Just applied for a job in SW Minnesota... how is it?

[DeadEyeJ]

Just looking for opinions about southwestern Minnesota. If they make me a good enough offer, I'll be moving up there in a month or less. I'll be the manager over basically the SW quarter of the state, so I have a large area that I could live.

-Any good recreation areas there?
-How expensive is housing/cost of living?
-Where are some places to avoid?
-Is there anywhere good to go wheeling/boating/ATV'ing? I hear they have like 10,000 lakes or something.

Anyway, just any cool tidbits of information or hearsay you locals might want to share would be great. I have basically no idea what's there.

Thanks,
Jared:patriot:

[XJ88User]

Grew up in Minnesota in the SE corner, in Rochester, but haven't been back for more than a month in the last 20 years.
Try the states homepage (http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NorthStar)

There is some sort of outdoors activity all year round, i never go bored living there, just sometimes have to look. I never felt worried about much when i was growning up there, but it was getting influenced by the big city attitude as i left, i can only surmize it is worse now.

You might try mn-jeep (http://www.mn-jeep.com/forum/) also, reading the forums you might get a feel for the attitude of the people in the area you plan to look at.

[STEELFISH]

the majority of the 10,000 are further north...if I recall correctly..

[DeadEyeJ]

Thanks for the links and the info.

Anybody in NAXJA live there?

[Rev Den]

Thanks for the links and the info.

Anybody in NAXJA live there?

Yup...for the next week I am living in Albert Lea, just moved in today, leaving on Friday afternoon. Gotta tell you.....not much here.

HTH

Rev

[red_01_xj]

im in minneapolis for the rest of summer then back to fargo

[ChiXJeff]

I'm living in Cannon Falls, half way between Rochester and the Twin Cities.

Finishing up a contract job this week in Chicago, starting a new job in Arden Hills in 2 weeks.

Not much there, but that's what I want and expect.

[DeadEyeJ]

So by "not much here" you're saying it's mostly rural communitites? I looked at the official state website and found a total of 3, yes that's 3 Jeep trails listed FOR THE STATE. All of which were at least a couple hundred miles from the SW region. Yikes...

I'm looking to move there and get a year or 2 in management with the company. If I do well I should be able to move pretty much where I want to, which would be back here in Utah. Maybe I'll be "toughing it out" in Minnesota for a couple years rather than enjoying myself. Oh well.

Thanks,
Jared:patriot:

[ChiXJeff]

I'm more in south eastern than south western MN. Definitely rural and agrarian. OTOH, Rochester is 35 miles to the south, and the Twin Cities are 40 miles to the north. Fortunately, working in Arden Hills (8 miles north west of St. Paul,) I'll be able to snag just about anything I want/need over lunch, or on the way home.