does White Bear Lake feel like living 'at the lake?" (Minneapolis: homes, neighborhoods)

[tjasse]

or does it feel more like living in a suburb?

It seems interesting because it's got it's own downtown and... a big lake.

I grew up in Bemidji, which I liked a lot better than Minneapolis.
I was wondering if I could approach that lifestyle somewhere in the metro area.
Also if not WBL, are there other areas to investigate? I've never been to most of the suburbs. I don't really know anything about Lake Minnetonka, or even how to get there, for instance.

[Yosh01]

What does "living at the lake" mean to you? Direct access to a body of water for boating and fishing? No noise, no people, and no traffic? A sense of community where people know each other?

[Ghengis]

well at least it has a spacious beach as the water drains out more and more, wonder how the clamming is?

https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2...ents-blame-dnr

[BryaninMSP]

Centerville fells more "up north" than WBL, though the downtown in WBL is a lot better. There's not much more in "downtown" Centerville than a bar and some convenience stores, but the lake is a lot quieter.

[jennifat]

White Bear Lake definitely doesn't feel like "Up North"; it's much more of an established Victorian-era resort town. Most of the neighborhoods on the lake consist of upscale historic homes instead of modest cabins like what's typical in the central and northern parts of the state.

Like Ghengis already mentioned, White Bear Lake has suffered a catastrophic drop in water level over the past several years. Most private docks don't even reach the water anymore, and along some parts of the lake, you can see exposed lakebed for hundreds of feet before water. Manitou Island isn't even an island anymore, but a peninsula. It's been devastating for the community and there don't seem to be any quick or easy solutions.

[tjasse]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

What does "living at the lake" mean to you? Direct access to a body of water for boating and fishing? No noise, no people, and no traffic? A sense of community where people know each other?

I guess I'm just looking for a smaller house, near outdoorsy stuff like a lake. Bemidji was in the woods so maybe that is what I'm thinking of more than the lake. I am not thinking of it being too quiet, Bemidji in the summer is actually very busy. However, I guess I'm not that into Lake Havasu style drunken waterskiing crowds either. If you've been to Detroit Lakes on the 4th - that is NOT what I'm looking for. I guess I didn't even think of that until now. Are there lakes like that near the cities?

[MnMomma]

Medicine Lake might work for you. Or one of the Twin Lakes in Robbinsdale area.

[Whopper Stopper]

While it's not really metro, Forest Lake is a nice area, only 30 minutes out. Lindstrom is nice too, but then you most likely need to drive on dreaded highway 8. There are many lakes in the area.

[pete6032]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

What does "living at the lake" mean to you? Direct access to a body of water for boating and fishing? No noise, no people, and no traffic? A sense of community where people know each other?

Hot, tan, voluptuous women in bikinis.

[Min-Chi-Cbus]

Originally Posted by pete6032

Hot, tan, voluptuous women in bikinis.

I didn't realize I wanted a live-at-the-lake lifestyle until just now!