Index of Articles
Relocating to Minnesota - Twin Cities Real Estate
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If you are looking for a great place to relocate, you'll find that relocating to Minnesota is an excellent option today. Whether you are from California, New York, Mississippi, Texas, or even Ohio, you'll find that Minnesota is a wonderful place to move. There are a variety of reasons that moving to areas in Minnesota, such as Minneapolis Minnesota or even St. Paul, is a great idea. You'll find that this state has much to offer you. Of course before you decide that this is the right place for you, it's important that you take a look at the general benefits of relocating to Minnesota and at the real estate market in the state as well.
General Benefits of Relocating to Minnesota
If you're considering Minneapolis, Minnesota or another city in the beautiful state of Minnesota, you'll find that there are many general benefits to relocating to Minnesota. Here is a closer look at some of the excellent general benefits you'll enjoy when you decide to move to this state.
- Benefit #1 - Excellent Schools with Great Performance - First of all, you'll find that Minnesota has excellent schools with great performance. In fact, many of the schools in the Minneapolis area actually score very highly when it comes to the No Child Left Behind guidelines. If you happen to have children, more than likely great schooling is a high priority for you, so excellent schools are definitely a drawing point.
- Benefit #2 - Easy Commutes to Work - You'll find that most Minnesota homes are actually located so that you have a reasonable and easy commute to work. This is an important consideration for working families, especially with the recent hikes in gas prices.
- Benefit #3 - Reasonable Taxes - Taxes on real estate in the area are fairly reasonable as well. In some places across the country, real estate taxes are skyrocketing, but the taxes in many locations are quite low within the state of Minnesota.
- Benefit #4 - Great Jobs Available - Jobs in Minnesota are plentiful, which is another great benefit to relocating to this area. There are many great jobs that are available and with the growth in the job market, many families are finding that this area is a great place to relocate to. Especially in the St. Paul and Minneapolis areas, you'll notice that there are excellent jobs that are available, which is definitely a top drawing point.
- Benefit #5 - Cost of Living is Relatively Low - Compared to many other regions in the United States, you'll find that the cost of living is relatively low. Although prices have been driven up due to increases in gas prices and the real estate market troubles recently, you'll find that comparatively the cost of living is lower than many other places around the country today.
The Real Estate Market
No doubt you are interested in the real estate market as well if you plan on relocating to Minnesota. Whether you are planning to buy in a rural area or you are interested in twin cities real estate, there are some things that you need to know about the market before you make your decision about the relocation. Let's take a look at the real estate market and how it's looking for families that want to relocate to the area.
- Real Estate is Going for Low Prices - First of all, you'll find that real estate is going for low prices right now. In fact, you'll find that twin cities real estate is down and homes are going for very low prices. Although this is not necessarily a good thing for those who are selling, it's great for you if you want to relocate to this area and find Minnesota homes for a great price. The low prices definitely are attractive if you are considering a relocation to the Minnesota area.
- Many Types of Real Estate Available - You'll also find that there are a variety of different types of real estate available that you can choose from if you move into the area. You can purchase nice single family Minnesota homes, but they are not your only option. You'll find that condominiums, apartments, and even town homes in the area are excellent choices as well.
- Mortgage Rates are Low - Right now the mortgage rates in the area are low, making it a great time to purchase Minnesota homes. This means that not only will you be able to find a great deal on your home in the area, but you'll also be able to find great rates on the mortgage that you need as well.
As you can see, there are definitely a variety of great benefits to relocating to Minnesota. If you are looking for quality schools, great jobs, reasonable real estate prices, and low rate mortgages, then Minnesota may be a great place for you to move in the near future. Take the time to find out more about the real estate options that are available to you today.
Minneapolis Condominium Markets - Buying or Renting a Condo
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Today if you are interested in living in Minnesota, you'll find that many people are deciding to go with twin cities rental condos instead of going with Minnesota homes for a variety of reasons. There are many great downtown Minneapolis condominiums available not to mention downtown Minneapolis lofts and downtown St. Paul lofts. If you are looking for housing in the area, you will quickly notice that it is easy to find a good Minneapolis condominium, so you may be wondering if condo living in Minnesota is a great idea for you. Well, let's take a closer look at why the condominium markets are doing so well, the deals you can find, and the great benefits you can enjoy if you choose condo living.
Downtown Minneapolis Condominiums a Great Urban Housing Choice
While there are other urban and suburban choices for housing, such as Minnesota homes, you'll find that many people are finding Minneapolis condominiums and downtown St. Paul lofts to be a great urban housing choice. Instead of living out further from the city these housing choices keep them closer to the city, and while at one time real estate trends were high in suburban living, the trends in this area are beginning to lean towards condo living in the major cities of Minnesota.
Over Building Has Led to a Soft Market
Wondering why twin cities rental condos have become such a great opportunity and why so many people are choosing this route? Well, the main reason is that over building of condos in these areas have led to a soft market. So many condos were built in a short amount of time and now the supply is higher than the demand, which has led to excellent deals. This is definitely a great time to get involved in renting or even purchasing a condo in the twin cities area.
Rent Condos Now for Great Deals
Because of the soft market and the great availability of downtown Minneapolis lofts, condos, and downtown St. Paul lofts, you'll find that now it is easy to rent condos for great deals. If you're looking for low cost housing, this is an excellent choice, since the deals are excellent right now.
Benefits of Condo Living in the Twin Cities
Of course you may be wondering if condo living in the twin cities area is really a great choice for you. Well, you'll actually find that there are many great benefits to living in condos. Here are just a few of the excellent benefits that you can enjoy when you go with twin cities rental condos.
- Benefit #1 - Avoid Dealing with the Long Morning Commute - First of all, one of the main benefits that you can enjoy when you decide to go with condos in the twin cities area is that you'll be able to avoid dealing with the long morning commute. While many people enjoy suburban living, you'll find that the commute can get expensive. When you live closer to town in a nice condo, you may be able to take public transportation or even to walk to work. This will mean that you won't have to worry about the long commute to work and you'll definitely save money in gas costs as well.
- Benefit #2 - It's Now Affordable - Although you may think that living in downtown Minneapolis condominiums is expensive and cost prohibitive, you'll actually find that the opposite is true. You'll find that it is very affordable to live in twin cities rental condos at this point in time, and it's actually one of the best choices in housing in the area if you are looking for options that are affordable.
- Benefit #3 - No Upkeep to Worry About - Many people love living in condos because there is no upkeep to worry about. You don't have to come home from work to worry about a lawn to more or landscaping to keep up, and the maintenance on the buildings are usually taken care of as well. If you like the idea of living a maintenance free life, then you just may find that condo living is a great option for you.
- Benefit #4 - Many Great Condos to Choose from in The Twin Cities Area - There are many great condos to choose form in the twin cities area as well, which is another great benefit. Whether you are looking for downtown St. Paul lofts, downtown Minneapolis lofts, or even a Minneapolis condominium, you'll find that you can find about anything you like right now. There are many great options that are available to you, and this is a big benefit to you when you are interested in purchasing or renting a condo in the twin cities area.
Twin Cities Life
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Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”. Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and the largest city is none other than Minneapolis. The popular symbol of Minnesota is the Common Loon, which is a bird that is available in the northern parts of the state. If you have decided to relocate to Minnesota, it would probably be a correct step to have a new life in a new place and experience new culture. Generally, the people in Minnesota are very friendly and helpful. Being as a new resident is definitely scary but with the warm wishes and welcome from the local residents, I am sure you will be able to cope with a new lifestyle in a new neighborhood without any problem.
The famous Twin Cities is made up of Minneapolis and Saint Paul located in the center of the state. Minneapolis is the most populated city in Minnesota. It is a quite attractive location for people who are looking for experience in a big city. Minneapolis is a sleek and majestic city with the most amazing skylines. As for Saint Paul, it is known for its rich architecture and history. There are many attractions in the Twin Cities and you can spend all the time you have once you have relocated to the Twin Cities and to explore the cities and have fun.
Minneapolis is named as one of the best American cities to live. Minneapolis is also named as one of the most cultural communities in the US. It is being rich in history and amenities for the 400,000 residents in the city. Minneapolis is a budding metropolis and any prospective newcomers who come to this city will find the pleasure of living in such a diverse and cultural city.
This city has all types of spacious apartments, duplexes, single-family homes and condominiums. You can find your dream home here without any trouble at all. There are simply too many properties here in Minneapolis and there is definitely at least one property that is suitable for you.
On the other hand, Saint Paul is a scenic and historical city. As the host to more than 300,000 residents in the city, Saint Paul has many to offer. The city distinguish from Minneapolis by many aspects and because of this, Saint Paul is more likely to attract older population than Minneapolis. Apparently, many people feel that Saint Paul is a more satisfying city to settle down and raise a family.
The economy of Minneapolis is definitely one of the many reasons that attract many people to relocate. The economy is bright, education opportunity is great, healthcare is top of the world, location is beautiful and scenic and crime rate is the lowest make it more appealing than any other cities.
Entertainment in Minneapolis is unbelievable. I am sure you will find the satisfaction of being in Minneapolis better than anywhere else. Night life is never boring in Minneapolis. You walk up to any bar or disco and you will expect to have a great time hanging out there. You can hang out alone without a partner and still have an enjoyable night out. Daily life in Minneapolis is always exciting and there are more things to expect than you can imagine. Everyday you will get surprises and you don’t even know it. However, I can assure that Minneapolis is the right place for you to settle down so you can raise your kids in a safe, happy and natural environment without having to worry about anything else.
Saint Paul is just like Minneapolis. It offers never ending entertainment and night life to those who have been living in the city for years or newcomers. You will find that even though Saint Paul is more traditional than Minneapolis but the amount of entertainment is on the same par or perhaps even more for some of you. Of course, it depends on the individuals but Saint Paul will never disappoint you. Living is about enjoying and fulfilling destiny and if you find your way into Saint Paul, perhaps your destiny lies in Saint Paul and you will have to find out yourself.
When it comes to crime rate, be assure that Minneapolis and Saint Paul has a quite low rate. However, crime happens everywhere so as long as you are careful and take great care of yourself, your family and tighten the security level, you are safe. The police department is doing a great job and you can be assured that your safety is their priority in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. You will find that the security level in both cities are very tight and you feel safe even when you are walking on the street and thus you don’t have to constantly worry about everything, which makes living a painful experience, if you have too many worries.
Education and literacy is definitely high quality in both cities, offering the best of what they have. You will be assured that your children receive the finest education in their life with the opportunities to further their studies in any areas of interest and at anywhere they desire. You can benefit from the many scholarships and bursaries given out to the bright students. This is to help you lighten your burden to finance your children’s education.
While it may seem that relocating to the twin cities is difficult. Basically, when you want to relocate to another city or a country, there are many things involve such as property and the delivery of your furniture and household items. However, to make things easier, you can find that there are many relocating services available to help you out in times like this. When you want to relocate, it is best to get someone to help you so you don’t feel burned out. On the same subject, it is best to get to know a mortgage broker to help you with the mortgage process. This is to ensure that you get the financing you need for your new home while waiting for the old home to be sold off to someone else.
A Guide of Relocating To Minnesota
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Sometimes in life, there is a point where you have to relocate to another town or another country. If you want to keep employed with the same company, sometimes you have to move-especially if you are being sent to work there. It would be lucky for you if your assignment involves a corporate relocation to MN. This can be a good news or a bad news for some people depending on how they deal with it. Minnesota is a very interesting place and suitable for anyone who wants to relocate to a new place and live a new life. Relocating to Minnesota can be easier if you have the right preparation and people to help you out. Yes, we have cold weather. But, with the advent of global warming, our winters are becoming more bearable.
People choose to relocate to Minnesota for many reasons. The job opportunities are wide with low crime rates and beautiful scenery. There are simply many reasons why you can never say “no to Minnesota or also known as the North Star State.
If you are planning to relocate to Minnesota, there are many towns in Minnesota and you might want to consider. For example, consider relocating to Stillwater. Stillwater is not only a small town in Minnesota but it is also a historical town in United State. Stillwater is located on the St. Croix River. There are only about 15,000 residents in Stillwater with almost 6.5 square miles of area. Stillwater is within the Washington County and is part of the Twin Cities. However, Stillwater is just one small town in Minnesota and there are many other towns to explore.
What is so special about Minnesota?
Minnesota has an average of six million residents and more than 75% of the residents are of western European descent. Most of the population is more focus on the Twin Cities. Christian is the dominant religion in Minnesota with a few other religions such as Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish. We are quite a melting pot, especially over the past few years with a number of large populations coming in from outside of the United States.
There are many existing homes in Minnesota are ready for you to move in. However, if you like, you can build your own custom house. If you have a piece of empty land in Minnesota, you can build your own home on the land with your own design. However, it can be time consuming, so most people prefer to buy readily available property. As such, it is better to buy properties that have been completed to save time and money. You will find existing homes often offer better values than new construction as well.
The average price for a principal homestead in Minnesota can be anything between $100,000 to $200,000. It really depend on the area and the types of property. Houses would be about $150,000 and above in most of the metro area. Getting a mortgage in Minnesota is easy if you are eligible. The most important thing about buying a home is getting pre-approved before you buy a home. Due to tighter credit conditions, you will need to have a fairly clean credit background. The willingness to pay is an important point to be taken into consideration by the bankers.
The climate in Minnesota is generally humid with temperature reaching 0 degrees Fahrenheit in January. However in July, the temperature can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional heat wave that land Minnesota. Overall, the temperature is bearable. Snow has been recorded of an average 42”. You can expect some rain, hail stone and thunderstorms throughout the year. There has been tornadoes being reported happening in Minnesota as well. Drought is reported to happen every 10 to 50 years.
The people in Minnesota care about health very much. As such, they have the highest rate of outdoor activities participation such as exercise. This is why Minnesota has the lowest premature death rate and infant mortality rate. More than 91% of the residents have health insurance. The health care in Minnesota including hospitals and clinics are of top quality and hygienic to provide the best health care for the residents.
The education in Minnesota is excellent. With University of Minnesota and other state colleges, there is no need to worry about your children’s education. They will have the finest education in Minnesota. There are about 32 institutions in Minnesota and more than 20 private colleges and universities. Minnesota provides excellent quality of education for its residents and opportunities to further their studies to higher levels.
Public transportation in Minnesota is never a disappointment. You can easily access to bus services. Minnesota's main airport is the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). It is also the headquarters for the Northwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. There is also public transit available. However, public transit in Minnesota is limited to the bus systems in big cities at the moment.
If you are a NFL fan, you are not going to be disappointed with Minnesota Vikings. Don’t forget the Minnesota Twins either, who were the stars and winners of the 1987 and 1991 world series. Baseball is also represented by the St. Paul Saints and the Women’s Basketball is represented by the Minnesota Lynx. There is a marathon known as Grandma’s Marathon that is being held every year during summer time in Duluth, Minnesota.
The crime rate in Minnesota is considerably low compared to other states in US.
If you want to relocate to Minnesota, you can consider getting professional help such as relocating services of a Realtor and Minnesota mortgage broker. They are the experts in helping people to relocate whether for personal purposes or corporate relocation to MN and other states. There are many relocation services available and you can choose the best to help you from the start until the end of the relocation process.
10 Things To Consider When Moving To The Twin Cities
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When you want to move to another city, there are things you need to consider and think over and over again to make sure that:
- You are not making the biggest mistake in your life
- You have a budget that can sustain you in the big city until you have found a job
Usually, people fail to see the reason why they have to plan before they can move out from their comfort zone. Living with parents seem to be the most ideal plan but there is some point in your life where you will have to leave the home of your childhood and venture into the unknown. This is the most difficult phase because for someone who has been living with parents even way into the adulthood, they will have troubles living on their own, managing their own life and living alone.
If you are moving out because you are getting married, that is another problem but most people make their first move out of the house due to job transfer or getting a new job which is far away from home. So, they will have to move out to a place closer to the office so that they will be easier to go to work.
Now, there are ten things you need to consider when moving to a big city especially Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul. Moving to Minneapolis or St. Paul can be difficult without a proper plan.
Accommodation
Have you found your accommodation in the new place? Have you rent the new home? Do you like the new home? Is the home affordable to you?
There are the questions you should be thinking way before you move there. Of course, when you want to rent a home, you will have to take some time off and go there so you can see for yourself the home you want to rent to make sure that you are not conned by scammers agent.
You must make sure that you can afford to pay the rental of your new home. The rental must be compensated with the utilities and amenities included with the home. Sometimes, you might like a home but too expensive for your wallet so either you negotiate for a better price or you back off and find other places.
Transportation
This is easier if you have your own car but unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege to own a car so you need to make sure that it is not a problem for you to go to work if your home is slightly far from your office. If you can walk to your office then there is no problem. Other wise you will need to make sure that bus or train service is available.
Food
Food is never a problem especially when you have the money but you have a budget to follow so it is not like you can eat whatever you want. Make sure that you can prepare your own meals at home. Then, check out the local grocery store so you will know where to buy grocery and food. Look out for the prices as well. This allows you to make a budget for food. In times like when you are working, you will have to have lunch somewhere nearby or in the café so you need to spend some money but it is ok, as long as you have plan ahead on how much you can spend for lunch.
Entertainment
What’s life without entertainment? I am sure that while you are in the big city, you will have the urge to have a tour and check out nearby locations to see if there is anything interesting. Occasionally you might want to catch a movie with your friends and colleagues so make a budget for entertainment as well but plan wisely so it doesn’t interrupt with your bigger expense. Otherwise, wait until you are stable before you venture for some outdoor entertainment.
Utilities & Amenities
Check out if you have to pay for the utilities bills such as electricity and others. If there are some bills you need to settle, make sure that you settle the bill as soon as possible to make sure that you don’t accumulate the bills which might end up more than you think when you finally realised about the bills.
Housekeeping
When you are living with your parents, your mum would be doing the laundry, the cooking and the cleaning of your room but when you are living on your own, you will have to do everything yourself. Make sure that you schedule when to do your laundry like every once in a week or twice in a week. Then, make sure you tidy your home and clean up any mess.
Security Level
Is your home located in a secure area? An area that has access to the police station, fire department and hospital or clinic? These are very important as you might be living alone and if something happened to you, you need to know where to ask for help. You need to be friends with your neighbours so that in case of emergency they can look out for you and help you.
Packing & Unpacking
So, you have a lot of things you want to bring along yet there is little space in your new home. You will need to discard those you don’t need at all so that you don’t clutter your new home. Remember you don’t have your mum there to help you tidy up and clean up. When you want to pack your items, make sure you use boxes so it is easier for you to store all your things. It is also easier for you to move the boxes around. You can buy new boxes or if you have some spare old boxes from the old set of TV or any boxes you find.
Moving Company
Do you need the service of moving company? For example, you might need to use the lorry and you can hire a lorry from the moving company. They provide the lorry, you pack your own things and they will help you to load the items into the lorry and deliver them to your new place with you in the lorry or with you in front of them in your own vehicle. Of course, hiring the lorry would cost you more but if you want to avoid the hassle, you should get the help from a moving company.
Total cost of moving
Finally, the most important part is to calculate the average total cost for you to move out.
This is to make sure you have the budget or else you have to find ways to cut down the cost.
Once you have considered all these, then you are set to move out and live on your own.
Minneapolis: A Clean and Green City
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If there is one thing that Minneapolis should be famous for it is the city’s dedication to maintaining its reputation as among the greenest cities in the State of Minnesota. True enough, Minneapolis has proven it is hell-bent in protecting the environment through the Minneapolis GreenPrint which is its guide to attaining sustainable development.
The Minneapolis GreenPrint is a framework based on ten healthy environment indicators. An annual GreenPrint Report is submitted to the City Council to measure the environmental interventions being done by the city each year which can include street sweeping, installation of solar panels on city building roofs and other private sector initiatives.
The environmental efforts of Minneapolis go a long way considering that it is Minnesota State’s city and Hennepin County’s county seat. With St. Paul, it forms the now-famous Twin Cities, and has 3.2 million residents as of the last Census.
Employee relocation and corporate relocation usually targets Minneapolis due to its clean and healthy environment. With twenty lakes, creeks and lots of waterfalls, Minneapolis is a city that is abundant in water. It is thus no surprise that its name is taken from the Dakota word “mni” for water and polis for city, to mean water city. In fact, Minneapolis is also called the City of Lakes.
History and City Profile
The history of Minneapolis is largely tied to water primarily because of the city’s physical make up. Minneapolis lies on an aquifer and so the city is serious in managing its watershed areas.
Business in the city is mostly hinged on finance, trucking services, industry and health services. Several companies engage in milling, chemical and agricultural products, food processing and similar businesses. It is home to some of America’s Top Companies including Xcel Energy, Target Corporation, Ameriprise Financial and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Donaldson Company, PepsiAmericas and US Bancorp.
Minneapolis does not however just boast of a clean environment and good water sources but it also boasts of a holistic development that made it to the Kiplinger survey of Smart Places to Live in 2006 (it was ranked number 2 together with St. Paul). It has also been included in the list of Seven Cool Places for Young Professionals and was chosen as the United States’ Top Tech City survey by Popular Science in 1995.
The city, along with St. Paul’s $145.8 billion gross state product accounts for 63.8% of the State of Minnesota’s gross state product. The year 2000 was a bad year for the area as it experienced a recession but it has bounced back in 2005 with a growth in personal income by 3.8%.
Culture and the Arts
If you are thinking of relocating in an area where you can expose your family to culture and the arts then Minneapolis should be your best bet. Theater is big here starting with the Guthrie Theater which was designed by 2008 Pritzker Prize Winner Jean Nouvel.
Minneapolis is a haven for art and the artists. It has been ranked the most literate city in America and this can be one big reason for relocating in the area especially if you have children or you have a great interest in culture and the arts. It is home to the largest literary and book center in the country known as Open Book. It boasts of the Loft Literary Center which is a venue for contemporary and traditional arts and crafts.
If you are offering a relocation package for your employees then make sure you mention the existence of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the city’s largest museum with over a hundred thousand collection of art and other historical items.
The most famous contribution of Minneapolis to the American music industry is Prince. This world-famous pop icon is a product of the Minneapolis Public Schools.
Sports
Minnesota relocation can become more exciting with the knowledge that sports means a lot to its residents. Among the teams that raised the flag of Minneapolis are the Minneapolis Millers (known for contributing 15 baseball players to the Baseball Hall of Fame), the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (with six championships on its belt in all the three leagues) and the NWA Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club (now known as the American Wrestling Association).
The Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins (won the 1987 and 1991 World Series), the Minnesota Lynx WNBA, the Minnesota Wild! hockey team and the National Lacrosse League team Minnesota Swarm are just some of the teams that make up the vibrant sports atmosphere of Minneapolis.
Employee relocation in Minneapolis is very appealing to those who have families considering the city’s well-designed park system, considered the best in America in terms of design, financing and maintenance. Residents of Minneapolis have to thanks Theodore Wirth for this.
Housing
There are a variety of Minneapolis relocation package and if you want to find out about this you can get the services of a relocation specialist who will be able to provide you with important relocation information to help you decide if moving to Minneapolis is indeed the right decision.
Minneapolis real estate can offer you lots possibilities and you can choose from any of the real estate listings in the city including single family residences, single story homes, condominiums, duplex, or lakeshore properties. You can even purchase or mortgage land and build your own house. However, it would also be ideal to look at the latest foreclosure listings as they may be new homes on the list that are quite affordable.
Still unsure about moving to Minneapolis? Think of how clean the air you are going to breathe once your family relocates in the city. Think of the artistic and cultural exposure your family is going to get. Think of how important quality of life is and think of Minneapolis.
St. Paul: A Capital Center for the Arts
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St. Paul is famous not only for being the other half of the Twin Cities (the other part being Minneapolis) but also for being America’s most livable city. The city will however be placed in the world map once it hosts the Republican National Convention in September 2008.
Politics aside, St, Paul aims to make life and the environment better for its residents through the promotion of commuting alternatives in the city specifically the Freewheelin bike sharing program during the convention where a thousand bikes will be lent to program participants, 75 of which will be left to the city after the event.
More popularly known as the capital of the State of Minnesota, St. Paul is Minnesota’s most densely populated county. Together with Minneapolis, it is the 15th largest area in the United States with 3.5 million residents as of the last Census.
History
St. Paul used to be a tavern that developed into a trading outpost known as Pig’s Eye in honor of Pierre Parrant, the man who started it all. Parrant was blind in one eye. As the city became the melting pot of European explorers, American soldiers and Native Americans, it ultimately became Minnesota’s transportation and trading center until it became a city in 1858.
City and Community Profile
St. Paulites live in a city that is further divided into 17 City Districts including Saint Anthony Park, Merriam Park, Highland Park, Battle Creek, Como Park, Dayton's Bluff, Downtown, Greater East Side, Macalester-Groveland, North End, Payne-Phalen, Summit Hill, Summit-University, Hamline-Midway Thomas-Dale, West Seventh and West Side.
St. Paul has a population of 287,151 people consisting of 112, 109 households. The city is home to 115,713 housing units occupied by 60,987 families. Majority or 67.02% of the residents of the city are Whites followed by Asian (12.36%), African Americans (11.71%), Native Americans (1.13%) and the rest are Pacific Islanders and those from other races. St. Paul is home the Mexican population, the reason why a Mexican consulate has been established in the area.
St. Paul has a young population with an average age of 31 years. The elderly or those aged 65 years and over make up only 10.3% of the total population while those under 18 years of age make up 27.1% of the total population.
Business
As part of the Twin Cities, St. Paul is an ideal site for business and this is evident with the number of major corporations that have made the city their home including St. Jude Medical, Minnesota Life, Lawson Software, Travelers, 3M and Gander Mountain.
City Attractions
St. Paul is an exciting destination for those who seek entertainment and those planning to relocate in the city will get their share of fun and excitement. One of the attractions here, which was born out of a criticism the city got from a New York reporter who compared the city to Siberia during winter is the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Minnesota Lake is a fitting icon for the Winter Festival considering that the ice formations in the lake were the source of the Festival ice castle. Among the Festival attractions include ice horse racing and bobsledding. Another attraction is the appearance of the Royal Family during the festival.
The St. Paul historic Landmark Center in Rice Park also serves as a time capsule and a memorial to that time when the building served as a post office and Federal Court House. The pink granite building with that red tile roof is now an arts and culture and an information center. Infamous people like Baby Face Nelson and John Dillinger were tried in the same building when it was still used as a court house.
The Wabasha Street Caves is another historical site having been home to mobsters before it was converted into a venue for band music. Nothing however beats the 12-day Minnesota State Fair, known as United State’s largest state fair when it comes to the average attendance on a daily basis. If you want the best of Minnesota livestock, cooking and art then go to the fair.
Famous Citizens
St. Paul is the birthplace and resident of many famous people including world-famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald (who was born here), Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz (who was born in Minneapolis but was a resident of St. Paul from infancy), journalist and Civil rights activist Roy Wilkins (who grew here), playwright August Wilson (who lived here from 1978 to 1990), photographer John Vachon and painter LeRoy Neiman.
Housing
Most executive relocation and corporate relocation package focus on St. Paul because of the many housing opportunities in the city. You can choose to invest in real estate properties like condominiums, apartments, house for sale or get a good real estate agent to look among the mortgaged houses facing foreclosure proceedings for a good buy. You can also avail of the Minnesota Housing Mortgage Loan Programs targeted towards first time Minnesota home buyers or those with moderate incomes. To be eligible for the Minnesota Housing First-Time Home Buyer Loan make sure you are a first time home buyer, you have acceptable credit and that you meet the requirements for income limits and the home cost limits.
It is easy to get a housing mortgage in St. Paul and you can get some help from reputed real estate agents who will assist you in finding the best mortgage deals in town. A good relocation package in one of the best cities in Minnesota like St. Paul is more than enough incentive for any employee who is being offered an employee relocation option. Living in St. Paul can be a mixture of the urban and laidback lifestyle because while the city is the center of trade and commerce as part f the Twin Cities, the local government has also managed to maintain the city’s environs quiet and favourable to building families.
Edina: Stellar Schools, Stellar Hockey
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Edina is a first-ring suburban city in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota which started out as a farming and milling community back in the 1860s but has now developed into a metropolitan community. Most of the original residents of Edina were Scottish and Irish immigrants and some have remained to see their city grow into a community that offers one of the best living conditions for its residents. With 39 parks, high quality medical and educational facilities and regional shopping areas, Edina has indeed become a city to watch out for.
History
Edina used to be part of the City of Richfield in Minnesota in the 1850s after the original 17 family settlers migrated to the Richfield Village due to Ireland’s potato famine. The English and Scottish farmers followed and established a community along the Minnehaha Creek. Edina was born after the residents decided to separate from Richfield Village in 1888 and establish a new village. Among the names that were floated around include Westfield and Hennepin Park but it was Edina which was chosen by the villagers.
If you take a look at Edina’s street names, you would notice that most of them are the names of the families who once occupied Edina among them Code Avenue, Grimes Avenue, Cooper Avenue and Gleason road.
Community Profile
Being a resident of one of Minnesota’s ritziest cities can have its price but no one is complaining since majority of Edina’s residents are considered rich, with the average household income amounting to $66,019 in 1999 compared to the $37,974 average household income of Minneapolis. The city’s per capita income amounts to $44,195 while the average income for every family amounts to $93,496. Poverty is rare in Edina with only 2% of the total number of families and only 3.3% of the total population living below the poverty line.
Edina has a total population of 47,425 people as of the 2000 Census. A total of 12,870 families live in the city’s 21,669 housing units. Majority of the residents are Whites (94.28%) followed by Asians (2.99%), African Americans (1.15%) and the rest are native Americans, Pacific Islanders and those from other races. The city’s population has an average age of 44 years, with 22.9% below the age of 18 and 22.7% were 65 years or older.
The high quality of life in Edina is evident with the vehicle ownership statistics in the city. A total of 81% or 18,269 of Edina’s workforce drove a car alone when going to work while only 3% or 711 used the bus and 7% or 1,469 carpooled. A small percentage of the workforce uses the taxi, motorcycle and bicycle when going to work.
Business
Money is circulating in Edina and if you are planning on corporate relocation or employee relocation or just plain vacation then you would not be disappointed with Edina’s commercial establishments. This is shopper’s destination and if you happen to pass by here do not miss Southdale Center, a fully-enclosed. Climate-controlled shopping mall considered a first in the United States. Other shopping centers include the Centennial Lakes Plaza, Yorktown, Galleria and 50th & France which Edina shares with Minneapolis.
Alcoholic drinks are controlled in Edina and these items are sold only in municipal liquor stores in Southdale, Vermon & Interlachen Blvd and 50th & France. Nowhere else can you find this commodity in Edina. Despite its commercial success, there is only one hotel in Edina and this is the Residence Inn by Marriott. The 225-room, 6-suites and 79-Condominium Westin Edina Galleria Hotel & Residences is still under construction and is expected to be completed by 2008.
Housing
Most houses and condominiums in Edina use utility gas (94%) while only a few use electricity (5%) and fuel oil or kerosene (1%) as their heating fuel. Apartments are however a different story as only 66% of the dwellers use utility gas, 28% use electricity and the rest use fuel, kerosene, bottled, tank or LP gas.
One of the set-offs when living in a rich city like Edina is the ever increasing cost of living particularly the sky-rocketing housing costs. The average price of houses for sale in Edina has increased by $185,000 from only $215,000 in 1997 to $400,000 in 2004. It is thus a good idea to invest in real estate properties in Edina now before real estate prices sky rocket in the future.
Corporate relocation is becoming a trend because of the increasing number of ordinary people being displaced in Edina due to a wide disparity between their incomes and the cost of housing. If you belong to the high-income bracket employees and your company offers you a relocation package in Edina which includes a condominium, duplex or a new home then make sure you know about the real state of real estate in Edina by consulting a real estate agent.
To solve the growing disparity problem, the Edina Affordable Housing Taskforce has released a set of recommendations for affordable housing in Edina. The community has participated in the consultation and the results of the study will be used to jumpstart a plan for affordable housing in the community.
Despite the growing concern for expensive housing in Edina and a median rent rate of $654, the city only has a 5% vacancy rate. Majority of the 29,669 housing units or 76% 916,072) are occupied by the owners.
Famous Citizens
Edina is a rich city and it is not surprising that not a few billionaires have made the city their home. Among them are Best Buy founder and chairman Richard M. Schulze (who is a present resident) and Minnesota Twins baseball franchise owner Carl Pohlad. Schulze is No. 102 in Forbes’ List of 400 wealthiest Americans in 2007 while Pohlad is No. 107 in the Forbes List of the United State’s richest persons in 1992.
Famous singer and song writer John Denver lives in Edina with his first wife Ann Martell from 1968 top 1971. Professional Tennis player Mardy Fish, professional Wrestler Ric Flair and Author Vince Flynn are also from Edina. Professional golfer Hilary Lunke (who won the US Women’s Open in 2003) and Ice Hockey Player Bill Nyrop (who won three National Hockey League Stanley Cup Championships) are also from Edina.
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