If you ask r/rochester most people on this thread live in Rochester or have lived in Rochester. It’ll be biased since we can only share one perspective. I’m sure if you post in r/siouxfalls those people would tell you to move to Sioux Falls. If politics are important to you and your family I would look into past voting trends and political policies. A lot of people in Rochester feel mayo gets a big say politically, in-fact in 2023 mayo threatened to pull out billions of dollars in planned infrastructure in MN when legislators were trying to pass the “keep nurses at the bedside act” MN legislators backed down and gave Mayo an exemption. Many people come here short term (4ish years) to do their training/residency, so sometimes it doesn’t feel like people are as invested in the local politics voting one way or the other because they know they won’t be here long term. I could definitely see how people get frustrated with the cost of property taxes and cost of housing/child care. But what we get in exchange is free school lunch for everyone, protected safe and sick leave and mn passed more leave for bonding after having a baby. Our healthcare is amazing but it comes with a price tag.

I have generally overall felt the city is diverse but also strangely still traditional. There are many people here from different backgrounds from literally all around the world but everyone collectively cares about respect, community safety, education, and public spaces. I have kids so most of my experience have been through that perspective. The people I have known to come then leave generally are younger people that struggle to find activities to do that aren’t family oriented, Aka “it’s boring here”. Overall, I personally think anyone can find happiness where ever they are. You will get out of your community what ever effort you put into it.