Our state continues to receive high rankings in national surveys. In the 2007 Most Livable State Ranking, Minnesota came in second, right behind New Hampshire. This rating is based on 44 factors like crime rates, unemployment rates and per capita gross state product, with factors given equal weight. (http://www.morganquinto.com/sr07mlrnk.htm, accessed April, 2007)
Twin Cities are the second best metro area for business location, according to Expansion Management. Rankings compared 362 metropolitan statistical areas in quality of life, public education, health care cost and availability, and metros reputation among prestigious corporate site location consultants. ( Where Are the Best Metros for Future Business Locations?, Expansion Management, July/August, 2006)
Kiplingers Personal Finance magazine ranks the Twin Cities the second best place to live. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area ranks highly for its wide variety of leisure activities, highly educated population, diverse economy and affordability. (50 Smart Places to Live, Kiplingers Personal Finance, June 1, 2006.)
Taxes are an integral part of life. 
No one likes to pay them, but we all understand that we need to contribute our share. Over 47% of the state's revenue in Minnesota comes from income tax (individual and corporate) followed by the general sales tax of close to 30%. Personal income tax rate ranges from 5.35% to 7.85%. The corporate rate is 9.80%. General sales tax is 6.5% (in Hennepin county it is 6.65%, as we are paying for the new stadiopum for the Minnesota Twins baseball team), however certain items like essential food, clothing and shoe purchases are exempt from tax.
In 2003, the state ranked 11th in the country in terms of tax burden on tax payers. Our property taxes pay for majority of public education bill. School districts work hard on balancing their budgets in order to continue to improve the level of education and quality of staff they hire. And, we do have excellent schools at all levels.
When considering Minnesota for your relocation destination, use this site to compare our state with others:
Minnesota Department of Education announced recently that, according to the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released by the National Center for Education Statistics, African-American and Hispanic students narrowed the achievement gap in reading and math. The NAEP, given nationally to fourth and eighth graders, also showed Minnesota students again surpassing the national average in reading and mathematics.
Read MN Dept of Education press release here http://education.state.mn.us/mde/groups/Communications/documents/Announcement/032482.pdf
In Minnesota, we are lucky to have a publication dedicated to promoting our education and our schools.
It is Schoolhouse Magazine. The publication contains a very comprehensive description of schools and schools districts, including a very important data regarding teacher/ student ratios, student test scores, as well as teacher level of education. Parents can make their initial decision regarding the district, but also learn more about the differences between the public and the private education in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. 
If you are a parent relocating into the metro area, check out these tips on how to choose the right schools for your child:
5 Steps To Choosing The Right School For Your Child
1. Location - is the school located with a comfortable distance from your home or work?
2. Your child's learning and social needs - does the schools curriculum provide a variety of class choices that will enable your child to get the well rounded education?
3. Communication between school and parents - does it match your style?
4. Narrow the list of possible choices to 3-5. Visit these schools during a normal day, if possible. Observe the staff and the students.
5. Research the school of your choice. If possible, talk to parents of current or recent students and collect their feedback.
For more detailed checklist go to http://www.schoolhousemagazine.com/printablechecklist.html
For individual school listings, go to:
View Minnesota Public Schools at http://www.schoolhousemagazine.com/school_listing_public.asp
View Minnesota Private Schools at http://www.schoolhousemagazine.com/school_listing_private.asp
View Minnesota Charter Schools at http://www.schoolhousemagazine.com/school_listing_charter.html
View Minnesota Child Education and Special Development Schools at http://www.schoolhousemagazine.com/links_preschool.asp
Minnesota is rich in opportunities for higher learning. From state schools, like the University of Minnesota, 
to private colleges, like the University of St. Thomas, we provide high quality education and research. 
Students come from other states and foreign countries to the University of Minnesota reach their goals of getting a degree from this school.
For the map of major private colleges in Minnesota go to http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/colleges/locations.php
For the map of major state colleges in Minnesota go to http://www.mnscu.edu/students/index.html
If you are relocating to the Twin City area, go to www.LivingInTwinCities.info for a current copy of the Schoolhouse Magazine and the relocation package.
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