Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes. There are even more than that number statewide, but it is a good indicator that nature-lovers will enjoy life in this northern state. The miles of untouched wilderness and forest in the Arrowhead region, the gorgeous drives up the North Shore to Canada, and the rolling hills of the farmland in the south are all attractive reasons to live in Minnesota. The people in Minnesota are also welcoming and friendly, and rental prices are low compared to the rest of the United States.
If you’re looking for small town life, many of the small towns in the far north of the state are a good choice. The larger towns of Hibbing, Eveleth, and Ely near the Canadian border are all places with good infrastructure and medical care. Ely is one of the best places in Minnesota where you can interact with the wilderness. It is located at the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Motorized craft are not allowed on the waterways of this pristine forest reserve.
Some people prefer a place that is in between a small town and a big city. Duluth is one of the best places to live in Minnesota. Its beautiful layout on Lake Superior is reminiscent of San Francisco with its hills that descend into the water. The 22-mile sandy beach called Park Point by the locals is a great place to spend the summer. There’s a thriving indie music scene and some of the best bars in the state call Duluth home. Duluth is also at the center of shipping as the last inland port in the United States, where you can see the ships enter the harbor from all over the world.
For those who cannot live without the excitement of the metropolis, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are some of the best places to live in Minnesota. Hip and trendy, these cities boast a diverse and vibrant population of artists and start-ups along with a successful business community. There are world-class restaurants and shows as well as concerts every night of the year in the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis-St. Paul airport offers direct flights all over the world.
Minnesota’s climate can be difficult to handle for newcomers. Summers are very hot and humid with temperatures into the 90’s. The winters are famously cold and snowy, with towns like Embarrass and International Falls winning the yearly ‘Icebox of America’ prizes in the United States. If you like a challenge and don’t mind long winters then Minnesota is the place for you.
Minnesota offers a variety of interesting opportunities for the people living there. AreaVibes can help you narrow down your options for finding the best places to live in Minnesota. Minnesota is a place where nature and modern life coexist. Locals often say that anyone who survives one winter in Minnesota is a Minnesotan, because that’s all you really need to do to earn your stripes.