Hello; moving to MN ( 1

Actually, Kris and Jason, I think the MOA is a pretty convenient place to shop. I still visit my family near the Cities and, even at Christmas, the MOA is the easiest place to park. Almost all the parking is covered, and stacked vertically such that the worst parking space is still pretty close to the doors. It never feels crowded to me, aside from the food courts at lunchtime. Seems easier to me than the sprawling parking lots and layouts of Southdale, Rosedale, etc. Of course, I grew up in Wisconsin, so it could be that "cheesehead" side of me to which Jason refers Don't worry, though, I'm a Vikings fan!



Jason, I looked up that Chino Latino place on the web & it looks like a great place to try. Looks kind of like the Frontera Grill/Topolobampo in Chicago (considered to be the top Mexican/South American prestaurant in the country). We'll definitely give it a taste sometime! That's one thing we will miss about Chicago--there are probably more amazing authentic restaurants of all varieties here than almost anywhere else. But I guess it is better for our health and our wallets to get away from that! Will keep you posted if we run into any snags in our housing search. As always, thanks,



David

David I had no doubt you were a VIKINGS fan--no doubt at all--hey guess what my better half is doing right now



whoever guessed sleeping gets wild rice soup from Kris for a year



God isn't it sick that I derive so much satisfaction from knowing the poor guy is at least sleeping



Chino Rocks David but the best thing about the place is that they have closed circuit cameras outside of the woman's restroom--in teh hand washing area and it is a riot to see all the glamour queens adjust and give themselves looks in the mirror--provides hours and I do mean hours of mindless entertainment.

What program in Chicago? My husband and I just moved to Milwaukee from the north Chicago suburbs for his residency? Good luck with the move. I will tell you that the first year is VERY difficult. But we got through it and so will you. And my hubby is a surgical resident.



When you get to the end of your rope (as cheesy as this sounds) tie a knot and hold on. Then write/ call us and we will be there to help.

OK - so from Jason's comment I am assuming that being in Milwaukee, WI (by the way I am a former Chicagoan and hate the Packers - no offense to anyone who is a Packers fan) it would be easy for me to drive out to MN and meet up with all of you. I will of course have to bring my little one, but I think it would be fun. Let me know when you guys make plans.

Happy new year all--



I'm just revisiting this thread after several months of not posting anything. My wife and I are adjusting to life in Mpls now, and I must say it hasn't been easy to settle in here, get to know people, etc. I don't know why. At least we've gotten a "pass" on the winter so far



My main reason for writing is to query the Twin Cities residents here (Kelly, Jason et al.) as to whether you've been through the home-buying process here. We're hoping that we might be able to buy a little house or condo here for the next 3.5 years of med school so we might come out of this debt-ridden process with a little equity It's wishful thinking, I know, but we just may be able to pull it off. It must be from watching too much HGTV, especially House Hunters



For Jason or Kelly--have you bought a home here, and if so, what were the most desirable areas you found in your house hunting? I'd also appreciate any general advice from the crowd on buying a home while in medical training. Thanks!

[houseelf]

David,



Hey, welcome back! I find that sometimes it IS difficult to get to know Minnesotans because they tend to be shy and have lived here forever so they have pretty established social networks. But, it does get better. I've been here a year and a half and have a few friends. O.K., some of those friends are also transplants like myself.



Hopefully med school is going well????



As far as housing goes, you may not be in the same sticker shock that we were when we saw the cost of real estate since you are from Chi town. Owning is a really smart option. Even if you don't build a ton of equity, the tax benefits are worth it and you aren't throwing your money away.



We opted for a town home because family time is too precious to have to shovel snow or mow grass. Plus, we thought that the right townhome may be easier to sell because we anticipate having to buy property in another city for my dh's fellowships. We really would like to avoid a double mortgage payment if possible.



We opted for a suburb north of St. Paul because it is smaller

and less expensive. However, you may like being in the thick of things and Minneapolis has so much to offer. One great Twin Cities real estate site is http://www.edinarealty.com. I also know a great realtor if you are interested. Our first realtor was so pushy. She would show us fabulous homes that we couldn't come close to being able to afford. Also, as far as the mortgage goes, I recommend Scott Kirk at Physicians' Mortgage Assistance (88 218-1071. Hopefully, this helps.

Good luck.



Glad to have you back!



Kelly




Edited by: kmbsjbcgb at: 1/15/02 1:39:15 pm

Thanks for the advice, Kelly. We'd love to buy a house/townhome, even if it's in the 'burbs We're not even sure what we could get approved for, what with me dragging us down with loans and no job But I've heard of others in my class who have bought homes, so they must be able to work it out somehow. I was wondering, how long of a commute is it for your husband from your home to the hospital? I don't know what kind of commute is doable for a 3rd/4th year student or resident.



School is going pretty well, but $$ is what's been burdening me lately, what with looking into buying a house, doing taxes and financial aid forms, tuition bills, trying to start a (paid!) research job, and dealing with tuition increases. To all you MN residents, I know you've been following the $2B budget deficit news, but you might not know that the UMN med school is going to get socked hard by it. We had a 14% tuition increase last year, and there will be another 14-20% increase this year , which is just unheard of. This adds up to an extra several thousand dollars a year that no one could have foreseen. And for this increased tuition, we may see decreased educational value because facilities and programs may have to be cut. It's a scary thing. I know you already pay boatloads of taxes in MN (thankfully we have little income so we aren't hit by it too much), but I think it is worth it to everyone in the state (residents, practicing physicians, and the general public allike) to support the Academic Health Center. Specifically, they're trying to take away the tobacco settlement money which was supposed to go for an endowment for the Academic Health Center, which includes the medical school and its associated research and healthcare facilities, and the nursing, medtech, dental, etc. schools which all provide a majority of Minnesota's work force in their respective areas. Taking away the tobacco funds to pay down the budget deficit would then spell serious financial trouble for all these schools (and maybe the residency programs, too?) I will be contacting my legislator(s) regarding this issue; perhaps those of you who have read up on the issue will do so too

[houseelf]

David,



The Minnesota budget deficit is near and dear to my heart. I work for the Minnesota Judiciary. The legislature is proposing to keep judicial vacancies open, reduce the amount of guardian ad litems, increase civil filing fees, and cut our salaries . This plan seems absurd because of the backlog of cases that we have now (i.e. family matters often wait 6 plus month to be heard). Moreover, only a small minority of children are represented by guardians in the system. The pay is so crappy that many talented individuals, including potential judges, refuse to enter into public service.



Another one of Governor Ventura's bright ideas is to cut the entire program of Early Childhood Family Education. So much for being the education state.....



Anyway, I will write to my state senator and representative. In my brief experience, a personal letter detailing how an issue specifically affects your situation is the most persuasive. I have received personalized letters in every instance. (Of course, some intern probably wrote them, but perhaps if it was persuasive enough, they would show the representative.)



Hey, good luck with the job and home purchase. Things are in a down swing right now but they always pick back up. Keep us posted in all the developments.



Kelly

Ouch....oh that is a significant increase in tuition! Things are really hard all around right now for education! I hope that you will be able to find more financial aid to cover it all...It is just really disappointing that money is being diverted from where it is most important...educating our children, and our college students! I wonder why legislatures find this the first place to make major cut? The are doing the same in Florida thanks to Jeb Bush....and UF is experiencing a similar increase. They are actually consolidating departments and firing deans etc!!! And up here in St. Cloud, they've closed two elementary schools and are considering a 4 day school week



Good luck with the home-buying! It's great to hear that school is going well! Do you think that the med school program is "family friendly"?



Kris

Hello, everyone! I have been living here in MN for 17 years and think it is the greatest. When my wife and I were first married we lived in Duluth where my wife was in medical school and UMD which is a 2 year program stressing rural family practice then moved to Waconia and then St. Paul while she was a med student and MPH student at the Univ. of MN. The east side of St. Paul is a great place to live and is very reasonable for rent or buying. The closer to the main 3M plant the better but there are a lot of great old neighborhoods. We lived in St. Paul during residency at Ramsey, now Regions Hospital and that was fantastic and it was very easy to get to the clinic and hospital. There are lots of wonderful things to do in St. Paul! My wife has been practicing in Fergus Falls, MN and it is a wonderful town, only 12,000 people, and a physician owned practice. The seasons are phenomenal and the people are very friendly! Minnesota is a great place to live! and to raise children and become part of the community!