Duluth historic homes (Rochester: neighborhood, live, associations)

[tvdxer]

Most neighborhoods outside of Central Hillside and Lincoln Park (especially the lower parts) should be OK.

Some people report feeling unsafe walking alone in West Duluth. I don't.

[wendyincharleston]

Originally Posted by snowlandcook

We are interested in moving to Duluth (have visited there many, many times). Thinking about buying an historic home (one that has already had some remodelling done to it or one that needs work).

We like the charm of older homes but worry about the location. Can someone tell me if the area(s) in Duluth with historic homes is safe? Which areas (with hostoric homes) are best? Where would you recommend we start looking? Wouldn't mind a view of Lk Superior (even just a tiny view) if possible.

I don't want to ask a realtor first--I fear they'd sell me a house anywhere to make a sale!

I am a Realtor but not in Duluth, in Charleston SC. Believe me, I have always looked out for my clients best interests and take my fiduciary responsiblility to my clients ver seriously. So - I found this site in trying to research my friend, Dennis' property on Skyline Drive and find him a good Realtor there. Dennis is a very skilled and meticulous "handyman". (After retiring from two other careers, incl military, and owning up to 14 rentals with a partner.) He has been working on my home and rentals since moving here two years ago. His personal home there will be for sale in June. It has huge views and I am sure it is in tip-top shape. (Maybe a little surface wear from the tenants.) I know the guy, I know his workmanship and the home sounds incredible. It had appraised for $235K but we know it has depreciated. Let me know if you are still interested. My email is whermance@bellsouth.net and my phone # is 843-813-1835.

[aluminumpork]

Geez Jon, you make Duluth sound like a third world country. I would feel safe walking anywhere in all of East Duluth (Woodland, Congdon, Lakeside, etc) and the vast majority of Duluth Heights. I've lived here all my life and have never once felt unsafe in ANY of the neighborhoods I've lived in.

Snowlandcook, Duluth has plenty of older housing stock, in both remodeled and "needs attention" condition. You'll find plenty of well maintained, older homes (even as early as the later 1800s) in many parts of Woodland, most of Congdon and even parts of Lakeside. Congdon is full of historic mansions that'll cost a pretty penny, but Woodland also has many fixer uppers and even some well maintained, more affordable older homes.

West Duluth also has plenty of older housing stock, but I'll admit, most areas of West Duluth wouldn't be my first choice to live. Lots of safe areas there, but also, plenty of unsafe areas. There are more run down homes in West Duluth. Lower Lincoln Park and Central Hillside are indeed areas to avoid, but that's an easy task.

It's important to note that Duluth is a very long city with tons of history surrounding every area. This allows Duluth to have very different neighborhoods, both culturally and geographically. Vast parts of the city are built on very steep hills, while other parts are flat. Some parts are very wealthy, while others are on the lower end of the spectrum and even more are "just right". Because Duluth is so spread out, you can find a neighborhood that you feel comfortable with and you never even have to know about the parts you don't like. Wealthy neighborhoods are grouped together with other wealthy neighborhoods, middle class neighborhoods are grouped with other middle class neighborhoods and poorer, more "troubled" neighborhoods also are generally found in close proximity to one another.

Each area of Duluth has it's own grocery stores, gas stations, gyms, schools, etc. Most are very self contained, so you don't often have to drive very far to get what you need. For example, to get groceries, you won't have to cross areas that you maybe don't feel comfortable with. Chances are the store is no more than a good 5 minute drive from your home.

If I were you, I would take JON's comments with a grain of salt. I may be a self-professed Duluth evangelist, but in all honesty, people who don't like Duluth, don't hate it with the intensity JON exhibits. I would check out the areas I mentioned in person and see for yourself. In most neighborhoods, you will feel comfortable and safe, night or day. Duluth is a beautiful city, that when I grow older would love to raise my own children in and it'd be a shame if you missed out on it because of one disgruntled forum member's skewed opinion.

[newcastle]

I agree. Jon's opinion is in the minority and, unfortunately, for many people who have lived in Duluth through the rreally tough years (late 70''s through early 90's) his "Helll will freeze over before anything gets better" attitude is part of a vocal minority that rears its ugly head now and again.

I think you find this attitude in most rust belt towns. Anyway, I live in Hunter Park and we have many beautiful 1900-1920's Victorian, Craftsman, and Company homes. Morely Heights is a small company town with 1400 square foot craftsman type houses all pulled up the hill from the laike around 1920. This area was a "Street Car Suburb" 90 years ago. Leicester Ave will give you a view of the lake and a traditional neighborhood. You will find a lot of big old homes along Vermillion, Oxford, St. Andrews, and Morningside avenues. These streets run up Woodland Ave and are eitrher West or East of Woodland and both sides have great houses.

Check out East Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Streets too. You will find large three-four story houses with 6-7 bedrooms and car ports built off the side of the house. SOme have been carved into duplexes too.

I hope you were not scared away from Duluth by Jon's opinion.

[knke0402]

Duluth has the crappiest housing stock I have ever seen.
Even the people who believe they live in "nice neighborhoods" are kidding themselves.
Come to the burbs, or anywhere near the Twin Cities, where "ok" neighborhoods make Duluth's "good" nieghborhoods like awful.
I dont get why people cant take care of their homes here?
Its rediculous, stuff that you wouldnt IMAGINE seeing in the TC is common here.
Especially since the housing stock - 80% of it was built before 1950.
Just a bunch of old rugged run down homes that none of these people know how to paint or fix up.

I know Im going to get flack from people saying "Well , thats what we like-the difference of the Twin Cities- we dont have to feel like "keeping up with the johnsons"
Well, I agree, but come on, where do you draw the line? Simple stuff like keeping junk out of your yard.- Man.

[knke0402]

I dare somebody to mention a "nice neighborhood" in Duluth. I'll drive there and laugh. People up here are so sheltered and would be baffled if they saw neighborhoods in the cities.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by knke0402

I dare somebody to mention a "nice neighborhood" in Duluth. I'll drive there and laugh. People up here are so sheltered and would be baffled if they saw neighborhoods in the cities.

Reading your recent posts on several threads leaves me with the impression of someone who really wants people to believe they're an expert and someone of superior intellect to all the poor "sheltered" souls who don't know any better. Unfortunately, when you're posts are so negative no one will want to listen to you in order to enlighten themselves. You raised some good points about economic development on another thread, but it's lost when you slam the community with unfair or inaccurate blanket statements in the next few sentences.

It's all a matter of perspective. I've got family in the TC so I've been there a lot. Currently, I live in Portland, OR - touted as a mecca in the media. But Portland isn't all it's made out to be either; though it is incredibly clean and beautiful. It even makes your TC look dirty by comparison! No, Duluth doesn't have the beautiful manicured "Stepford" neighborhoods that predominate in much of the TC suburbs, but it does have many beautiful homes (both old and new) in many very appealing neighborhoods. I've been around, and if the economy was a little better I'd LOVE to live in Duluth. It's all in how you choose to see it.

And Duluth will NEVER be so bad as to be comparible to Detroit!

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by knke0402

I dare somebody to mention a "nice neighborhood" in Duluth. I'll drive there and laugh. People up here are so sheltered and would be baffled if they saw neighborhoods in the cities.

Your posts are so condescending it's laughable. Duluth's topography for one creates a challenge for new housing. Also the fact that over ten thousand acres in the city is on solid bedrock and too expensive to build on which is why it is tax forfeited and now green space.

There are modern developments in Duluth, but obviously not at the pace of the Twin Cities. If you drive through Minneapolis or St. Paul's neighborhoods you will also find old housing stock for the same reasons. The only thing left to do is build up or create infill housing. The border of the city has been set for over 50 years. The towns and cities around Duluth grew at 13% versus 1.2% for Duluth.

Duluth just tore down a huge HUD site off Mesaba and repalced it with Housing Rehabilitation Authority of Duluth mixed income development.

The Weiland Hayes, Bridgeman Russell, Old Water and Gas building, top 5 or 6 floors of the new Sheraton, top floors of the Hawthorne Suites are all refurbished/loft or new housing downtown.

The Beacon Point Neighboorhood and Ledges are all new housing. Have you been over to Lester Park or Lester River? Three new condo developments. Have you been to Hawk Ridge Esates; 150 new building lots. Crystal village? What about Ridgeview Country Club and Esates?

What city in the US that is 150 years old doesn't have old housing stock and decaying buildings.

[northrngal]

[SIZE=3]People in Duluth are sheltered? Wow, I just moved back to Duluth after living in the Twin Cities for many years and I feel so very refreshed to be back. I truly believe Duluth is one of the most wonderful cities to live in. Between opportunities in the arts/cultural activities, great local entertainment/restaurant scene, progressive people and unlimited access to the outdoors, such as our extensive trail systems, our huge lake or the nearby ski areas, you can’t go wrong. From an outdoor enthusiast’s perspective, there are very few cities that offer the opportunities that Duluth does. I love Duluth because it is the “anti-suburbia,” exactly what I wanted to get away from in the Twin Cities. No cookie cutter housing, endless strip malls, excessive materialism etc. The community I know in Duluth is a generally worldly, intellectual group that chooses to live here because it is such a wonderful place to raise a family. Now, this may not appeal to everyone—I agree it might be a bit cold for some people’s tastes! And unfortunately it is not some mecca that is completely free from crime. But as someone who works with the low-income population, yes we do have people moving here from Chicago/Detroit, for the most part looking to start life anew, and for those that have such big problems with it I suggest you move to a gated-suburban community in the Twin Cities. The neighborhoods are safe and the community is wonderful. I don’t have enough good things to say about this city that I am so happy to be back in![/SIZE]

[knke0402]

I feel safe walking around anywhere in Duluth, at any time.