My first poll, we are thinking of relocating to either one of those two areas. Advice needed.

What's funny is that my best friend was visiting from New Jersey this weekend, she flew from Philly to MSP to here and then back the same way.

Based on her experience, I'd say people in Philly are awful and people in MSP are really great. OTOH, it gets really f'ing cold in Minnesota.

So what I'm saying is you should move to Albuquerque instead.

Well, I am a Twin Cities (MSP) native, so I have a LOT of good things to say about this area

First of all, Minneapolis is way better than St. Paul.

The WORST things about Minneapolis are the lack of public transport (although this is improving) and the correlated traffic (1 hr commute for 9 mile drive from work just this evening) and, yes, it does get really cold here, but when you have to drive everywhere anyway I guess it's not that big of a deal. We don't have that much diversity, and while our white students have one of the highest graduation rates in the nation, our black students have one of the lowest, and the city is relatively segregated compared to others.

The best in my opinion: We have SO MUCH culture here; we are not just another Midwestern town, I swear! We have a fabulous music scene, more theater seats per capita than any city in the country except NYC and a top-notch opera. We have great public (not the whole Mpls. system, but some, and then the awesome suburban schools) and private schools. We ARE as friendly as people sometimes say, and we make really good hotdish. We have AMAZING outdoorsy things to do if you're into it. We have the Boundary Waters Canoe Area on the border of Canada, we have a ton of lakes, and most people are slightly more intrepid than the average American.

We are still a liberal area, although that is changing. (I don't like that it's changing though.)

Those are my most and least favorite things about home--take em for what they're worth.
I really hope you choose this area because I think people are happier here than on average!

That said, I am moving to NYC in a few months.

Not ALL people from Philly are awful...............I think we can all agree that there are idiots everywhere-in every city

to the op-if you have any questions about Philly, you can pm me & I will try to help. Not sure what you want to know specifically, but I will help if I can. I will say one thing-the crime rate in Philly has been getting much higher lately. There are a lot if animals that run around shooting eachother-could be why I chose to live in the suburbs But seriously-Philadelphia is a beautiful city.

Colleen

Pick either, just don't pick new jersey we have enough people already!

Actually I will be applying to 2 grad schools, one in Philly and one in MSP. If I get accepted in only one of them, then we will just move to whichever place where my school will be. But if I get in both, I want to know which city is better. We also do not really want to settle down in the downtown area, would rather get something in the suburb.

One thing that I don't like about MSP is, as Alex said, very few public transportation. I don't mind the cold/snow though

I have never been to Philly before, so any info about this city will be very helpful.

Ehmmm...proud east sider here

Actually, as a transplant to the twin cities, I find the city rivalry kinda funny. I live on the east side of Saint Paul and work in downtown Minneapolis, and love what both cities have to offer. My friend, who's a Saint Paul native, is getting married in Minneapolis next week (under Minnehaha falls, awww), and her Saint Paul based family actually complained about having to drive to Minneapolis for the wedding and couldn't she find some place in Saint Paul to get married? In a few months, they may commit greater sacrilige and move out to the suburbs *gasp*

Our public transport is improving. Heck, we might have a light rail line between the cities in oh, 2012 If you can find a place to live along the Hiwatha line (the light rail line that runs from Mall of America to downtown minneapolis), commuting should be easy if you're going to the U. I picked an apartment on a bus line, and my commute is about an hour.

I'm a midwestern girl at heart, so I'd say the Twin Cities all the way. We've got that Minnesota nice with all the amenities of the big city, great resuarants, plays, festivals all summer long. Plus, I read somewhere that we have more green space than any other big city. If you like parks, trees, lakes, the cities are the place to be. I'm within walking distance of 3 lakes. (to second what Alex said)

In conclusion, I love the twin cities. Um, yeah

I chose Minneapolis because I hate all of Philadelphia's sports teams

Perhaps you should base your decision on the schools and programs.

In general, MSP is a nicer city than Philly. It is cleaner, friendlier and newer. Philly does have its pluses. It is conveniently located and the winters aren't as cold (though the summers are pretty oppressive).

twin cities baby

Wouldn't consider anything north of the Red river.

we hate them too