Questions about Minneapolis/St. Paul
 

I have read a lot of great things about the Minneapolis/St. Paul area on the internet. I know it gets quite cold in the winter, and it's windy. How does that affect doing outdoor activities during the winter? Are there lots of parks and trails to go hiking and jogging?

Also I have read that the job market is really good in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Is this true?

I presume the suburbs have far less crime than the city. I have read that the suburbs are quite safe. Is housing affordable in the suburbs?

Is the air and water clean?

How are the cities Minneapolis/St Paul themselves? Are they clean? Are there a lot of things to do in the cities? Are there lots of good restaurants? Is that Mall of Americas really cool?

Any responses will be appreciated. Thanks.

Well, the answers to all your questions are going to be fairly ambiguous.

It gets cold, but not really windy in winter, and that makes it less comfortable for outdoor activities. If you dress properly outdoor activities are very doable. Yes, there are lots of park and trails.

Job market depends on what field you're looking at, and when you're moving. If you're not moving for several years, this question is fairly irrelevant because the market will change.

Crime is relative, and like all cities, some areas are safer than others. It's impossible to generalize that to say that the suburbs are safer, because it all depends on the specific areas that are being compared.

Air and water is relatively clean, although there have been advisories posted for air quality several times in the past couple of years. That used to be unheard of.

There are lots of things to do in both cities, including good restaurants. The MOA is cool if you're into that sort of thing.

So the winters are not very windy? IMO, that's a good thing. Less wind chill factor.

Which is considered to be the best suburb of Minneapolis/St Paul?

too cold in winter!

What do you mean by best suburb?
Prettiest?
Most affordable housing?
Recently built homes?
Older homes?
McMansions?
Easy access to downtown Minneapolis?
Easy access to downtown St. Paul?
Walkable with sidewalks?
Rural feeling without sidewalks?
Predominance of a particular ethnic or religious group?
Lots of green space?
Everyone's definition of best is different.