Minneapolis-Saint Paul has the largest population of any urban center in Minnesota and is also
known as the twin cities. Despite the
twin city designation Minneapolis and Saint Paul are actually separate
cities. The region is made up of 11 counties
with a population of almost 3 million
people.
The area
operates as one of the prime business centers between Chicago and Seattle. As a major business hub companies large and
small continue to thrive. Minneapolis is
home to fortune 500 companies such as the Target Corporation, U.S.
Bancorp, and Medtronic to name just a
few. Minneapolis is an area where
businesses big and small continue to prosper.
According
to an article published by the Department of Community Planning & Economic
Development the Twin Cities were named as the place to do business in the U.S.
two years in a row by Marketwatch. The
London Financial Times stated in 2008
that "the Cities are lucky to have a robust and diverse business
community, unlike many neighboring states, which have historically been
dependent on manufacturing and agriculture. But jobs are just a part of it.
Government and business also have invested heavily in educating the local
population..."
There are
a wide range of educational opportunities for students of all levels. In 2007 and 2008 Minneapolis was acknowledged
as one of America's Most Literate Cities with a population above 250,000 by the
AMLC. In addition to the University of
Minnesota, the city offers 13 other well recognized colleges and universities.
Minneapolis Real Estate offers a wide range
of commercial and residential possibilities. The local factors that affect home
values in Minneapolis provided by the HomeInsights.com contain a number of
interesting figures. For example, the median household income is a respectable
$53,315 per year which has increased by 55.30% over the last 2 decades. The median home price is $221,672 and
according to realtor.com, at the time of this publication, there were 5,893 properties
on the multiple listing service.
Information published by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
reported that the month of January 2010 saw a 9.6% increase in the number of
new listings compared to the same time the previous year. 4,594 properties were listed for sale, 942
property sales closed and an additional 1,294 properties are pending sales. The
median sale price for short sales in January 2010 was approximately $143,000,
down slightly compared to 2009 stats. Traditional sales
Other local factors that affect home values
such as local attractions, amenities, leisure and cultural activities,
population growth and even the weather conditions all combine to make
Minneapolis a favourable metropolitan area.
Local attractions and amenities are
abundant in the area and include several movie theatres, thousands of
restaurants, hundreds of bars, golf courses and libraries. Many
professional sports teams including the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota
Twins (MLB) and Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) call Minneapolis home. Minnesota has something for every sports fan
regardless of the sport. There is something for everyone and the weather
adds a nice bonus. The area receives less than 30 inches of precipitation annually
and according to research by HomeInsights.com the average high temperature in
July is 82.90 degrees Fahrenheit. Interestingly, according to weather.com, the
highest recorded temperature in the area was 108 degrees Fahrenheit in 1936 and
the maximum average precipitation occurs in June.
The
Minneapolis Tour Guide posted on virtualtourist.com outlines the Top 10 places
to visit while in the area, here are a few highlights:
· The Mall of America - although
large and expensive (nearly 80 acres), the mall is said to be clean and well
organized with an underground aquarium, a miniature golf course, several night
clubs and even a Ferris wheel and roller coaster.
· Downtown - The Crystal Court in
the IDS Tower is described by one visitor as a "unique 'beehive' of tiered
glass cells [rising] 121 feet overhead and [acts] as an atrium for an indoor
park of trees and benches clustered about a pool for the 105 ft. cascading
waterfall."
· St. Paul - features such as the
Wabasha Street Caves, which offers several types of cave $5 tours; the Como
Zoo, a small donation based admission facility with a new Tropical Encounters
exhibit, a conservatory, historic carousel and a small amusement park; the
Capitol Building, which offers Art Treasure Hunts and Guided Tours; and the Cathedral,
which is located in the downtown area and is said to be combined with tours of
the Minnesota History Centre, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota
Museum of Art offer a number of unique experiences.
In
addition to the great attractions in the area the residents have also developed
a few local customs. They seem to love their parks; grilled corn on the cob;
grilled turkey legs; food on a stick, pork chop on a stick is a very popular
choice, as well as corn on a stick, corn dogs, ribs on a stick and cotton candy
(on a stick of course); and hockey, the state high school hockey tournament is
said to a regular sell out and is televised on national television.
Thinking
of coming to visit the area? Minneapolis can meet all of your travel needs. The
Minneapolis / Saint Paul International Airport has flights leaving daily for
116 domestic locations and 14 international markets. Getting around the city is breeze with fast
and reliable light rail and bus services offered by Metro Transit. According to
The Minneapolis Tour Guide at virtualtours.com the area even has a new greenway
system for both bicycles and pedestrians. This greenway is said to run along an
old railway line and runs from "the Mississippi all the way out to the
western suburbs of Minneapolis. The majority of the path ... is below street
level, so you don't have to worry about cars." One visitor to the site commented that biking
saves the hassle of finding a place to park.
With a
skilled and educated workforce, a bustling business sector and an active real
estate market it is clear the Minneapolis has something to offer for
everyone. Entertainment is abundant and
varied for all ages with a wide range of professional sports teams, community
groups, theatre and cultural events to enjoy.
With all that Minneapolis has to offer it is clear that it is not only a
great place to visit but also a fantastic place to call home.
