Why Duluth is a great place to live. (Virginia, Grant: home, rent)

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Duluth07

Glad to hear that some professional people are interested in Duluth, because we desperately need skilled, educated folks to move here! Health care is big as the nearest comparable facilities are 150 miles away in Minneapolis. SMDC and St. Luke's each have their own politics but both are great places in their own right.

Crime? Depends on who you ask. I have personally witnessed a big change over the past ten years in terms of what people will tolerate. People don't call the police as much as they did in the past in regards to open drug dealing, street people panhandling downtown and harrassing passersby, prostitution on First Street or in the west end, etc...and I guess that concerns me. It appears that people from Minneapolis and Saint Paul with no money or job skills are arriving here daily via the Greyhound (anyone who drives past the bus depot in the late afternoon to see the bus arrive from Minneapolis knows what I mean). As I said before, Duluth needs people who are here to work and contribute. We already have enough local residents without the resources to afford housing and basic needs. We certainly don't need Hennepin and Ramsey County's needy to come here and do the same.

From what I gather, the reason many people don't go to Duluth has more to do with the weather. A person with a degree in the health industry is more likely to go to a Sun Belt city(of if in MN, the MPLS-St.Paul area or Rochester). Duluth may have good things, but sadly, it isn't on everyone's list of places to go to, particularly among the educated. I take it the residents who can't live in MPLS go to Duluth for what could be a cheaper standard of living. I don't know.

[MidniteBreeze]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

From what I gather, the reason many people don't go to Duluth has more to do with the weather. A person with a degree in the health industry is more likely to go to a Sun Belt city(of if in MN, the MPLS-St.Paul area or Rochester). Duluth may have good things, but sadly, it isn't on everyone's list of places to go to, particularly among the educated. I take it the residents who can't live in MPLS go to Duluth for what could be a cheaper standard of living. I don't know.

I'd actually guess that it's probably more the other way around... there are lots of educated (or at least non-welfare) people who want to stay in Duluth but have to leave for the cities because they can't find a good paying job. There are also plenty of educated people in the cities who vacation in Duluth and would love to live there, but again, not enough jobs in their fields.

And yes, there are "public assistance" types who move up north to take advantage of the cheaper housing, etc. and there are people who leave Duluth because of the weather and other reasons....but overall I'd tend to think that more people probably want "IN" Duluth than "OUT." (Of course I have no official stats to back me up, but that's the sense I get from talking to people...I know more people who have taken a pay cut to live "up north" than pepole who have happily moved away to the Cities and don't want to come back.)

[rorodada]

it's lonely up there.
and a little depressing...

[MidniteBreeze]

Yeah, the weather can be depressing, that's for sure. Lonely? I guess you can be lonely anywhere.

[newcastle]

It's as lonely as you make it. If you are an outgoing individual and active in social groups such as church, community groups, college age groups you wil have plenty of company. When we moved here we thought the weather wasn't the only thing cold in Duluth. the peolple seemed thatw ay too. The more we participated in the community the more welcome we now feel. I lived in Seattle for 6 years, talk about depressing. Rain for 116 straight days? Are you kidding me! At least I have a use for my sunglasses in the winter here in Duluth.

[takemebacknorth]

When we lived up there in the mid 90's lonely was never part of our vocabulary. We met some of the nicest and most genuine people in the Duluth area. Not bored in the wintertime, either---plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep a person busy.

Lonely is being the only Yankee in a world full of toothless rednecks (West TN).

[jacksorbetter]

Originally Posted by traillover

After reading some negative posts about Duluth, I feel obligated to respond. The Duluth bashing typically comes from people that have lived here for 20 years or more and have limited or no experience living anywhere else. This is an important point. If you have never lived anywhere else, it is difficult to compare one city to another. My wife and I have lived in numerous cities and find Duluth to be among the best places to live, for us. A place to live has to fit your individual lifestyle and interests, what is great for one person may not be for another.

Duluth offers some of the best outdoor recreation of any city in the country. It was (for the 2nd time) voted one of the best cities to live in by Outside Magazine in the current issue (August 2007). It has amazing scenery, tons of wonderful trails (non-motorized and motorized) and parks, and some of the cleanest air in the country. There is no rush hour, great shops, a wonderful food co-op, good restaurants and affordable housing. The job market isn't stellar, but what town of 85,000 has a really strong market? I have definitely seen worse and there are jobs available. There was recently an article in the local newspaper about the lack of qualified people to fill professional positions (architects and engineers in particular). Health care and education are the biggest employers here. If you're an entrepreneur, there are opportunities. Duluth has historically been a union town with a mining background. That is still prevelant, but I think it's declining. Because of that, there is more of an employee mentaility. In other words, I think most people want to work for someone instead of start their own business and work for themselves. Tourism is a big part of the local economy. The people here are great. Not just superficial nice, but a place where you can develop quality relationships. Sure, there are issues - but what city doesn't have them? Crime is maybe a bit worse than average for a town this size but isn't a major issue.

The weather in Duluth....The summer highs are in the 70's and 80's with the occasional 90+. This is typically June through early September. Fall and Spring are short but nice. The winters are long and cold, no doubt. Most people are still active during these times and you will see people running, skiing, and riding bike all winter long. The town does not shut down and most people embrace winter. Snow can be on the ground from December (maybe November) through sometime in April.

I hope these few things help people considering a move, or just a visit, to our great town.

here here i agree just what i was thinking half full or half empty your choice in life i am not from duluth but have been there many times and i think its a great little city i also get tired of the moaners in life who complain about anything and everything-- for all the complainers & downers out there --get a life

[newcastle]

I agree that the mentality is more of an "employee" mentality. People are used to working for someone else. I think that is starting to change too. UMD has a small business incubator, a center for economic development, and is finishing a new business school on campus. Colleges and universities are typically the places that help promote change in communtiies like Duluth that have traditionally relied on large industry and large employers. Well, those days are gone and small business usually make up the largest employer sector. The city has embraced tax free zones (with some restrictions like a living wage ordinance) and also provides loans to start-ups. Duluth, like anyplace else, has to make a pitch to companies that it has a competitive advantage over some other place. The hard part for Duluth is that it is located in an area that has a low population and an outdated reputation of being antibusiness. People here want their businesses to succeed as much as people anywhere else.

[cmilburn]

Duluth, a great place to live? You have got to be kidding. Duluth is a city that has become a haven for welfare, gangs, and racial profiling. If you recall, the residents of duluth in cohorts with duluth's law enforcement hung three black males down town on public display for a crime they did'nt commit. If you have been to Duluth, you will notice the erie feeling and gloomy atmosphere. A perfect example of Duluth would be Silent Hill, West Virginia the movie. There is injustice towards males due to the women coalition who pretty much own the Duluth judicial judges. There are few or none regarding programs for men but excessive or abundant programs for women. Hmmm, that should tell you something.... Racism is very apparent and my advice for a person of color, black, asian, etc. stay away..

P.S. Not to mention the unbelievable percentage of alcoholism and, get this, severe depression. Need proof do your research...

[cmilburn]

Duluth will never adjust to change until there is a revision in equal justice and as they say, out with the old and in with the new... And of course, as long as there is high dollar welfare and triple profits on drug sales, duluth will continue to crumble..