Definitely something you have to decide on your own in the end.

I live in Minnesota. I typically refer to it as a blurple state. Externally it may have seen as solidly blue but internally it’s a bit more contested. Not uncommon for one of the chambers of the state legislature to be red (house is +2 R and senate is +1 D right now). Hasn’t been a Republican governor in a while but it’s not impossible.

It’s still probably one of the safest states. The Republican party isn’t as bad as in other places. Even if they gained power it’s unlikely the same laws and policies other places are currently experiencing will be implemented here quickly.

The ICE protests will eventually end (Or we’ll have much bigger issues on a national level). But Minnesota does have a lot of racial inequality and tension. There will probably be a continuing cycle of protest on those issues. Just hopefully not intentionally inflamed by the federal government. And honestly I think that’s a good thing. People feel confident enough that they can protest and things will change. There’s hope for a future.

There are places outside The Cities too. Rochester is a good size city and home if Mayo and has a surprisingly technology sector with IBM. Duluth is surprise maritime city in the middle of a continent but I don’t actually know much about their economy or culture. Tons of medium to large towns. Honestly entirely too many for me to go over. Each of them unique.

I’m prone to giggle fits now. Which is wonderful except I have a small child who occasionally triggers them and it can be absolutely debilitating sometimes.