Moving to Duluth - questions (Cloquet, Woodland: real estate, apartment, rental)

[need_coffee]

Hello,

My wife and I will be moving to Duluth in a few months (she will be most likely be working at one of the two hospitals, and I will be going to school @ UMD).

We will be renting for the first year, and we are considering living in the area by Electric Fetus / Pizza Luce. Is this a safe place to live, or should we look for an apartment in another area of the city? (We would prefer to live near the lake, but safety is our number one concern.)

Thanks!

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by need_coffee

Hello,

My wife and I will be moving to Duluth in a few months (she will be most likely be working at one of the two hospitals, and I will be going to school @ UMD).

We will be renting for the first year, and we are considering living in the area by Electric Fetus / Pizza Luce. Is this a safe place to live, or should we look for an apartment in another area of the city? (We would prefer to live near the lake, but safety is our number one concern.)

Thanks!

That's an interesting area. If you're down on Superior St., I probably wouldn't worry too much, although there are a lot of odd types down there (as in any city). A new luxury condo project just went up a few blocks down from there.

However, First Street, just a block up, is seedy and seems quite dangerous. I wouldn't recommend living on it.

[Delaneyland]

In as much as the city council wants you to believe it is safe downtown, there was a stabbing last night...there was an armed robbery at the arena parking lot. If you do live downtown, you might seriously consider getting your CCW permit. I've lived in Duluth nearly my entire life and parts of it are no better than any "big" city.

[need_coffee]

tvdxer and Delaneyland: Thanks for the information!

I will try to stay away from that area... How is the area near the UMD campus?

[Delaneyland]

Personally I like Kenwood, Woodland, and Hunters Park. I grew up in HP and it is still pretty unmolested by the morons that are taking over Duluth. I don't know what your plans are for school, but if I was moving to Duluth with a hope of staying, I'd go outside the city limits. Duluth is suffering a HUGE problem funding nearly everything from roads to schools to the gaping cash hole of the "aquarium" that the taxpayers will be funding shortly. It is anticipated that property taxes will triple in years ahead and Duluth suffers population loss yearly (even though they count every dog, cat, rat, and rodent in town). I moved out to rural Cloquet 3 years ago simply due to the irresponsibility of the county gov't and disgust over taxes and wasteful spending so my opinions are slanted. If you're planning (and have your heart set on living) on living in Duluth, there's a lot of expensive rental property near UMD, Lakeside is probably the best priced real estate in town if you are going to buy. Superior WI has a LOT of inexpensive property to rent, buy, lease, but it sounds like you want Duluth. Duluth Heights, Piedmont Heights, and the upper West side are nice and affordable too.

[need_coffee]

We are planning to spend a week in Duluth this summer, in order to get a better feel for the city. I defintely want to live in a more "historic" part of the city.

How is the Observation Hill area, as far as crime, housing, etc.?

[Delaneyland]

I don't know what you mean by historic, the truly historic parts of the city are the mansions that line Superior street, London Road, etc. Observation Hill really encompasses the entire hillside from about Kenwood to West Duluth, there has been some HUGE houses placed on the hillside that (in my opinion) kind of ruined the neighborhoods. I understand folks with piles of dough can afford to do it, but I like the Duluth of my childhood much more than what it is now. If you do look at Observation Hill, I'd suggest staying above 9th street, there is quite a bit of ....um, er....undesireable activity downhill from 9th. There still are quite a few quiet areas on the hillside, many retirees still live there. You really need to be thorough in your search, things at night are different than the day. Duluth PD still has some community policing and if you get here I'd check with them as well. If you get your heart set on an area, let me know and I can get you in touch with coppers that work in the area you're looking at.

[summer grace]

Originally Posted by Delaneyland

Personally I like Kenwood, Woodland, and Hunters Park. I grew up in HP and it is still pretty unmolested by the morons that are taking over Duluth. I don't know what your plans are for school, but if I was moving to Duluth with a hope of staying, I'd go outside the city limits. Duluth is suffering a HUGE problem funding nearly everything from roads to schools to the gaping cash hole of the "aquarium" that the taxpayers will be funding shortly. It is anticipated that property taxes will triple in years ahead and Duluth suffers population loss yearly (even though they count every dog, cat, rat, and rodent in town). I moved out to rural Cloquet 3 years ago simply due to the irresponsibility of the county gov't and disgust over taxes and wasteful spending so my opinions are slanted. If you're planning (and have your heart set on living) on living in Duluth, there's a lot of expensive rental property near UMD, Lakeside is probably the best priced real estate in town if you are going to buy. Superior WI has a LOT of inexpensive property to rent, buy, lease, but it sounds like you want Duluth. Duluth Heights, Piedmont Heights, and the upper West side are nice and affordable too.

From seeing Duluth last year, I don't have any problem believing they have trouble funding stuff. That was just from the looks of the place. Duluth is certainly interesting, but I wouldn't live there. It's nice to visit though.

[jacksorbetter]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

That's an interesting area. If you're down on Superior St., I probably wouldn't worry too much, although there are a lot of odd types down there (as in any city). A new luxury condo project just went up a few blocks down from there.

However, First Street, just a block up, is seedy and seems quite dangerous. I wouldn't recommend living on it.

odd types interesting??

[danni95]

I visited Duluth this summer to visit with a friend and it was different, I would say. I guess from where i live in NC. It is beautiful by lake superior. Its really not much to do there. so I dont know how that would work for your kids and as far a jobs there are not many. the downtown area is not really safe place to stay and thats where the two hospitals are. That is like the poverty area,lots of drugs and crime. I would move away from that area more west towards the mall. I really didnt enjoy the weather b/c its constantly changing. I think I have just been spolied by living in NC. I think its more of retirement town if you ask me. You should visit b4 u decide to move.