Known for its lakes and friendly community spirit, Minneapolis is a city that straddles the banks of the Mississippi River in the state of Minnesota. Together with the neighboring city of St. Paul, the state capital of Minnesota, it makes up what is known as the Twin Cities. As one of the largest economic centers and cultural hubs in the Midwest, Minneapolis attracts a wealth of people.
Here’s what you need to know about Minneapolis before moving here:
1. How big is Minneapolis?
Covering just under 60 square miles, Minneapolis serves as the county seat of Hennepin County. It’s the most populous city in Minnesota and the 46th-most populous in the U.S. It’s a principal city in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington MN-WI metropolitan area, which stretches over 16 counties and ranks as the 16th largest metro in the country.
The city proper recognizes 83 individual neighborhoods and 11 larger communities: Calhoun-Isles, Camden, Central, Longfellow, Near North, Nokomis, Northeast, Phillips, Powderhorn, Southwest and University.
2. What is the weather like in Minneapolis?
With its continental climate, Minneapolis has 4 distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid with rain and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, winters are cold, with more than 50 inches of snow per year. Snowfall is heaviest November through March.
Whether it’s summer or winter, self storage can help if you live in Minneapolis. In summer, high humidity can damage items such as important documents and photographs, among other things. These can be kept safe in a climate-controlled unit. Alternatively, in the winter you should store things that are sensitive to the cold and snow, such as motorcycles and scooters, seasonal tires and outdoor furniture.
3. What’s the job market like in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has been a financial hub for well over a hundred years and the banking and finance sectors continue to play an important role in the city’s economy to this day. It is the second-largest economic hub of the Midwest, after Chicago. A number of other important industries provide diversity, including health care, transportation, commerce and an increasing high-tech presence.
Renting a storage unit in Minneapolis is an excellent way for a whole host of businesses to gain a little extra space. Tech start-ups can use a climate-controlled unit to keep their server banks running cool, while e-commerce entrepreneurs will find a storage unit perfect for keeping stock. Units can also be used to archive important documents or files.
4. Universities and college life in Minneapolis
The University of Minnesota is the largest educational institution in Minneapolis. Home to more than 50,000 students, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with some of them ranking among the top 5 nationally. Other notable institutions include Augsburg University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design and North Central University, each offering 4-year programs.
With a large student population, accommodation can sometimes feel a little crowded. Renting a storage unit in Minneapolis is a great way for students to gain more space. By splitting the costs, it can also be very affordable. Self storage is a very useful service for assisting students when school is not in session during the summer. They can put their belongings in a storage unit, a much more convenient and cost-slashing alternative to moving them back home.
5. Outdoor recreation in Minneapolis — snow, ice and water all around
There are countless opportunities to get out and about in Minneapolis. The city is awash with lakes, rivers and canals, and no matter where you are, you’re never more than 6 blocks away from a park. Outdoor activities are dominated by watersports such as fishing, kayaking, jet skiing and water skiing. During the winter, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and ice hockey are among the top pastimes.
Renting self storage in Minneapolis is ideal if you have your own boat, skis, fishing gear or other bulky outdoor equipment. Not only does it save space at home, but you can keep your equipment safe and secure, ready to grab the next time you need it.
6. Moving to Minneapolis — how can self storage help?
With stunning nature all around, job opportunities and a friendly culture, Minneapolis is an increasingly attractive place to call home. Hiring a moving company to assist with out-of-state moves is recommended, but it can become pricey. On average, you can expect to pay at least $3,300 to hire the pros. Alternatively, doing it yourself can save costs but can be time-consuming, stressful and difficult if you have fragile or large belongings.
Either way, renting a storage unit in Minneapolis can make the entire moving process much easier. Instead of moving your belongings directly into your new home all at once, you can instead move them into storage. This leaves you free to find your dream home without worrying about matching schedules with the seller. Plus, you can move in at your own pace rather than having all your belongings arrive at once.
7. Finding your ideal home in Minneapolis
Minneapolis boasts a diverse housing market, with a whole host of different styles dotted across its various neighborhoods. Here’s how self storage can help based on your living situation:
- Apartment dwellers
Multi-unit properties such as condos and apartment buildings are marginally more common, though you’ll find plenty of single-unit homes. Downtown and central areas are home to a number of high-rise towers, many of which are residential. You’ll also find several smaller apartment blocks, as well as townhouses, throughout the city.
When you live in an apartment or a townhouse, space comes at a premium. To make the best use of your living space, you’re better off renting a storage unit to keep bulky and seasonal items. You can take them out of storage whenever you need to use them again.
- Homeowners
Single family homes dominate most neighborhoods outside of the central regions. You’ll find a wide range of styles, both historic and modern. For example, craftsman cottages are extremely common in South Minneapolis, particularly the Linden Hills area. Meanwhile, Colonial-style homes tend to be most common in historic neighborhoods such as Elliot Park.
How does self storage help if you own a home? There can be plenty of circumstances when the service can come in handy, from not enjoying as much space as you need to moving. For instance, once your family grows, you instantly need more space to welcome a new member and all the personal items that come with the joyous event.
Additionally, if you take up a home remodeling project, renting a storage unit is a great way to help you carry it out without cluttering your home. The contents of a room or two can go into a storage unit for the duration of the project. Moreover, as two families come under the same roof to form a multi-generational household, surplus belongings can also find a temporary home in storage.
8. Is Minneapolis a good place to live?
Minneapolis is a great city that combines big-city amenities, a rich history, good food and midwestern friendliness. Additionally, if you’re moving here from a large city, you’ll be pleased to find out that Minneapolis has great infrastructure without the hassles of traffic and a lot of parks and trails that cater to those looking to lead an active lifestyle.
Moving to Minneapolis from NYC
Minneapolis seems to be an attractive moving destination for New Yorkers. The city boasts not only an affordable lifestyle, but also quite a few job opportunities and a vibrant entertainment scene, making it an attractive option for residents of the Big Apple. The multitude of green spaces and nature the city provides is also a big draw for anyone looking to make Minneapolis their home.
Moving to Minneapolis from Boston
When you move from Boston to Minneapolis, you enjoy the perks of living in a big city for less. The midwestern city has a cosmopolitan side that ex-Bostonians are sure to enjoy: the many theater companies, the strong support for local businesses and the many walking and biking trails that help people stay on track with their active lifestyle.
9. What are the storage options in Minneapolis?
If you’re wondering what your storage options in the Twin Cities are, rest assured the Minneapolis self storage market delivers. You are sure to find a great option in terms of pricing and location among the approx. 2,300 self storage units in the city, which translates to a total of 1.8M square feet, according to data provided by Yardi Matrix.
If you’re looking for a large storage unit you can consider renting a size such as 10’x30′ or 10’x20′, or for a regular one, you can consider a 10’x10′ unit. If you’re not sure which unit size you need, take a look at this unit size guide to get you started.
Self storage prices vary based on amenities such as climate control, security, gated access and much more. Renting a self storage unit in Minneapolis (10’x10’) costs, on average, $112/month. If you live in the Capital City, expect to pay a little more, as a St. Paul self storage unit rents for about $120/month.
If you’re ready to find your ideal self storage unit, browse StorageCafe’s search portal for Minneapolis.
