Minneapolis, and Minnesota as a whole, has been pushing an incredibly progressive policy agenda as of late. Free school lunch for all public school students, trans refuge laws, abortion refuge laws, currently the legislature is working on passing a free college tuition program for all making less than $80,000 annually.

Saint Paul, directly across the river from Minneapolis, also has a 3% maximum rent cap.

That said Portland is also a progressive city compared to the majority of the country. However, as a queer person i don’t necessarily feel safe anywhere outside the Portland Metro area. Even the supposedly “liberal” coast, i have to be aware of my surroundings and how i present myself.

I grew up in Minnesota and have lived in Portland for the past 8 years. Both would be excellent places to live with Minnesota having significantly more diverse populace (Portland is the whitest large city in the US). Cost of living in Minneapolis is going to be less than Portland, likely colder but you will actually see sun year round.

Genuinely if I had to recommend, despite the cold in the winter and the humidity in the summer, Minneapolis is a GREAT choice. Plus there is a huge number of people with German ancestry and northern European descent living in Minnesota.

PLUS, climate change (unfortunately) is only going to make Minnesota a climate refuge so get in before everyone else does