CandyBelle

I think there is plenty of "small town" America areas surrounding the cities - north or south, east or west. My husband's family are spread out above and below the cities. Both of which give them a wonderful quality of life. My In-Laws live in Lakeville, which is south of the cities and it is such a beautiful area. Its quite middle class, yet cute. All white picket fences and close communities. We invitied all the neighbours to our wedding, so you can tell how close the area is as a group.
And, lets be honest, in a state of over 13,000 lakes you're going to find properties surrounding or nearby water in which to enjoy!

I went last year at the end of July/Beginning of August. Not going to lie, the place is hot, but it isn't unbearable. We still managed to walk for hours, my father-in-law went bike riding with the incredibly shaggy dog mid-afternoon most days. Its a nice atmosphere, gorgeous place in the summer. The winter is hellish, but once again bearable. Its just a great place to be!

If you need any help, I'll ask the native Minnesotan what he thinks. Considering he's said all his life he cannot wait to leave...he's sure as hell chomping at the bit to get back there. Its gone from "lets just go back for a while and move again" to "...So, the cities would be ok to raise kids, right?"...

ljaw2002uk

Just found this thread. I am in New Brighton, a suburb of St. Paul. Moved here at the end of April.

saker

Hi

Moving to the Minnetonka/Hopkins area in December (packing my snow shoes). Spent alot of time in Minneapolis but not found a decent place for a curry yet.
Interested to discover how you guys made the transition.
Would be interested also in coming along on a meeting night.

taffie77

You should both check out:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/mplsbrits?ap=1

We're actually meeting for a curry in Eden Prairie next Saturday (30th).

saker

Well thats just a couple of months early for me unfortunately.

Thanks for the speedy response, I look forward to meeting you guys in Nov/Dec (visa willing)

Would be interested in the name of that curry house in Eden Praire. If you guys go there then it must be approaching something like you'd get in the UK?

taffie77

It's called the India Palace. I've never been there before, but one of the other Brits goes there quite often I believe.
Downtown we have the Bombay Bistro, which is well tasty but the service has been awful when we've been there. There is also Dancing Ganesha, which is more 'posh' curry

saker

Been there. It's basic but ok too. If I remember right, it has an Indian Market/shop next door to it that sells every type of pickle, not just lime pickle.

Thanks for those other places. My American partner is a big curry fan too so we'll try them.

Enjoy the grub.

taffie77

No shop next to this one. Could you be thinking of India Spice which is also in EP? It's near an Applebees and the library.

saker

hmmm.. I not quite sure now. I suspect you are right. The shop worth a visit though as they sell just about every ingredient there.

Hope you are surviving the heat, its pretty extreme at the moment

AddyLaddy

We've had 78 minutes of summer so far in Seattle (i.e. where it was above 80F) and so it's making even a British summer look good so far.

I'm still not convinced we would cope with the extremes of temperature out there.

Anyway, all the best to my fellow countrymen out in MN!

taffie77

I may check it out one lunch hour then, thanks. It's been ages since we've done a good curry at home, but then I think we may have to wait until Autumn now.
We've survived the worst of the heat now I think. Earlier this week we were the most humid place [Jeremy Clarkson] in the world! [/Jeremy Clarkson]

brossow

Thought I'd pop in and say hello in this thread. I'm not British, but my wife is. We live down in Mankato but find our way to the Cities once every couple of months for a concert, theatre, or meeting up with friends. Just asked to join the Yahoo group and am interested in making other British connections, particularly with anyone closer to our area.

Cheers,
Brent

saker

Hi Brent

I'm going to add one more to the brit-in-minneapolis count when I arrive in early November 2011. My fiance K1 visa still isn't through so I may as well wait for approval whilst in the US.

You mention your wife is british, where about in the UK?

brossow

Born and raised in Eltham, London, until she was 18; she moved to Norwich and there she stayed until moving here permanently in May. We were married July 4, and no, the irony wasn't lost on either of us, me giving up my independence to a Brit on the 4th of July.

Good luck with the visa process!

ljaw2002uk

Nice to know we have a few of us here, maybe we should organize a get together at some point!