Why Duluth is a great place to live. (Minneapolis, Hermantown: rental, townhomes)

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Cooliner

I'd say that would be a tough mission... Most of the people I know in Minnesota can't even hear to talk about visiting Duluth, let alone move there...(of course, except students who go to college for a period of time there and then moves away).
Apparently, generaly speaking, I'd say most professionals prefer taking their chances in some other place souther or on the east or West Coast...

Sadly it is true.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by Cooliner
I'd say that would be a tough mission... Most of the people I know in Minnesota can't even hear to talk about visiting Duluth, let alone move there...(of course, except students who go to college for a period of time there and then moves away).
Apparently, generaly speaking, I'd say most professionals prefer taking their chances in some other place souther or on the east or West Coast...
Sadly it is true.

As far as visiting Duluth, more 3.5 million people visit annually. The city has seen 17 straight years of growth in the tourism industry. As far as professionals, within the next ten years as boomers retire, DEED (Dept. Employement and Economic Development) expects there to be 76,000 job openings and a labor shortage in Northern Minnesota. There are 27,000 college students and 36,000 highschool students. If everyone stayed, which they will not, there would still be job openings. I think Northern Minnesota is a good place to be rigth now as boomers begin to retire if you are looking for a job.

Here is a website employers have begun to use to advertise job openings and connect young professionals with employers. http://www.thenorthlandworks.org/index.php?p=1_1

Here is Deed's website refering to labor shortage: DEED: LMI Review / February 2008 / Regional Spotlight - Northeast

[Auntie Bob]

While there's some truth to everything you say, I think the same thing can be said about most any city in MN or...across the country. Rising crime certainly isn't unique to Duluth.

Actually, weatherwise I haven't seen a brutal winter in ages.
I do think our summers are getting a lot longer and hotter though. Of course, maybe that's just cuz I'm getting old and don't tolerate the heat as well as I once did.

I think there's good and bad everywhere. If you look hard enough, you'll find the one you are looking for.

It's really a shame that so many of our young people feel the need to leave, instead of staying around and actively trying to fix what they see as the problems. But, I guess that's the nature of youth.
I'm sure Duluth will welcome you back when you are ready to retire.

Originally Posted by missterijo

Crime. Crime has been increasing over the past five years at a very scary rate. I spent the first 12 years of my life in West Duluth and never thought twice about roaming around after dark or going on bike rides by myself.

Weather. For people with Seasonal Effective Disorder, Duluth is NOT the city for you. The sun isn't a common sight in Duluth. It seems as though a gray cloud permanantly resides over the city. Wind is another major factor. It's incredibly common to have an overcast day with a 25mph east wind making the wind chill about 45 degrees on a summer day. Summer - you don't get much of it in Duluth. Yes, there are three months alocated to what we call summer, but Duluth sees about one month worth of typical summer temperatures. And winter - it's brutal. Enough said.

Duluth still feels like "home" but it just seems darker, older and dingier than it was when I lived there. Once you leave and experience life in another setting, Duluth isn't all that appealing - especially for young/middle-aged people. I wouldn't mind retiring there someday, but for a 30 year old, Duluth isn't the place to be.

[brandy77]

One of the reasons I moved to Duluth is global warming. I'll take 75 degrees in July when most of the country is at 105, including inland Minnesota. I don't know what people are talking about when they speak negatively about the weather here. The weather is a lot worse in most parts of the country. Other than being a bit chilly in the winter (much worse inland), I'd say the weather here is downright moderate.

[brandy77]

You guys aren't seeing the trend of 30 year olds moving to Duluth. Being mentioned in national publications like Outside Magazine as a top outdoor town shows that this trend is increasing. If you're a 30 year old who is most interested in restaurants and art museums then Duluth may not be the place for you. If your a 30 year old who is interested in hiking, biking, running skiing, kayaking and climbing (like me) then Duluth is the place for you. Of course the economy is a big factor since we all need jobs to pay for our lives. I believe with the iron range boom, the collegiate growth, new leadership on a national level and other factors that the twin ports economy will steadily improve. I've lived in many towns around the country including places like Summit County and Boulder Colorado, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Missoula Montana, etc.. and Duluth has them beat. It's only a matter of time. Or maybe I'm a little too optimistic.....thanks Donny Ness....

[roneb]

Brandy77, I think you're absolutely right! I haven't lived in those specific locations, but have visited each and also lived in Bozeman, MT. What many in Duluth don't realize is just how blest they are with an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and more cultural opportunities than any of the locations you listed. And if you find yourself needing a hit of even more culture, Minneapolis/St Paul is a very short trip away. If the city relaxes its policies and becomes more welcoming to new business, things could really take off for Duluth!

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by roneb

Brandy77, I think you're absolutely right! I haven't lived in those specific locations, but have visited each and also lived in Bozeman, MT. What many in Duluth don't realize is just how blest they are with an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and more cultural opportunities than any of the locations you listed. And if you find yourself needing a hit of even more culture, Minneapolis/St Paul is a very short trip away. If the city relaxes its policies and becomes more welcoming to new business, things could really take off for Duluth!

I think the new mayor is more business friendly. He has already made changes in the planning and permitting department and has indicated he is open for change. Donn Ness, the mayor, is a member of FUSE Duluth the fomer Young Professionals Orginization. I think all of these point to a more business frinedly attitude in Duluth. The other issue is working with the unions as the unions have such a stranglehold here.

[blessteve]

Lets add great surfing in April to the list.

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by brandy77

I don't know what people are talking about when they speak negatively about the weather here. The weather is a lot worse in most parts of the country. I'd say the weather here is downright moderate.

So... the weather in Duluth is better than most parts of the country? Downright moderate, eh? I don't think too many people, even Duluth supporters like me, are going to agree with those statements.
Was this an April Fool's Day joke (a few days late), or are you confusing Duluth Minn. with Duluth Georgia ???

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by mrkool

So... the weather in Duluth is better than most parts of the country? Downright moderate, eh? I don't think too many people, even Duluth supporters like me, are going to agree with those statements.
Was this an April Fool's Day joke (a few days late), or are you confusing Duluth Minn. with Duluth Georgia ???

If only it was an April Fool's day joke. Duluth's weather is anyhting but moderate. I love Duluth-but even I get sick of the snow and cold at this time of the year.