Life in the Twin Cities

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Life in the Twin Cities

Overview
Life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offers an exceptional balance of educational and cultural advantages coupled with easy access to rural and natural areas. The Twin Cities has consistently ranked among the top five "Best Places to Live" by Money Magazine among 300 American cities. The Twin Cities consistently receive high marks for the local economy, public education, health care, the arts, and progressive government. It also has been ranked as having the sixth highest standard of living and sixth lowest cost of living among major U.S. metropolitan areas. The Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area is the 16th largest in the United States. The population grew by 15.3 percent between 1980 and 1990, making the Twin Cities the twelfth fastest growing area in the U.S. The seven-county metropolitan area, where 52 percent of the state's population resides, has a population of approximately 2.5 million.

The Twin Cities combine the best of both small town and metropolitan living. Within 30 minutes of the University one can live in the city, in suburbs, in surrounding small towns, or in rural areas. Cost of living, relative to other metropolitan areas, is low. The Twin Cities rank first in housing affordability among large metropolitan areas in the U.S. The University of Minnesota's Student Housing Office is a helpful resource for students relocating to the Twin Cities. Housing may also be found through the local newspapers, rental offices, internet sites, or through informal contacts between successive cohorts of interns. The state's overall crime index, a key component of quality of life, is 22% below that of the nation and 8% lower than the Midwest; the violent-crime rate is less than half the national rate. Taxes on personal income in Minnesota have decreased and earned improved standing relative to other states, reflecting local and state governmental units' efficiency and commitment to fiscal restraint.

Health

Minnesota is a healthy place to live and is known worldwide for its excellent health-care facilities. Minnesotans have the second highest average life expectancy,76.2 years, and overall health among the 50 states. In addition, Minnesota has some of the lowest infant mortality and low birth weight rates in the country. Minnesota's role in health care has long been associated with The University of Minnesota Hospital which has a national and international reputation for excellence. Minnesota health care also includes several other teaching hospitals, most notably, the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, approximately 75 miles southeast of the Twin Cities. The first open-heart surgery was performed at the University of Minnesota in 1954. Fairview-University Medical Center (formerly The University of Minnesota Hospital) is recognized as a leading organ transplant center, particularly for heart, liver, and kidney transplants. The concept of the health maintenance organization (HMO) was born in the Twin Cities. HMOs have become models for other programs around the country and figure prominently in the debate over health reform nationally. In Minnesota, health care costs are 15% lower than national rates; health care costs in the Twin Cities are the fourth lowest among major U.S. cities. United Health Care, the second largest managed care corporation in the country, is based in Minnesota.

Economy

Minnesota has a strong economy. In 1999, Minnesota had the lowest rate of unemployment among major metropolitan areas in the United States. The metropolitan area has a strong and diversified business base, including companies involved in high-tech industries such as manufacturing, electronics, and medical instruments (e.g., Medtronics, St. Jude Medical), as well as milling, manufacturing (e.g., 3M), mining, food processing (e.g., Pillsbury, General Mills), and graphic arts. These businesses, and others, have helped to make the Twin Cities one of the largest commercial centers between Chicago and the West Coast. Thirty-one companies on the Fortune 500 and Fortune Service 500 lists are headquartered in the Twin Cities area. With 17 Fortune 500 industrial companies, the area ranks just behind New York, Chicago, and Houston for the most national headquarters. The average unemployment rate ranks among the lowest of major U.S. metropolitan areas. Minnesota has a robust agribusiness economy (e.g., Cargill) spanning rural and metropolitan areas. Minnesota ranks 16th in per capita personal income. Costs for office space and utilities are among the lowest for major U.S. cities.

The architectural diversity in the Twin Cities ranges from the historic (e.g., Summit Avenue, Kenwood neighborhoods, Landmark Center) to the modern (e.g., IDS Building, World Trade Center), and from the functional (e.g., enclosed skyways allowing protection from the elements throughout the downtown areas) to the indescribable (e.g., Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art) providing an outstanding skyline against an attractive urban landscape. Diverse ethnic and American restaurants, microbreweries, and coffee establishments have flourished, expanding the sophistication and scope of the local cuisine. Shopping is readily available through both downtowns, and an abundance of malls, including the Mall of America, which is an international destination for shopping.

Outdoor Opportunities

Outdoor recreational opportunities are plentiful because of rich natural resources which include parks, lakes, and rivers. Biking, boating, fishing, golf, hiking, hockey, ice fishing, ice skating, in-line skating, and skiing are among the local popular recreational activities. Rollerblades and the Nordic Track were invented in Minnesota. Approximately 136,900 acres of land are set aside for parks, trails, and wildlife management areas and there are 949 lakes in the seven-county metro area. There are over 12,000 lakes and 25,000 miles of rivers in Minnesota, including the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota and meanders through the Twin Cities, offering many scenic views. There is also an extensive system of local and state parks and national forests. Duluth and the scenic north shore of Lake Superior are less than three hours away. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, the largest wilderness area in the contiguous 48 states, is a four-hour drive from the Twin Cities.

Education

Education is a high priority in Minnesota. The high school graduation rate in Minnesota is the highest in the nation. Students generally earn among the highest mean scores on standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT, lending some credence to Garrison Keillor's quip about the state of Lake Wobegon being where, "The women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children are all above average." There are approximately 28,000 bachelor's and graduate degrees awarded annually in Minnesota. The multi-campus University of Minnesota - Twin Cities has more than 45,000 full-time students and 250 fields of study. The University of Minnesota is a major research institution. Former students and faculty have been awarded twelve Nobel Prizes for physics, medicine, chemistry, economics, and peace. In addition to the University of Minnesota, there are twelve four-year colleges (including Carleton, Hamline, Macalester, and St. Olaf), six community colleges, nine technical institutes and several proprietary technical and trade schools in the metropolitan area. Primary and secondary educational programs are of comparable excellence and offer innovative instruction and experiential learning.

Family Life

Minnesota is an excellent state to raise families. It is regarded as one of the top states for child care. Working Mother's Magazine rated Minnesota among the best states for commitment, quality, safety, and availability of child care. The state legislature has shown leadership in expanding parents' options for child care through assisting families with finding child care and training and recruiting child care providers. The University of Minnesota Child Care Center (612-627-4014) has excellent, new facilities, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to University families, including interns.

Cultural opportunities abound in the Twin Cities, which has been ranked highly among U.S. metropolitan areas in terms of cultural offerings. The renowned Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera Company, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Ordway Music Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, Orchestra Hall, Children's Theater, Orpheum Theater, State Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and Walker Arts Center (which includes a Sculpture Garden) are among the many distinguished musical groups, theatres, and galleries. The Twin Cities are second only to New York City in the number of theater seats. Additionally, Minnesota is or has been home to such notables as Bobby McFerrin, Bob Dylan, Leo Kotke, the artist formerly known as Prince, Garrison Keillor, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Judith Guest, John Hassler, Laura Landvik, Sinclair Lewis, and the Soul Asylum and Red House recording labels. Other attractions include the Science Museum of Minnesota with its 3M Omnitheatre, the Como Zoo, the Minnesota Zoological Garden with natural habitat displays, the Bell Museum of Natural History, Fort Snelling, the Minnesota History Center, and a new Children's Museum. There is even a Museum of Electricity and another of Questionable Medical Devices. Annual events include: the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the country's largest and oldest outdoor event of its kind; the Minneapolis Aquatennial, the country's oldest summertime festival; the Minnesota State Fair, which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year; the Renaissance Festival; the Taste of Minnesota, the Uptown Art Festival, and several other arts and music festivals. Minnesota is the birthplace of national public radio, and enjoys strong community support for public radio and public television.

Sports

Professional, collegiate, and amateur sports draw many devoted fans in Minnesota. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is home to the World Champion Minnesota Twins baseball team and the Minnesota Vikings football team. The Minnesota Timberwolves play basketball in the Target Center. The Saint Paul Saints, a minor league baseball team, adds to the diversity of sporting events. St. Paul also hosts a professional hockey team, the Minnesota Wild. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers play in the Big10 Conference and have shown strong performances in several areas of NCAA athletic competition.

The subject of weather seems to come up often in Minnesota. Nonetheless, the weather - winter in particular - is rarely as formidable as one might imagine, especially when people are sufficiently prepared for the range of weather conditions. Because Minnesota winters seem to last a long time, residents find a variety of activities to enjoy, both indoors and out. Amidst these cultural, sporting, and other recreational activities, one can choose a lifestyle ranging between those of a small town, suburban, and the most culturally sophisticated urban areas. It is no surprise to its residents that quality-of-life studies consistently rank the Twin Cities among the most liveable metropolitan areas and Minnesota among the top states in the nation.

Housing

Housing is available throughout the Twin Cities and the suburbs. Generally, it is useful to look for housing a couple of months in advance of when you intend to move in. The University of Minnesota Department of Housing and Residential Life can be helpful in providing accommodations during visits to the Twin Cities. For visits to the twin cities, access: http://www1.umn.edu/housing/visitors/tempGuestHousing.shtml

To search for off-campus housing, such as faculty sabbatical housing and rental properties, access:http://www1.umn.edu/housing/offcampus.htm