Northern Lights: The Big Decision

By Margaret

Last spring, I was faced with what seemed like an impossible decision: stay in Des Moines, or move home with the parents.

In other words, it was a lose-lose situation.

It all began in 2009, when my graduating class was welcomed into the real world by not only one of the worst economic slumps in history, but by the most depressing graduation speech of all time. No, really. Our university president literally stood in front of us and recited statistic after statistic about how current employers think we all suck. I kid you not. (And doesn’t reciting 35 long-winded numerical statistics in a row break some kind of public speaking cardinal rule?)

“You’re all underprepared!” was the message that rang loud and clear that day. And while I’m all for being creative, I would have been OK with something a little more cliché. You know, along the lines of, “the world is your oyster,” “we’ve always believed in you” or even, “the tassel was worth the hassle!” Well, maybe.

During the next year, I freelanced for a couple different magazines in the city as both a designer and a writer. I got a big apartment in a nice part of town with a good friend, took on an extra retail job, and started learning how to cook, though my roommate would probably disagree. While many of my college friends moved away after graduation, many had stayed, and I spent the next year in good company. I was getting along just fine; I should have been happy. But it always felt like something was … missing.

Now don’t get me wrong, I truly love Des Moines. I chose to go to school in Iowa, and I definitely loved college. I’m the first one to defend Iowa’s quiet capital city when others begin to judge. For me, Des Moines is cozy, comforting, familiar; a place that never changes. It’s a forward-thinking city that’s full of surprises if you know where to look. But when you no longer fit into the college demographic and are a long way away from the just-married-with-children category, it doesn’t necessarily top the list of ideal places to be.

I decided in January that I was not going to renew my apartment lease at the end of April unless I was hired at the magazine company I worked for. You know, like a real-person job. I’d been interning/freelancing for this company for the last three years. Under normal economic circumstances, getting hired shouldn’t have been a problem. Right?

But after watching several rounds of layoffs rip the company morale to shreds in the spring, it became quite obvious my lease was not going to get signed. So where to go?

Moving in with the parents? Practical, but so not an option.

New York? Too big.

Boston? Too far away.

Chicago? [Insert indifferent shrug of shoulders here.]

I wanted lights and excitement; new restaurants to try and expensive boutiques to window-shop; a city that was not only visually beautiful but one that welcomed, encouraged and embraced the arts; and most importantly, one where I could instantly feel at home.

Basically, I had no idea what I was going to do.

Until my phone rang one evening as I was shopping at Target. (Oh, the irony…)

It was one of my very best friends, who informed me that she had landed not one, not two, but three jobs/internships in Minneapolis for the duration of the summer. “You should totally come with me!” she said.

At that moment, something clicked. It made sense. I had never been to Minneapolis, but I knew it was a city that big-time supported the arts. I knew my parents had lived there and loved it when they were my age. I knew it was a big step up from Des Moines, but not as intimidating (or as blah) as Chicago. And I knew that I wouldn’t have to move alone.

In other words, it was a win-win situation.

Six months, two duplexes, three jobs, four random roommates and one phenomenal summer later, I can say with certainty that I absolutely made the right choice in moving up north. From the chilly weather (I hate the heat) to the constant line-up of excellent events (Flugtag, anyone?), the Twin Cities is just my style. And ever since I arrived, I’ve considered it my personal duty to experience as much of the area as possible. Which leads me to why I’m blogging here in the first place:

When you’re native to a particular city, it’s far too easy to take for granted everything that makes it such a wonderful place. Believe me, I know. And that’s why I write—not only to dish about what’s new, exciting and happening right now (though let’s face it, there’s always something new and exciting happening in the Twin Cities!), but to revisit the classics; to make you look twice out your car window; to bring light to forgotten neighborhood treasures; and to remind all of you Minnesota natives just how good you have it.

Which sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Why do you love the Twin Cities? Submit your ideas in the comments, or send me a message at [email protected].