Can anyone shed some light on living in Minneapolis / Minnesota? I am in the final rounds of a MM Advisory firm process and want to know what it's like living there. COVID-19 is not affecting the process, btw.
I know it's cold, it snows, and there are a lot of underrated hot girls...but anything else? How is the business culture there, is it easy to meet people, are there exciting things to do? Thanks in advance
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I grew up in Minneapolis and also went to Carlson (UofM), so I'll shed some honesty.
PROS:
CONS: * IT'S COLD. No - realllllly cold. Freezing cold. Truly awful shit during the winter (Nov-March). Summers are similar to east coast, humid & hot. * Night life can be a bore. You'll hear from everyone how much there is to do there, but they likely haven't lived there. Not a ton of options outside of your typical dinner date, brewery, and theater shows. * Despite the midwest stereotypes I wouldn't say it's easy to meet new people there. Minnesotans are typically more reserved and tend to stick with their core group of friends. * Everyone lives in the suburbs and commutes to DT for work - so a vehicle is needed. I don't know anyone there without a car.
Overall, I think Minneapolis is a good fit for someone who's already experienced city life and is looking to settle down. Minneapolis is a decent sized city - but it's by no means a Chicago (doesn't even compare to nyc or SF). Honestly though - the weather is the worst aspect of the state. You acquire a new hatred for winter when it snows 24 inches one day and is -20 degrees the next.
I spent a summer in Minneapolis and I was pretty lucky to find some friends quickly but I had more than one person there ask if I had noticed how much everyone tends to stick to their own groups and not let anyone in. My guess is that is typical of any city that doesn't get a lot of people moving in and out often.
Extremely helpful, thank you for the insight
Thanks for the good post, @phizzurp. Can you share any info on success of AM recruiting for students in the Funds Enterprise (https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/funds-enterprise-gets-new-name-honor…)?
Carlson's fund students definitely have the advantage in terms of recruiting. Lazzard, HL, USB, and Columbia Threadneedle recruit heavily from the group. Aside from AM - Piper, Lazzard, Castlelake, Northern trust, and Lake Street are typical choices for those from the Fund. I'd highly recommend joining, if you're considering. The only other reputable undergrad fund in the state is at the Duluth campus (not as good as Carlson), so you have a distinct advantage come recruiting time.
Carlson isn't typically looked at as a top tier school, but they've done an excellent job as of late producing top talent. FWIW - two classmates did their analyst years at Lake street/Piper and are now at Harvard Biz school. Both plan to go back afterwards.
Clearly this joker hasn't been to Medusa
What up Phizzurp I'm from the city too, represent!
OP, I would agree with everything Phizz said. Here are some additional points and add-ons
PROS:
1) COL is significantly lower than NYC (as I'm there now) but truth be told, I'm able to stretch my money further here than back in MN. Although I think that's because I was making peanuts back then and realllyyyy had to budget
2) Good amount of boutique financial firms that like to recruit locally, but there are always those from NYC, Boston, DC, etc. gunning for those same roles (mainly the IB and advisory firms) - btw are you interviewing with Houlihan Lokey?
3) The light rail system (public transportation) is super clutch if you work/live in Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Although you have to make sure you live somewhat close to a station
4) Great place to settle down and start a family. As alluded to, people come here/come back from their New York years and appreciate the laid-back lifestyle with a very solid comp package
5) 10,000 lakes bro. Even in the Twin Cities, there are a ton of lakes around and plenty of biking and hiking trails. A lot of people like to be active all year long so you truthfully will see people running and biking during a blizzard
6) The girls. The sweet, sweet Nordic and Scandinavian girls. All that needs to be said
CONS:
1) Weather. It's straight up brutal from Dec-Mar but after time you get used to it (or you winter in Florida). Just get a nice Northface or Canada Goose coat and a scarf and you're fine
2) Minnesotans cannot drive for the life of them. No idea why, but they can't. This may be due to my absolute hate for driving in general, but a lot of them are terrible
2a) You will need a car - I was so happy when I sold mine when I moved
3) Nightlife gets more boring as you get older. A lot of the bars you'd frequent would be in Downtown Minneapolis or Uptown (younger neighborhood in MPLS) and most of the crowd is college kids or those who recently graduated. It is the same thing each time you go out so be prepared
4) "Minnesota Nice" is a myth. The state is full of passive-aggressive assholes who won't say anything to your face, but will not hesitate to shit talk you the minute you're out of earshot
*I can't speak about the making friends part, but with some effort I think it's possible, especially if you know at least one person. A guy from SF joined our friend group randomly as he worked with one of the guys in the group.
Minnesota is a good place for someone to settle down and start a family, with a (relative) high-paying job. Agreed that it's a place for those who have experienced the city life and decided it wasn't for them or had enough and wanted a new scene. Either way, I enjoyed growing up there and a lot of my friends still live there and probably will forever. Always a fun time to go back home.
Great info, really appreciate the insight
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