Why Duluth is a great place to live. (Marshall, Hermantown: neighborhoods, construction)

[newkid21]

Originally Posted by kizzeith

As a new transplant to Duluth, I recommend that anyone moving here either check out the neighborhoods before buying/renting, or if that can't be done, stay on the East Side (at least 15 blocks east)

I will be moving to Duluth in the fall to start school. I have heard that I should stay away from the West Side when looking for an apartment. What does the West Side entail? Is it near UMD? I have been there for a weekend, but have no idea what areas are what yet. Any help would be appreciated.

[aluminumpork]

The West End as a whole has generally a bad reputation, but I wouldn't let it scare you too much. There are plenty of nice little neighborhoods that have no problems at all. Usually you can tell which are good and which are bad just by driving through. Housing will be significantly cheaper out there as well and there are plenty of very nice duplexes.

Are far as close to UMD, you'd definitely want anywhere in Woodland (in the East end). All areas of Woodland are quite safe with an abundance of college house.

The only area I would really steer you clear of is Central Hillside (a few blocks above downtown). It's by far the worst area of Duluth. Again though, housing is extremely cheap there, and many of the apartments I had looked at were actually quite nice on the inside. Most completely remodeled, with rent for 2 bedrooms usually starting at around $500 - $600. No matter where you live you can ride the bus for free if you're at UMD. UMD is smack dab in the middle of Woodland, so I would take that into consideration.

Good luck!

[winter_wisteria]

i am not sure what some of the posters really know of duluth. it used to be a great place to live, but now people are moving there from all over and making it a very different place. depending on employment, housing may or may not be affordable. jobs are not always available especially ones that pay well. i go home every other summer, the weather is always unpredictable. to get some info you can go to city-data.com and to see a wonderful website check out northernimages.com.

being born and raised there was wonderful, and i do consider moving back but only because it is my home and always will be. i like the crazy weather and i LOVE the lake.

the city has changed in many ways, i don't like the way downtown was changed years ago. i feel the city loses money by not having meters for canal park and that folks can park all day and its free, which is great if you got the parking place!

all in all duluth is good, clean, cold, the lake has moods which is wonderful to watch.

good luck on all the moves if you choose to go north.

[winter_wisteria]

i have to say that the Y needs to be updated. perhaps they could afford to build a new one! where i live there are 8-10 Y's and they are in great condition. i think the town needs to have more for "average income" families. how about an indoor water park (not in the hotel, too pricey)? if you are not an outdoors person what is there really to do? drinking is one hobby that is overdone. gambling?

there was a poster who liked two harbors...meth problem (like many other places).

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by winter_wisteria

i have to say that the Y needs to be updated. perhaps they could afford to build a new one!

Well, the YMCA has started a renovation a couple months ago and has already remodeled their waiting room and various offices. They have planned major renovations on their locker rooms and changing entire floors. They are also connecting it to the skywalk system. They received a grant for all of this.

[winter_wisteria]

i am glad to hear/read that, i also think hermantown should open one.

[roneb]

newkid21, I spent a lot of time in Duluth looking at a business opportunity (which unfortunately didn't pan out), and I'd go with aluminumpork's advice on central hillside being the only real place to avoid. West side, while more industrial and "gritty", gets a bum wrap, there are still nice neighborhoods there. Of course, it all depends on what you're used to. If you're from a quiet small town you might find it's bad. But if you're from anyplace larger you'll find the whole city great. I'm from Portland, OR (which I consider a safe city for the most part) and Duluth really doesn't have any safety/crime problems that compare. Yes, if you're a life long resident, you might think it's turned into drug and crime infested place. But in the big picture, if you've live in other cities, you know Duluth is great. Give me a chance for a career opportunity in Duluth and I'd be in heaven! I STILL check job listings there regularly!

For those who say "But you're not from Duluth" please note: I took investigating the business opportunity very seriously and I talked to EVERYONE I could - Police, city officials, businessmen, people on the street, and kids playing in their front yard. I got universally positive feedback on Duluth, with the exception of one high school student anxious to get out of town.

[aluminumpork]

Good post roneb. I'm a life long resident of Duluth but feel I have a different look on things because of my age. I'm a young Duluthian, but *gasp*, love this town. For this reason, I haven't seen the change some older residents have seen. But from the perspective of a young person growing up, things have gotten better. There are more things to do, things are feeling and looking more modern and up to date every day and as far as crime, I guess I just haven't been exposed to it to feel it as a problem. I still consider Duluth a great place to live and work, but I do understand how people have trouble finding jobs here. I didn't have any trouble, probably because I grew up here and built the necessary connections over the years. Most people don't have that opportunity.

[dhmn69]

I don't live *IN* Duluth, but frequent it all winter for UMD Men's and Women's hockey.. that's why Duluth is a great place to go to. I haven't lived there so I can't say it's a great place to live or not.

[K-Pac]

Thank you to all who appreciate Duluth. Yes I too complain about the weather, but if you work with it you can have the time of your life! At one of my jobs I meet so many housewives of doctors that move here and complain, complain, complain. No shopping, no this, no that. Get a life ladies! No offense, I would love to have your money and be able to stay home with the kids, but seriously, get a hobby. I shop online and play outside! No matter how crappy the weather is there is always something to do. Get involved in your community, focus on activities with your children. Start a sport that'd you'd never consider trying just to meet people. Go kayaking or something. Just don't go to get your hair done and complain to your stylist who just so happens to choose to live here! And loves it! Duluth rocks!