
What to Do Once You've Moved to Minnesota
What to Do Once You've Moved to Minnesota
By Sarah Hauer
Welcome to Minnesota. We’re so glad you’re here. You may have moved for work or family, but you’ll soon learn why Minnesota is truly the best. Here are some tips to help it feel like home.

A Break the Bubble meetup at Modist Brewing Co.
BUILD YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK
Building a new social network in Minnesota can take time, especially if you move here in the winter. But, once you’re in, you’re in for life. Just ask anyone here who has maintained friendships since grade school.
- Attend a meetup group. There are too many to count, all with their own vibe. Many are organized around a specific interest, like hiking, soccer or professional networking. Some, like Break the Bubble, are for people who are just seeking new connections in the Twin Cities. Around 100 people typically attend the twice-monthly hangouts held at local breweries and coffee shops. Search on Meetup.com to find a group for you.
- Volunteer with an organization or cause you care about. Minnesota is one of the top states for volunteerism, so donating your time at a local food bank or neighborhood cleanup can help ingratiate yourself into your new community.

A packed U.S. Bank Stadium / Minnesota Vikings
- Cheer for our teams! Minnesotans love their professional sports – even if they are infamous for letting us down. The Twin Cities have a team in every major sports league, and rooting for the home team is a surefire way to break the ice with other fans.
- Learn a new language, art skills or even history about your new home. Community education programs offered through local municipalities, school districts and libraries are great for meeting people with similar interests.
Credit: Lucky Shots Pickleball Club
- Participate in park and recreation programming through your city or county. You can find adult sports leagues where you can play pickleball, basketball, hockey, and more. Intimidated? There may also be lessons to freshen up your skills before hitting the court, ice or field. You can also try out an entirely new activity, like learning to sail on Lake Harriet.
- Find out if your alma mater has an alumni group in Minnesota. Many colleges and universities host routine gatherings for networking or watch parties.

The Wilderness Fitness and Coworking
WORK OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
Remote and hybrid workers who have the flexibility to work from anywhere may want to use it as an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings further.
- Use this tool to find coworking spaces throughout the state, from Warroad to Albert Lea. The Wilderness Fitness & Coworking offers full gym access alongside its office space in Minneapolis. Coco bills itself as the first coworking space in Minnesota, with locations in downtown and northeast Minneapolis. Duluth Creative Co. offers studio space for photographers and filmmakers within its coworking lounge.
- Toast your new home with locally made beverages at breweries and wineries across the state. Try out the breweries down the block or take a drive to a winery. Hoops Brewing in Duluth also has a co-working space in addition to its signature brews.

Café Cerés / Paul Vincent
- Sip on a fresh cup of coffee at one of our favorite cafes or grab a memorable meal in Minneapolis and St. Paul to get a sense of the Twin Cities’ strong restaurant scene.
- Hundreds of libraries across Minnesota offer both vast collections of titles and unique spaces to visit. Visit one of Minnesota's 48 remaining Carnegie libraries, built with Carnegie grants in the early 20th century. The Stillwater Public Library, built in 1901 with a grant, has views of the St. Croix River from its rooftop.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester / Credit: Paul Vincent
GET ORGANIZED
Set yourself up for success in your new community as you settle into Minnesotan life.
- Visit Driver & Vehicle Services to register your vehicle in Minnesota. New residents have 60 days to apply for a driver’s license or permit and register their vehicle.
- Don’t wait until you’re sick to establish care with a new provider in Minnesota. Go here to find answers to your Minnesota healthcare questions, and learn more about industry leaders like the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.

Cross-country skiing at Theodore Wirth Regional Park / Credit: Paul Vincent
- Assess your winter wardrobe and what layers you may need to thrive in the colder months. As many a Minnesotan will tell you, “There is no bad weather – just bad clothing.” Ensure you have an ice scraper in your car and a shovel at the ready the next time there are freezing temperatures and plowable snow, though.
- Register to vote! Minnesotans proudly lead the nation in voter turnout. U.S. citizens who will be 18 or older on election day and a Minnesota resident for 20 days can register to vote in the state. You can always register on Election Day here too. Learn more here.

Microbiologics lab / Paul Vincent
LEVEL UP YOUR CAREER
Minnesota is ranked one of the best states for finding a job. As of 2024, the state is also home to 17 companies on the Fortune 500 list across various industries. It’s not just big corporations; Minnesota also has a bustling startup ecosystem of new innovative companies bringing new ideas to market.
With that broad mix, there is always an opportunity to retool or reimagine your career for the future. Learn more about Minnesota’s key industries.

Goldy Gopher statue on campus at the University of Minnesota / Jane Andersen
- Take professional development classes in technology, education, health care, and manufacturing with one of Minnesota’s many higher education institutions. The state has two public university systems – the University of Minnesota system and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System – with dozens of campuses across the state.
- Many private schools and technical colleges also offer professional development courses for practical knowledge and skills for today’s job market. Learn data analysis, business writing or take a certificate program to become a Certified ScrumMaster.
- Join your local chamber of commerce or industry groups for networking, professional events and development opportunities.

Section 13 of the Superior Hiking Trail / Credit: Alyssa Hei
EXPLORE YOUR NEW HOME
Don’t forget to be a tourist in your own town. You’ll never feel like a local until you...
- Eat every Juicy Lucy you can find in Minnesota to determine which one is the best.
- Take in the natural beauty of the Star of the North’s parks. Here are ideas for state parks in every region and national park sites in Minnesota.

The Midway at the Minnesota State Fair / Paul Vincent
- Go to the Minnesota State Fair and other annual traditions like winter festivals across the state.
- Visit art and cultural attractions like the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden next door. Check out must-see museums across the state.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth at the state’s largest candy store and other spots to taste the state’s best candies, cupcakes, doughnuts and other treats.
Enjoy immersing yourself in Minnesota and all it has to offer. Before you know it, you, too, will be saying “you betcha.”
Find out more about living in Minnesota.