The Twin Cities is home to many institutions of higher education. Besides the University of St. Thomas, there is the University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, Hamline University, Macalester College and Augsburg University, among others.
Along with the high population of college-educated residents, the Twin Cities area is also fairly affordable, and has a good amount of work opportunities. For a person who wants to live in a big city post-graduation, it’s a solid option that will give you that lifestyle without draining your wallet.
It’s not surprising then that Zumper, a platform that helps people find rental properties, listed Minneapolis as the best city for new college graduates. The study ranked Minneapolis ahead of cities like Knoxville, Tennessee, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Madison, Wisconsin. This is based on its high placement in all of its metrics, including affordability, job opportunity and population of singles, as well as citing a “vibrant cultural scene.”
Yet some recent events may have put Minneapolis’ position in doubt. Minneapolis was thrust into the national spotlight in a way no city wants to be when a shooter fired into the Annunciation Catholic Church on Aug. 27, killing two students attending Mass before the school year and injuring 21 others, according to the Associated Press.
KSTP-TV reported that the day before, a different shooting killed one and wounded six others near Cristo Rey High School in South Minneapolis. Less than three weeks later, two separate shootings on September 15 at homeless encampments along Lake Street killed two and injured ten.
Problems with crime and homelessness aren’t unique to Minneapolis, but I would forgive anyone who feels apprehensive toward living or staying in the Twin Cities after graduating in light of these events. It’s normal to be scared when these things happen so close to home.
However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Twin Cities these past few years, it’s that the people here are resilient. When tragedy strikes, we push forward.
I know this because of another time Minneapolis was in the spotlight for tragedy. In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, riots broke out around the city. Businesses were looted and buildings were torched.
I remember seeing all of it on the news back then, just as I was finishing my sophomore year of high school. I also remember going to Minneapolis a few weeks after the bulk of the riots ended. Seeing the aftermath on Lake Street is something that hasn’t left me. I felt the pain of the protesters, residents, business owners and the entire world, who were all shaken by these events. It was a lot to take in, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic that was already weighing heavily on my mind.
However, for all of the heartbreak and destruction, Minneapolis pushed forward. The Mall of America opened temporary space for businesses affected by the riots to operate in. The Lake Street Council distributed $8 million in aid to small businesses that had been damaged during the riots. Neighbors helped each other, and patrons helped businesses recover.
A similar outpouring of support occurred in the wake of the Annunciation shooting this year. Not long after the shooting, people donated money and other items to those affected. The people of Minneapolis rallied around the victims and showed their support. As the victims recover, the painful memory of that day will never go away, but they will know that they are not alone.
Minneapolis has all of the hallmarks of a great city to live in post-graduation, but what really sets it apart from other cities is the feeling that everyone here is ready for whatever comes next. Whatever the future holds, the city will respond in kind and grow from it.
In all, Minneapolis remains a great city not just for recent grads, but in general. The cultural experience of a big city is here, and so are job opportunities. However, the feeling of togetherness is what makes Minneapolis special to me in this regard. No matter where I might go in the future as I myself look to graduate this school year, that community is something that will stay with me.
Miles Schiffer can be reached at schi9629@stthomas.edu.
