Five of the 10,000 Reasons to Build Your Future in Minnesota
Let’s be real: the pressure to pack up and move in your 20s is loud. But before you start browsing apartments in New York or LA (hello, $3,200 apartment with a shower in the kitchen), we’re here to drop a hot take: your best post-grad life might be right here in Minnesota.
In addition to being ranked as one of the least stressed states in the country, here are a few reasons to consider planting roots in the Star of the North.
1. SKIP THE BIG CITY RENT,
NOT THE BIG CITY BENEFITS
Minneapolis regularly tops “Best Cities for Young Professionals” lists for a reason. The city has the best restaurants and hottest chefs in the country, seven professional sports teams at easily accessible stadiums in Minneapolis and St. Paul, live music and world-class performing arts every night of the week, and ample outdoor spaces.
Top that off with neighborhoods where you can thrive, whether it be dropping by the cool new coffee shop for the perfect espresso while wrapping up your workday or meeting new friends at a local running club.
The added benefit? You won’t need three roommates and a side hustle to afford rent. You can pay your bills and see your favorite artist perform, or go on that long weekend trip with friends.
The same goes for other big cities across the state; you’ll find no shortage of things to do, and the affordability to actually do them.
Did you know Minnesota is home to some of your favorite brands and some of the largest companies in the country? That means, long-term, career opportunities abound.
2. YOU'VE GOT A LIFETIME
OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
You may know the big names (Target, 3M, General Mills, Best Buy, Mayo Clinic), but there are so many more. We boast companies reshaping the future of magnet technologies used in consumer electronics and cars to make them more sustainable. Two major window manufacturers are in Minnesota, too. (Hey, Marvin Windows and Anderson Windows!)
We have such a strong healthcare community that the state is also home to a pre-eminent global healthcare industry ecosystem called Medical Alley. It’s a space where companies are coming together to innovate for the common good.
Plus, you may already know that SPAM® is from Minnesota, but did you know that we’re also home to A LOT of foods that you may buy every day (JENNIE-O® turkey sausage, Land O’Lakes butter, Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP®, Totino’s™ Pizza Rolls™… the list goes on, and on, and on).
The short version: no matter your field – healthcare, tech, manufacturing, sustainability, construction, nonprofit work, etc. – there’s something for you here.
And, if you ever decide to make a career change, our world-class universities, colleges and post-secondary programs give tons of opportunities for you to retool mid-career.
3. NATURE IS A SHORT DRIVE
(OR BIKE, OR WALK) AWAY
There’s something magical about how easy it is to escape in Minnesota.
Need a lunch break? In nearly every corner of our state, you can find a lake or river, a walking or biking trail, or a park to touch some grass in minutes. We know that spending as little as 20-30 minutes a day in nature can help reduce stress (source: Harvard Medical School). So, we consider ourselves lucky as hell here in Minnesota to have easy access to that, no matter where you are.
Need a weekend to recharge? You’re in the right spot, too.
- Try one of our few thousand lakes for your next lakeside retreat
- Drive up Lake Superior's North Shore, check out cute shops and restaurants, and take in the awe-inspiring splendor of the superior Great Lake
- Soak in some of the best night skies in the country with a visit to the Boundary Waters or Voyageurs National Park
- Explore our state’s diverse ecosystems in our prairie lands and Iron Range, where you can also connect with Minnesota, Dakota, and Ojibwe culture at the Jeffers Petroglyphs or Soudan Underground Mine tour (respectively)
You likely already know, but Minnesotans love our nature. It’s why we decisively voted to keep revenues from the state lottery directed to protecting our natural environments. It’s why Minneapolis and St. Paul have, for years, topped the “best bike trails in the nation” lists. It’s one of the many reasons why Minnesota was named the least stressed state.
Our access to some of the best nature in the world is why people stay in Minnesota for a lifetime.
4. THE COUNTRY'S BEST
HEALTHCARE IS HERE
You may still be in the “I’m healthy, I don’t need to see my doctor right now” phase of your life, we get it. But when you do need a doctor, whether you’re starting a family, helping an aging parent or loved one, or facing a health issue of your own, you’re in luck.
Minnesota consistently ranks as one of the top states in the country for healthcare access and quality.
The nation’s best hospital is in our backyard: the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Plus, there are tons of hospitals and clinics to choose from across the state. Some of the biggest players are the University of Minnesota Fairview system, Abbott Northwestern, North Memorial Health, HealthPartners & Park Nicollet, Hennepin Healthcare, and Allina Health.
The Minnesota Hospital Association has this handy map of statewide hospital locations, while Bridge to Benefits hosts a low-cost healthcare directory for physical, mental, and dental needs.
Simply put, when you’re feeling your worst, accessible resources abound.
5. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO
RECOGNIZE MINNESOTA NICE
If you're from Minnesota, feel free to scroll on. Newbies, welcome! We’re so happy to have you. Here’s a little note about this thing called “Minnesota Nice”.
In a nutshell, Minnesotans are known for our welcoming nature; we show up for each other. Have you ever been stuck in a snowdrift and had strangers dig you out? Not yet? It’s bound to happen at least once.
Any native Minnesotan will tell you that welcoming friendliness sometimes takes some time to break in. Translation: We will help you out of a snowdrift in a minute. It takes a little while to invite you into our homes. We’re working on it.
So, if you’re on the hunt for new post-grad friends (we’ve been there; most post-grads struggle with this), start with something you enjoy. Minnesota is fortunate to have innumerable opportunities to meet new people of any age: join a local rec league, volunteer (we’re BIG into volunteerism), find “your spot,” drop by a networking or Meetup group, dig into your hobbies (sing, dance, create art, etc.), it may take less time than you think to feel like you belong.
If you're craving a place where your values matter, know this as well: Minnesota leads in sustainability, education, and civic engagement. It’s a place where you can grow roots and stand for something.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Even if you have the itch to try something different, Minnesota might just be what you’ve been looking for all along.
If you’re curious about what to explore next in the Star of the North, poke around our site. We’ve got road trip inspo, hidden gem neighborhoods, and so much more.