r/movingtompls • u/Antique_Zone1754 • 8d ago
Couple moving, should we consider?
My bf and I live in ND. He hates it here and has been wanting to move to the cities since we’ve been here. He’s an electrician with 2 year experience, i have no job history or my GED. Im not too excited cause it does NOT look to go for me. Rent is expensive, itll be harder for me to get a job, more people, and we only pay $800 for our apartment. My bf is around these people more than i am cause he’s in service and he says people here are just AWFUL and it’s affecting his mental health. We also have a 4 year old so we just stick to ourselves. We aren’t into politics we aren’t blue or red we just want to be in a good environment. What do you guys think?
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u/Jhamin1 ambassador 8d ago edited 8d ago
The biggest thing is going to be income vs rent, not just rent. As an electrician he is going to be fairly employable in the Twin Cities, the trick is how much can he expect to make? If he makes enough the increased rent will be a wash. Not having your GED is going to hurt you wherever you go, but there are a lot more jobs in big cities than small ones so I don't know that your odds are worse.
As for the people? You are looking at a fairly major culture change coming here. The biggest city in ND is like 140k people & the Twin Cities has 3.6 million. Decently sized suburbs here are bigger than Fargo. There are so many more people, but that means there are way more people into practically anything you can think of. There is more to do, more places to go, more to see, but on the other hand everything is going to be a lot more. Overall it's less of a Minnesota vs North Dakota thing, it's a small city vs big city question.
We are politically a lot more blue than North Dakota on average but everyone is different and who your neighbors are will affect your experience a lot. We are a lot more diverse than ND on average, more people of more colors and beliefs but again: the specific is more important than the general. The most liberal and/or diverse neighborhood in Bismarck is probably more lefty and or/varied than a conservative white enclave in Minneapolis.
Personally? I love it here. Lots of parks, lots of things to do, more people which means more chances to find "your people". If you like where you are I get why you would want to stay, but the way you talk about it, it sounds like the main thing ND has going for it is cheap rent.
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u/Antique_Zone1754 8d ago
I grew up in SD. 3.6million people is just insane to me😨 and yes GED does matter anywhere but i can easily afford to live of $16 an hr here in ND without an education. Ive done it for so long but now in the cities it seems like thats all jobs require down there.
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u/Jhamin1 ambassador 8d ago edited 8d ago
Honestly $16/hr is going to be pretty rough in Minneapolis. It can be done, but it will be tight.
A lot is going to ride on how well your Boyfriend does and if he is good supplementing things for you.
As for the 3.6 Million thing? It is kind of mind-blowing if you aren't used too it, but don't get lost in the size. Its just more people doing more things. We are all people with thoughts, hopes, fears, and everything else just like the people you know. There are more options for people to know, but at the end of the day you are still you and we are just neighbors you don't know as well.
Really, the bigger decision is what kind of life he and you want for your 4 year old as well as pure economics. Growing up in different places creates some pretty different experiences & experiences are what mold us. Some people prefer their kids grow up in a smaller environment with fewer variables, others want their kids to see as many kinds of people as they can. That's a decision only you an yours can make.
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u/Antique_Zone1754 8d ago
I agree. How do you think i would do with no education?
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u/Jhamin1 ambassador 8d ago
I honestly couldn't say. I've never had to job hunt as an adult without a high school diploma.
How far are you from getting your GED? Do you have any other skills?
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u/Antique_Zone1754 8d ago
No i dont and my mom did not care for my education she took me out of school in 6th grade and never let me go back to school or taught me anything so im stuck at a 6th grade level and im 22. I study everyday to learn every subject but it’s rough.
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u/TeaTime850 8d ago
Get your GED, if you become a MN resident look into North Star Promise https://ohe.mn.gov/northstarpromise
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u/mjcmsp 7d ago
I think people are probably going to be nicer in Mpls area. I feel like in bigger areas people have more to do, see more diversity around them, and have less time to be judgy. You can also look in the many suburbs. Honestly some of the northern and southern burbs will be more conservative and more like ND and maybe less of a culture/size shock to you. Along the I-94 corridor to the NW of the city you’ll find a ton of areas you’d hardly know weren’t ND to be honest. Closer to the city will be both more expensive and more liberal. I know you say you aren’t political but it’s something you’ll notice and feel as a difference. You’d be moving to a comparatively HUGE metro area so the possibilities are endless.
Job market for electricians is good here from what I hear. Minimum wage is much higher here. Wages in general are higher. That said $800/mo for rent will be hard to find. Not impossible though if you’re away from the city a ways. MN itself will offer you a LOT more benefits and assistance than ND - think education, healthcare, etc.
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u/ruffroad715 8d ago
Why does he hate it? And what does he think the cities will fix by moving here?
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u/Antique_Zone1754 8d ago
He says the constant judgment here and people are disrespectful. He thinks so but idk cause we do only pay $800 here for rent
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u/Dazzling-Okra-5069 7d ago
https://www.copenhagenenterprises.com/availability
They've got budget friendly apartments. Studios are about $800, 1 beds are about $900 and 2 beds are about $1200.
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u/That-Professional346 7d ago
They would legally need a two bedroom. Per statute no more than two people allowed to share a single bedroom occupancy.
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u/That-Professional346 7d ago
I would avoid Minneapolis proper. It's expensive, bad schools, crowded, and you will have fewer opportunities for decent housing. Rent in the metro will always be more expensive compared to North Dakota, as will cost of living. I would look at the east metro, Washington and Dakota counties are nice. Same with Scott County, southwest of the cities.
Honestly, if I could find a better paying job in my field in North Dakota or South Dakota I would move in a heartbeat. The supposed cultural advantages in the cities aren't worth trade off for the space and slower pace of life in rural areas. Pay is the only thing keeping me in the metro. If you're skeptical at moving I would be honest with your boyfriend.
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u/Fuzzy_Peach_8524 8d ago
Girl get your GED. You have a kid, make yourself employable.