Duluth City Move Imminent (Minneapolis, Red Wing: 2010, rental, crime)

[Joseph_2010]

Greetings and glad we all have a place to draw at least some perspective to questions regarding moving, area details, scales of measuring safety and so on.

I'm assured of moving to the Duluth MINNESOTA! area of our country after having lived in (1) Louisville, Ky (Place of birth and education) (2) Rural Blanchard, Michigan onto Cadillac as recently as 5 years ago.

In my previous occupation i did extensive travel as a auto freight expediter so i was fortunate enough to rub elbows with manufacturing groups, locals, and take in both sights and a feel for people in Minnesota exclusively. Even had some very good friends from St Cloud but over time like everone we drift into managing our lives + occupation and sometimes lose that connection over time.

I was wondering if anyone can add anymore to what i already reviewed here by many posts on the DULUTH area, and more specifically if possible what the concensus from you fine local residents in the area of near 2700 West Superior Street as to your overall opinion of this section, since this is going to be my starting residence.

I always held a high regard for old fashion architecture anyway without the useless demolition of such places to replace with parking lots and such, and it seems DULUTH is content to keep it's city flavor in that respect.
Is there anything anyone can add to help boost confidence that this is as reasonable choice as any if more? Plus, what about food retail chains? Restaurants are cool but i'll tend for the most part just to settle on home cooking, especially once winter blows in.
I lived as i mentioned as recently as 5 years ago in N.Michigan although i originally hail from the Racehorse State of Kentucky, so Blizzards and sub-zero are not enough extremes to spook me to dash for warmer climates, after all, no one needs go to Florida as seems common if you want the full effects of heat and sun, just come here where i live now in the spin cycle zone near Tornado Alley (SouthWest Rural Indiana) and it's nothing to find daytime highs here climbing into the 80's in November of all things.

Regards, Greetings, and please indicate your opinions as you see fit, because of all places i've researched, i'm pretty sold right now on DULUTH after turning down an open offer for Myrtle Beach which i could easily have opted for, but crime is absolutely insane, and after living in Louisville, Ky and personally watching the degrading of what once was a great place to live and raise children, no one could pay me enough to ever return there again. I have walked the streets of Detroit in more safety, and pls believe me folks, i wouldn't mislead anyone on that or exaggerate in the least, because it once was my home. Beware if you ever travel to Louisville and choose the outskirts because the downtown area is totally dangerous and the police are not proactive but reactive consistently, and for good reason. Glad i left there when i did, it's much worse now in spite of what the lying lips of it's 20 year mayor praises as a good place to live. NOT!

Thank You!

[newcastle]

Welcome! Glad you are moving to Duluth. To shed some light on your question. 2700 West Superior Street is in one of Duluth's oldest neighborhoods called the West End or Lincoln Park. The area were you will be living is beginning to revitalize with the addition of the Heritage Hockey Arena and sports complex. It has seen some new retail with Quiznos sub shop and other smaller chains.

As for living, it is in a high rental low home ownership area. A few blocks up from the freeway is W 2nd and W 3rd whcih are probably one of the most run down neighborhoods in the city aside from Central Hillside. You could find a much nicer area to live in the city. As you move up the hill along 27 th Ave West, you will find that the housing gets newer and nicer the closer you get to the top.

Duluth has many great neighborhoods including Lincoln Park. There are nice homes along the parkway and it is close to Wade Stadium (Duluth Huskies baseball).

A big difference (it sounds like) between Duluth and Louisville is that the police here are very proactive establishing a West Duluth branch not far from where you will be and patroling heavily around the neighborhood, holidng community meetings, and making their presence known.

[Joseph_2010]

Thank You newcastle.

To me it will nearly be like when i very first trekked the North Country and made home in N. Michigan. Didn't know what to expect at first, but quickly settled in and before long felt like i been there my whole life.

The difference i like about DULUTH besides whats already been mentioned is that it is a City complete with City facilities, parks, etc. Coming from a mostly blue collar past, i can't think of a better atmosphere then to be near the docks of Lake Superior and it's shipping reputation. Seems to be a very well rounded and respectable overall environment for the greater part in comparison to some equal in size, labor, and business. I also understand DULUTH also hosts a college institution among the other sports you mentioned. I got initiated in record time while at Michigan to Hockey real fast LoL. as per Red Wings?

I've always held sort of a fascination for native MINNESOTA folks all along in that they seem to have a nifty sense of home pride tinged with just the right amount of delightful humour. Polite also comes forefirst to mind.

As for Winter, i been bomblasted so many times with the elements of Snowy Lake Effect on the other end of the Lake so often in my life i don't think that's going to present any real concern. But sub-zero? Ouch! But hey, one better know to prepare for those extremes at that time of season right? That to some of us is known as Fresh Air! LoL

It's a welcome relief though to read from a local that safety is really taken with the utmost seriousness that it's citizen's deserve. With everything else people are having to face these days with an abnormal economy, lord knows there has to remain at least some redeeming consolation to cling to these days.

I appreciate the mention of Wade Stadium. Thanks for that note.

Another question if you will, how is ICE SKATING taken in the city of DULUTH? Indoor and/or outdoor facilities at all? Another winter favorite i take a fancy with.

Looking forward to being settled in soon and before Thanksgiving Day i hope.

With a 4x4 Ford Explorer i don't expect any real problem driving in deep snow come winter. And i'm confident the plow crews have had their act together on that element a very long time.

With Kindest Regards:

[newcastle]

Yes, Duluth loves hockey. Your new neighborhood is in the new heart of it all. The heritage sports center Duluth Heritage Sports Center is begining phase II and will have plenty of high caliber high school hockey for you to enjoy. Duluth has three high schools (will eventually drop down to two) Duluth Denfeld (nearest you) Duluth Central and Duluth East. One private high school (Marshall) and five nearby schools (Cloquet, Hermantown, Proctor, Two Harbors, and Superior, WI).

Duluth has two colleges with NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 sports. The College of St. Scholastica has an excellent baseball, soccer, and improving hockey team. The college added a footbal program this year.

UMD is the big school with division 1 hockey played down at the DECC (Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center). The city is building a brand new 40 million dollar arena in conjuction with the University. As for size, UMD has about 12,000 students, CSS has about 3500, Lake Superior College (no sports) has about 4,000 and Wisconsin Superior across the bridge has about 3,500.

There are currently two rinks at the DECC along with a Curling Arena. Open skating is offered usually every Sunday. There is a festival park downtown with open skating anytime and a ferstival at New Years called "Warmer by the Lake" with a bon fire, smores, cookies, hot chocolate, live radio and fireworks.

Duluth has numerous neighborhood skating rinks to choose from that host squirt hockey but are also open to anyone for pick up games. The closest to you will be Meritt Park up the street on 27th Ave W. MARS Lakeview Arena (Marshall School) has pick up games, then in East Duluth there is Fryberger Arena (coldest place I have ever played in my life).

Yes, you will certainly be close to the shipping docks and the port is expanding its wherehousing for Wind Turbine Blades and is trying to recruit a manufacturer on site.

Good luck with your move.

[Joseph_2010]

Wow! That's quite an itinerary of various events and sports activities nearby. My choice of DULUTH was a carefully researched one arrived at by close examination of a number of factors and my personal contact there made a very solid case that's helped in this decision.

Your own additional help right here from the descriptions you've offered is greatly appreciated and is confirmed many interests i already have anticipated in advance. Thank You.

I always been something of a sports fan having been actively involved in sports myself most my life, even when i could find time in-between work over the years.

It might just interest some here reading this i always been a mighty big fan of the old Minnesota Vikings! from the days of Joe Kapp to Gary Cuozzo to Fran Tarkenton and all those past purple people athletes that made the Vikings, (at least for me) something of a Legend since i was a boy in grade school. Yes, including the straightline kicker Fred Cox, LoL, if anyone remembers those grand fellows of the gridiron. I'm sure to run across a memorabilia book of those years if i search hard enough. (Smile)

There are currently two rinks at the DECC along with a Curling Arena. Open skating is offered usually every Sunday. There is a festival park downtown with open skating anytime and a ferstival at New Years called "Warmer by the Lake" with a bon fire, smores, cookies, hot chocolate, live radio and fireworks.

This was totally unexpected but i am delighted to read about the proximity of the "open skating" areas, festival, and fireworks? That must really be some special occasion & sight by the Lake during that time.

Yes, you will certainly be close to the shipping docks and the port is expanding its wherehousing for Wind Turbine Blades and is trying to recruit a manufacturer on site.

Good luck with your move.

I certainly hope that support for the new manufacturer comes to fruition. No doubt it would add to the port shipping docks and area.

Question left that i must ask:

How prevalent or rather frequent are the natural winter sky Aurora's in that area? Am curious to learn of this due to the closeness of the magnetic fields north of the upper rims of DULUTH'S geography. I seen some before that were absolutely breathtakingly awesome before!

Thanks again newcastle for all your generous input, it's again greatly appreciated and i do look forward to finally reaching my destination by the first week in November from all indications so far.

What a variety & array of schoolastic institutions and i'll have to familiarize myself with the different school & sport names no less. LoL

Am very pleased DULUTH also is readily & fully equipped with adequate Medical Facilities and Hospitals nearby. Also i researched the Local Transit Bus System and it should prove to be of benefit on those occasions when needed and adequate for reaching various destinations.

Duluth has two colleges with NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 sports. The College of St. Scholastica has an excellent baseball, soccer, and improving hockey team. The college added a footbal program this year.

[Astron1000]

Originally Posted by Joseph_2010

Question left that i must ask:

How prevalent or rather frequent are the natural winter sky Aurora's in that area? Am curious to learn of this due to the closeness of the magnetic fields north of the upper rims of DULUTH'S geography. I seen some before that were absolutely breathtakingly awesome before!

Interesting question! As someone who was employed for many years at the Minneapolis Planetarium and was originally an astrophysics major, I can assure you that virtually anywhere in Minnesota (even in the south and within the MSP metro) you can observe the aurora. However, it's never a nightly occurrence anywhere in the world. Mother Nature is the final word and some nights you'll see it and some nights you won't. It's not common, but then again, it's not rare either. Pay attention to news reports about solar flares and storms and you'll most likely be able to catch the celestial display.

People often think that auroras occur more often in the winter, but that's just a myth. The reason people notice the phenomena more in the winter months is because night occurs sooner and there are more people out and about in the early evening. I've actually seen some of the the most spectacular auroras over the city in July and August, living just 2 miles from downtown Minneapolis. It just depends on how hard you pay attention to the night sky.

Again, the rule is Pay Attention! The Northern Lights look like clouds to most people who just glance at the sky. People often don't realize what they are actually seeing. But watch carefully. When those "clouds" shimmer and sway and change color you'll know that you are witnessing one of nature's most amazing shows.

[Joseph_2010]

Originally Posted by Astron1000

Again, the rule is Pay Attention! The Northern Lights look like clouds to most people who just glance at the sky. But watch carefully. When those "clouds" shimmer and sway and change color you'll know that you are witnessing one of nature's most amazing shows.

Greetings Astron1000

Speaking from a purely professional and experienced! point of view i definitely take creedence to your summation of that glowing phenomena. And thanks for the accurate specifics on their timetable. I long was under the false assumption the Aurora was mostly a winter seasonal occurance, likely because most all of my sightings were made in the Winter months in N. Michigan and mostly after arriving home (to a rural area) from a second shift occupation near midnight.
I seen those streamers as i like to call them start out faint and before long begin to grow into multu-color long curtains of lights, and as you alluded to, the "shimmer" effect!
And PATIENCE sometimes is required while other times i found them mysteriously simply erupt, flunctuating sometimes into various streaking forms, but always ever what an awesome occurance indeed.

Originally Posted by Astron1000

It just depends on how hard you pay attention to the night sky.

That is so true. I recall staying up after work many late evenings waiting for a few hours in the Chill of the night looking for the least bit of some evidence of an Aurora starting up, only on rare occasions i was fortunate enough to randomly catch them and follow them thru their entire progression, but you are so right, the best way is to be attentive to reports after solar flares/storms have been detected and passed on to the public thru news publications, TV Stations, and such.

Thanks for your reply!