Seeking local Minnesota people

[yorkshirepud]

Hey Everyone,

Looooooooong time no see. Hope everyone is well.

My life has taken a bit of curve I didn't expect and I am considering moving to Minnesota (likely St. Paul) so I seeking out locals from the area.

I have tried, and tried, to find chat rooms for locals, but I've had no success. Anyone know of any?

Cheers.
Adele

[JackieO]

I grew up about 60 miles from Mpls/St. Paul, just over the state line.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has a great Web site. (I spent quite a bit of time on it perusing the local chat when the movie "Fargo" came out! Most folks were quite defensive about it, but I thought the Cohen brothers were dead-on, as were many of the actors in their characterizations! ) Despite how we rural hicks in Wisconsin always asked the question, "Why is it so windy in Wisconsin?" (Because Minnesota sucks), the Twin Cities is a GREAT area.

[ErinM]

Originally posted by JackieO


Despite how we rural hicks in Wisconsin always asked the question, "Why is it so windy in Wisconsin?" (Because Minnesota sucks), the Twin Cities is a GREAT area.

HA! Jackie, that one was great!

From another Cheesehead far away from the mothership, but not real sad about that because there is snow there.

[yorkshirepud]

Thanks Jackie,

I have been reading on the Star Tribune and Twin Cities.

Right now, I'm considering heading there May - July or June - August.

I've heard it's hard to make friends though. I'm very intrigued by the city. It's seem very 'artsy' which is my scene. I'm just trying to find a place to call 'home'. *L*

[JackieO]

Originally posted by yorkshirepud
I've heard it's hard to make friends though. I'm very intrigued by the city. It's seem very 'artsy' which is my scene. I'm just trying to find a place to call 'home'. *L*

Well, it's real "Scandinavian country," and we are a pretty aloof, stoic bunch! I think the key to making friends is to just take the initiative to introduce yourself whenever you find yourself in a public or social place -- the gym, church, work, whatever. As an artsy person, I don't think you'll have problems making new friends.

Good luck!

[skyllo]

Adele, I've found that craigslist.org is a pretty good resource for questions/finding people. There is a link to minneapolis on the side. I've moved here to minneapolis recently as well, from Portland, OR after living there for two years. I'm from Fargo originally and have college friends here, but I have found that it is a bit harder to meet people here, but it could just be the winter and the fact people want to stay inside. I think it will be much better come springtime :-) If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them, just e-mail me here. And if you move here and want to join a cooking club, we are looking for more members and it's a good way to meet people!!

Sarah in minneapolis

[yorkshirepud]

I will check out craiglist.org. I've had an unbelievable time trying to find something.

And thank you for inviting me to your supper club. That's very sweet.

I will PM very soon if that's okay.

[Varaile]

Sorry, I also don't know of any chat rooms, but I just wanted to say that I lived in the Twin Cities for 25 years and all my family is still there. I personally love the vitality and energy of Mpls and St. Paul and if it weren't for my job and DH I would still be there.

I agree with what JackieO said - just get involved! Lots of the bookstores have bookgroups (I joined one when I moved to Duluth and we're still meeting after 5 years!), there are several cooking stores that offer cooking lessons, historical places/museums that need volunteers...lots of things to do! And I've seen several posting for CL Supper Clubs go across the boards - though it looks like one already found you!

I would agree that the TC are very artsy. Especially the "Uptown" area of Mpls and "Grand Ave" in St. Paul.

I hope you find what you are looking for!

[MNGirlTX]

Varaile - My dad's family is from Duluth. When I go "home", Duluth is where I spend most of my time. My mom lives on the Range (Virgina), but there's just not as much to do up there.

Just wanted to pop in and say "hi".

Adele - If you like to be outdoors...there is plenty of activity in the "Lakes" area of Minneapolis all summer long. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Lake Harriet sees the most action - it's a small enough lake to walk around and it's absolutely beautiful in the summer time. Here is the link to the Park and Recs page for Minneapolis: Park and Recs page

The first weekend of August (5-7) is the Uptown Art Fair...which is a lot of fun, too, and near the Chain of Lakes area.

Good luck!

Lori

[yorkshirepud]

Varaile, I hope I find it too. Thanks for the info.

MNGirlTX, thanks for the link. I'm especially excited about the lakes. I need to be by water. Thanks for the info.

[Kismet]

Sorry for coming to this a little late, Adele. I'm not a MN native but moved here 7+ years ago. I did find it hard to meet people at first, but getting involved in different activities, and joining a CL supper club have helped that immensely! I work in St. Paul, and I know that there is a thriving artists community here. I'm not sure what you mean by "artsy", but there is definitely a lot of culture here - theater, music, art, etc.

I don't know of any good websites/chatrooms for the area, but let me know if you have other questions - I'd be happy to try and help!

[Kismet]

If you're still looing for info, Adele, this was in today's Star Tribune - an interesting article about why people move to this area. It also includes some info on meeting people, including a web site I'd not heard of before.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5315510.html

[fitgal827]

I've lived in Minnesota (Twin Cities area) my whole life and I must say, that the winters here truly do suck. Most people that move here are I]not[/I] prepared for the cold.