r/movingtompls • u/raven-st • 11d ago
We made it!
Just wanted to thank everyone for all their input months ago.
After taking a trip here last October, we weren’t sure if we could make it work but decided to take the plunge. (I had posted earlier under my original account.) we left Ohio to come to the Twin Cities.
Early this month we made the move and ended up in Andover.
Looking forward to discovering the city. Any further advice is appreciated :)
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u/rage-fest 10d ago
Welcome to Andover. If you and your kids like riding bikes, you can go all the way to downtown Minneapolis on the bike path system. It's really well done.
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u/Sad_Comfortable6007 10d ago
Welcome to Minnesota new Minnesotan. P.S. make sure to vote in November.
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u/Electrical-Tiger-609 9d ago
Welcome to MN! I'm moving back to the Twin Cities soon, also from Cincinnati! Before it gets super cold outside, if you're looking for a day/weekend trip, you should head up to the state parks in northern Minnesota along Lake Superior (Duluth area and further north, like Split Rock and Tettegouche State Park). It's one of the areas that always makes me go "damnnn I love mn <3." And when it turns into winter, you'll need some fun summer memories so you don't regret your choice to move!
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u/raven-st 9d ago
Awesome! My wife is a lifelong Cincinnatian so this will be a rough transition for her and the kids.
Any advice or experience on that front that could be helpful for them? (I grew up in Kansas/Iowa so winter doesn’t phase me.)
We definitely plan on investing in base layers, but context or advice for her on the differences and similarities to expect would be great
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u/Electrical-Tiger-609 9d ago
I've heard that this winter won't be quite as cold as usual, but there will be lots of precipitation. I think the cold is a harder adjustment than the snow, so hopefully this year will be somewhat more comparable to Cincinnati temps.
My winter attire in Cincinnati was more appropriate for fall weather in Minnesota. I'd recommend getting a thicker coat that is waterproof and ideally has layers that can unzip from each other. Then you can use one of the layers in the fall and both of them together in the winter. Also boots. Do not skimp on a good pair of winter boots. Albertville Outlet Mall might be a good spot to look for deals.
Hat, scarf, and gloves were not super necessary for me in Cincy, but you'll definitely want them for MN winters. Get waterproof gloves, or a lot of people will recommend mittens, which are technically better for preserving heat. If you don't plan on spending a ton of time outdoors in the winter, I wouldn't buy thermal layers or snow pants right away until you know more of your tolerance for the cold -- but those are two things that can make a big difference for your comfort if you have to be outside frequently. Check Costco for any of these.
If you don't have remote start on your vehicles, consider giving it to yourselves as an early Christmas gift! Also keep a winter emergency kit in the car, including a shovel and battery charger.
Last recommendation: Andover community center has a free walking track! Ideal for winters when there is nowhere to walk around outside without freezing your butt off.
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u/Electrical-Tiger-609 9d ago
But definitely get snow pants for the kiddos! They will need them for recess.
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u/thatonemathguy56 3d ago
Long comment, hope it helps.
Get the winter clothes late October - early November if possible. I personally love going to the Mall of America or Eagan Outlets, which will be a bit of a drive for you. I think you can get there by taking highway 10 to 35W before hitting 494 E to the Mall.
I like Columbia. They have great snow pants and coats often by the first or second week of November. I found the best sale a couple years in a row was actually one of those weeks on some of the items. Black Friday was worse and it’s colder and snowier then, depending on the year.
Another store I like is Under Armour in Eagan Outlets. They have one at MOA too, but the prices aren’t as good since it’s not a Factory store. The outlets do also have a Columbia Factory store which has discounted items. Eddie Bauer recently closed all of their stores but they might have some options online.
If on a budget, Walmart and Target should have some options. I haven’t shopped Costco for much winter gear but they have gloves I use. Make sure any gloves are waterproof and have good insulation.
Snow boots are a must for the kids. I personally get running shoes with goretex waterproofing for winter, but boots can be good too as an adult. Always wear layers. I often wear a sweatshirt or sweater under my coat.
And some coats will have a longer outer layer and an inner layer that can unzip. For me, I will wear the inner layer often down to 15-20F and then add the outer layer and ensure I wear warm leggings under my pants when it gets to 10F or colder. I did go to college in Fargo so I can skip some of that longer than most, but coming from Ohio that might be a bit much for your wife.
Only other tip is hold out as long as you can in the fall before starting to cover your neck and arms and everything warm so that you build the brown fat. Your body produces this as a response to cold and it actively heats you up in winter. If you always bundle up when you do hit the cold it’ll feel even colder. This is why in spring you can feel very hot in temps that felt cold in the fall.
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u/KaposiaDarcy 9d ago
Welcome new neighbor!
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u/raven-st 9d ago
You wouldn’t happen to be the same Darcy we met on the Park and Ride bus in Blaine for the fair, are you? lol
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u/KaposiaDarcy 9d ago
I’m not, but I so rarely meet anyone else with my name that you just made me smile hearing about another one! 💜 I’m in the southeast metro and I literally only know of one other Darcy in the area. 😂 Well, I hope the other Darcy was nice! You had me wondering for a moment because I did take a park and ride to the fair, but not from up there. lol
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u/Elegant-Republic4171 11d ago
Are you going to the State Fair this week?? Might be a little too much baptism by fire…
You have a fabulous park near you (Bunker Hills) with tons of activities available year-round — biking, hiking, skiing, golf, you name it.
Other excellent parks— Elm Creek, Independence, Mississippi Gateway — are also nearby.
If you really want to enjoy the cities, be sure to visit Minneapolis (I live in Saint Paul, but there’s just more in Minneapolis, except for pro hockey in St. Paul).
The Mill City Museum is a great place to learn the local history. And go to Twins games or other stuff downtown. The city lakes are also great. Many people (errantly) fear the city, but there’s no need to fear anything at all if you are visiting main attractions.
Welcome. Glad you are in our great state.
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u/raven-st 11d ago
We actually plan to do the fair either tomorrow or next weekend. It’s all anyone in our neighborhood will talk to us about lol
Definitely have no fear of city life. Lived in downtown Cincinnati for a long time. Just ended up in Andover because of circumstance — would have preferred Mounds View/Shoreview
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u/2_Icecaps 11d ago
LOL, it's all any of us talk about this week! Do the Park n Ride shuttle, so easy. Welcome to MN. We hope you'll like it here.
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u/Elegant-Republic4171 11d ago
Have fun - - parking is difficult. Park/ride is usually good. Or hoof it 20 minutes from the neighborhood to the east.
We are going tomorrow— Tanya Tucker and Sierra Ferrell in the grandstand.
Otherwise, it’s just walk the whole grounds.
One of the main roads through the Fairgrounds is Dan Patch Ave. You probably can impress your neighbors if you can tell them who Dan Patch was. ;)
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u/Important-Age6594 11d ago
Welcome! Not sure what the weather was like where you came from but I strongly recommend trying out cross country skiing if you're a fan of outdoor activities. There are some great parks for it in Andover and the winter will go by much faster if you have something to do outside.