Duluth Areas... (Two Harbors, Morgan, Welcome: for sale, real estate, apartment complexes)

[nipdip]

I'm relocating to Duluth within the next couple of months.

What area's should I avoid. I like the Two Harbors area, but would like to be in Duluth. I saw a few posts in the past in regards to areas but the information seemed a bit dated. Looking for a houses (in today's market) valued around 80k-100k or just renting an apt for a year or so.

Thanks Everyone!

[aluminumpork]

I wrote a post on the different neighborhoods of Duluth awhile ago. You can find it here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/minnesota/127352-why-duluth-great-place-live-post2014103.html#post2014103

I admittedly focused more on East Duluth neighborhoods than West Duluth neighborhoods in the above mentioned post, but that's not to say there aren't any nice neighborhoods out that way. In your price range in East Duluth you will be a bit limited, but still could get lucky in Lakeside, Kenwood or Duluth Heights. You could also get a steal on a older home (probably a little bit of a fixer upper) in lower Woodland and Congdon if you look closer to 21st Ave East.

You'll have many more options in West Duluth. If you really want to get out of the "city" but still be in the city limits, you could check out Gary New Duluth, Morgan Park, Riverside, Spirit Valley, etc. Gary New Duluth is the farthest community West and is fairly safe. I'm not as familiar with West Duluth as I'd like so I can't really offer much advice on neighborhoods there, other than I would recommend avoiding lower Lincoln Park. Another area to avoid in general in Central Hillside (just above downtown).

If you're looking to rent a house (or duplex), rent usually ranges from $600 - $1000 for a 2 - 3 bedroom in Lakeside, Kenwood and Woodland. If you want to avoid college rentals, checkout Lakeside, upper Woodland (around Piggly Wiggly) and Duluth Heights. Areas around UMD (in Woodland) are obviously heavy college rental areas and you will find plenty of large, run-down and abused college party homes.

If you don't mind renting an apartment or townhome, you have many options. There are apartment complexes in most neighborhoods. There are also plenty of townhome developments around the area.

Check out Bowman Properties (Bowman Properties, Inc. - Home), Melhus (Property Management Duluth Minnesota - Apartment Rentals Duluth Minnesota - Melhus Management Company) and ShipRock Management (Welcome to ShipRock Property Management). Bowman especially has many apartment complexes and townhome developments. There are other developers/management companies here, but those are a few of the larger ones.

Good luck on your move here! What brings you to our city?

[nipdip]

Thanks! I'm looking at taking over a business that is well established in the area since it has a sustainable cash flow rather than starting my own business in the area. Trying to find something to buy that's cheaper than renting, and then within the next few years, find something I like. It's more of a financial decision than anything else.

I absolutely love the Duluth area. I've visited many times. In the end I would like to end up in the Two Harbors area once we get settled in after a couple years.

I know I wont find any mind blowing properties in the 80-100k range, I know crime is evident everywhere, but I'd like to stay out of the slum-ish areas where people just seem as if they don't care about their property.

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by nipdip

Thanks! I'm looking at taking over a business that is well established in the area since it has a sustainable cash flow rather than starting my own business in the area. Trying to find something to buy that's cheaper than renting, and then within the next few years, find something I like. It's more of a financial decision than anything else.

I absolutely love the Duluth area. I've visited many times. In the end I would like to end up in the Two Harbors area once we get settled in after a couple years.

I know I wont find any mind blowing properties in the 80-100k range, I know crime is evident everywhere, but I'd like to stay out of the slum-ish areas where people just seem as if they don't care about their property.

Most of West Duluth (west of 34th Ave. W. or so) doesn't fit the "slum-ish" description, though there is some petty crime. There is a listing of homes in that area here:

55807, Real Estate Listings and 55807 Homes for Sale - REALTOR.com®

A few of the houses are under $70,000 and have decent lots and are even within walking / biking distance of shops, K-Mart, the supermarket, etc.

[nipdip]

Thanks!

Any info on heaving oil vs natural gas vs electric in the area?