Minneapolis skyline

Living in Minneapolis

As a Carlson School student, you'll find yourself in a flourishing business community, located in a region noted for exceptional quality of life.

Join a Thriving Community

The Minneapolis area is nationally acclaimed for its quality of life and abundance of entertainment offerings. You'll find everything you could want in city life here. Enjoy world-class museums, professional sports teams, great food, fantastic music, and an abundance of green space. Minneapolis is truly a great place to live.

#3

best city in America for mental health

#2

happiest state

#7

best state for business

TCF Bank Stadium

Sports

Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to several professional sports teams: the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx, Wild, and United FC play in some of the country's most state-of-the-art stadiums.  Get active yourself at the University's world-class recreation center, or in one of dozens of intramural sports leagues. 

Sailboats on the Water

Recreation

Green space amid city living: Outdoor amenities in the area surrounding the Carlson School campus include more than 170 parks (nearly 17% of the city), 120 miles of bike trails, and of course, lakes. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 lakes, and beaches, boating, and fishing are always nearby.

Cherry Spoon with Skyline in Background

Arts & Culture

The Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Guthrie Theater are a few of the cultural icons in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In addition, the U of M boasts the Weisman Art Museum, the Bell Museum (natural history and planetarium), the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and more.

Minneapolis

Dining & Nightlife

The best-kept secret in the Midwest, the #5 Best Food City in America (Time Magazine) offers countless tasty destinations for food lovers. The craft beer scene includes dozens of modern taprooms. Clubs like the legendary First Avenue concert venue provide plenty of entertainment.

Moving to Minneapolis

Housing at the University of Minnesota

Housing

  • Living Near Campus: The Carlson School is surrounded by several distinct and welcoming neighborhoods. The majority of Carlson School's students choose to live off-campus. View Off-Campus Living Website.
  • Living On Campus: As one of the largest universities in the country, the University of Minnesota has plenty of on-campus housing options for students. Housing options range from residence halls to groups of students with similar academic or cultural interests living together in tight-knit Living Learning Communities. View Housing & Residential Life
  • Living in Surrounding Areas: Some students choose to live in nearby cities outside of Minneapolis.
Transportation at the University of Minnesota ( Light Rail)

Transportation

  • Bike: This is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation. Pedal your own wheels or hop on a Nice Ride rental.
  • Bus & Light Rail: Free shuttles will carry you everywhere on campus, while buses and light rail take you swiftly around the Twin Cities. Public transit is the most inexpensive way of getting to campus, and students can purchase a deeply discounted transit pass for 24/7 unlimited access to the system.
  • Drive to School: Drive to campus and park in one of the many lots around the Carlson School. Contract parking passes are also available to students each semester.

Explore More: Additional Resources

For more information on life in Minneapolis, including restaurants, sports, arts, nightlife, and outdoor activities, check out: