South Texas to Brainerd, MN? (Minneapolis, Baxter: job, housing, retire)

[rayandy]

My husband is considering taking a job in Brainerd...we will be coming from the hot, humid sub-tropical coast of Texas...I've been trying to get info on what it is to live in Brainerd, ie., cost of living, types of people, things to do, etc...Any info you all could share would be great. Thanks!

[Lindenin]

Brainerd is a great area. The town is small enough to not have sprawl but big enough to have all the stores you need, coffee shops, excellent schools, etc. Brainerd is popular because of all the nice lakes in the area. You literally have 50-75 excellent lakes within a 60 minute drive. I bet you have 25 lakes within 20 minutes. Great if you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to hang out on a beach. Think of it this way: During weekdays in the summer, everyone in the Minneapolis area is daydreaming about heading up to Brainerd as soon as Friday rolls around.

When you search the area, make sure you search "Brainerd / Baxter". Baxter is basically the 2nd part of Brainerd, and is actually the side of town with more new development.

The winter weather will obviously be different than the Texas coast, but I don't think I need to belabor that obvious point.

[ausboy]

I agree with Lindenin, Brainerd is a great area. definately a little slower paced. My wife is from Brainerd and I'm from Australia where it is mostly hot and humid. I have only spent short amounts of time there but I have found the people friendly. Things to do are mostly outdoors, fishing, boating, golf, bike and hiking. Baxter is expanding and has most of the shops you will need. Nice developments and good schools. Not that I'm right up on it but we have been looking a little and housing seems quite cheap. At the moment,it is definately a buyers market as houses are listed for a while and there a few to choose between. Try looking at brainerddispatch.com It is the local paper and you might get a better idea. Not a lot of night life. It has a small airport which is handy for trips home. The hardest thing for me is the winter! but that's MN. Hope something has helped. Good luck.

[Scotchiro]

We are moving to the Twin Cities from San Antonio and will need to get used to the changing seasons again - We are originally from Wisconsin

[Tornado Baby]

I grew up in Brainerd and my parents still live there. It is a smaller, quieter place than the metro area, and is beautiful in summer and fall. It would be a nice safe place to raise a family but there is not a lot for kids over age 12 to do unless they like outdoor sports activities. They flood the baseball diamonds every winter for ice skating and it is free. There used to be a ski slope at Gull lake but that may not be there any more. I remember being very bored as a teenager. The schools are good and not overcrowded- there is only one high school and I used to teach at it. Brainerd is is socially conservative and it is hard to be anonymous. People are friendly but it is small town and hard for others not to know your business. There is no sales tax on clothing in MN- so that part is a little cheaper, but property and state taxes are high.

Typically it does not get as cold there or as much snow as in other parts of the state. Nightlife is pretty scarce unless you like to hang out in shaggy bars downtown- but there are some nice restaurants and supper clubs up 371 North and around Gull Lake. There is not a lot of work there unless you are setting up a lawfirm or doctor's office. It is best if work is lined up before moving there. I have many friends there and get back occasionally, but will only go in summer. The cost of living is lower than in the metro area but lakeshore property is very expensive. If I lived there again, it would be worth it to live on the lake. Also, it is nice to live there if you have money and don't need to find work- ie, if retired and can buy a house for cash-if you are looking for professional work it could take awhile. It is a crummy place to be unemployed.

The daily paper is on-line, Brainerd Dispatch, so have a look.

[rayandy]

Hey Ya'll-Question...I'm going to be working on my masters degree once I get to MN...If everything works out well I may be living close to 5th Crow wing lake - I need decent internet access-and from what I understand-where I'll be staying there aren't any phone lines. Do any of ya'll use satellite internet? If so-how does in do in the more rural areas? Does the weather effect it-all the trees-etc.?

Any info would be helpful.

[JenLee]

No phone lines? That sounds strange to me. I can't imagine any part of MN not having phones or phone service. They DO have electricity; right?