7 Mistakes People Make When Moving to Minneapolis

Every year, thousands of people move to Minneapolis for the jobs, the lakes and the people. But there are a handful of mistakes almost everyone makes when they relocate here, and some of them cost real money. My team has helped more than 3,600 clients buy and sell across the Twin Cities. Here are the seven we see most.

Figures are as cited in my video above (December 2025).

1. Not being ready for winter

Picture standing outside at 6:30 a.m. in January and feeling your face freeze. That’s not an exaggeration. The cold season runs from about late November through March, the average winter temperature is around 20°F, and the Twin Cities’ record low is -34°F. Minneapolis is very walkable, but at -10°, almost nobody walks a mile for coffee.

Minnesota doesn’t require winter tires, but I have them on my vehicles and highly recommend them. You’ll be glad when you hit black ice at 6:30 in the morning. And winter is great if you’re ready for it: cross-country skiing, skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling. More in what nobody tells you about living in Minnesota.

2. Ignoring winter commutes (and construction season)

Commutes take longer once snow and ice arrive. Morning rush is roughly 7:30 to 8:30, evening rush roughly 4 to 6. The good news: we can get a foot of snow today and be driving 70 mph tomorrow evening, because plowing here is well run.

Then there’s Minnesota’s unofficial fifth season: road construction. The state announced nearly 180 road and bridge projects for 2025, many lasting several years. When you shop for a home, think hard about the commute. Our commute tool can help.

3. Not budgeting for state income tax

If you’re coming from Texas or Florida, which have no state income tax, this one surprises people. Minnesota’s rates are 5.35%, 6.8%, 7.85% and 9.85%, with the top rate applying above about $198,000 for single filers and $330,000 for married couples filing jointly (2025 brackets).

You do get something for it: Minneapolis alone has about 185 park properties covering 7,000+ acres and over 100 miles of trails, mostly cleared early in the morning (unless we just got two feet of snow). There’s also world-class health care, including Abbott Northwestern, Hennepin Healthcare and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Talk to an accountant so you know what your take-home pay will be.

4. Assuming “Minnesota nice” means instant friendships

People here will smile, wave and say “we should get together sometime,” and then the plan never happens. Minnesotans are friendly, polite and helpful, but pleasant doesn’t mean close. A lot of people here grew up here, and the old joke is that to make a friend in Minnesota, you should have gone to kindergarten with them. Join things: clubs, leagues, volunteer groups. That’s how newcomers break in.

5. Skipping inspections on older homes

Many Minneapolis homes, especially in the core city, were built before 1950. They have charm, but they can also hide expensive problems: foundations cracked by freeze-thaw cycles, thin insulation, outdated plumbing and old electrical. The market is more balanced now (a median around $351,000 with about 24 days on market in Minneapolis when I made the video), so buyers can take time to inspect.

Always get a general home inspection. Consider a sewer line inspection too, which checks the line from the house to the city main. These cost a few hundred dollars and can save thousands. See red flags in old Minneapolis homes and selling rules by city for point-of-sale requirements.

6. Forgetting about allergies and mosquitoes

Summers are beautiful: lakes, sunsets, warm evenings and green trees. In the Twin Cities, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District treats wetlands, so mosquitoes usually aren’t bad in the metro. Head up north, though, and you’ll want bug spray, citronella or a screened porch.

Pollen season is long: trees in spring, grass in early summer and ragweed in late summer and fall. If you have allergies or asthma, stock up on medication, consider an air purifier and talk with your doctor.

7. Choosing the wrong part of the metro

This is the big one. Uptown, Edina, Maple Grove and Woodbury are all in the same metro, but they offer completely different lifestyles and prices:

• Urban core (North Loop, Northeast): very walkable, full of art and restaurants.
• First-ring suburbs (Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park): a mix of city life and suburban comfort, with shorter commutes.
• Outer-ring suburbs (Maple Grove, Woodbury, Blaine): newer homes and more space, but longer drives.

Where you live affects your daily life more than almost any other decision, from your commute to how you spend your weekends. Use our Twin Cities map guide and compare communities to narrow it down.

Get it right the first time

These seven mistakes can make the difference between loving it here and wondering why you left. Thinking about relocating? Email our team and we’ll help you find the area that fits your lifestyle and budget. Also see why Lakeville is the most underrated suburb.