Why Duluth is a great place to live. (Minneapolis, Rochester: loans, school)

[mudmuffin]

Aw, let's all confess, if it wasn't for the long cold winters, springs and falls we'd all move up to Duluth. Then it would be ruined because we'd all be living there.

That said, I love the North Shore and Duluth.

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by traillover

After reading some negative posts about Duluth, I feel obligated to respond. The Duluth bashing typically comes from people that have lived here for 20 years or more and have limited or no experience living anywhere else. This is an important point. If you have never lived anywhere else, it is difficult to compare one city to another. My wife and I have lived in numerous cities and find Duluth to be among the best places to live, for us. A place to live has to fit your individual lifestyle and interests, what is great for one person may not be for another.

Duluth offers some of the best outdoor recreation of any city in the country. It was (for the 2nd time) voted one of the best cities to live in by Outside Magazine in the current issue (August 2007). It has amazing scenery, tons of wonderful trails (non-motorized and motorized) and parks, and some of the cleanest air in the country. There is no rush hour, great shops, a wonderful food co-op, good restaurants and affordable housing. The job market isn't stellar, but what town of 85,000 has a really strong market? I have definitely seen worse and there are jobs available. There was recently an article in the local newspaper about the lack of qualified people to fill professional positions (architects and engineers in particular). Health care and education are the biggest employers here. If you're an entrepreneur, there are opportunities. Duluth has historically been a union town with a mining background. That is still prevelant, but I think it's declining. Because of that, there is more of an employee mentaility. In other words, I think most people want to work for someone instead of start their own business and work for themselves. Tourism is a big part of the local economy. The people here are great. Not just superficial nice, but a place where you can develop quality relationships. Sure, there are issues - but what city doesn't have them? Crime is maybe a bit worse than average for a town this size but isn't a major issue.

The weather in Duluth....The summer highs are in the 70's and 80's with the occasional 90+. This is typically June through early September. Fall and Spring are short but nice. The winters are long and cold, no doubt. Most people are still active during these times and you will see people running, skiing, and riding bike all winter long. The town does not shut down and most people embrace winter. Snow can be on the ground from December (maybe November) through sometime in April.

I hope these few things help people considering a move, or just a visit, to our great town.

A very good contribution and I just rated you positively. What approximately is the average temperature in DULUTH during the winter? Just curious. Thank you.

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by Rikrich

A very good contribution and I just rated you positively. What approximately is the average temperature in DULUTH during the winter? Just curious. Thank you.

At the airport:

(daily high / daily low)

November: 35.2 / 20.7
December: 22.3 / 5.6
January: 17.9 / -1.2
February: 24.4 / 5.1
March: 34.2 / 16.5

At the harbor:

(daily high / daily low / daily mean)

November: 37.2 / 23.7
December: 24.5 / 8.8
January: 19.6 / 1.1
February: 25.8 / 7.4
March: 34.5 / 18.3

From personal experience, I would say daily highs in the 10's and 20's dominate during December, January, and February. Warm days in the 30's usually occur at least a few times in December and February, while cold days in the 0's are very common in January and February, and some don't even rise above 0°, even with totally clear skies. Each winter usually has at least one painful cold spell: in 2006 - 2007 it was in late January and early February. Looking at the Weather Undeground records, the temperature fell below 0° on the evening of February 1st, briefly rose above 0° the next day, fell back below at 4:35 pm (this is on the 2nd), and did not rebound above 0° F until 12:55 pm on the 6th....that's 92 hours below 0°. The high on the 4th was just -10° ; and this was -10° with 15 mph winds. I remember having to walk up the stairs of St. Scholastica that morning, the temperature around -25° and winds howling. Not pleasant.

However, most days aren't that bad. But such cold spells are not especially rare. The NWS records show over a month and a half without a single day rising above freezing in 2003 - 2004.

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

At the airport:

(daily high / daily low)

November: 35.2 / 20.7
December: 22.3 / 5.6
January: 17.9 / -1.2
February: 24.4 / 5.1
March: 34.2 / 16.5

At the harbor:

(daily high / daily low / daily mean)

November: 37.2 / 23.7
December: 24.5 / 8.8
January: 19.6 / 1.1
February: 25.8 / 7.4
March: 34.5 / 18.3

From personal experience, I would say daily highs in the 10's and 20's dominate during December, January, and February. Warm days in the 30's usually occur at least a few times in December and February, while cold days in the 0's are very common in January and February, and some don't even rise above 0°, even with totally clear skies. Each winter usually has at least one painful cold spell: in 2006 - 2007 it was in late January and early February. Looking at the Weather Undeground records, the temperature fell below 0° on the evening of February 1st, briefly rose above 0° the next day, fell back below at 4:35 pm (this is on the 2nd), and did not rebound above 0° F until 12:55 pm on the 6th....that's 92 hours below 0°. The high on the 4th was just -10° ; and this was -10° with 15 mph winds. I remember having to walk up the stairs of St. Scholastica that morning, the temperature around -25° and winds howling. Not pleasant.

However, most days aren't that bad. But such cold spells are not especially rare. The NWS records show over a month and a half without a single day rising above freezing in 2003 - 2004.

That's about what I expected to hear. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[takemebacknorth]

My family and I lived in Iron River, WI in the mid 1990's--loved that area and got hooked on Duluth! We are looking to move back next summer sometime. My oldest son will be attending UW-S, he is very excited about coming back up north. We found Duluth to be a charming city, the people very hospitable and down to earth. As stated in an earlier post, the people are not just superficially nice, we did truly make some long term friendships during our time in Iron River.
I am an RN, could anyone give me some pros/cons of St. Luke's vs. SMDC? I am looking at both for employment....
Thanks!!

[Duluth07]

Glad to hear that some professional people are interested in Duluth, because we desperately need skilled, educated folks to move here! Health care is big as the nearest comparable facilities are 150 miles away in Minneapolis. SMDC and St. Luke's each have their own politics but both are great places in their own right.

Crime? Depends on who you ask. I have personally witnessed a big change over the past ten years in terms of what people will tolerate. People don't call the police as much as they did in the past in regards to open drug dealing, street people panhandling downtown and harrassing passersby, prostitution on First Street or in the west end, etc...and I guess that concerns me. It appears that people from Minneapolis and Saint Paul with no money or job skills are arriving here daily via the Greyhound (anyone who drives past the bus depot in the late afternoon to see the bus arrive from Minneapolis knows what I mean). As I said before, Duluth needs people who are here to work and contribute. We already have enough local residents without the resources to afford housing and basic needs. We certainly don't need Hennepin and Ramsey County's needy to come here and do the same.

[Luke9686]

I lived in Duluth for a year when I was stationed on the CGC Sundew (coast guard). I enjoyed it. I am an avid outdoorsman. The outdoors up there is great. The weather would get to me though. Not enough of a summer, too much winter. Also, it seemed that their was a lot of cloud cover most of the time. Kind of dreary.

It's a great town though. I was impressed with the downtown.

For some reason, I remember having to go into Superior Wisconsin for nightlife. I don't remember why though???

[letsmove07]

My family and I are relocating to Duluth. My husband is a pipefitter and there is a big expansion going on there. My concern is where to look for affortable housing(he is still an apprentice!) that is pet friendly(we have 9yr old aussie and she is just as much a part of the family as anyone). I also have 2 children 8 and 2. I need to know where the best schools are. Can anyone help???Thank you

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

For some reason, I remember having to go into Superior Wisconsin for nightlife. I don't remember why though???

Because there's more bars in a smaller space, it's cheaper to drink there and they are open later.

[newcastle]

It depends on where you will be living. Everyone thinks Congdon Park is the best elementary school. However, if you are not from Duluth. Don't look for a friendly and open welcome from the parents at that school. Lester Park, Piedmont, Kenwood Edison, Lowell, and Laura MacArthur are all good. So is Hermantown Elementary. The families were all down to earth and more welcoming too at those schools.