Living in Minneapolis
It’s hard to leave Minneapolis. Where else can you find a large metropolis with a thriving business ecosystem that’s actually affordable? Not to mention, we boast the best located, designed, financed, and maintained park system in the U.S.
So whatever you’re into—sports, music, food, the arts, or you just want to watch your startup grow into a global enterprise—Minneapolis has got you covered.
A great place to launch your career
Minneapolis is home to one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies per capita in the U.S. The best part? Our business giants are homegrown and invested in creating a robust business ecosystem. With multiple venture capital groups, dozens of accelerators, and a growing angel community, small and midsize companies drive innovation and succeed here.
With such a vibrant, diverse, and supportive business community, dare to be ambitious. Whatever your career aspirations, you’ll have wide ranging access to internships, jobs, and entrepreneurial opportunities to reach your goals.
Our businesses are global leaders in industries such as:
- healthcare
- manufacturing
- food science and biomedical engineering
- retail
- finance
Incomparable quality of life
Minneapolis offers affordable living, a vibrant social scene, and an abundance of green space for a high quality life.
Housing
When compared to the top 30 U.S. markets, the Greater Minneapolis region consistently reports a lower cost-of-living. With an array of neighborhoods and housing options, you can live on or off campus. Learn more and explore your options.
Transportation
With an award winning transit system, you can easily get around Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities region. We offer a variety of ways to get round from public transportation, car shares, and over 98 miles of bike lanes in the city of Minneapolis alone.
The University of Minnesota offers many parking and transportation services so you can get to and from campus safely and easily all year around.
Visit UMN Parking and Transportation
Music, Arts, and Culture
Whatever your artistic interest, you’ll find a home for it here.
From a mind-boggling array of theater, music, and other cultural venues, you’ll also discover art just wandering through the streets. Meet nationally-renowned writers at local independent bookstores or join in the festivities at fairs and festivals all year round.
Festival & Fair Highlights
- The Great Northern - celebrating cold, creative winters
- Art-a-Whirl Weekend - largest open studio tour in the U.S.
- Minnesota State Fair
Sports and the Outdoors
One of the rare U.S. metros with six professional sports teams, Minneapolis is a mecca for sports and a haven for outdoor recreation. Here, you can cheer from the stands and stay active all year round.
Whatever your sport, there’s no shortage of teams to cheer on regardless of your love for pro, college, or the amateur leagues. If you’d prefer to be the active one, Minneapolis’ world-class park system features 182 parks, 22 lakes, and seven golf courses alone. Come bike, kayak, ski, and so much more.
Eat, Drink, and Shop
Eat at nationally acclaimed restaurants, food trucks, and everything in between. Oh, did we mention tax-free clothing?
A celebration of Nordic roots and multicultural present, the Minneapolis food scene is innovative and full of flavor fusion. Check our James Beard winners and finalists, stop by breweries of all sizes, and explore 5 miles of unique restaurants and stores along Lakes Street.
And with no sales tax on clothing, find your next look at the largest mall in America or along popular retail districts in Uptown, the North Loop, and many other neighborhoods.
- Greater MSP - Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership
- Make it. MSP. - Living and working in the Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul Region (MSP).
- Explore Minnesota Minneapolis-St. Paul Area - Events and things to do in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
- Meet Minneapolis - Visitors guide to exploring Minneapolis
- Visit Saint Paul - Visitors guide to exploring Saint Paul