Duluth Superior ??? Help (Minneapolis, Rochester, Two Harbors: apartments, rent, countertops)

[Robert P Stewart]

Duluth is an AWESOME town. I used to waste the evenings on the deck of Chi-chi's watching a thunderstorm out on Lake Superior. Perfect.

Duluth sports some really great architecture, super nice folks, GREAT mom-n-pop coffee shops, and of course some of the prettiest natural scenery anywhere. You'll still be in range of the Twin Cities so you can bop on down whenever you want.

I hope to see you up there at some point!

Robert

[mrkool]

the original poster isn't going to get back to us. He probably went up for the interview, experienced the seasonably chilly and cloudy weather, looked around relatively small and run-down Superior, and said "no thanks." He said he liked the outdoors, but the climate change between southeast Texas and northern Minnesota makes outdoor activities a whole different prospect.
We'll see if he comes back to this forum, but my guess is he ain't going to the twin ports.

[fourinwis]

I grew up in central MN and have lived in the Duluth area for the last 15 years. I've never even considered moving anywhere else! Next to the ocean Lake Superior is awesome! You really have the best of both worlds. The City of Duluth is large enough to have big city issues, ie: gangs, drugs, thefts but it also has the small town community sense of love and kindness. There is a very large shopping mall and lots to see and do. There are a many theater groups that perform as well as a comedy theater. We even have a professional dance company! All of this occurs summer and yes even in the winter. Just like warm weather dressing appropriatly will keep you very warm. As far as housing there are many homes for sale as well as for rent with new condos being built right downtown Duluth overlooking Lake Superior. I currently live just across the bridge in Superior Wi but I'm in Duluth at least 3-4 times a week. Give it a second look I think you'll discover the advantages far out way the cold!

[yellowsnow]

Duluth is really pretty. That said, it's darn cold. Year round. The wind off the lake keeps it that way. It's hilly and it scares me to even think of those hills covered with ice and snow. Superior is beautiful but it never gets warm enough for swimming.

I lived in Houston. It's too hot and humid there. Going from Houston to Duluth would be a monumental change. Forget the sweaters. You need Polar Fleece. I suggest you visit for a couple weeks before you decide. Preferably in January. Also look up the high and low temps year round. You need to know what you are getting in to!

[Yorkie_Mom]

I agree, it is best to come for a visit first to see if you can handle the weather up there. Duluth is a very pretty town with lots to see and do, we love going up there in the summer months, they have great temps in the summer. If I picked a place to live in Minnesota it would be one of them, as far as the scenery, and with lots to do.
I myself would not be able to handle the snow and cold they get up that way, the southern part is cold enough for me. Good luck on you search.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by fourinwis

I grew up in central MN and have lived in the Duluth area for the last 15 years. I've never even considered moving anywhere else! Next to the ocean Lake Superior is awesome! You really have the best of both worlds. The City of Duluth is large enough to have big city issues, ie: gangs, drugs, thefts but it also has the small town community sense of love and kindness. There is a very large shopping mall and lots to see and do. There are a many theater groups that perform as well as a comedy theater. We even have a professional dance company! All of this occurs summer and yes even in the winter. Just like warm weather dressing appropriatly will keep you very warm. As far as housing there are many homes for sale as well as for rent with new condos being built right downtown Duluth overlooking Lake Superior. I currently live just across the bridge in Superior Wi but I'm in Duluth at least 3-4 times a week. Give it a second look I think you'll discover the advantages far out way the cold!

I would love to live in Duluth, but the job situation is what stops me from moving there. Unfortunately, the joob situation in Dukuth is causing people to leave the area who love it there. It is an unfortunate situation since I think that area has much to offer.

[wallstreet1986]

It will be quite cold but it a wonderful place that you will love almost guaranteed.

Driving along Highway 61 along the coast or I-35 thru the downtown you could be driving on the Pacific Coastal Highway in Los Angeles with none of the traffic, pine trees instead of palm trees, gorgeous northern sunsets.

Spend the extra bucks and live in Duluth or in the surrounding hills area. The views are gorgeous, the schools are good, and there is low crime in Minnesota. Superior is the ugly cousin. Working in Superior is just fine but the city is not a nice place to live. Wisconsin has higher taxes additionally.

A small warning it is colder outside of Duluth than along the lake. Places like Tower or Orr have had the lowest temperatures I think recorded in Minnesota. This doesnt matter for some of the year but for January to March it will. The winter is not terrible. Bundle bundle up. Get a snowblower, enjoy the outdoors, maybe a heated driveway.

You got more money than usual in a job in Duluth? That's great perhaps its to attract people to live in the cold climate. There is no catch.

Drive around to see where you want to live first I would not recommend West Duluth. The area around E 4th St and 34th avenue is the best in my opinion. Cute houses, nice views.

[buzzkirk]

Does it snow much in Duluth anymore? Seems like it just doesn't snow in the Midwest anymore. I know it just did in Illinois, etc. but over the long term seems like it's way down from historical norms.

[LauraMomof4]

Hi, I'm Laura -- new to the forum. I have really enjoyed reading here! I'm from northeast Indiana for the past 20 years but my parents and sister still live up north and we go there frequently. I was just recently to northern Wisconsin not too far from Duluth and could not believe how mild the weather was. They were predicting a brown Christmas and as far as I know I think still no snow. I have noticed this to be a trend and my sister and parents say also the winters have definitely been becoming more mild over the past 20 years. They do not get quite the lake effect as Duluth though (Hayward WI). Still, it was not much worse than here in Indiana, especially temperature-wise.

[bphilip]

We're planning to move to Duluth next year (relocating for work), and we visited this past September. MidniteBreeze had some insightful comments and I'd like to add to them.

Food: If you're into ethnic foods, the choices are slim (though what we have tried was good). You can find Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Indian. There are also a handful of taverns and grills that are very good. However, I understand that most people cook on their own (and prefer it this way).

Diversity: Duluth is very homogenous, though the people are friendly. I didn't feel out of place as an outsider.

Weather: We actually had some sun that weekend, and it was gorgeous. However, it did get cloudy and gloomy very quickly one day at dusk (the sky looked almost scary).