Nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian, the Midwest covers the central-north portion of the country. It comprises 12 states namely, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The Midwest is like a potful of delicious food that has the right kind of textures and spices added to it. The lively cities, sprawling farmlands, mouth watering food, vibrant diversity and culture, tight-knit community, and the overall quality of life all sum up to make the life of the residents of the Midwest quite perfect. Want to know what it is like to move to the Midwest? Let’s find out!
Reasons to Move to the Midwest
1. The Diverse Geography
The breathtaking geography of the Midwest ensures that one will fall in love with this region instantly. Although a major proportion of this region is covered with lush green plains and big, beautiful ranches and farmlands, some areas have some majestic rock formations as well.
There is no dearth of nature and it can be experienced by the locals in different ways. There are some really stunning state parks that have several pretty hiking and biking trails, canyons, etc. In fact, places like Badlands National Park (South Dakota) also house a wide and impressive variety of wild animals.
The relaxing water bodies like The Great Lakes and the rivers like the Ohio River and the Mississippi River run through these states. Outdoors is a great place to be in and the locals are rather lucky to be living in such a beautiful place.
2. The Affordability of the Region
When compared to the highly expensive cities that are situated on the West and the East Coast, you will realize that the Midwestern states offer a pretty affordable lifestyle. This is so because a lot of people move to bigger metropolitan cities like New York City, leaving behind a lot of space for the Midwestern residents.
The Midwestern region has a lot of cities and smaller towns that aren’t densely and overly populated. Citizens can park for free, the traffic is less, fuel and food is relatively cheaper and the taxes tend to be lower as well. States like Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, etc., are some of the most affordable states to move to.
3. Education is Priority
The Midwestern region is home to some of the most prestigious schools and colleges in the country. As a result of this, the midwestern states tend to be one of the best places to move to if you are planning to start a family. There are some excellent public schools like School District of Clayton in Clayton (MO), Community High School District No. 128 in Vernon Hills (IL), and New Trier Township High School District No. 203 in Northfield (IL), that impart education of great quality.
Carmel (IN), Bowling Green (OH), Minnetonka (MN), etc., are some of the other cities that house one of the best public school systems in the country. To add to that, the Midwest also witnesses an influx of college students due to the top-notch colleges that are situated there. Some of the best midwestern universities are as follows.
- Northwestern University
- University of Chicago
- University of Michigan
- The University of Notre Dame
4. Numerous Job Opportunities
The Midwest is bustling with job opportunities and it is one of the best places to start your career in the country. The region has become a tech hub as numerous tech companies like The Mom Project, Cameo, etc., have achieved a lot of success operating out of here.
The Midwest is also one of the best places to start a business of your own. Apart from that, the agriculture sector, finance, manufacturing industries, and mining industry also offer a lot of jobs to the residents of the Midwest.
Also Read: U.S. Cities for Job Seekers
5. Attractive Big Cities
America’s Heartland i.e., the Midwest is known to house some of the most incredible cities. All these cities have a lot to offer to the Midwestern residents, be it theaters, art galleries, restaurants, jobs, museums, and whatnot! One can experience a midwestern lifestyle with an urban twist if they stay in these cities.
The best part is that although these cities are big and beautiful, in no way are they congested and suffocating. There are a lot of places for everyone. Want to know what cities we are talking about? Have a look at the following list.
- Chicago, IL
- Kansas City, MO
- Minneapolis, MN
- Omaha, NE
- Indianapolis, IN
- Detroit, MI
- Milwaukee, WI
- St. Louise, MO
6. Low Crime Rates
You can tick off the safety checkbox while moving to the Midwest because it is comparatively a safe region to stay in. The crime rates in the Midwest are low and the chances of one being a victim of murder, rape, assault, etc., is rather less.
The reason for this might be the fact that the midwestern cities and towns aren’t as densely populated. A larger population generally has more criminals and for some reason, regions with a sound economy and smaller population experience fewer crimes.
Also See: 7 Safest Cities In The US
7. Variety in Weather
The residents of the Midwest get to experience all seasons to the fullest. Although spring tends to be wet, the autumn landscapes are stunning. Similarly, winters tend to be frigid cold whereas their summers are glorious.
The locals can enjoy a lot of outdoor activities in the summers. Sunbathing is taken very seriously here. Due to the abundance of lakes (especially in Minnesota), rivers, and beaches (especially in Michigan), you can simply take out their boat and go for a ride, go kayaking or even go swimming.
8. Food is to Die For
If you are moving to the Midwest, prepare to fall in love with food all over again. You might have to bid farewell to your diet plan because you won’t be able to resist the delicious, mouthwatering food items that the Midwest has to offer. There are so many food items to try out that even one lifetime won’t seem enough for you.
You can go on a food spree and try out the cheese curds, deep-dish pizzas, St. Louis BBQ, Cincinnati Chili, puppy chow, Indy sugar cream pies, Chicago-style hot dogs, smores, milkshakes, Ohio Buckeye buckeyes, and the list goes on. You can also find some of the iconic dishes like deep-fried corn on the cob, elephant ears, deep-fried twinkies, and spaghetti on a stick at their grand state fairs. Be ready to go restaurant hopping once you move there!
9. Locally Brewed Beer
If you move to the Midwest, you cannot possibly miss out on the highly-rated local breweries. The Midwesterners are envied for the amount of craft beer they have access to due to these local breweries. Some of the best beer comes from here and if that doesn’t make you want to move her, then we don’t know what will!
10. The Vibrant Cultural Scene
Music and art are the life and soul of the Midwesterners. Summers in the Midwestern witness crowds of people attending the various music festivals that are organized here. You simply cannot resist the high-spirited energy running through these festivals.
Similarly, the Midwest is heaven on earth for art lovers. You can expect to attend several art festivals and visit some fantastic museums here. Cleveland is one of the places that has grown in popularity due to its art scene. It houses the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and also some other galleries and museums that display contemporary art. These exhibits are a must-visit for each and every art lover.
Also Read: Top Cities for Music Lovers
11. The Magnificent State Fairs and Amusement Parks
The Midwestern population organizes some of the best and enjoyable fairs in the country. If you move there, don’t be surprised to see heaps of people coming from different parts of the country to attend this grand celebration. These fairs often represent and celebrate the food and the agricultural roots of the Midwestern states. Some of the hard to miss state fairs are:
- Ohio State Fair
- Iowa State Fair
- Wisconsin State Fair
- Minnesota State Fair
- Indiana State Fair.
To add to all this, the Midwest is also quite big on carnivals and amusement parks. Many state and out-of-state residents often flock to these amusement parks during the summers and make the most of all the amazing rides that are there. The words Cedar Point make every American’s heart skip a beat! Located in Sandusky, Ohio, it is one of the oldest amusement parks in the USA. It grew in popularity because it has some of the tallest roller coasters, isn’t that fun?
Also Read: Moving To Iowa – Relocation Guide | Moving to Wisconsin
12. The Great Lakes
Any water baby would have the time of his/her life in the Midwest. Did you know that the Midwest actually has the largest freshwater system on Earth? The Great Lakes are not only spectacular to look at, but they also offer the locals a great coastal living experience.
The residents of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Minnesota are particularly lucky in this aspect. Covering almost 750 miles, Lake Superior, Ontario, Ernie, Huron, and Michigan give all the locals a chance to go sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, and enjoy all the water sports during the summers.
13. High-Spirited, Friendly Community
The Midwesterners enjoy quite a laid-back and stress-free lifestyle which actually reflects in their behavior. The community staying here is rather humble, warm, and welcoming to all. Strong family values are inculcated into its residents at a very young age and the locals love to stay in tight-knit communities. Don’t be surprised if every other stranger makes eye contact and smiles at you while you are roaming in the streets of one of the Midwestern states.
14. Die-Hard Sports Fans
It is hard to stay in the Midwest and not be a fan of sports. You will most likely be familiar with the following names: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Chiefs, etc. It is not surprising that most of the popular professional sports teams come from this region.
If this wasn’t enough, you will be happy to know that the sports culture in the midwestern colleges is quite intense as well. There are many well-known college teams like Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and Kansas Jayhawks that have a great fan following.
One more interesting thing about the Midwest is that tailgating is taken rather seriously here. Most of the locals love football and it’s hard to find anyone (be it a guy, girl, older adults, or young fellows) who hasn’t tailgated even once in their lives. Tailgating is a fun pastime and most people do it even if some of them might not be sports fans.
15. Fashion On Point
Many people expect big cities like New York to be ranked as one of the most fashionable places in the USA. But, whoever says this without even thinking about the Midwest has clearly never been on a shopping spree in the Midwestern region. The Mall of America that is found in Minnesota houses 4 miles of retail stores for shoppers!
The cherry on the top of all this has to be the fact that you don’t even have to pay sales tax there. Not only this, but the state also hosts a fashion week every year. All of this will certainly appeal to the fashion diva in you!
Also See: Benefits Of Country Living
FAQs
Where should I move in the Midwest?
A move tends to be the beginning of a big change in your life. If you wish to live your life comfortably in the Midwest, here are some of the cities you should consider moving to.
- Springfield, IL
- Jefferson City, MO
- Fargo, ND
- Bloomington, IL
- Ames, IA
- Des Moines, IA
- La Crosse, WI
- Lincoln, NE
- Lansing, MI
- Columbus, IN
What is the best Midwest state to live in?
Indiana is the best Midwest State to live in. The scenic landscape just takes your heart away. The cities offer lots of job opportunities and there are several college towns scattered across the state.
Final Thoughts
We are sure that you have found enough reasons to move to the Midwest after reading this article. A lot of things are attractive in the Midwest and we believe that you will have a very fulfilling life after moving to one of those states. It is advisable to finalize a state and then look into where exactly you would like to stay. Don’t forget to read up on the cost of living and other details about the neighborhood you are about to move to before doing anything else!
See Also: List of Best Cross Country Movers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Midwest a good place to live?
This great region offers a diverse range of landscapes and cultures. There are plenty of small towns with unique charm, from University Heights in Iowa or Westwood Kansas; plus its suburbs consistently rank at top spots for living quality across America!
Is it cheaper to live in the Midwest?
Midwestern cities in the United States are cheaper to live in than other places. On average, you can save $3,098 on rent and $4,454 on mortgage payments annually if you live there.
What’s life like in the Midwest?
Many people are moving to the Midwest because of its reasonable cost of living, vast open spaces, a leisurely pace of life. Many individuals have been lured to the Midwest from other areas due to its friendly people, cheap land, and a stress-free lifestyle that differs from other US regions.
Why is it cheap to live in the Midwest?
Most of the Midwest has more land. This means that land is cheaper here than in other places like coasts or the top five biggest cities in the US.
What is the cheapest Midwest state?
Minnesota is the cheapest of the Midwest states, and it’s also among the least expensive places to live in America. It has a low cost of living and low unemployment rates while at the same time providing good infrastructure and abundant natural resources.
What is a Midwestern personality?
The Midwest is a region of the United States where people are friendly and conventionally religious.
What state is the heart of the Midwest?
The state that defines this region by pure geography and common usage alike is Illinois or Iowa because they’re central to all other states within the Midwest.
What food is the Midwest famous for?
The Midwest is famous for its use of spices and creative concepts in its cuisine. The Midwestern States epitomize America’s love affair with hearty, time-worn regional cooking.
What is good about the Midwest?
The Midwest is the heart of America. The region’s history is fascinating because it has seen so many different people come in and settle here. You will find small towns with churches at their center; you will find close-knit communities and an emphasis on family values. As a result, you’ll also see regional foods traditionally found in these areas.
Why is the Midwest crucial?
The Midwest is a region of great significance to America. Not only does it have one-third of the nation’s farmland but also an incredible amount of manufacturing production! The climate and natural resources in this area make for healthy living conditions, which contribute significantly towards its economy – not just through farming or industrial sectors either; you’ll find skilled workers all around here.
Which man-made landmark is in the Midwest?
The Gateway Arch is in the Midwest and was inaugurated on August 27, 1965. Unexpectedly, it has become a symbol of American goals and aspirations.
What is the fastest-growing city in the Midwest?
Columbus is the fastest-growing city in the Midwest. With a median household income of $65,819, the cost of living at 92% of the national average, and home prices are considerably lower than comparable metros.
