With a population of more than 125,000, Rochester and its surrounding suburban communities have the livable qualities of a medium-size town while offering many big-city amenities. It's a dynamic Midwestern city that combines friendliness and geographical compactness with a cosmopolitan flavor. Money magazine has ranked Rochester as "among the top three best places to live" in the United States, based on its overall high quality of life, excellent schools, reasonable cost of living and affordable housing market. Students have long praised Rochester as a friendly, diverse and safe community, where both single and married people thrive. It’s an ideal city for making friends and raising families. Rochester offers a stimulating combination of arts and entertainment, education and a four-season calendar of sports and recreation. The city is the region’s shopping hub, with 25 shopping centers, more than 500 stores and a farmer’s market. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are an easy 75-minute drive to the north - providing access to metropolitan shopping, sporting and cultural events and dining. Among the Twin Cities’ many attractions are the nationally recognized Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Walker Art Center and Mall of America. Both Big 10 and professional baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams are based in the Twin Cities. Chicago is just 350 miles, or a 45-minute air flight from Rochester.