Love it or hate it, winter is an inescapable reality of living year-round in Minnesota. Last week we dared to look at Minnesota's Ten Favorite Things About Winter, and in fairness, today we flip the coin.

Winter gets a bad rap, and sure it's a bit too long -- but getting out and enjoying all it has to offer is the key to surviving (and even thriving). Nonetheless, there are things about the long, dark season that many of us could do without.

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Yes, hockey, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cozy fires, the holidays, and skiing are all wonderful  -- but the biggest benefit of winter is the appreciation it gives us for spring and summer. (In some parts of the country they might call that cruel and unusual punishment.)

Honorable mention: Frozen toes, car troubles, high heating bills, and dry skin.

I'm not a winter hater, although it's about a month too long. Take a month off winter and tack it onto summer and Minnesota's climate would be just about perfect.

The 25 Best Places to Live in Minnesota

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

Stay Overnight in a Stone Castle in Minnesota

 

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