Funny, if the North is such a utopia why are I-95, I-75, I-55 and I-35 clogged with southbound U-Hauls?
ADVANTAGES
Relatively low cost of living and real estate - I am able to afford two lakefront places, one on the north shore of Lake Superior and the other on an inland lake. Both year round homes with about 5 acres of wilderness and 300 ft of lakeshore. I could probably not afford this anywhere else that I know of.
Education - Two local public universities and a private one and Minnesota has an outstanding collection of small liberal arts colleges which are a little more affordable than out east
Safety/good place to raise kids/decent public schools
Climate (see also below) - Year round hunting and fishing possibilities. Climate is an advantage for those of us who like to be outdoors in the winter. Certainly not everyone.
Scenic beauty -'nuff said.
Outstanding healthcare virtually everywhere in the state. Duluth is a town of about 85K with a multispecialty clinic of over 300 physicians.
DISADVANTAGES
Remote - It's not the end of the earth but you can see it from here. Some limitations with airtravel, restaurants, retail sales, other niceties.
Taxes - Some of the highest state taxes in the nation.
Economy - This end of the state has not been as successful as the other end. Iron mining is on the downturn and shipping of wheat to foreign countries is much lower than it used to be. Not a lot of heavy industry or large employers to support the community.
Climate - (See above) - Winter can be rough if you sit inside all the time. The people that do the best up here get outside and take up physical activities.
Terminally democratic region I live in.