Moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota Guide

If you are moving to Minneapolis, MN, or the also called Twin Cities metro area (Minneapolis and St. Paul), you have a lot to do. Whether your employer sent you to an office there or you found a good job opportunity there – whatever the reasons for moving, do your homework well by informing yourself of the city and its area. This guide will offer you important city information with moving tips on how to move to Minneapolis. If you’re thinking about Moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, then this guide is for you. Here you will find out about the cost of living, transportation, the Minneapolis weather, how to get a job, how to get a driving license and register your car, how to find the right movers and a lot more. Don’t stay mislead by stereotypes that moving give you and don’t be misinformed – prepare yourself for your upcoming relocation with this moving to Minneapolis guide.

Moving to Minneapolis, MN, City Info

Although Minneapolis is known as the Mini Apple it does not have the hustle and bustle of the big NYC. Nevertheless, it provides all the comfort of the big city like shopping, art, music and food, lakes, parkways, etc.). Minneapolis is art & culture friendly and at the same time more quiet and calm which makes it suitable for families with young children or for people who like a calm environment. The city has some of the best family attractions in the country and that is why there are so many kids here. Although Minnesota is considered to be passive, in Minneapolis you will find and exception of the regular Minnesotan stereotype – the locals are friendly, warm and welcoming.

It is also called the City of Lakes and the Mill City. The Dakota word “minnehaha” means waterfall and the Greek word “polis” means city so this is how the name of Minnesota originated plus one of its nicknames. The population of the city is 387,753 for 2011 and the metropolitan area has 3,318,486 inhabitants making it the 16th largest in the States. A lot of the people living in Minnesota and consequently – in Minneapolis, have come from other places like Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Mexico, Latin America, etc. There are 7 hospitals in the City of Lakes, four of which are amongst USA’s best. The utility providers for Minneapolis are regulated monopolies: Xcel Energy which supplies the electricity, CenterPoint Energy that provides gas, CenturyLink that provides the landline telephone service, if you want a Satellite TV you will need to contact DirectTV, for a cable service you can contact the company Comcast and for an internet connection – the Wireless Minneapolis. It is important to know which are the utility providers when you’re moving to Minneapolis, MN, because you will have to contact them for the change of your address. If in the area you’re living in any of the utility providers is different, it is good to contact these companies further back in time in order to make the transfer of your utilities.

There are many events which you can visit in Minneapolis. They go through all of the year but most of them are in the summer months of course. Amongst these are the May Day Parade and Art-A-Whirl in May, Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival, Stone Arch Festival of the Arts in June, Art Car Parade in July, Sommerfest in July or August and more. The numerous libraries in Mini Apple also offer many events and courses, too, which are also free of charge. You can check out the list and make your local search here. Great places to go to are the Institute of Arts, Minnehaha Falls, the Basilica of Saint Mary, Guthrie Theater and other. There are lots of open areas in Minneapolis like parks. You can find large areas for hiking, ski and snowboard in winter and golf in the summer. There are 22 lakes in Minneapolis, the Mississippi River passes through the city. And if you add up the Minnehaha Park and you get some great places for walking and resting in nature.

Minneapolis has a large gay community and hence the Gay Parade in the city conducted annually. So you could say that the city is generally welcoming and accepting. Minneapolis was one of the first cities in the States that would introduce and approve of same-sex couples. There’s no particular neighborhood in Minneapolis that is provided for gay people. Yet most of them prefer uptown and downtown Minneapolis and the Loring park neighborhoods where the majority of gay-friendly businesses and social places are situated. If you are open-minded and liberal you will fit well here. The people of Minneapolis are welcoming and hospitable to all newcomers – not only to gays but also to interracial couples and families.

Moving to Minneapolis – Weather

Minneapolis has a continental climate which is typical of the Upper Midwest. Winters are usually cold and snowy with temperatures going down to about 10ºF, while on the other hand summers are hot and humid. A typical characteristic of the continental climate is the large difference between the average temperatures in the coldest winter month and the warmest summer month. If you move to Minneapolis, MN, you will experience all kinds of weather conditions like snow, sleet, ice, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, heatwaves and fog. So if you enjoy a diverse weather with a various climate you will enjoy moving to the Mill City. The winters can be a bit difficult, especially if you are not used to the cold, but the large variety of outside winter sports makes the season very enjoyable.

Transportation in Minneapolis

The transportation in the city is provided by the frequent and express Metro Transit bus system and the light rail line that connects Minneapolis with the Mall of America (The Mall of America has a theme park inside is so do check it out if you’re visiting Minneapolis!). Almost all of the streets in Minneapolis have sidewalks and it is a very walk friendly community. Minneapolis is also ranked the 4th bicycling city in the USA. There are Minneapolis shared bike lanes that you can learn more about in this short video:

So if you don’t have a car or don’t want to transport yours you can find great green ways to go through the city besides the built in transportation system of course.

Moving to Minneapolis Cost of Living

Generally the cost of living in the Mini Apple is pretty much at about the average for the country with a few exceptions. So if you are moving to Minneapolis, MN, from New York, Washington or Boston you’ll enjoy the lower prices. There is no sales tax on clothes and shoes which makes them a bit cheaper than other states in the country. The housing costs are lower that the average for the nation. On the other hand, because winters are cold and long and the cost for fuel is high, the bills for heating are the second highest in the country. One of the reasons for the lower cost of living in Minneapolis is that it is relatively away from the rest of the country with Chicago situated on 6 hours drive away or 1 hour with an air plane.

Moving to Minneapolis Guide

Your first task when moving to Minneapolis, MN, is to find information for the city personally. If you can get some first hand information you will be best informed. If you can, visit Minneapolis at least once for a few days. You can use this visit for many things. You can plan visiting properties for sale or rent, interviews with potential employers, visiting local schools/ daycare and getting to know the area in general. If you are practicing a hobby you can find clubs or people who practice it as well and meet them. When you want to Move to Minneapolis, MN, you can combine a visit to the city with checking out the different neighborhoods as well. Ask at local shops and coffee places what life is like in the city and in the neighborhood. The local people will be able to give you accurate information from first hand. You will also get an impression of the prices and you will be able to inquire about job opportunities and salaries. You can visit events and local attractions. If you have a family, you can all go together to Minneapolis and experience this diverse and interesting city. In any case before you get to know the neighborhoods yourself you may prefer to rent a place for one or two years and then purchase a property. That will also give you an opportunity to choose a place that is convenient for your commute to work and for the trip that kids have to take to school.

When relocating to Minneapolis area it is advisable to have a job first. You can apply for one online here. If you are relocating to Minneapolis area without a job you can see what to do and how to proceed with your relocation on this link. There are youth job summer programs, job assistance programs, disability services like parking and volunteer programs in which you could participate, that you can learn more about at the City of Minneapolis website. In this way the local government aims to take a good care of its citizens. You can find information about the city and city services on a short phone number: 311.

Relocating to the Minneapolis Area

If you’re relocating to Minneapolis area what better chance to get things that you need free if not from the Twin Cities Free Market. This is an online platform that you can use. If you want to buy something for your new home don’t be in a hurry and check if you can get it for free there! All you need to do is just register. How to move to Minneapolis cheaply if you don’t dispose of some things at your home that you don’t need or use? You can make a donation to the Salvation Army for example or put things up on craigslist or eBay. This will also decrease the cost of your move. The price for your move to Minneapolis, MN, will be based on the amount of your belongings – they will be measured by weight or by volume. Another point taken into consideration is the distance – i.e. which city you are coming from. De-clutter and consider the ways to find the right Minneapolis mover for you.

Another important point to consider when moving to Minneapolis is the weather. If you can avoid relocating in the winter. You need to be ready to clean snow, break ice and throw salt near your home for the vehicles. Any period from early spring to late fall is appropriate for a move. It is important to also have in mind when to relocate to Minneapolis – besides the season, the month and the days of it matter, too. They matter for the price of your move to Minneapolis, MN. Usually movers are more busy in summer, during the beginning and end of the month and on weekends and holidays. That is why their prices may be higher during these days. So, when planning your move to Minneapolis, MN, book a moving company early and ask for the price difference depending on when you will be moving.

Finding Movers

Our moving to Minneapolis guide would not be complete without such a section. When moving to Minneapolis, MN, the first most important thing is to find the moving company for you. Use several criteria in your search: check the USDOT of the company, check if it is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association and the BBB – both reputable institutions; and last, but not least, read reviews. The reviews at MyMovingReviews are filtered and only genuine ones that are written by people like you stay in the system. Get advantage of this information and acquaint yourself with the way that a company is working. Other factors matter, too. When you are thinking about Moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota you should be well prepared with facts about the Minneapolis movers that you are choosing from. When you get a quote and contact moving companies ask them for how long they have been in business, how is their staff selected (you want experienced moving labor that will safely transport your belongings) and what training is it subject to. You can also ask to visit the company’s office and see their trucks. A regular Minneapolis moving company will have contact details like phone numbers, address of the office and a website.

Applying for a Driver’s License

If you want to relocate to Minneapolis with your car or you want to purchase one after your move you will need to have a Minnesota license. After you arrive in the Mill City you have 60 days to file in your application. During this time you can drive your car but yet it is advisable to take the necessary steps for a new Minnesota license as soon as you can after your arrival. The procedure for the military and their families is only different. In order to obtain your new license you need to apply at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services. If you already have a driving license from the USA or Canada or your license is expired from no more than one year you will have to pass a vision test and a knowledge test. If your license has been expired for more than one year or you are moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota from a different country, then besides these two tests you will also have to pass a road test.

Registering Your Vehicle

In addition to renewing your license if you are going to relocate to Minneapolis with your motorcycle, car, passenger van, 3/4 ton (or less) pickup truck, utility or house trailer you will also have to register your vehicle. For that you have a deadline of 60 days after your arrival in the City of Lakes. When moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, you need to do the registration with the Minnesota’s Department of Vehicle Services. If you have a vehicle different from the ones mentioned above there are other rules that apply for their registration and you can ask for them at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. When you pay it a visit you will have to show your ID, bring with you a proof of vehicle ownership and insurance, provide odometer reading, and pay registration fee and a regeistration tax.

Relocate to Minneapolis Wrap Up

Follow this guide when planning how to move to Minneapolis and you will find your relocation much more easier and simpler. If you are thinking about moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, you will find it great in many aspects. Yet, research the neighborhoods and find that job opportunity that you need – your guarantee for regular financial revenues. When moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, choose your home wisely depending on its location and your needs. And after your move is over please come back and share your moving story – it will help other people choose their moving company just like other people’s reviews have helped you. Thank you!