Saint Cloud Minnesota

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:13 pm

This is off topic but I figured this section would get the fastest reviews so I apologize. I was offered a job in Saint Cloud and I need to get some opinions on living there. I know it's cold in the winters and summer is a little shorter but other then that I need some answers. So cost of living, housing prices, price of diesel fuel, average wage? Online said average wage in Minnesota is 47k, does that seem right? I currently make 55k and was offered 60k. Also I have three kids, how are the schools? Gang problems?

Again thank you for your responses

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:59 pm

No one on here lives in Minnesota and possibly near Saint Cloud?

Army Ranger · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2014 2:02 am

I live in Minnesota not near St Cloud but I've been through it a few times. I've only lived in Minnesota for the last 3 years attending school but I will ask around. St Cloud seems nice, far enough outside the Cities to not have their problems but close enough to make a trip in for fun.

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2014 5:12 pm

Thanks for a little information I appreciate it. If you hear anything definitely post it and let me know.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:58 pm

Army Ranger wrote:

I live in Minnesota not near St Cloud but I've been through it a few times. I've only lived in Minnesota for the last 3 years attending school but I will ask around. St Cloud seems nice, far enough outside the Cities to not have their problems but close enough to make a trip in for fun.

The problems of the Twin Cities? Which problems are you talking about?

Crime, drugs, poverty.....?

St. Cloud is a fair city, I would consider it the redneck little brother to the Minneapolis St. Paul metro. Lower population, lower incomes, lower rates of post secondary education, and tend to lean a bit more right. Cost of living is lower than the MSP area, so a 60k/yr position should get you a house with no issue, put it this way, the median family income was $50k/yr in 2000. I would look a bit out of town for a place to live, but that's because I hate people. Cost of diesel in STC was around $2.80/gal when I drove through last time, but I never stop for fuel. For me, it's a congestion point on my way to points beyond. I tend to jump over to Hwy 10 before I get to STC on my way "up north".

Depending on what you are looking for, it could be a dream or a nightmare. ;-)

etravlr · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:47 pm

Minnesota is a great place to live. It's cold a good part of the year but "it's a dry cold".

Send me a PM. I have a friend who's family lives in St. Cloud. If she ok with it I will forward your info to her and she can tell you first hand.

St Cloud is much more small town than the Twin Cities but it has much to offer. I am sure there are many websites that you can read reviews etc.

There is crime wherever you go, if you live in a community hopefully it is less. I would assume St Cloud is relatively low to most cities including the Twin Cities.

FWIW

Rich

Rich · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:25 pm

etravlr wrote:

Minnesota is a great place to live. It's cold a good part of the year but "it's a dry cold".

Send me a PM. I have a friend who's family lives in St. Cloud. If she ok with it I will forward your info to her and she can tell you first hand.

St Cloud is much more small town than the Twin Cities but it has much to offer. I am sure there are many websites that you can read reviews etc.

There is crime wherever you go, if you live in a community hopefully it is less. I would assume St Cloud is relatively low to most cities including the Twin Cities.

FWIW

Rich

well, not all of us can live down on the river Rich ;-)

etravlr · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:12 pm

St Cloud river water is fresher. I get it after they are finished with it.

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LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:14 pm

Basically when it comes to crime I realize it's going to happen anywhere but some cities have more then others is why I ask. Also I know it's cold but what kind of snow fall is normal? Is it normal to get snow storms that drop 12 inches of snow over night or is that more rare?

etravlr · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:19 pm

Again it is about averages, last winter we had a few storms around 12", other years not so much. Snow in Dec-Feb is the norm and had gone into May.some years. That bring said, we have odd Jan days in the 70's and hot and humid most.summers.

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Rich · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:31 pm

LS12FAST4U wrote:

Basically when it comes to crime I realize it's going to happen anywhere but some cities have more then others is why I ask. Also I know it's cold but what kind of snow fall is normal? Is it normal to get snow storms that drop 12 inches of snow over night or is that more rare?

I have been in the region for the past 5yrs, and the most snowfall I have seen in a given storm set was something like 12-14" but that is the exception, not the rule. Most of the time you will get 2-4" in a storm. We don't have the drastic elevation changes to produce the big snowfalls you see out west. The bitter cold comes blowing in down the Canadian plains across the Red River Valley, and into MN. You can see the effects of these winds by the way trees and power poles are weathered in the exposed areas. Worst part of the winters here are the people that seem to forget how they drove last year in the winter. First snow of the season you can bet dollars to donuts that traffic is going to suck, and there are a ton of morons in the ditches and snow-banks.

Crime is crime where ever you are. Some of the burbs in the STC metro are very nice, and there are some parts that are not so nice... just like any metro. There are more than a couple people who live in the STC metro and work in the MSP metro because, honestly, a 60k/yr job isn't that easy to come by. Cost of living is low enough to warrant the longer commutes. There is an increasing population of Somali immigrants moving into the STC metro over the past 5yrs. Mostly to fill low-wage jobs, and because the groups that sponsor their matriculation to the frozen north have opened up shop in STC... hence my comments above.

Gangs, I am sure there are some small ones, but the biggest thing I would worry about is teen pregnancy and incest (no joke, it IS sterns county). Best part is, you are already half way to getting away from the morons in the MSP metro, and being stuck in traffic with them on the way to Brainard Lakes... :furious:

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 12:18 am

So it sounds like cost of living is lower and 60k a year is a good wage for the area. What's the current fuel prices, gas and diesel?
Also any good places to take the jeep wheeling?

Rich · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:10 am

LS12FAST4U wrote:

So it sounds like cost of living is lower and 60k a year is a good wage for the area. What's the current fuel prices, gas and diesel?
Also any good places to take the jeep wheeling?

I actually avoid STC on my way north, so I can't speak on the fuel prices there. I would assume they can't be much more that what I am paying here for diesel, ~2.85/gal. Winter fuel blends tend to go up in price, but the most I have seen so far was $3.15/gal in the 5yrs that I have had the CRD. My commute is 15mi round trip, so I tend to forget what I paid for fuel three weeks ago.

Wheeling. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you want to bang in the rocks and mud, Gilbert OHV area is a state run location in the Iron Range that, from what I hear, is fairly decent. Some dudes only go there, so it can't be all that bad. I am more of an "overlander", so my ideal trail doesn't cause damages, nor too much time wasted crawling over large things that slow my progress to the final destination. That being said, there are a few trails my club(?) tends to visit in the northern reaches of the state that are a bit more technical. Last trip I lead went through a 1mi long 3' deep water crossing, and later down a rather steep rock garden with a creek flowing down it. Most of the trails not in a park here are heavily overgrown. Limb risers are a good idea and a cool head about pin-striping your truck is a must. We have been working with the Superior National Forest to get more trails cleared and open to 4x4 trucks, something akin to the trail network of the Black Hills NF.

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:44 pm

Wow that's cheap for fuel. I pay 3.99 a gallon for summer diesel and 3.85 a gallon for gas. I like anything off road. Some slower rock crawling is fun if combined with other stuff. This video is of a trail I like to go on. Only thing I hate is the pen striping. I'm not a fan of scratching the heck out of my rig. http://youtu.be/GNEhow-LUqE

Why do you try to avoid St. Cloud?

Rich · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:19 pm

sorry my accuracy sucks while my brain is sucked out at work.

$3.85 v. $4.15*

The gap between I94 and MN10 is much closer/shorter in Clearwater/Annandale, than it is going across at STC. More local traffic and stop lights as well. Only time I am in STC is either for a wedding or at the VAMC for appointments.

Grannysgoat · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:30 pm

I grew up about 60 miles West of St. Cloud in a little town called Alexandria. Back in those days St. Cloud was the "big city". The entire middle part of Minnesota is a great place and I'm sure like every other town in America it has it's issues. However it's hard to beat when it comes to raising kids and if you like the outdoor life style. Seasonal changes are nice, except no matter what anyone says, it's cold in the winter.

etravlr · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:43 pm

Gasbuddy.com will give you current prices on gas and fuel. Zip code 56303 or 56387

http://www.exploreminnesota.com/

http://www.stcloudareachamber.com/

http://mn4wda.com/

http://mn4wda.com/content/129-club-contacts

LS12FAST4U · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:43 pm

Thanks for the links. I have noticed that housing is a lot more then here. Here I pay 800 a month for a brand new house with 2100 square feet and 3 car garage. Also on 3/4 of an acre. There the same size house but way older is 1300 a month. We've been looking at houses in Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Big Lake. Any idea how far those places are from St. Cloud? Just wondering about commute time is all.

etravlr · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:48 pm

Sauk is closer than Big Lake. Depends which end of those cities you live. Mapquest for distances

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etravlr · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:49 pm

Taxes are more than likely higher too. I would look for a cost of living comparison to match where you are.

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