From snowstorms to summer trails, this Midwestern hub finds joy in community, nature, and Nordic roots.
MINNEAPOLIS — On paper, it shouldn’t work. Long, brutal winters. Scorching, sticky summers. A city hundreds of miles from the coasts. But somehow, Minneapolis keeps ending up near the top of global happiness rankings and in 2025, it did again.
This year, the Happy Cities Index gave Minneapolis a rare “Gold” rating, putting it alongside places like Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm. It was one of only two U.S. cities to reach that tier New York being the other. So what’s the secret?
Locals point to something deeper than the skyline or standard of living. They say it’s about people, place, and a deep-rooted sense of purpose.
“It might sound odd to people who’ve never been here,” said Steven Rothberg, a longtime resident who moved from Winnipeg in the 1980s. “But even in the dead of winter, people are out walking, skiing, biking. We embrace the seasons. That’s part of the joy.”
Minneapolis, and the broader state of Minnesota, has long been tied to Scandinavia. In the mid-1800s, waves of Norwegians, Finns and Swedes came here fleeing famine and religious persecution. Today, the region is home to the largest population of Nordic descendants outside Europe and some of their traditions stuck.
Community values, a connection to nature, and a stoic sense of optimism shape life here. “There’s a resilience in people,” said Kristine Barron, a wedding photographer who often shoots in city parks. “They make the most of every season. And we’re lucky to have so much green space to enjoy.”
Indeed, the city is packed with it 22 lakes, 180 parks, and miles of interconnected biking and walking trails. Many of those trails are reclaimed from old rail lines. What used to carry freight now carries joggers and commuters.
“The Rails-to-Trails system is one of the city’s best features,” Rothberg said. “You can get almost anywhere without needing to ride on a main road. It’s safe, peaceful, and used all year.”
That helped Minneapolis earn top marks in the Index’s environmental category, which looked at green spaces, pollution levels, and sustainability. The city’s 51-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway loops past rivers, parks, and lakes giving residents a natural escape just steps from their homes.
But the city’s appeal isn’t just in its beauty. It also ranked high in education and economy. Nearly one in four residents holds a master’s degree. One in five speaks more than one language. And while housing is not cheap, it’s still more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Kristen Montag, a spokesperson for Meet Minneapolis, says it’s the people who hold it all together. “The policies are welcoming, and so are the communities,” she said. “Whether you’re born here or brand new, it doesn’t take long to feel at home.”
Still, Minneapolis is not without its wounds.
Five years after the killing of George Floyd, the city continues to reckon with its history and present. Each May, it hosts the Rise & Remember Festival a gathering focused on healing through art, remembrance, and activism.
“It’s a reminder of what we’ve been through and what we still need to work on,” Barron said. “But it also shows the heart of this place that when things are hard, people come together.”
And maybe that, more than anything, is what keeps this city smiling. Not perfection. But connection.
“Minneapolis isn’t always easy,” Rothberg said. “But it feels good to live somewhere that tries to be kind.”
