Quote:
Originally Posted by DownhomeDenver
I had the opportunity to visit Minneapolis/St Paul for an entire week. During my trip, I went to Duluth and toured the Lake Superior Coastline. Then, I explored Rochester, MN and St Cloud, MN with a side trip to Decorah, IA.
The only reason I'm posting this is because someone had made comments about Denver in comparison to Minneapolis and I wanted to address my observations. First off, I am no city planner like Ken. I am not an architect like Cirrus. I am just a simple tourist/observer and these are my thoughts of the Twin Cities.
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It was me. Nice review of MSP. I was hoping that you would follow through with your comment about comparing / commenting on MSP. After all the adverse responses I received, I didn’t expect I’d see this, so thanks.
I can say I agree with you on everything you stated here.
There are pros and cons to both cities, just like any other city comparison. I only personally compare the two cities because I lived in St. Paul briefly, the Western Minneapolis suburbs briefly, and then Uptown for a few years as an adult professional in the late 90s. I also spent my first 12 years as a child in the region (though I was born in Denver and have lived here most of my life now).
Would I live there again? I'd also reply with a "maybe", but unlikely. It's an amazing city, but I couldn't live there mostly because I couldn't handle the winters anymore, and the summer of bugs and heavy humidity can be really uncomfortable. I do, however, miss the trees and lakes. If I had a family and a solid career it might be different as MSP is quite a bit more family-oriented than here by far, with a lot more emphasis on stuff to do for children, but I don’t have a family.
Colorado is much more transient and has a lot more transplants from far-off states. When I lived in MSP, most everyone I knew was born there (or ND or WI, which are border states). Most everyone here I know is from out of state. In fact, off the top of my head, I’m the only native I know of in my circle of family and friends.
MSPers are more laid back and friendlier than Denver. "Minnesota Nice". It's true. I really miss that the most, I think. In Denver, it depends on your own experience, but native Coloradoans are generally much more keep-to-themselves types. Once you get to know Coloradoans, though, they're very down-to-earth (probably more than Minnesotans in that regard). So, it takes a little more work here to get your neighbors to open up, but the results are often positive. Transplants to Denver are generally a lot more open and friendly right off the bat. One of the problems that I experienced is that Denverites are way more overworked, often resulting in higher stress from the job world here. Denver has long seemed to me to be a work hard all day then get home and shut the door city. Maybe it’s different now, but that was the overwhelming vibe in the late 90s.
I do like their skyline and downtown layout quite a bit more than ours. Their planning is/was better, but not too much better. That Wells Fargo building is stunning, really. It was built in the late 80s. I always loved that one. People there call it the shaver, since it looks like an electric shaver (like our cash register building). MSP has had a longer history as a regional destination due in large part to the farming industry. They're also a major corporate center. They're just going to have a more corporate skyline than us, though ours is looking better all the time. Ground level activity here is much more exciting and active. Though, I do wish we had something more like their Uptown. MSP has several established and sizable neighborhoods with centers for shopping. Cherry Creek is just way too uppity for me. It's awesome, I love CC for what it is, but I don't connect with it the same way I did with MSP's Uptown, or Dinkytown, or LynLake. Uptown holds fond memories for me. I was just 3 blocks away from Lake Calhoun, Harriet, and Isles. Great for afternoon walks and biking, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Those St. Paul churches are incredible.
Their highway system is nice as it is good for the commuter. It would be more off-putting if it weren't for the thick vegetation. The trees are a major visual and sound buffer. But you're right, there is what seems like an excess of highways there. Many of what were at one time rural farming county roads had evolved into 4 to 6 lane highways as the area expanded.
MSP has a lot more going for it in the cultural arts area. Denver has caught up quite a bit but MSP is up there as one of the best cities for the arts. MSP has a neat musical history too, if you’re into that sort of thing. The whole Minneapolis sound, and First Ave. It’s waned a lot but there’s still that legacy.
Even though I harp on the "stick built" thing, it wouldn't be such a big deal to me if we didn't get such consistently bland architectural product. That's all.
[EDIT: I went over to check out the Minneapolis thread here on SSP. The very first page has photos of a couple very Denver-like looking condo projects, both with concrete decking. I'm not arguing with you that you saw "stick-built" construction, but I don't think it's as common as it is here.]
All said, I still prefer Denver, and we've moved forward far more progressively than many other cities, MSP included.
Anyway, thanks again for the follow-up.
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And that has to be the most "who cares" piece of trivia in my life. Funny tho how my memory burped that up when I read your comment.
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