Click on the magazine image to read more about the RELOCATION GUIDE. Source: Twin Cities Living

Why Relocate to the Twin Cities?

by Amy Jurek, RE/MAX Advantage Plus

If your only experience with the Twin Cities is from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “A Prairie Home Companion” or national news stories about sub-zero temperatures, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There’s a lot more to Minneapolis and Saint Paul than snow tires, mittens and frozen noses.

Time and time again, people who’ve relocated to the Twin Cities from all across the country tell me that they had no idea about all the phenomenal people, places and activities that these two towns – and the suburbs that surround them – have to offer. I’m not surprised. Minneapolis and Saint Paul constantly rank at or near the top of nearly every survey in the book, from most literate to one of the top places to raise a family. According to a recent Gallup poll, Minnesota ranks fifth in the country for overall health and happiness.

So what is it about the Twin Cities that makes it a great place to live? The first thing to keep in mind is that these “twin” cities aren’t exactly identical. It’s a sweeping generalization, but it’s also fairly accurate: In a nutshell, Minneapolis is sleek and hip; St. Paul is traditional and classic. Do you prefer a trendy cocktail or would you rather settle in with a cold beer? One of the best parts of living in the Twin Cities is that you don’t have to decide. You can satisfy just about any interest, mood or whim with just a few-minute drive, anchored by two distinctly different cities.

No matter where you put down roots, whether it’s amid the hustle and bustle of Minneapolis’s Uptown neighborhood, near the stately tree-lined beauty of Saint Paul’s Summit Ave., or anywhere in between, you can rest assured that the Twin Cities offer plenty of big-city amenities — without a lot of the big-city hassle. The Twin Cities are the 15th largest market in the United States, ranking just below Seattle and just above Miami, and that major metropolitan status is reflected in the breadth and depth of the culture, conveniences and quality of life. Here are just a few examples: