We're starting to discuss moving to Minneapolis from Raleigh NC.

[NoSheep]

We are concerned about housing costs. One website comparison site says costs are 30% higher in Minn. than Raleigh. We will have a combined income of no more than 85,000-90,000 for the first couple of years at least. We don't own a home here but really want to buy soon-as we are both in our early 40's and time's a wastin'. I'd appreciate anyone who knows to share their thoughts on this. What on earth will we have to live in if we move there? Convince me we won't perish!

:scared:

[Worst Username Ever]

1. I own a home in NE minneapolis.

It is a 1000 square foot rambler, great neighbors, great neighborhhod, big back yard. I bought it two years ago for 182K, I made 35K a year at the time. It is now appraised at 230K, but even if I was buying it new, I live with my fianceee and we make a combined total of 75K... we'de still be able to afford it. You will be able to afford a home (or at the very least, an apartment) in the city of Minneapolis without any problem at all. We look forward to having you :-)

I have a great friend who is a realtor, I will give you her name and contact info. She lives in Minneapolis too and is very familiar with all types of situations.

On edit, it depends what you are looking for. You are not going to find a 2000 sq ft two stoy 4 bedroom 2 bath with modern eat-in kitchen and a 3 car garage in a nice neighborhood for 200K...

[NoSheep]

7. Thanks-If we end up doing it, and I think we will-

I will need all the contacts and friends I can get! I can't go until October. He could go in a month, live with family until I can join him. He has 2 masters degrees and can't find a job in NC!!!
There's a job in Minn if he wants it-a good one-non profit, bikeway-greenway kind of stuff (if I'm understanding it right)through the university. A real estate contact-even though it will be a while, would be nice. We are still making the decision. We both love NC for lots of reasons (nice beaches, laid back etc) I'm a native from NC-he's from Rochester MN. We both went to UNC-CH.
I like Minneapolis (a bit afraid of the long winters) :hi:

[Worst Username Ever]

8. Winters aren't as long or as bad as you think...

There is a two-month period each year where I don't like the weather, Jan and Feb. December I don't mind it because it is new and clean and crisp, but that gets old. Now is is INCREDIBLE, and it will continue to be incredible till November-ish. But then, I am biased :-)

That sounds like an incredible job he has gotten, I am jealous.

[NoSheep]

9. Fortunately-he has great friends there. The job would be with his friend.

We were there in Feb. this year for a wedding. It was an unusually warm weekend, maybe you remember. We road bikes around without coats!
I'm glad to hear the winter is bearable! That and Cost of living are my 2 fears

[Worst Username Ever]

10. YES, this past february was a spoliler!

I do not ever remember having a feb like that, usually they are relatively cold, wet, and miserable. But it quickly gets better from there, don't worry about it! Good luck!!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Ok I cannot tell you about the costs of Minneapolis

but I can tell yuo about the ancillary costs.

Over the last few years I have had to move twice, thanks to the Navy. So when you move, have at least 5K to the side, for the actual moving costs, and I mean cash. You will need this for hotels, on the way over, and meals, gas, and other incidentals. This is a cost that nobody tells you to take into account. Oh and 5K is the minimum... and that was with Gov'ment assistance as in Travel Allowances.

[Lone Pawn]

3. You won't perish. Minneapolis has higher property values, but

it's a nice city. And it's not like you won't be able to buy a house. I would certainly advise actually calling a realtor in Minneapolis or at least visiting their website and firing off an email or two.

[dflprincess]

4. It does depend on where you live

You should post this in the Minnesota forum. There are people over there that can give better advice on Twin Cities real estate than I.

[recoveringrepublican]

5. Where will you be working?

I use to live in MN, about 30 miles south of the Twin Cities. It really depends. My parents 3 bedroom, 2500 sq/ft home is valued at 170k, it's an older home though. They live in Apple Valley. When I moved to Florida (in 1998) I was shocked at how "cheap" the homes were here, but now they are insane.

Minnesota is a lovely place to live, at least when compared with Florida. If my in-laws didn't live here in Florida my family would be high tailing it back to Minnesota.

[mark414]

6. get ready for the cold...

as cold as wisconsin can get, it's got nothin on minnesota, goddamn!

[livetohike]

11. I thought I knew what winters were until

I lived in MN for three years. Be ready. They have Tee shirts that say winter-winter-winter-spring-summer-fall. I remember having to wear my winter coat in June one year.

Think about snowbanks 15' high and temperatures frequently below zero in the winter.

To be fair, my brother-in-law has lived there since 1984 and he loves it :-) . It was way too cold for me.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. I spent 4 years in Raleigh and 3 years in Rochester, MN. At the

time, Raleigh was less expensive from the tax angle. Minnesota had very high real estate taxes and income tax was pretty steep as well. I will say that I had alot more days off due to 'extreme' winter weather in NC than I ever had in MN! My son never got a snow day in Rochester!! LOL

[hfojvt]

13. I would worry as much about the cost for heating

I think at 2.3 million or so that Twintown's alot bigger than Raleigh, so be prepared for more commuting.
If you are gonna go that far north, why not Toronto?
My sister works in real estate in Twintown. I will email her and see what she says.

[hfojvt]

14. my sister was not optimistic

"Plan for everything to increase, not just housing but daycare, license tabs, state income tax, cable TV, etc. Compare these costs and more before the move, we've found those cost of living calculators are usually low."

Maybe because she went from SD to Mn.