My home state was once considered a top place to live...
Minnesota lost nearly 20,000 residents to other states in 2022. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the state of Minnesota lost 19,400 residents to domestic migration from July 2021 to July 2022.
The Center of the American Experiment, a public policy think tank based in Minnesota, said the loss was “by far the highest number in at least three decades.” In the year prior, Minnesota saw a net domestic migration loss of 13,453 residents.
Census data compiled by the think tank shows that since 2001 there have only been two calendar years (2017 and 2018) where more U.S. residents moved to Minnesota than moved away.
Why do people leave states? The main reasons are taxes, economy, and a change in culture. Minnesota has gone in in a different direction in all counts. They continue to add new taxes while the Minnesota economy has suffered. Minnesota lost more fortune 500 countries than I can remember over the past 20 years or so. Most executives suggesting that what used to be a great place to raise a family no longer is great enough to justify the high taxes and anti-business attitudes of those in charge.
Meanwhile Minnesota has become less of a state known for it's Scandinavian heritage and more of a state that has become the classic "melting pot" of nationalities. Not saying whether that is "good or bad" necessarily. But people make those determinations with their feet when they move away.
There was a Christmas day murder at the Mall of America. They say it was a 19 year old who was shot and killed, but failed to provide any specific details on either the victim or the alleged assaulter. Last time I was there (a few months back) I watched two large fights break out between rival Somali gangs who roam the mall like they own it. Was only there for a couple of hours, but it does not feel safe anymore. My son tells me it has been going on there for some time. The Bloomington police have an actual station in the mall, but cannot (or will not) get things under control. My guess is the victim and assailant were both Somali and the media felt it was better to keep this under wraps than to offend someone by pointing out the nationality of those involved.
Either way... the Democrats just took complete control of the Minnesota legislature. I suspect things will continue to go downhill.
I grew up in Michigan.
Today it is run by Governor Witless, who was just reelected.
Michigan is losing population as well.
Look at the Damagecrats cause.
Where I grew up (southern Minnesota) I am sure it is still nice. We had a permanent camper set up down in southern Minnesota and the people there couldn't have been nicer. I lived in a remote suburb where most all my neighbors were great. I would guess places like Duluth and St Cloud are equally nice.
But in the Twin Cities Metro area... things are different. Many of the malls are dying, downtown Mpls is a cesspool, and last time I was in St Paul it was overridden with homeless people. I worked in St Paul for nearly 20 years pre-Covid and loved the area. But it was just different post-Covid.
But the Mall of America has gone back…
I lost a neighborhood couple who moved to Minnesota. He got the jab and immediately had health issues and is now on disability with heart issues so they moved to be closer to his parents. I told him Minnesota was going to be even nicer when they arrived because of them. Very nice people, dealt a bad hand. Sounds like they may be an exception...
One disclaimer. I know someone who was just elected to the Minnesota House. A bright kid who has good intentions. But as far left as far left comes. Brought up where being a Democrat was almost a religious thing.