minnesota relocation guide

8/14/2019 Minnesota Relocation Guide

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DISCLAIMER

THE CONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL REFLECT THE AUTHORS VIEWS

ACQUIRED THROUGH HIS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ON THE TOPIC UNDERDISCUSSION. THE AUTHOR/PUBLISHER DISCLAIMS ANY PERSONAL LOSSOR LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE UTILIZATION OF ANY INFORMATIONPRESENTED HEREIN. THE AUTHOR IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERINGANY LEGAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO YOU OR ANYONE READINGTHIS REPORT. IF YOU DISAGREE, STOP READING NOW AND THROWAWAY THIS MATERIAL.

THE SERVICES OF A PROFESSIONAL PERSON ARE RECOMMENDED IFLEGAL ADVICE OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED. WHILE THESOURCES AND MATERIAL MENTIONED HEREIN ARE ASSUMED TO BE

RELIABLE AT THE TIME OF WRITING, THE AUTHOR/ PUBLISHER ARE NOTRESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DECISIONS OR ACTIONS YOU MAY MAKE FROMREADING OR APPLYING THIS CONTENT. THIS MEANS, YOU NEED TOCONTACT YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ACCOUNTANT, FINANCIAL ADVISOR,AND/OR THE IRS FOR GUIDANCE AS TO HOW THIS MATERIAL MIGHTPERTAIN TO YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION. THE IRS WEBSITE AND PHONENUMBER ARE http://www.IRS.gov and 1-800-829-1040.

NO PART OF THIS MANUAL MAY BE ALTERED, COPIED, OR DISTRIBUTED,WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR/PUBLISHER.

ALL PRODUCT NAMES, LOGOS, AND TRADEMARKS ARE PROPERTY OFTHEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT NECESSARILYENDORSED, SPONSORED, OR APPROVED THIS PUBLICATION.TEXT AND IMAGES AVAILABLE OVER THE INTERNET AND USED IN THISMANUAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS AND MAY NOT BECOPIED FROM THIS MANUAL.

THIS MANUAL IS A GUIDE ONLY AND, AS SUCH, SHOULD BECONSIDERED SOLELY FOR BASIC INFORMATION AND USED FORENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

COPYRIGHT 2009 JOHN MAZZARA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com


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INTRODUCTION: A QUICK NOTE FROM JOHN MAZZARA

My guess is that you are reading this E-book because you are relocating to Minnesota. Icould have written a book ten times this size and still not covered all the great thingsabout MN. Ive lived here my entire life. This is my hometown. The people here are aproud of their state and have a strong work ethic. If you want to know somethingspecific, just call and ask.

When considering where to live, I think you will find the quality of life here is hard tobeat. Consider the following: the economy is diverse-we are not one employerdependent, the school system is one of the top in the nation, national sports teams as wellas a robust arts scene exists in both Minneapolis & St Paul, crime exists but it is lowerthan other states, Minnesota experiences four seasons giving you opportunities to enjoymany varied sports, events, and activities.

I run three businesses in the financial services-real estate, mortgage, and investing. Whenyou are relocating here and need a Realtor, mortgage broker, and financial planner-consider giving me a call. You can find out more about me athttp://www.JohnMazzara.com I have the links to each specific website in the resourcesection of this book. I would welcome the opportunity to help you in one or all threefinancial areas.

Sincerely,

John Mazzara


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

VARIOUS ARTICLES

1) Minnesota So youre thinking about moving to Minnesota?2) Relocating to Minnesota - Twin Cities Real Estate3) A Guide of Relocating To Minnesota4) Minnesota-A Little History5) 10 Things To Consider When Moving To The Twin Cities6) Minneapolis Condominium Markets - Buying or Renting a Condo

See Featured Communities Below:

7) Minneapolis: A Clean and Green City8) St. Paul- The Capitol City9) Edina-It is different here-Ive lived here since 198610) Eden Prairie-It really isnt a prairie

11) St Louis Park: A Balanced Living12) Richfield-Centrally located to everything13) Bloomington: City of Hospitality14) Savage-One of the best values in the Twin Cities15) Eagan: Where A Well-Off Community Thrives16) Inver Grove Heights: Where Everything Is Closer Than You Think

More Communities Profiled At http://www.VentureLoanApp.com

17) Minnesota-Top Attractions For MN Visitors18) Minneapolis and St. Paul - Worlds Apart19) Twin Cities Lakes


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Why Work with a Realtor?

Today there are many people who think about selling their home on their own. However,many of them end up going with a realtor for their needs. It's definitely a great idea todecide to work with a realtor when you are selling your home or you are trying topurchase a new home. Many real estate agents are not actually realtors, and realtors havequite a bit more to offer consumers. Not sure that you should choose a realtor when youare selling or buying a home? Well, here is a look at some of the top reasons that youdefinitely should work with a good realtor.

They are Experts in the Real Estate Field

One great reason that you should definitely consider working with a realtor is becausethey are experts in the real estate field. Having an expert on your side is definitely a greatidea. Many people out there today purchase or sell their homes with a realtor. Realtorscome with a whole lot of experience and definitely will be able to use that experience tohelp you acquire a great home or to sell a home for a good price.

Realtors Know the Community

Another reason to go with a realtor when buying or selling is because realtors know thecommunity. They are active in the community and they know the community that theyare working in. This is important, whether you are purchasing or selling. You wantsomeone on your side that really knows what is going on in the local real estate market.

They Can Offer You Protection

You'll also find that a good realtor can offer you protection when you are selling yourhome or purchasing a home. They know the laws and the nuances of the real estateindustry that are very important. Without a good realtor on your side, you could end upmaking a mistake that will cost you in the long run.

Realtors are Supposed to Be Honest

Realtors have a code of ethics, that states that they are supposed to be honest. Thisdefinitely benefits you. After all, you want someone on your side that is going to behonest with you, no matter what. Even if it is something that you really don't want tohear, it's great to have someone that will be very honest with you. This is something youcan count on.

Required to Disclose Important Facts

According to the code of ethics, realtors are required to disclose any important facts toyou as well. This means that any facts that you need to know, your realtor will let youknow about. They'll give you good advice along the way and give you the facts that youare going to need to make the right real estate decision.


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They Have Your Interests at Heart

A good realtor will also have your interest at heart. This is one reason it is such a greatidea to have a realtor on your side. They will help to make sure that you get the best dealand the best home for your needs. A realtor is committed to making sure that everythingworks out for you. This is definitely excellent for you.

Realtors Have Resources

Another reason to have a realtor help you with selling or purchasing a home is becausethey have many great resources available. If you are looking for a home, they have avariety of different resources they can turn to, in order to help you find the home that youwant. You won't have to spend time looking, but your realtor can do that job for you withthe great resources that are at their disposal.

Help with Negotiation

Often in a real estate deal there is quite a bit of negotiation. This can include negotiationabout the terms, financing, price, date of possession, repairs, equipment, and more. If youare not well versed in the art of negotiation, you may not get the best deal for you. With agood realtor to help you out, they can help you out with the negotiation so you get a dealthat is totally fair to you.

Explanation of Financing

You'll find that a good realtor can help you to understand the financing options that youhave available to you. They can explain different options and lead you in the rightdirection. They also have access to many lenders and can help you to identify good

lenders for the financing that you are going to need.The Process is Smoother

Going through a real estate deal is not always a smooth ride. Some times things crop upalong the way. Using a realtor can help you to make sure that this process is muchsmoother. They'll help to ensure that everything works out very smoothly so that you getthrough the deal as soon as possible without any problems.

When it comes time to select a Realtor-please consider what I can do for you.

Sincerely,

John Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC CEBS CMB MBA MS

http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com


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________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED ARTICLES FOR THOSE RELOCATING TO MN

Minnesota So youre thinking about moving to Minnesota?

You have certainly come to the right place. Relocating to any new arealet alone

a new statecan be an overwhelming process, so it is important to have someone in

touch with the area that you can trust. I have lived in Minnesota my entire life and am

eager to assist you in this important time of transition. In the following paragraphs, you

will find a great deal of information that will help familiarize you better with many

different parts of the state. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to

contact me either by phone or email.

State Facts

Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesotas history and economy is

directly related to the vast number of lakes within the state, as well as its access to the

Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. The capital of Minnesota is Saint Paul, while the

largest is its sister city, Minneapolis. We rank twelfth in the nation in size and 21 st in

population. The best known symbol of Minnesota is our state bird, the Common Loon,

easily spotted in the northern parts of the state, and occasionally as far south as the Twin

Cities. But of all the notable bits of trivia about our state, the one we take the most pride

in is the description of our residents: Minnesota Nice. While of course there is no

accurate measure of how nice one state is compared to another, visitors and newcomers

are frequently struck by the friendly nature and hospitality common amongst our native

residents. We take immense pride in the way we make our guests feel like home in our

state.

Geography and Climate

What you have heard about the cold winters is probably true. As the state with the

most northern border besides Alaska, the months between December and March yield

frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall. Dont let that scare you off thoughas a major

Midwestern state, our residents enjoy the experience of having four fully-developed


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seasons to break up the monotony of the year. Minnesotans never let a little snow get in

their way; we boast one of the most efficient snow-plowing systems in the country, not to

mention the great winter recreational opportunities such as ice fishing, skating, and

sledding. Fall and spring are breezy and comfortable, and exceptionally gorgeous in areas

such as Duluth or the eastern Minnesota bluffs. Our summers are reasonably mild, but we

still experience heat waves and humidity; generally one can expect a few days in August

to hover around the 100 degree mark. Typically, Minnesota folks are outdoor folks; we

take the good with the bad, and are rarely startled by a little extreme weather.

The Twin Cities

Comprised of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the Twin Cities are the urban center of

the state. Directly adjacent to each other on Interstate 94, newcomers often confuse onewith the other; however, any resident of either city will be quick to point out the distinct

differences in the flavor and personality of each location.

Minneapolis, as the most populated city in Minnesota, is quite attractive to those

looking for a big city experience with a Midwestern feel. The downtown district of

Minneapolis is sleek and majestic, boasting one of the most recognizable skylines in the

United States. Meanwhile, downtown Saint Paul is known for its stunning red-brick

streets and history-rich architecture. A sharp contrast to the bustle of Minneapolis, many

people who relocate to Saint Paul are attracted to the small-town feel it manages to

capture, while not sacrificing the strong entertainment and recreational amenities of a

city.

Both Saint Paul and Minneapolis have a great deal to offer in terms of real estate,

and a lot depends on the type of neighborhood you are looking to live in. Lets take a

closer look at each area to help you narrow down your options.

Minneapolis

Regularly named one of the great American cities to live in, Minneapolis is one of

the most thriving cultural communities in the country, rich in history and amenities for its

nearly 400,000 residents. This budding metropolitan area is the second largest in the


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Midwest, after Chicago, and is a major attraction to young artists, businessmen, and

families alike. Prospective homeowners have a wealth of possibilities in a wide variety of

up-and-coming neighborhoods that will undoubtedly make relocating to Minneapolis a

rewarding investment and an enriching experience.

Downtown Minneapolis certainly boasts some of the most spectacular high-rise

condominiums in the city, with breathtaking views and immediate access to the heart of

the city. If you are looking for something a little bit more removed from the highly urban

atmosphere, south Minneapolis (commonly referred to as Uptown) is a popular location

for singles and families alike, with plenty of single-family homes, condos, and lofts

available at reasonable prices. Its trendy business district on Hennepin Avenue, stretching

from Lake to Franklin Streets, is popular for live entertainment and fine dining. Also of

particular interest in this area is its close proximity to Lake Calhoun, which offers someof the most beautiful lakefront architecture in the area. Northeast Minneapolis is another

up-an-coming area, a diverse arts-friendly community. This area is also filled with

spacious apartments, duplexes, single-family homes and condominiums, and much more.

Saint Paul

As the states capital, Saint Paul is the scenic and historic home to almost 300,000

residents. The neighborhood feel of the city is one of the most distinctive personality

traits that sets it apart from Minneapolis. Because of this, Saint Paul tends to attract a

slightly older population than its western counterpart; many people who have spent a

number of years in the Twin Cities often find Saint Paul to be a satisfying location when

they are looking to settle down with a family. Lately, it has been particularly popular

amongst former Twin Cities residents who had left the area for awhile, but are now

looking to return to the area. Saint Paul provides a comfort and familiarity to people of all

walks of life, which is probably why so many find it difficult to leave behind.

The area surrounding Grand Avenue and Snelling is one of the most exciting

spots in the cities. Featuring a blend of brand-name stores and local shops, tourists are

commonly attracted to this area for its shopping. It also features some of the more

gorgeous vintage homes you will find around. Many of these are popular for hands-on

buyers who enjoy the art of remodeling, while many other for-sale homes have recently


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been redone. Additionally, the Cathedral Hill area is a popular attraction both for visitors

and for prospective homeowners. Between Selby and Western Avenues, its a great

location for great restaurants and a buzzing nightlife. Many apartments, condominiums,

single family homes and multi-story homes are available here as well.

Suburbs

The suburbs of the Twin Cities are extremely prosperous and have a lot to offer

for those who enjoy being near the excitement of the cities but dont necessarily need it in

their day-to-day living. While the suburbs are certainly smaller than Minneapolis and

Saint Paul, most of them are actually quite well-sized and populated; in fact, 12 of the

suburbs are above the 50,000 resident mark. Of the 17 most-populated cities in the state,

only St. Cloud, Rochester and Duluth are outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

The suburbs include Bloomington, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Coon Rapids,

Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Woodbury, Blaine, Lakeville, Minnetonka, White

Bear Lake, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Savage, Apple Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale,

Crystal, Chanhassan, Chaska, Mendota Heights, and Inver Grove Heights.

The largest tourist attraction in the suburbs is undoubtedly Bloomingtons world-

famous Mall of America. With a mass area of 4.2 million square feet, the Mall of America is the largest shopping center of its kind in the Midwest, and the second-largest

in North America. The MOA (or Mega Mall as it is frequently referred to) hosts

thousands of hungry shoppers daily, boasting four floors, a unique theme park, scores of

restaurants and hundreds of popular shops. More than simply a mall, the MOA is a

powerful economic hub of the state of Minnesota, and its popularity has helped place the

city of Bloomington firmly at the top of the list of most-populated suburbs of the greater

Metro area.

Economy

The economy of Minneapolis is one of the primary reasons this city is so

attractive to many people seeking to relocate. Next to other cities of comparable size and

population, the education rate and median household income is higher, the


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unemployment rate is lower, and housing is much more affordable. The Twin Cities

combine to contribute nearly two-thirds of Minnesotas gross state product, which makes

it an incredibly lucrative area to build a career in almost any profession.

Of the top thousand publicly traded businesses in the United States, 36 have

headquarters in Minnesota, including Target, UnitedHealth Group, 3M, Medtronic,

General Mills, U.S. Bankcorp and Best Buy. In 2005, our per capita income ranked tenth

at $37, 290. Our taxes tend to be higher than most states, with a 6.5% sales tax and a

three bracket income tax system of 5.35%, 7.05% and 7.85%. Still, we look at it as a

more than fair trade for the excellent quality of life Minnesota provides for our residents.

Entertainment and Recreation

One of the main reason so many choose to relocate to the Twin Cities is becauseof the vast amount of entertainment the metro area provides. One of the richest scenes for

live theater anywhere, Minneapolis boasts more professional theater companies per capita

than any city besides New York. In particular, the Guthrie Theater has received national

recognition; with its brand new location and design, taking in a show there is an absolute

must for anyone new to the area. Likewise, music lovers can find a great concert to check

out on any given night of the week; the First Avenue and 7 th Street entry rock venues are

favorites for national and local acts, classical connoisseurs will be drawn to the world-

class Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, while jazz fans can get cozy at the

famous Dakota jazz club. Sports fanatics also have plenty of optionsthe Twin Cities

offer professional teams in every major sport, including the Minnesota Vikings, Twins,

Timberwolves and Wild.

Much like Minneapolis, Saint Paul offers great opportunities in terms of arts and

entertainment. Noted authors F. Scott Fitzgerald (the namesake of the famous Fitzgerald

Theater in Saint Paul) and August Wilson were rooted here, while the ever-popular

Garrison Keillor still plays host to his nationally syndicated radio show, A Prairie Home

Companion , at the historic Fitzgerald. The annual Minnesota State Fair is always a top

draw in August, offering a sprawling carnival, agricultural shows and competitions, and

countless booths illuminating the historical tradition of Minnesota (and, of course,


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endless stands of fried-food-on-a-stick). The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is one of the

most elite small orchestras of its kind, and entertains sell-out crowds on a regular basis.

Crime

Your safety is certainly one of the most important factors that should go into your

decision of where to relocate. Crime happens everywhere, and while Minnesota is no

exception, we take great comfort in the lengths that the state of Minnesota has taken in

preventing and punishing petty, felonious and violent crimes. The Minnesota Department

of Public Safety is constantly working to ensure that your neighborhood is safe and crime

free. In December of 2003, they released a study finding that ninety percent of Minnesota

residents felt safe in their own communities. As expected, crime rates are higher in the

Twin Cities than in other areas of Minnesota, but as a whole, Minnesota regularly ranksbelow average in terms of crime per capita.

Education

Minnesota takes great pride in its high rate of education and literacy. Ranking

fifth in the nation with a high school graduation rate of 84 percent, Minnesota school

systems are among the best anywhere. This translates into a higher voter turnout for our

state, as well as a high rate of students moving on for post-secondary education. We have

a wide number of public and private universities across the state as well as a vast network

of community and technical colleges that will suit any vocational interests you may have.

I have children of my own and have lived here my entire life, so especially if you are

relocating and have questions regarding where to send your own kids, I would be more

than happy to help you out.

Greater Minnesota

The majority of the state which is not part of the Twin Cities metro area iscommonly referred to as Greater Minnesota. As you travel further north into the state,

closer to the Canadian border, town sizes become smaller as do the distances between

them. The northern areas play host some incredibly remarkable landscapes that many

native Minnesotans feel represents the truer, more natural personality of the state.


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Of particular interest to many tourists is Duluth. On the edge of Lake Superior on

the eastern part of the state, Duluth houses some of the most beautiful scenery the state

has to offer. Each fall, thousands of visitors enjoy a slow drive over Thompson Hill,

which provides a view of the city painted with colorful leaves. The summers offer

endless outdoor recreation along the shore of Lake Superior at temperatures much less

humid than in the southern end of the state. Many cabins and summer homes are

available in Duluth, not to mention a great selection of single-family homes and multi-

story homes.

Rochester is another city that gathers a lot of recognition for Minnesota. Knownprimarily for its renowned Mayo Clinic, this world-class hospital facility and medicalschool provides some of the most talented health care specialists in the world. The city isthe third largest city in the state, and is frequently named one of the Best Places to Livein Money Magazine. It is also home to one of the largest IBM facilities in the nation. Inaddition, Rochester fosters one of the more dynamic scenes for arts and music in thestate, which provides a number of excellent nightlife opportunities.


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Relocating to Minnesota - Twin Cities Real Estate

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, NewYork, Mississippi, Texas, or even Ohio, you'll find that Minnesota is a wonderfulplace 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 thatthis state has much to offer you. Of course before you decide that this is the rightplace for you, it's important that you take a look at the general benefits ofrelocating to Minnesota and at the real estate market in the state as well.

General Benefits of Relocating to MinnesotaIf you're considering Minneapolis, Minnesota or another city in the beautiful stateof Minnesota, you'll find that there are many general benefits to relocating toMinnesota. Here is a closer look at some of the excellent general benefits you'llenjoy when you decide to move to this state.

- Benefit #1 - Excellent Schools with Great Performance - First of all, you'llfind that Minnesota has excellent schools with great performance. In fact, manyof the schools in the Minneapolis area actually score very highly when it comesto the No Child Left Behind guidelines. If you happen to have children, more thanlikely great schooling is a high priority for you, so excellent schools are definitelya drawing point.

- Benefit #2 - Easy Commutes to Work - You'll find that most Minnesotahomes are actually located so that you have a reasonable and easy commute towork. This is an important consideration for working families, especially with therecent hikes in gas prices.

- Benefit #3 - Reasonable Taxes - Taxes on real estate in the area are fairlyreasonable as well. In some places across the country, real estate taxes areskyrocketing, but the taxes in many locations are quite low within the state ofMinnesota.

- Benefit #4 - Great Jobs Available - Jobs in Minnesota are plentiful, whichis another great benefit to relocating to this area. There are many great jobs thatare available and with the growth in the job market, many families are finding thatthis area is a great place to relocate to. Especially in the St. Paul andMinneapolis 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 otherregions 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


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estate market troubles recently, you'll find that comparatively the cost of living islower 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 onrelocating to Minnesota. Whether you are planning to buy in a rural area or youare interested in twin cities real estate, there are some things that you need toknow about the market before you make your decision about the relocation. Let'stake a look at the real estate market and how it's looking for families that want torelocate to the area.

- Real Estate is Going for Low Prices - First of all, you'll find that real estateis going for low prices right now. In fact, you'll find that twin cities real estate isdown and homes are going for very low prices. Although this is not necessarily agood 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 definitelyare attractive if you are considering a relocation to the Minnesota area.

- Many Types of Real Estate Available - You'll also find that there are avariety of different types of real estate available that you can choose from if youmove into the area. You can purchase nice single family Minnesota homes, butthey are not your only option. You'll find that condominiums, apartments, andeven town homes in the area are excellent choices as well.

- Mortgage Rates are Low - Right now the mortgage rates in the area arelow, making it a great time to purchase Minnesota homes. This means that notonly will you be able to find a great deal on your home in the area, but you'll alsobe 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 toMinnesota. If you are looking for quality schools, great jobs, reasonable realestate prices, and low rate mortgages, then Minnesota may be a great place foryou to move in the near future. Take the time to find out more about the realestate options that are available to you today.


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A Guide of Relocating To Minnesota

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. Itwould 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 theydeal with it. Minnesota is a very interesting place and suitable for anyone whowants to relocate to a new place and live a new life. Relocating to Minnesota canbe easier if you have the right preparation and people to help you out. Yes, wehave cold weather. But, with the advent of global warming, our winters arebecoming 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 manyreasons why you can never say no to Minnesota or also known as the NorthStar State.

If you are planning to relocate to Minnesota, there are many towns in Minnesotaand 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 inUnited State. Stillwater is located on the St. Croix River. There are only about15,000 residents in Stillwater with almost 6.5 square miles of area. Stillwater iswithin the Washington County and is part of the Twin Cities. However, Stillwateris 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 theresidents are of western European descent. Most of the population is more focuson the Twin Cities. Christian is the dominant religion in Minnesota with a fewother religions such as Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish. We are quite amelting pot, especially over the past few years with a number of largepopulations 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 pieceof empty land in Minnesota, you can build your own home on the land with yourown design. However, it can be time consuming, so most people prefer to buyreadily available property. As such, it is better to buy properties that have beencompleted to save time and money. You will find existing homes often offerbetter values than new construction as well.


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The average price for a principal homestead in Minnesota can be anythingbetween $100,000 to $200,000. It really depend on the area and the types ofproperty. 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 importantthing 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 thebankers.

The climate in Minnesota is generally humid with temperature reaching 0degrees Fahrenheit in January. However in July, the temperature can reach up to100 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional heat wave that land Minnesota. Overall,the temperature is bearable. Snow has been recorded of an average 42. Youcan expect some rain, hail stone and thunderstorms throughout the year. Therehas been tornadoes being reported happening in Minnesota as well. Drought isreported to happen every 10 to 50 years.

The people in Minnesota care about health very much. As such, they have thehighest rate of outdoor activities participation such as exercise. This is whyMinnesota has the lowest premature death rate and infant mortality rate. Morethan 91% of the residents have health insurance. The health care in Minnesotaincluding hospitals and clinics are of top quality and hygienic to provide the besthealth care for the residents.

The education in Minnesota is excellent. With University of Minnesota and otherstate colleges, there is no need to worry about your childrens education. Theywill have the finest education in Minnesota. There are about 32 institutions inMinnesota and more than 20 private colleges and universities. Minnesotaprovides excellent quality of education for its residents and opportunities tofurther their studies to higher levels.

Public transportation in Minnesota is never a disappointment. You can easilyaccess to bus services. Minnesota's main airport is the Minneapolis-St. PaulInternational Airport (MSP). It is also the headquarters for the Northwest Airlinesand Sun Country Airlines. There is also public transit available. However, publictransit 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 MinnesotaVikings. Dont forget the Minnesota Twins either, who were the stars and winnersof the 1987 and 1991 world series. Baseball is also represented by the St. PaulSaints and the Womens Basketball is represented by the Minnesota Lynx. Thereis a marathon known as Grandmas Marathon that is being held every yearduring summer time in Duluth, Minnesota.

The crime rate in Minnesota is considerably low compared to other states in US.


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If you want to relocate to Minnesota, you can consider getting professional helpsuch as relocating services of a Realtor and Minnesota mortgage broker. Theyare the experts in helping people to relocate whether for personal purposes orcorporate relocation to MN and other states. There are many relocation servicesavailable and you can choose the best to help you from the start until the end of

the relocation process.


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have a great time hanging out there. You can hang out alone without a partnerand still have an enjoyable night out. Daily life in Minneapolis is always excitingand there are more things to expect than you can imagine. Everyday you will getsurprises and you dont even know it. However, I can assure that Minneapolis isthe 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 nightlife to those who have been living in the city for years or newcomers. You will findthat even though Saint Paul is more traditional than Minneapolis but the amountof entertainment is on the same par or perhaps even more for some of you. Ofcourse, 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 SaintPaul, perhaps your destiny lies in Saint Paul and you will have to find outyourself.

When it comes to crime rate, be assure that Minneapolis and Saint Paul has aquite low rate. However, crime happens everywhere so as long as you arecareful 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 assuredthat your safety is their priority in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. You will find thatthe security level in both cities are very tight and you feel safe even when you arewalking on the street and thus you dont have to constantly worry abouteverything, which makes living a painful experience, if you have too manyworries.

Education and literacy is definitely high quality in both cities, offering the best ofwhat they have. You will be assured that your children receive the finesteducation in their life with the opportunities to further their studies in any areas ofinterest and at anywhere they desire. You can benefit from the manyscholarships and bursaries given out to the bright students. This is to help youlighten your burden to finance your childrens education.

While it may seem that relocating to the twin cities is difficult. Basically, when youwant to relocate to another city or a country, there are many things involve suchas property and the delivery of your furniture and household items. However, tomake things easier, you can find that there are many relocating servicesavailable to help you out in times like this. When you want to relocate, it is best toget someone to help you so you dont feel burned out. On the same subject, it isbest 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 whilewaiting for the old home to be sold off to someone else.


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10 Things To Consider When Moving To The Twin Cities

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 founda job.

Usually, people fail to see the reason why they have to plan before they canmove out from their comfort zone. Living with parents seem to be the most idealplan but there is some point in your life where you will have to leave the home ofyour childhood and venture into the unknown. This is the most difficult phasebecause 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 andliving alone.

If you are moving out because you are getting married, that is another problembut most people make their first move out of the house due to job transfer orgetting a new job which is far away from home. So, they will have to move out toa 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 cityespecially 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 newhome? 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. Ofcourse, when you want to rent a home, you will have to take some time off andgo there so you can see for yourself the home you want to rent to make sure thatyou are not conned by scammers agent.

You must make sure that you can afford to pay the rental of your new home. Therental must be compensated with the utilities and amenities included with thehome. Sometimes, you might like a home but too expensive for your wallet soeither you negotiate for a better price or you back off and find other places.

Transportation


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This is easier if you have your own car but unfortunately, not everyone has theprivilege to own a car so you need to make sure that it is not a problem for you togo to work if your home is slightly far from your office. If you can walk to youroffice then there is no problem. Other wise you will need to make sure that bus ortrain service is available.

Food

Food is never a problem especially when you have the money but you have abudget to follow so it is not like you can eat whatever you want. Make sure thatyou can prepare your own meals at home. Then, check out the local grocerystore so you will know where to buy grocery and food. Look out for the prices aswell. This allows you to make a budget for food. In times like when you areworking, you will have to have lunch somewhere nearby or in the caf so youneed to spend some money but it is ok, as long as you have plan ahead on howmuch you can spend for lunch.

Entertainment

Whats life without entertainment? I am sure that while you are in the big city, youwill have the urge to have a tour and check out nearby locations to see if there isanything interesting. Occasionally you might want to catch a movie with yourfriends and colleagues so make a budget for entertainment as well but planwisely so it doesnt interrupt with your bigger expense. Otherwise, wait until youare 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. Ifthere are some bills you need to settle, make sure that you settle the bill as soonas possible to make sure that you dont accumulate the bills which might end upmore 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, thecooking and the cleaning of your room but when you are living on your own, youwill have to do everything yourself. Make sure that you schedule when to do yourlaundry like every once in a week or twice in a week. Then, make sure you tidyyour home and clean up any mess.

Security Level

Is your home located in a secure area? An area that has access to the policestation, fire department and hospital or clinic? These are very important as youmight be living alone and if something happened to you, you need to know where


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to ask for help. You need to be friends with your neighbours so that in case ofemergency 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 inyour new home. You will need to discard those you dont need at all so that youdont clutter your new home. Remember you dont have your mum there to helpyou tidy up and clean up. When you want to pack your items, make sure you useboxes so it is easier for you to store all your things. It is also easier for you tomove the boxes around. You can buy new boxes or if you have some spare oldboxes 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 providethe lorry, you pack your own things and they will help you to load the items intothe lorry and deliver them to your new place with you in the lorry or with you infront of them in your own vehicle. Of course, hiring the lorry would cost you morebut if you want to avoid the hassle, you should get the help from a movingcompany.

Total cost of moving

Finally, the most important part is to calculate the average total cost for you tomove out.This is to make sure you have the budget or else you have to find ways to cutdown the cost.

Once you have considered all these, then you are set to move out and live onyour own.


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Minneapolis Condominium Markets - Buying or Renting a Condo

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 Minnesotahomes for a variety of reasons. There are many great downtown Minneapoliscondominiums available not to mention downtown Minneapolis lofts anddowntown St. Paul lofts. If you are looking for housing in the area, you will quicklynotice that it is easy to find a good Minneapolis condominium, so you may bewondering if condo living in Minnesota is a great idea for you. Well, let's take acloser look at why the condominium markets are doing so well, the deals you canfind, and the great benefits you can enjoy if you choose condo living.

Downtown Minneapolis Condominiums a Great Urban Housing ChoiceWhile there are other urban and suburban choices for housing, such as

Minnesota homes, you'll find that many people are finding Minneapoliscondominiums 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 closerto 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 majorcities of Minnesota.

Over Building Has Led to a Soft MarketWondering why twin cities rental condos have become such a great opportunityand why so many people are choosing this route? Well, the main reason is thatover building of condos in these areas have led to a soft market. So manycondos were built in a short amount of time and now the supply is higher than thedemand, which has led to excellent deals. This is definitely a great time to getinvolved in renting or even purchasing a condo in the twin cities area.

Rent Condos Now for Great DealsBecause of the soft market and the great availability of downtown Minneapolislofts, condos, and downtown St. Paul lofts, you'll find that now it is easy to rentcondos for great deals. If you're looking for low cost housing, this is an excellentchoice, since the deals are excellent right now.

Benefits of Condo Living in the Twin CitiesOf course you may be wondering if condo living in the twin cities area is really agreat choice for you. Well, you'll actually find that there are many great benefitsto living in condos. Here are just a few of the excellent benefits that you canenjoy 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 inthe twin cities area is that you'll be able to avoid dealing with the long morning


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commute. While many people enjoy suburban living, you'll find that the commutecan get expensive. When you live closer to town in a nice condo, you may beable to take public transportation or even to walk to work. This will mean that youwon't have to worry about the long commute to work and you'll definitely savemoney in gas costs as well.

- Benefit #2 - It's Now Affordable - Although you may think that living indowntown Minneapolis condominiums is expensive and cost prohibitive, you'llactually find that the opposite is true. You'll find that it is very affordable to live intwin cities rental condos at this point in time, and it's actually one of the bestchoices 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 incondos because there is no upkeep to worry about. You don't have to comehome from work to worry about a lawn to more or landscaping to keep up, andthe 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 agreat 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. Paullofts, downtown Minneapolis lofts, or even a Minneapolis condominium, you'll findthat you can find about anything you like right now. There are many great optionsthat are available to you, and this is a big benefit to you when you are interestedin purchasing or renting a condo in the twin cities area.


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________________________________________________________________

Minneapolis: A Clean and Green City

If there is one thing that Minneapolis should be famous for it is the citys

dedication to maintaining its reputation as among the greenest cities in the Stateof Minnesota. True enough, Minneapolis has proven it is hell-bent in protectingthe environment through the Minneapolis GreenPrint which is its guide toattaining sustainable development.

The Minneapolis GreenPrint is a framework based on ten healthy environmentindicators. An annual GreenPrint Report is submitted to the City Council tomeasure the environmental interventions being done by the city each year whichcan include street sweeping, installation of solar panels on city building roofs andother private sector initiatives.

The environmental efforts of Minneapolis go a long way considering that it isMinnesota States city and Hennepin Countys county seat. With St. Paul, itforms the now-famous Twin Cities, and has 3.2 million residents as of the lastCensus.

Employee relocation and corporate relocation usually targets Minneapolis due toits clean and healthy environment. With twenty lakes, creeks and lots ofwaterfalls, Minneapolis is a city that is abundant in water. It is thus no surprisethat its name is taken from the Dakota word mni for water and polis for city, tomean 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 citysphysical make up. Minneapolis lies on an aquifer and so the city is serious inmanaging its watershed areas.

Business in the city is mostly hinged on finance, trucking services, industry andhealth services. Several companies engage in milling, chemical and agriculturalproducts, food processing and similar businesses. It is home to some ofAmericas Top Companies including Xcel Energy, Target Corporation, AmeripriseFinancial and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Donaldson Company,PepsiAmericas and US Bancorp.

Minneapolis does not however just boast of a clean environment and good watersources but it also boasts of a holistic development that made it to the Kiplingersurvey 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 YoungProfessionals and was chosen as the United States Top Tech City survey byPopular Science in 1995.


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The city, along with St. Pauls $145.8 billion gross state product accounts for63.8% of the State of Minnesotas gross state product. The year 2000 was a badyear 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 toculture and the arts then Minneapolis should be your best bet. Theater is bighere starting with the Guthrie Theater which was designed by 2008 Pritzker PrizeWinner Jean Nouvel.

Minneapolis is a haven for art and the artists. It has been ranked the mostliterate 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 OpenBook. It boasts of the Loft Literary Center which is a venue for contemporary andtraditional arts and crafts.

If you are offering a relocation package for your employees then make sure youmention the existence of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the citys largestmuseum with over a hundred thousand collection of art and other historical items.

The most famous contribution of Minneapolis to the American music industry isPrince. This world-famous pop icon is a product of the Minneapolis PublicSchools.

Sports

Minnesota relocation can become more exciting with the knowledge that sportsmeans a lot to its residents. Among the teams that raised the flag of Minneapolisare the Minneapolis Millers (known for contributing 15 baseball players to theBaseball Hall of Fame), the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (with sixchampionships on its belt in all the three leagues) and the NWA MinneapolisBoxing & Wrestling Club (now known as the American Wrestling Association).

The Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins (won the 1987 and 1991 WorldSeries), the Minnesota Lynx WNBA, the Minnesota Wild hockey team and theNational Lacrosse League team Minnesota Swarm are just some of the teamsthat make up the vibrant sports atmosphere of Minneapolis.

Employee relocation in Minneapolis is very appealing to those who have familiesconsidering the citys well-designed park system, considered the best in America


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in terms of design, financing and maintenance. Residents of Minneapolis have tothanks Theodore Wirth for this.

Housing

There are a variety of Minneapolis relocation package and if you want to find outabout this you can get the services of a relocation specialist who will be able toprovide you with important relocation information to help you decide if moving toMinneapolis is indeed the right decision.

Minneapolis real estate can offer you lots possibilities and you can choose fromany of the real estate listings in the city including single family residences, singlestory homes, condominiums, duplex, or lakeshore properties. You can evenpurchase or mortgage land and build your own house. However, it would also beideal to look at the latest foreclosure listings as they may be new homes on thelist that are quite affordable.

Still unsure about moving to Minneapolis? Think of how clean the air you aregoing to breathe once your family relocates in the city. Think of the artistic andcultural exposure your family is going to get. Think of how important quality oflife is and think of Minneapolis.


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St. Paul- The Capitol City

St. Paul is famous not only for being the other half of the Twin Cities (the other

part being Minneapolis) but also for being Americas most livable city. The citywill however be placed in the world map once it hosts the Republican NationalConvention in September 2008.

Politics aside, St, Paul aims to make life and the environment better for itsresidents through the promotion of commuting alternatives in the city specificallythe Freewheelin bike sharing program during the convention where a thousandbikes will be lent to program participants, 75 of which will be left to the city afterthe event.

More popularly known as the capital of the State of Minnesota, St. Paul is

Minnesotas most densely populated county. Together with Minneapolis, it is the15 th largest area in the United States with 3.5 million residents as of the lastCensus.

History

St. Paul used to be a tavern that developed into a trading outpost known as PigsEye in honor of Pierre Parrant, the man who started it all. Parrant was blind inone eye. As the city became the melting pot of European explorers, Americansoldiers and Native Americans, it ultimately became Minnesotas transportationand 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 SaintAnthony Park, Merriam Park, Highland Park, Battle Creek, Como Park, Dayton'sBluff, Downtown, Greater East Side, Macalester-Groveland, North End, Payne-Phalen, Summit Hill, Summit-University, Hamline-Midway Thomas-Dale, WestSeventh 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 PacificIslanders 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 orthose aged 65 years and over make up only 10.3% of the total population whilethose under 18 years of age make up 27.1% of the total population.


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Business

As part of the Twin Cities, St. Paul is an ideal site for business and this is evidentwith the number of major corporations that have made the city their home

including St. Jude Medical, Minnesota Life, Lawson Software, Travelers, 3M andGander Mountain.

City Attractions

St. Paul is an exciting destination for those who seek entertainment and thoseplanning to relocate in the city will get their share of fun and excitement. One ofthe attractions here, which was born out of a criticism the city got from a NewYork reporter who compared the city to Siberia during winter is the Saint PaulWinter Carnival. Minnesota Lake is a fitting icon for the Winter Festivalconsidering 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 timecapsule and a memorial to that time when the building served as a post officeand Federal Court House. The pink granite building with that red tile roof is nowan arts and culture and an information center. Infamous people like Baby FaceNelson and John Dillinger were tried in the same building when it was still usedas a court house.

The Wabasha Street Caves is another historical site having been home tomobsters before it was converted into a venue for band music. Nothing howeverbeats the 12-day Minnesota State Fair, known as United States largest state fairwhen it comes to the average attendance on a daily basis. If you want the bestof 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 CharlesM. Schultz (who was born in Minneapolis but was a resident of St. Paul frominfancy), journalist and Civil rights activist Roy Wilkins (who grew here),playwright August Wilson (who lived here from 1978 to 1990), photographer JohnVachon and painter LeRoy Neiman.

Housing

Most executive relocation and corporate relocation package focus on St. Paulbecause of the many housing opportunities in the city. You can choose to investin real estate properties like condominiums, apartments, house for sale or get a


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Edina-It is different here-Ive lived here since 1986

Edina is a first-ring suburban city in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota whichstarted out as a farming and milling community back in the 1860s but has nowdeveloped into a metropolitan community. Most of the original residents of Edinawere Scottish and Irish immigrants and some have remained to see their citygrow into a community that offers one of the best living conditions for itsresidents. With 39 parks, high quality medical and educational facilities andregional 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 theoriginal 17 family settlers migrated to the Richfield Village due to Irelands potatofamine. The English and Scottish farmers followed and established a communityalong the Minnehaha Creek. Edina was born after the residents decided toseparate from Richfield Village in 1888 and establish a new village. Among thenames that were floated around include Westfield and Hennepin Park but it wasEdina which was chosen by the villagers.

If you take a look at Edinas street names, you would notice that most of themare the names of the families who once occupied Edina among them CodeAvenue, Grimes Avenue, Cooper Avenue and Gleason road.

Community Profile

Being a resident of one of Minnesotas ritziest cities can have its price but no oneis complaining since majority of Edinas residents are considered rich, with theaverage household income amounting to $66,019 in 1999 compared to the$37,974 average household income of Minneapolis. The citys 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 familiesand 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 of12,870 families live in the citys 21,669 housing units. Majority of the residentsare Whites (94.28%) followed by Asians (2.99%), African Americans (1.15%) andthe rest are native Americans, Pacific Islanders and those from other races. The


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To solve the growing disparity problem, the Edina Affordable Housing Taskforcehas released a set of recommendations for affordable housing in Edina. Thecommunity has participated in the consultation and the results of the study will beused to jumpstart a plan for affordable housing in the community.

Despite the growing concern for expensive housing in Edina and a median rentrate of $654, the city only has a 5% vacancy rate. Majority of the 29,669 housingunits 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 madethe 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 wealthiestAmericans in 2007 while Pohlad is No. 107 in the Forbes List of the UnitedStates richest persons in 1992.

Famous singer and song writer John Denver lives in Edina with his first wife AnnMartell from 1968 top 1971. Professional Tennis player Mardy Fish, professionalWrestler Ric Flair and Author Vince Flynn are also from Edina. Professionalgolfer Hilary Lunke (who won the US Womens Open in 2003) and Ice HockeyPlayer Bill Nyrop (who won three National Hockey League Stanley CupChampionships) are also from Edina.


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Eden Prairie-It really isnt a prairie

Eden Prairie in Hennepin County is an ideal destination not only for business but

also for people who want quality and classy living. Cited by Money Magazine asthe 10 th Best Place To Live in the US, it boasts of being the base of over 2,200business establishments as well as 2,250 acres of parks, 1,300 acres of openspace and 170 miles of trails.

Quality of life in Eden Prairie is outstanding and this has made it a favoritedestination for corporate relocation, employee relocation and family relocation.The city is a few miles away from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul andis adjacent to numerous recreation areas, restaurants and museums.

History

Eden Prairie might be an economically and vibrant city nowadays but this has notalways been the case. It used to be a slow growing village with slow economicand social growth between 1880 and 1960. Among the first settlers in the areawere Native Americans until a treaty in 1851 opened land near the MississippiRiver allowing pioneers of Eden Prairies to settle in the area.

The first sign of development in the area was the construction of the Flying CloudAirport in 1946. The construction of Interstate Highway 494 in the 70s widenedthe citys reach and rightly so because it was also during this time when the EdenPrairie Shopping Center was constructed. Finally, it became a Statutory City in

1974.The city got its name after writer Elizabeth Ellet described the area as a gardenspotthus the name Eden.

Community Profile

From a population of only 2000 in 1960, Eden Prairie has grown to a city withalmost 60,000 people by the year 2000. From an agricultural and a sleepyvillage, Eden Prairie has become a thriving and vibrant community preferred bymost businesses.

Majority or 71.66% of the citys population are Whites, 13.28% are AfricanAmericans, 4.82% are Asians while the rest are Pacific Islanders and otherraces. The city has a fairly young population with an average age of 35 years,with 30.5% below the age of 18 and only 4.9% are 65 years old or over.


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While the city has a per capita income of $38,854 and an average family incomeof $72,258, 11.9% of the population is living below the poverty line. EdenPrairies is among the highest income places in the United States within.

Business

Eden Prairies has proven itself a haven for businesses and this is evident withthe presence of establishments like Super Valu Grocery, C.H. RobinsonWorldwide Shipping Logistics (both classified as Fortune 500 companies), ADCTelecommunications, Fargo Electronics, Lenox Group, Minnesota Vikings,Starkey Laboratories and SurModics pharmaceutical delivery systems to name afew.

Life is very comfortable for Eden Prairie resident with a family median income of$105,177 compared to the best places to live average family income of only$76,893. The purchasing power of the residents amounts to $81,343 compared

to the best places to live purchasing power of $68,109.The city spells clean living for its residents as they have an air quality index of75.4% compared to the best places to live air quality index of 71.9%. Personalcrime risk in Eden Prairie stands at 17 while the best places to live averages 45.The national average is 100. Personal crime incidents rate is 88 compared to thebest places average of 228.

Eden Prairie has 2,699 restaurants, 35 movie theaters, 114 bars, 135 public golfcourses, 61 libraries, 4 museums and 13 ski resorts.

Sports

If you are considering a corporate relocation package then Eden Prairie is one ofthe best places to go to since it has a very active sports program for the youth.There are sports programs and trainings for basketball, baseball, football, icehockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Track and Field and Wrestling.

If golf is your thing then the privately-owned 18-hole Bearpath Golf and CountryClub designed by Jack Nicklaus would be an ideal weekend destination. Thegolf course has a naturally lush environment.

The sports program of the Eden Prairie High School was also named by SportsIllustrated Magazine in 2007 as the best among the other cities in the State ofMinnesota.

In the Movies

Eden Prairie has had its share of publicity in the national and international area.Several movies have been filmed in the city including the Mallrats and Drop Dead


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Gorgeous both of which were filmed at the pre-remodeled Eden Prairie CenterMall. The city was also indicated as the residence of character Mike Yanagita inthe movie Fargo. The city was also featured in the movies D3: The Mighty Ducksand Graffiti Bridge.

HousingThere are homes for rent, condominiums and apartments for rent in Eden Prairie.Low income residents can seek the aid of the Housing and Community Servicesif they want to avail of low-priced apartment complexes in the city. Affordablehouses for rent can also be accessed through the Metropolitan Council Housingand Redevelopment Authority. You can also avail of the Section 8 Project-Basedhousing where you pay a rental of only 30 percent (or less) of your income.

Affordable home ownership is likewise provided by the city in coordination withthe non-profit community land trust Homes Within Reach. Under the partnership

single family homes are bought by Homes Within Reach and then sold toqualified home buyers. Aside from being a qualified home buyer you also haveto qualify for a mortgage offered by a commercial lender and meet the incomerequirements to be able to avail of this benefit. While the average price of thehomes under the program is only $150,000, ownership is however retained bythe community and it is then leased to the home owner for a minimal fee.

If you just intend to renovate an existing house, you can avail of the low interesthome repair loans. Lenders usually slap a 5% simple interest rate on repairloans payable in 10 years.

The average price of home in the city is slightly higher at $289,259 compared tothe average price of homes in the best places to live of only $259,566.


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St Louis Park: A Balanced Living

St. Louis Park is a first ring suburban Hennepin County, State of Minnesota. It

has a buzzing commercial district comprised of restaurants, corporations, retailstores and other establishments. At least 60% of the citys tax base consists ofcommercial, real estate and industrial development.

Corporate relocation to St. Louis Park is an attractive package since the city isconducive to family living with 51 parks, bike trail links and year-roundrecreational activities. The city has an established school system that answersthe educational needs of its residents from preschool to high school.

History

St. Louis Park used to be known as Elmwood until it was incorporated andofficially registered in 1886. It got its name from the Minneapolis and St. LouisRailway that used to operate in the area.

The citys development was fast tracked after the incorporation of theMinneapolis Land and investment Company by a group of rich industrialists inMinneapolis headed by Thomas Barlow.

The year 1893 saw the construction of new companies and at least three hotelsin the city. By 1890, there were over 600 industrial work opportunities in thearea. However, the citys economic development suffered a setback in 1893 due

to financial panic.There was a surge in St. Louis Parks development after World War II withmassive population growth and a home construction boom between the 1940sand the 1950s. The citys first shopping center, The Lilac Way, was constructedin the late 1940s followed by the Miracle Mile Shopping Center in 1950 and theKnollwood Shopping Center in 1956.

A total of 66 new subdivisions were constructed in 1950 and two more wereadded in 1953 and 1954 namely Kilmer and Shelard Park. Both subdivisionswere added because of its sewer and water facilities.

Community Profile

St. Louis Park has a total population of 44,126 as of the 2000 Census with apopulation density of 4,122 persons per square mile. Majority or 88.91% of theresidents are Whites, 4.37% are African Americans, 3.21% are Asians while therest are Pacific Islanders and from other races.


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The population is fairly young with an average of 36 years. Of the totalpopulation, 18.8% are below 18 years of age while 14.7% are 65 years old orover.

The average income for every family in the city is $63,182. Only 5.2% of the

population lives below the poverty line while only 3% of the families are livingbelow the poverty line.

Housing

With explosive economic growth in after WWII followed the housing boom in St.Louis Park. Almost 60% of the total homes in the city were built during theconstruction and housing boom between 1940s and 1950s. The boom wasattributed to the several factors including easy home financing schemes,profitability of large scale construction and the returning veterans. It only took$7,000 to build a home during that time compared to the $200,000 you need

today.After the housing development came the development of the citys commercialdistrict. The first shopping center in Minnesota was the Lilac Way. This wasfollowed by the Miracle Mile Shopping Center in 1950 and Knollwood Shoppingenter in 1956.

One of the earliest multi-family housing units in the city is the St. Louis Parkconsisting of apartment buildings the sizes of which range from the largeapartment building and the small units which measured almost half theapartments. A large portion of St. Louis Park is mainly residential with a homevalue ranging from $120,000 to over $600,000.

Today, the area is still very much dedicated to housing but with the thrust ofredeveloping the infrastructure around it. The area is actually a one stop shopwhere one can find not only residential units but commercial establishmentsready to cater to locals and visitors alike.

There are 20,782 occupied housing units in St. Louis Park and 63.6% or 13,219are occupied by their owners while 36.4% are occupied by renters.

If you intend to avail of a relocation package in St, Louis Park then you bettercheck out the First Time Homebuyer Program offered by the State of Minnesotaas you may qualify for this if you have a $62,000 gross household income orless. Under the program you can avail of mortgage rates that are below themarket rates.

If you intend to avail of houses for rent or lease an apartment or a condominiumin the city then make sure you read the terms of your lease specifically theprovisions on your security deposit, building rules and other pertinent issues


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which you may encounter. It is also best to think about getting a rentersinsurance to ensure you are protected in case of damage or loss.

There has always been a low vacancy rate when it comes to housing in the city,the lowest of which was 0.2% in 1979 and 0.3% after twenty years. There was a

higher vacancy rate in the mid 80s due to the construction of new apartmentsduring the period.

You can also seek help from the Community Action for Suburban Hennepin interms of home buying training and counseling. If you want to avail of low interesthome rates then check with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Residing in St. Louis Park means quality living that is a balance between acommercial and a quiet and peaceful environment. It is adjacent to other bigcities in the State including Minneapolis and Edina so you can even go city-hopping for shopping and other purposes.


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Richfield-Centrally located to everything

Richfield City in Hennepin County, Minnesota is bordered by equally big and

developed cities like Minneapolis, Bloomington and Edina. It is strategicallylocated near the Minneapolis and St. Paul International Airport making it an ideallocation for tourism and business.

This years 4 th of July is very exciting in Richfield as it has prepared a five-dayfree celebration for all families in the city. Most of the events will be held at theVeterans Park including the carnival, str4eet dance, fireworks and fun night. Theevent is expected to promote not only patriotism but also love of family.

History

Richfield used to be a small farming community way back 1850s and the nameRichfield was taken from the fertile land where the area is located. Former OhioMilitia General, Richfield Justice of the Peace and Minnesota State Senator RileyBartholomew was among the first settlers of the area. In fact, the BartholomewHouse in Wood Lake is considered a historic place that has been included in theNational and Minnesota Registers of Historic Places. The first town hall was builtin 1879 and among the first residents of Richfield are families from the NewEngland area, Irish and Germans and later on immigrants from Norway,Denmark and Sweden.

Richfield became a village in 1908 but its population and economy startedgrowing only in the late 1940s as farmlands were sold and converted into homesand commercial establishments. Clarence Christian, the citys first mayor,started serving the city in 1951. The city had a speedy growth after World War IIwith people scurrying for Twin City jobs.

Community Profile

Richfield has a total inhabitant of 34,439 people as of the 2000 Census. Majorityor 81.25% of its residents are Whites followed by African Americans (6.65%),Asians (5.30%) and those from other races. Richfields population is relatively

young with an average age of 37. A small percentage or 16.4% of the residentare 65 years old or over while 20.2% are below 18 years old.

While the average family income of $56,434 is comparable to other developedcities in Minnesota, 6.3% of Richfields population is living below the povertylevel. The citys per capita income is $24,709.


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establishment in the country, the 4.2 million square foot Mall of America is hometo four major department stores, 520 world class shops, the Nick UniverseAmusement Park a Walk-Through Aquarium with 1.2 million gallons of water andseveral other shops. The malls parking area can accommodate over 20,000vehicles.

If you want to get closer to nature then Richfields parks including Augsburg Park,Monroe Field, Taft Park, Lincoln Field, Nicollet Park, Fremont Park and SheridanPark are just a drive away.

Famous Citizens

Among the famous citizens who were born in Richfield are NHL player DarbyHendrickson, College basketball players Ray Brown, Travis Brown and StephenKing and WNBAs Susan King. Gold medalist and USA mens hockey teammember Steve Christoff, environmentalist and Arctic explorer Will Steger and

stage performer Russ King are residents of Richfield.


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Bloomington: City of Hospitality

Bloomington, which was named after Bloomington, Illinois, is a dynamic urban

center in Hennepin County that is connected to the city of Minneapolis throughthe light rail transit. It is the State of Minnesotas fourth largest city and forms thethird core city with Miinneapolis and St. Paul.

It is a housing boom suburb which was established after World War II. Despiteits reputation of being a bedroom community consisting of traditional middle classfamilies living in single-family homes and upper-tier households living incondominiums and apartments, Bloomington has a healthy environment with lotsof parks and open spaces courtesy of the Minneapolis Parks System and theMinnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Majority of the residents of Bloomington commute to nearby cities for work butthe city also has a thriving economy. It used to be the base of the Twin Citiesmajor league baseball, hockey and football teams but has developed into amagnet for the hospitality and retail industries. The city is home to Seagate, Toroand Ceridian companies.

History

Bloomingtons first European settlers are Peter and Louisa Quinn. Both weresent by the government to teach the modern farming methods to NativeAmericans in the area. They were followed by missionary Gideon Pond who

introduced church services, farming and schooling in the area.The territory where Bloomington belonged to was opened to settlers in 1851 andamong those who first settled in the area were the families of Whalon, Ames andGoodrich. They named the area Bloomington which means flowering field, fromthe city where they came from.

The town of Bloomington was incorporated on May 11, 1858, the same day whenthe state of Minnesota officially became a state and was admitted to the union.The citys population has reached 820 by 1880 and has grown to a thousand inthe 1900s. The years 1940 to 1960 saw a rapid population increase and along

with that came the citys plan for housing facilities that are low-cost and low-density.

It was in 1952 when Toro Manufacturing Company, moved to the city. It wasthen considered the largest business in the city. Bloomington became a city in1960 and the years after that saw a rapid growth in the citys business and otheraffairs including the construction of the Metropolitan Stadium in 1956. The city


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became home to Minnesotas major sports team like the Minnesota Vikings andthe Minnesota Twins

Community Profile

Bloomington has 85,172 residents and 36,400 households as of the 2000Census. A large portion of its residents or 88.12% are Whites, followed byAsians (5.09%), African Americans (3.42%) and other races.

It has a mature population with an average age of 40 years. Of the entirepopulation, 15.7% were 65 years old or older while 20.6% are below 18 yearsold.

Bloomington families have an average income of $67,135 which is evident of thecomfortable economic status of the residents. The city has a per capita incomeof $29,782 but 4.2% of the population is living below poverty level.

Business

Bloomingtons hospitality industry is booming with over 7000 hotel rooms to caterto locals and visitors alike. The hospitality sector is doing well due to its proximityto major transportation routes as well as the Twin Cities international airport.

The city acknowledges the growing popularity of online transactions so it hasstreamlined its operations and has allowed people to transact business with CityHall online. The coordination between the Bloomington Chamber of Commerceand the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce has paved the way for theestablishment of more efficient business processes making the city moreattractive to investors.

If you are planning to relocate to Blooming you are at least assured of findingbeneficial work opportunities here considering that it is home to major employersproviding thousands of jobs to Bloomington residents. Among these companiesare Mall of America with over 10,000 workers, Seagate Technology with 2,300employees, Bloomington School District with 1,700 employees, Express Scriptswith 1,700 employees, Health Partners with 1,540 employees and DonaldsonCompanies, Inc. with 1,200 employees.

The following companies also provide significant employment opportunities toBloomington: The Toro Company, Thermo King, Holiday Companies, IKEA, PolarSemi Conductors, Inc., Ceridian and Ziegler, Inc.

Housing


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Most corporate relocation and employee relocation packages are directedtowards Bloomington not only because of the business and work opportunitiesoffered by the city but also because of favourable housing and social conditions.

There are a total of 37,104 housing units in Bloomington as of the year 2000. Of

the 36,400 occupied units, 25,682 are occupied by the owners while 10,718 areoccupied by renters. The units occupied by the owners have an average value of$147,000 while those occupied by renters have an average value of $753.

Famous Citizens

Among the famous residents of Bloomington are Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek ofMinnesota Twins, NHL players Ben Clymer (Washington Capitals), Mark Parrish(Minnesota Wild), Erik Johnson, Tom Gilbert (Edmonton Oilers) and PeterMueller (Phoenix Coyotes), Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, SteveRushin, former columnist of Sports Illustrated and Warren Spannaus, former

Minnesota Attorney General..The City of Bloomington also offers a good choice of institutional facilities forthose planning to relocate here. The city may be a thriving business area but italso boasts of an environment that is ideal for family life.

If you want quality life that translates to success in both your financial and familylife then take a good look at what Bloomington has to offer you ad your family.Perhaps, investing in Bloomington real may yet make your dreams a reality.


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Savage-One of the best values in the Twin Cities

Savage is a suburban community in Scott County State of Minnesota. Prior to

being named in honor of Marion Willis Savage, owner and trainor of famousracehorse Dan Patch, it was known as Hamilton village. Dan Patch got a recordbreaking 1minute and 55 second during the 1906 Minnesota State fair race.

United States. The population of Savage was 21,115 at the 2000 census; theCensus Bureau estimated its 2006 population at 27,292.[5]

The city has a strategic location but more than its affinity with race horsing andthe growing grains distribution industry as well as riverfront activities due to beinga United States Navy shipbuilding port, people went and stayed in Savagebecause of the communitys inherent charm. The development of Savage as a

center for industrial manufacturing can be attributed to the spill over growth fromnearby Burnsville. However, the city still boasts of a possessing rural landsbordering some parts of the Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve as well as theMinnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

History

Marion Willis Savage once owned a large farm in Hamilton Village where hetrained his horses. The farm had a covered half mile track and a stable calledTaj Mahal. At this farm was raised Dan Patch, the famous pacer who did not onlywon records but also the hearts of the villagers who in 1904 decided to name

their community after its owner and trainor.Hamilton Village was incorporated in 1892, taking the lead from the HamiltonLanding which is a port for boats owned and built by Irish and Scottish settlersheaded by William Byrne. They named the port aftr a city in Canada. Byrnehowever settled in a nearby place which is now known as Burnsville.

The building of a railway line in 1865 and a post office in 1866 resulted to theVillage becoming a center of trade and service. In 1894, the post office wasnamed Glendale Post Station which was included in the Glendale Townshipwhich later on was joined with the village forming Savage in 1904.

The city was also home to a Military Intelligence School named Camp Savage.The school, which taught American military personnel the Japanese language,was formed in 1942 to improve US military intelligence.

Lack of interstate connection and construction materials in the area led to theunderdevelopment of Savage despite the housing boom which took place afterthe war. However, the construction of the Bloomington Ferry bridge and the


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improvement of Highway 13 led to the population and economic growth ofSavage

Community Profile

Savage has a population count of 21,115 as of the 2000 Census. Majority or90.65% of the population are Whites while the rest are Asians (5.39%), AfricanAmericans (1.59%) and other races. Savage has a fairly young population withan average age of 31 years old. Only 2.6% of the population are aged 65 yearsold and above while 35.6% are below 18 years old.

Sa

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