Duluth historic homes (Welcome, Cook, Hills: for sale, real estate, crime)

[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!

[snowlandcook]

Umm, I'm hoping someone out there can reply to my questions. Pleeeeeze?!

[MidniteBreeze]

Hi,

One thing Duluth has a lot of is older homes! There are some absoultely gorgeous older homes in very "posh" neighborhoods in the eastern part of Duluth. I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but the nicest (mansion type) ones are in the area around East High School.

If you're looking for something a little more modest, the lakeside neighborhood (further east) is also nice. Kind of a mixture of older and mid-century homes with a few new ones here and there. You're not far from London Road with quick access to HWY 61 (north shore). If you're lucky, you might even get a smidgen of a lake view.

If you have a tighter budget, you might want to look out west (maybe Gary-New Duluth?) It's a little more "working class" out that way, but it's definitely more affordable. Gary-New Duluth almost feels like a small town since it's kind of "cut off" from the rest of Duluth. Easy access to the St. Louis river and Jay Cook State park. Lots of cute bungalow/craftsman style homes.

While there are some "urban renewal" type projects going on in the central Hillside neighborhood, it's still got a bad reputation for crime (which is unfortunate because there are a lot of great lake views!) Generally anything at or "above" (up the hill) from skyline parkway is a safer neighborhood. I actually grew up on Skyline in an older (traditional 1920's style) home with a GREAT view of the ariel lift bridge and harbor. We were very popular on the 4th of July for our view of the fireworks! Come to think of it, there's actually a nice little house for sale just down the street from the house I grew up in, wonderful view! Can't remember who the realtor was, sorry. But it should be in the 600 block west of Skyline Parkway if you want to try to look it up.

There might be some other neighborhoods you might be interested in too, but it might be easier to help you if you can give us a rough idea of your budget and more specifics on the kind of "historical" home you're looking for?

Anyway, hope my ramblings are at least somewhat helpful. Good luck!

[snowlandcook]

Thanks, Breeze! My favorite "older homes" are from the early 1900s--even into the 1930s and early 40s. I'll check out the one you mentioned.

I've seen some homes for sale (on realtor.com) along London Street but didn't know if it was safe to live there. You say yes?

[MidniteBreeze]

London Road (east of the little business district where the fast food joints are) is safe, but remember it's a very busy street and taking a left turn out of your driveway (especially during tourist season) can be nearly impossible. Some VERY lovely homes there though!

[JON L]

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! :(

Do you have a job? or wealthy? The city would like to see your tax base added to the roles. I have a 110 year old home in East End and the mean housing Inspector in 30 minutes wrote up $50,000 worth or repairs even though I had my city license from six months earlier. She went out of her way to evict everyone in 30 days when I couldn't complete the work. My lawyer said it was "gentrification" - requiring those with resources to spend them in Duluth to modernize the aging housing stock. The house sits empty 6years later as I can not afford the repairs. Do a little each year. She threatened to have it bulldozed.

The house next door is in worse shape and sold for $400,000. I had paid $13,000 for it in 1975 but could not afford the taxes and lost it to the bank along with a vacant lot to the county, that was taxed at one months pay each year.

Heat bill on an older house ... like I said ... you got money - lots of it? Try to get police protection on your older home. Someone stole my 110 year old Tiffany type stained glass window and all I got from them was a police report number. No action taken to solve " a non violent house break in. Another Police report for a drive by shooting of my picture window. I haven't called the police on the theft of $4,000 stereo system. Why bother.

Chicago and Gary Indiana moving in faster than you can smoke crack. Try living next to a crack house. The police finally told one older home owner woman, "stop calling us"!

But they will give you a parking ticket if 2 minutes over at a meter running into a store for a quck errand. Lots of parking patrol, but they can not do anything for the rising crime.

Have a car accident on a Sunday coming from church. You might be scalped.
Ten year aniversary this summer.

Visiting a liquor store? be murdered. (last year)

Most of my friends left Duluth years ago, for good reason.

No part of this town is safe and it is going bankrupt because too many city employees were hired in the 70's with unlimited retirement health care benefits. Suspect the tax rate will really go up from its historic highs and ever expanding sales tax.

But the mayor supports GAY PRIDE week cut, but not much else.

WELCOME!

[snowlandcook]

Well, Jon L, that's what I wanted to know. I love older homes and have the resources to fix one up, but I know that too often they are located in crime-ridden areas. I'm just a regular person (not one with "old money"), and I wouldn't want to invest my life savings into beautifying an older home located next to a crack house.

I was sad to hear of your experiences--sounded more like something that would happen in North Mpls than Duluth!

Thanks for the heads-up.

[inge0068]

Hello,

I too am sorry to hear of Jon’s poor experiences. I can not say that the majority of Duluth’s inhabitants feel this way. I have been working in real estate in Duluth for over a year now so I have a good idea of who lives where and how neighborhoods are generally perceived. As a Realtor I would not “guide” you into a specific neighborhood. But since I am not representing you in any way I can give you my opinion. If you tour east of 21st Ave, I am sure you will feel that you are in a very prestigious yet homey neighborhood. This area is known as Congdon. This is one of the most desirable areas in Duluth if you are looking for a historic home. I would also consider this to be one of the safer areas.

I do not think you should have any hesitation about whether or not Congdon is a good area; however the only problem I would warn you about with a historic home is maintenance and repair. A home inspector would give you an accurate idea of what you will need to do right away, and what improvements you will need to do in the future.

I hope this helps and that you have not been scared away from Duluth. It really is a very nice community that has a very relaxed nature. Remember, you can look at anything in life at two ways. I hope you choose to focus on the more positive.

[snowlandcook]

Hey, I forgot to ask Jon L, where is your older home located? Maybe the experiences you've had are limited to your area?

I know that in my current town, there are good, safe areas with well-maintained, historic homes, and there are more run-down areas with older, unkept homes.

[easenski]

The Congdon area as mentioned is the wealthiest areas with the old mansions, though I don't know where JON was living, but I feel safe most if not all of the time in Duluth. I have a friend who just purchased an old mansion and it is beautiful, though he did pay 7 figures for it.

The Lincoln Park area is a little iffy as crime goes, but I don't know of any historic homes in that area anyways.

For what you want, the Lakeside area is very middle/upper class and again, I feel perfectly safe there, and there are some nice historic homes in a resonable price range compared to the Congdon area.