Mistake People Make When Moving to Minneapolis
About this video
Discover the number one mistake people make when moving to Minneapolis Minnesota and how to avoid the biggest relocation regrets. Learn what newcomers overlook and how to choose the right neighborhood for your lifestyle.
Key takeaways
- Mistake 1: underestimating winter. The cold season runs from late November through March, averaging about 20°F, with a record low of -34°F. Winter tires aren't required, but Jason strongly recommends them.
- Mistake 2: ignoring winter commutes. Rush hours run about 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., snow slows everything, and the state announced nearly 180 road and bridge projects for 2025. Roads do get cleared fast, though.
- Mistake 3: not budgeting for state income tax: 5.35%, 6.8%, 7.85% and a top rate of 9.85%. Talk to an accountant about your take-home pay before you move.
- Mistake 4: expecting "Minnesota nice" to mean instant friends. People are friendly and polite, but about 7 in 10 Minnesotans were born here, and friendships can take time.
- Mistake 5: skipping inspections on older homes. Many core-city homes were built before 1950; get a general inspection and a sewer-line inspection. The Minneapolis median was about $351,000 with about 24 days on market at the time.
- Mistake 6: forgetting about mosquitoes and pollen. Metropolitan Mosquito Control keeps the metro manageable, but bring bug spray, and ragweed season has grown longer.
- Mistake 7, the biggest: choosing the wrong area. The urban core, first-ring suburbs like Edina, Hopkins and St. Louis Park, and outer suburbs like Maple Grove, Woodbury and Blaine offer very different lifestyles and commutes.
Questions this video answers
Do I need winter tires in Minneapolis?
They aren't required by Minnesota law, but Jason uses them on his own vehicles and recommends them, especially for early-morning freeway driving on ice.
What is the biggest mistake people make moving to Minneapolis?
Choosing the wrong neighborhood or suburb. The urban core, first-ring suburbs and outer suburbs differ a lot in commute, home age, price and daily life, so visit before you decide.
Read more: Commute times · Compare cities side by side · Minneapolis market report
Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on December 12, 2025; check the current numbers in our market reports.
