Kansas Job Losses (Kansas City, Lawrence, Minneapolis: best cities, real estate, living in)

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

The cost of living is a bit above the national average, but median household incomes in most of the metropolitan counties in the Twin Cities are SIGNIFICANTLY above the national average. The quality of life there is also greater than the vast majority of the Midwest as well.

It's been a few years since I've seen hard data on this. But I remember researching this, say, 7-10 years ago and being amazed at how much higher Minneapolis' cost of living was than KC's - and most other heartland metros outside of Chicago. It was much more than a "bit"....I mean on the order of 20% or more. But I'm equally amazed at not being able to find a current table comparing US cities by wage and price index today.

Quality of life is a subjective judgement and we've long known that political ideology drives your commentary. Minneapolis has become a "progressive" oasis in the mostly conservative heartland, so naturally you're drawn to it.

The fabric of what was a great city when I lived in that metro 50 years ago has been unraveling rapidly in recent years and it is fast becoming a hellhole as a direct result of that "progressive" lean. If I were moving back to the Midwest, I'd choose KC over the Twin Cites without a moment's hesitation.

[elkotronics]

I think that not just for financial reasons KC sounds like it would a more interesting city ta live in than Minneapolis/St.Paul would. I'd pick KC 100% over the Twin Cities.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

It's been a few years since I've seen hard data on this. But I remember researching this, say, 7-10 years ago and being amazed at how much higher Minneapolis' cost of living was than KC's - and most other heartland metros outside of Chicago. It was much more than a "bit"....I mean on the order of 20% or more. But I'm equally amazed at not being able to find a current table comparing US cities by wage and price index today.

Quality of life is a subjective judgement and we've long known that political ideology drives your commentary. Minneapolis has become a "progressive" oasis in the mostly conservative heartland, so naturally you're drawn to it.

The fabric of what was a great city when I lived in that metro 50 years ago has been unraveling rapidly in recent years and it is fast becoming a hellhole as a direct result of that "progressive" lean. If I were moving back to the Midwest, I'd choose KC over the Twin Cites without a moment's hesitation.

I'm drawn to the Twin Cities because the metro area functions very well, has an excellent regional planning authority, solid investments in regional infrastructure, parks and lakes, education, and a diverse economy with good paying jobs. Politics does not really factor in as much as you would think. It does have a "progressive tax structure" which generally does not land it amongst the lower tax states in the US, however, this has been a longstanding fact. It is one of the best areas to live in the Midwest regardless. Thanks for turning it into politics when I did not bring up that point at all.
On the cost of living front this site lists Minneapolis as rating 113-114 with 100 being the national average, so lower than many coastal areas, higher than many areas of the Midwest.
Median household income of Twin Cities counties in Minnesota (2009-2013) compared to national average in the same time period of $53,046.
Ramsey: $54,247
Isanti: $57,353
Le Sueur: $58,922
Hennepin: $64,403
Chisago: $67,157
Anoka: $70,380
Wright: $71,598
Sherburne: $73,098
Dakota: $73,732
Washington: $81,540
Carver: $83,773
Scott: $86,112

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

The Twin Cities have the highest median household income in the Midwest.

But how can that be?? Don't socialist policies drive away all the job creators??

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

But how can that be?? Don't socialist policies drive away all the job creators??

No, Minnesota has a growing economy, a highly educated workforce, and invests in its populace, therefore taxes are somewhat higher than other states.

[Mattks]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

But how can that be?? Don't socialist policies drive away all the job creators??

Higher taxes don't equal socialism. Kansas actually has somewhat high taxes relative to all our neighbors. Minnesota and the Twin Cities are middle of the road, slightly liberal places. Minnesota does a good job allocating it's resources and spending money on things such as education that stongly effect the states future.

[elkotronics]

Too cold up yonder way in Minnesota.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I'm drawn to the Twin Cities because the metro area functions very well, has an excellent regional planning authority, solid investments in regional infrastructure, parks and lakes, education, and a diverse economy with good paying jobs. Politics does not really factor in as much as you would think. It does have a "progressive tax structure" which generally does not land it amongst the lower tax states in the US, however, this has been a longstanding fact. It is one of the best areas to live in the Midwest regardless. Thanks for turning it into politics when I did not bring up that point at all.
On the cost of living front this site lists Minneapolis as rating 113-114 with 100 being the national average, so lower than many coastal areas, higher than many areas of the Midwest.
Median household income of Twin Cities counties in Minnesota (2009-2013) compared to national average in the same time period of $53,046.
Ramsey: $54,247
Isanti: $57,353
Le Sueur: $58,922
Hennepin: $64,403
Chisago: $67,157
Anoka: $70,380
Wright: $71,598
Sherburne: $73,098
Dakota: $73,732
Washington: $81,540
Carver: $83,773
Scott: $86,112

For that same time period, the median household income in Johnson County, KS was $74,717.

Johnson County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

So I'll expect to see lots of favorable commentary about JoCo and its good paying jobs from this point, politics not being a factor and all.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

Too cold up yonder way in Minnesota.

I miss Minnesota's real winters. I don't miss the mosquitoes in the summer, though.

[elkotronics]

I wouldn't like them. They tell me SW Kansas will get cold - we just got here on July 31st, 2015. We'll find out - the wind makes things colder.