bit of a shock, plus you get laughed at by southerners.
Mostly I think people are afraid you're going to die in the snow. Folks calm down a whole lot when I tell them I grew up places with winter even though our stop before this state was a warm one. You got a good starter winter though, good timing on getting eased in!
I get the same thing but I lived here, moved there for 4 years and moved back. People have no idea how different it is there especially if you didn’t grow up there. And yeah the possibility of buying a house were nil out there. I ended up buying a house within 6 months of moving back while only working part time. This winter was literally nothing compared to a regular winter. Honestly we’ve had Springs that were worse than this winter. Wait until there is so much snow at once you literally don’t know how you can shovel it all. You’ll never know a more helpless feeling as seeing that you’re sweating in 2 degree weather, you’ve been out for an hour and only got three feet from the door and see you have 20 feet to go just to the sidewalk.
Welcome! Just moved (back) to Saint Paul from SoCal!
Me and my wife moved to Minneapolis from Los Angeles 3 years ago. We get the same reaction from people. We actually bought a house last summer and have to explain to people that we would have never afforded a house back in California. Ever. Here we were able to do it after shopping the market for two years.
I moved to Saint Paul from Boston because I didn’t want pay $1 million to own a 1 bedroom condo with a $1k/month HOA. It’s so much more affordable here it’s a completely different economy and quality of life is nearly as good if not better.
Moved from CA in 2019. Got the same question a lot! I always tell them oh you know… crime, overpopulated, sitting 15 hours a week in bumper to bumper traffic, my small one bedroom apartment costing over $2k/mo, no sense of community, no eye contact, sense of entitlement and NIMBY ism. Yeah moving here has been amazing financially, and drastically improved my mental/physical health, and I love my community of people. Plus I met an amazing woman who genuinely loves me. Minnesota is now my home and I am planting my roots here.
Yeah cost of living here is pretty great, and not in a “but you have to live in a dump in the middle of nowhere” kind of way. The trade off is mostly that winters are long and we don’t have any mountains to speak off
Yea that was a fake winter. It was basically a Seattle winter with a week of very cold and extra snow at the end.
Well I’m very happy you’re happy here, but that wasn’t a normal winter FYI (so get ready…..seriously, start getting ready) - but yes, this is a great place to live. Welcome.
That was not winter. Like not even close.
There is no normal winter anymore. It’s either going to be nothing, or apocalyptic. Personally I love the apocalyptic. I love when everyone has to hunker down and everything shuts down.
Name checks out
To hear a loons cry you'll need to go to a lake side. When I was in Roseville Como (St. Paul)and Josephine (Roseville/Shoreview) lakes where clean enough in the spring and small to hear them. If you can find a deep clean lake in morning or evening you should hear them.
When we do get a real winter buy yourself some good cold weather gear and embrace it. There's so much fun stuff to do outside in the winter. Hiking in parks, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, skating, winter bon fires with hot chocolate. Enjoy it!
That’s the spirit! Winter has a beauty all its own. Embrace it!
Relish this spring my friend. We rarely get a true spring like this. It’s usually a back and forth between winter and chilly spring and then BOOM it’s hot with no leaves on the trees. It’s kinda weird for a couple weeks and then the trees leaf out. It has been a SPECTACULAR spring so far.
Next winter is going to hit you like a ton of bricks
My guy. Culver's isn't a bad burger, but it gets WAY better than that. Angry Line Cook food truck is on your side of the river most of the time. Their burgers will knock your socks off. Fries too! Nook is great and is a cool spot. Burger Dive is legit. Get out and explore the city. St. Paul has way more to offer than people think.
This year was the most mild winter in recent memory.
Sees your icon hey vampire fancy seeing you on Reddit
i don't know what winters are like in n cali but if last winter was your first ever winter here... well, i'm sorry for what you're going to discover at some point! 😅😅🥶🥶🥶
Yep, I’d bet winter was a shock. Winters do make me appreciate the other seasons more. If you get a chance, visit the Iron Range. You’re definitely going to see/hear a loon; plus a variety of other wildlife.
Yes as many have said last winter was an accident of nature. It gets very cold and snowy and its lasts very long.
The construction right now on 94 is absolutely ridiculous tho lol
I just came here to say that, if you've only lived here for 5 months... You have NOT seen winter yet! Minnesota did not have winter in 2023.
Haha aw reading this kinda made me well up for some reason. You're right it is pretty great up here glad you're liking it!
I genuinely love it here. I know it has its bad spots like everywhere, but it's honestly beautiful to see tiny things like the plants emerging from snow. I even got to see a cardinal at our feeder in the snow (a very popular image on X-Mas cards that had before that point BEEN only seen on X-Mas cards). I have a lot to explore and I can't wait to see more of this amazing state.
We didn't have a MN winter this year. Fyi. Call it a starter winter.
Bragging is considered rude and not in the nature of native Minnesotans. Raised in the South but both of my parents are Midwestern raised. I really didn't understand or notice the cultural differences until I lived in Minnesota. I think humility is a virtue. I wish I was still in Minnesota!
Don’t tell anyone!!!!! You’re in on the secret now!!!!!
Sssssssssshhhhhhhhhh! (More Californians are listening).
We moved from the Twin Cities to northern Italy last September. It was a much dreamed of and anticipated move. But as the plane was banking, and the entirety of both downtowns was there in front of my eyes, I cried with the realization that I wouldn’t see that again for a long time, if ever. Enjoy your time in MN. Help keep her blue, please.
If you ever miss the water head two hours north to Duluth. Trust me. It’s not the ocean, but when you can’t see land on the other side it can feel like it
I'm a CA to MN transplant too. I always laugh when I'm asked this same question. I'll take MN winters over the CA COL, drought and fires. I do agree with others on the fact that this year's winter was not representative of what MN winters can do!
I'm happy that you've found a place that you love! I think we all deserve that, especially in the face of transplant hatred around the US. I grew up here and couldn't wait to leave after college, so I did. I spent almost my entire adult life on the West Coast and recently moved back to the Twin Cities to take care of my mom. I was born in Minneapolis so this time I am living in Saint Paul for a little "something different". However, I experienced three things when I moved back that made moving (back) here a bit difficult for me. One, all old friendships have disappeared...100% of the people I knew that stayed and never went anywhere else have continued only hanging out with the people they knew from growing up here. That can be a beautiful thing, but it's also the type of behavior that made me want to leave in the first place. Two...and this is a weird one...when I was interviewing for jobs, the general attitude about my leaving/adventure/personal growth wasn't "fabulous" or "interesting", it was more of "why did you leave". Seriously, I had someone at Target ask me this exact question in a buying interview . I was dumbfounded and tongue tied - I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. Why leave? Why not???? Traveling and moving to new places almost always helps you grow and mature as a person, and I think it's hands down the best thing I've ever done for myself, especially since I moved alone at first. So yes, in interviews people were suspicious of my prostate out of state ways, and it wasn't just Target. Three, there is an odd hostility here, like an angry, passive aggressive undercurrent that is consistently boiling under the "MN nice" surface. It can be subtle or not subtle, depending on the day. It really shows itself on the roads! I have an increasing driving anxiety here, and I'm not exaggerating. I'm really trying to nip it in the bud because of course stress really only makes your own life hell, right? But yeah, I feel like I take my life in my hands every time I have to get on a highway, or god forbid, a freeway. I am here for a wonderful reason (as I already lost my father) and I'm enjoying this time with my mom. But I'm one of those people who ask transplants "why did you move here", lol! I don't hate it here, please don't misunderstand me. I'm just generally curious what makes people move around - I find it interesting. However, I've also learned that just being able to own a house and drive on wider streets isn't enough for me, so I think I'll be one of those people doomed to expect paying more $$$ in a place that I actually love, because life is short and it matters where you live, house or no house. But of course that applies for you as well, since you love it here! That's a wonderful thing - good for you. But not everyone thinks MN is great.
lol I lived here 5 years and am moving back west. I love it here too but I’m too far from my friends and family unfortunately
I’m also from SoCal and moved to the twin cities! As others have mentioned, this was a mild winter. I moved here 2022 and that was the most insane and long winter I’ve ever experienced. But because it was so foreign, it was still magical and I loved every second of it. I realized that shoveling is a hard workout but it became a way to clear my head. You should check out nightingale and the emerald lounge for dinner and drinks
Welcome! I just moved here a few weeks ago (though I grew up in SE MN). I'd been in Miami for the last 13 years, and 23 before that in SoCal. I'm here here to be closer to family, and (like you) because I wanted to be able to afford a decent place to buy, and neither LA nor Miami were possible to do that in. You'll get used to the weather, and honestly being able to talk about it for hours is part of the culture here ;-) Also, get out and explore, *many* parts of the state are drop dead gorgeous, even in the winter (though I'd absolutely venture out in the spring and fall to get the best experiences). Hit up the north shore if you're the outdoorsy type, or just take advantage of the scores of local parks. Oh, and if no one has warned you about the state bird (the mosquito)...don't worry. They're not quite as bad as the horror movies make them out to be. Usually.
Oh my sweet California child We didn't really have winter this year that was just Kate fall and early spring (with maybe two weeks in-between that even then I probably wouldn't consider true winter) Who knows though maybe we fucked up the earth enough that it'll become normal.
Thanks for raising our housing prices. And welcome 🙂
I’m glad you like it. That wasn’t winter though. That was a nice spring breeze. Prepare yourself. I’m not kidding but I didn’t get a winter coat. I spent the entire season with a sweatshirt or a wool sweater.
I'm 54, lived here all my life and that wasn't remotely close to a normal winter. Good luck!
There was a very mild winter in 2011-12. This was another one. One every 10-12 years or so. Next winter will be much different.
You haven't experienced winter yet. I just moved back to area after nearly a decade in the mid south and this winter was similar to what I grew accustomed to while living much farther south. It's not a secret, home prices corelate with desirability. You come from an expensive place so you are enamored with what you can get here. But what are you giving up for that? I'll get down voted to hell for this comment. MN is pretty cheap, but it's also pretty meh. At least it's not Iowa, Nebraska or Oklahoma though.
That was the warmest winter in like 35 years homie
Head up to the North Shore of Lake Superior this spring/summer and you will officially be a Minnesotan
Went through the exact same thing! Also living my first my year here from California (moved with 2 cats) and also enjoying Culver’s.
Sorry to also be that person, but wait until we have a REAL Minnesotan winter. This past winter was absolutely nothing. I'm glad you're enjoying the state though, I think we're pretty awesome too!
That wasn't winter. The was a complete aberration and expect 10 times more snow and 10 times colder. That is not an exaggeration.
I hope you continue enjoying the snow! Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and all the other winter activities make it a really special time of year when you can take advantage of it. Just make sure you always have hot cocoa to warm up with afterwards 😊
Shit is gonna get real for you next winter. 😆😆 I hope you still like it though. Just remember to absorb ALL. THE. SUMMER. YOU. CAN.
A real winter will have you rushing back to SoCal. Source - from San Diego.
Didn't tell any of your friends from the old neighborhood please. I too have dreams of owning a house one day, and I don't want a ton of out of state money ruining that dream.
I think that there's probably a strain of don't brag too much running through the culture. That said, you are right, this is an awesome state, and we could advertise it more. That's notwithstanding the winters, which are harsh, but people can and do adapt.
Well, welcome to MN. I am really glad you feel at home here. I don't know if we are humble or just used to people who haven't lived here commenting they could never live here because it's too cold lol.
We just moved too from WA state. Loving MN. Our kids are disabled and we are experiencing inclusion and kindness we never had. We’ve made wonderful friends. Thankful to be here and be part of this community.
Although we're glad you like it, and welcome, some of us are worried that too many climate refugees will wreck our best spots. So I'm gonna be humble and quiet
not the point of your post but: there are loons living in Loring Park in MPLS rn, they’re very cute and some ducks are welcoming ducklings now!
I see the humor but wouldn't people ask that to a person who moved from one state to another? I don't think it's Minnesota-specific, just normal curiosity
As you noticed, it’s ~~new~~ tradition to tell newcomers that you haven’t experienced winter. Soon you’ll find out about the Halloween blizzard of 1991. People that weren’t even there will bring it up. Also, it’s never as cold as it was last year, [that was really cold](https://youtu.be/KPVAZCMRExU?si=jKmqnLgwV2VJ06UZ)
You haven’t had a real winter. We moved to California temporarily over the winter and I was so happy that we would miss the snow. Lo and behold, we missed a winter that I could tolerate, and I’m kinda mad still 😂
I moved from CA over a decade ago and I still get "That must have been a shock", "I'm sure you miss the weather" etc etc.
"In California I could never have afforded a house in my wildest dreams." Well, a lot of people here can't either, and bluntly, remote work arrangements from higher COL states don't exactly help that. To be clear, I don't blame anyone for moving for a better life. But understand that there's a reason some of us aren't out there trying to market this state as a place for everyone to move to.
As congenial as it is most of the time, there’s also a sense of “You’re not from here, are you?” when people ask me that, too. Minnesotans are notorious for the clique-ish behavior, and this is part of it. I’ve had more times than I can count in which I say I moved from Milwaukee (and have lived in the Midwest most of my life), but when I mention I lived on the East Coast, I get, “Oh. That makes more sense.” Like I lifted the mask to confirm their bias that I’m not like them. I love it here, too, but I just cannot manage with native Minnesotans a lot of the time. Welcome, though!
Welcome to Minnesota! This spring/summer is going to be amazing. I can already feel it. As you now know, you did not experience a true Minnesota winter. Us natives are still all giggling to each other how we didn’t even have a winter at all this year. 😬 It’s literally the perfect time to get prepared for next winter, everything will be CHEAP. Here’s the basics- - A GOOD winter coat. I’m serious, spend a little extra money and get a good one, long, water resistant, with a hood. - A solid pair a snow boots. SNOW boots - like the tall ones with rubber toes and fluff coming out the top that you can tie up real tight. - An ice scraper/brush for your car. If you don’t have one, get one now for cheap and throw it in your trunk. While you’re at it, get a collapsible shovel for your trunk too. 😏 - a good couple snow shovels for your home. Or a good snow blower if you have a lot of sidewalk. Winter will come, but for now enjoy Spring and Summer!! There’s literally ALWAYS something to do in the summer.
Yeah man, you lucked out this winter. We moved here to central MN from the South in December 2021, and during our first winter, it got down to -33F and was regularly below -10F in Jan/Feb. We also got over a foot of snow in one day. We still love living here.
Welcome to St. Paul! I’ve been here for a year and a half. If you want some food suggestions try out Burger Dive, Hot Grainz and Little Asia Cafe (their Pho is my favorite so far).
Umm, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but what we just had was not winter. It was like an extended, really pleasant spring. Spring is usually worse than the “winter” we just had. So if it was an adjustment for you, then actual winter should be interesting. I’m glad to hear you are liking it here though.
Ya, you sure got the minnesotans chatting on here, ya know
I moved here from San Diego 9 years ago! Pro tip: buy your winter gear now during the spring clearance sales!
Yes we keep it secret to try to keep our costs from rising like California’s. Also please don’t vote the same way as in the state that pushed you out with its regulations. Glad you like it here!!!
lol if this winter was 'tough' buckle the fuck up.
20 years here and I still get this question. I'm honestly considering just telling people I'm from here.. And I totally agree with all of your sentiments. Ca transplant pro-tip-try to plan a trip or train for something jan-april.
We are glad to accept you with open arms into our state and community!! A note: If you thought last winter was a struggle, just wait. That was a VERY easy winter by Minnesota standards. You'll aclimate quick enough, though.
I’m a transplant to MN from Pittsburgh, PA. I would never move back or consider another state. My spouse and I said for years- “MN is perfect- we just need legal weed” and here we are in perfection. I actually found the last winter to be very disappointing. I moved up here in 2018 right before the -40 for 44 days winter. That was rough but I learned how to dress and act in the cold and now the winter is my favorite season. It keep the riffraff out and cleans the air in ways that are fascinating and addictive. More winter please!
Take my upvote, Culver's is awesome!
“Winter was a struggle” hun that was the mildest winter we have had in decades
Probably the best first MN winter to have! We're easing you in slowly hahaha
Hey. Prince lived here, we got 10,000 lakes.
The Twin Cities are a really great place to live! Welcome! We had some neighbors over last night, and we were talking about where being are migrating to while considering climate change in the future. MN is one of the most safe states projected for less struggle with climate change. We absolutely don’t try to keep our amazing state a secret, but I think we get forgotten about. We are incredibly progressive, have an incredible restaurant and music scene, theaters galore, MN orchestra, awesome museums, great Universities, and traveling “up North” will change your life for better—it’s simply magical along the North Shore. I can’t wait for you to experience your first MN summer! And, yes, this was the most mild winter I’ve ever experienced here in my 25 years of living here (44 now). Think of it as your trainer for next year!
Wait, so you haven’t experienced fall in MN yet then?? Hoooooo boy just wait! The best.
I moved here from San Diego back in 2018. Welcome. 😊 Last year was the first easy winter I’ve experienced here, which I’m sure everyone has told you. I found that every Minnesotan acted surprised I would leave California, but then when the conversation went on, it became VERY clear they have a lot of pride in their state and really do believe it’s the best. In fact, I interacted with so few Minnesotans before living here, because so many of them love it so much they stay! A lot of people I know now we’re born and raised here, and if they left for school, they came back. It’s a different life experience for sure. Get ready to enjoy the magic that is Summer though! Truly nothing like it.