Why Duluth is a great place to live. (Hermantown, Morgan: housing, condos)

[roneb]

Newcastle and Auntie Bob, thank you for your well stated rebuttals. You've saved me a lot of time Seeing your posts is part of the reason I'm willing to believe that Duluth is, despite its financial management concerns, starting to turn things around and move forward! I wish I could be there to help out in that regard!

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by roneb

Newcastle and Auntie Bob, thank you for your well stated rebuttals. You've saved me a lot of time Seeing your posts is part of the reason I'm willing to believe that Duluth is, despite its financial management concerns, starting to turn things around and move forward! I wish I could be there to help out in that regard!

Well, I don't believe Duluth is much different from most cities. It's better than some and worse than some. I don't by any means think it's hopeless. They do have the potential of turning it around financially. I think the resident basher has either actually never lived in Duluth or, never lived anywhere else. The retirement fund fiasco is obviously going to take some time to straighten out, since it's been a long time in the making.

[cmilburn]

Originally Posted by Auntie Bob

That must mean the police there are doing their job then, eh?

BTW.....since the title of this thread is: Why Duluth is a great place to live, your posts are totally off topic.
You should probably go create a "Let's bash Duluth" thread.

Ok, well with a name like auntie bob i hate to even imagine. And as far as DUH.. that's exactly my point, why would you want to live in a city that is generally predjudice against men. Especially when this is the coalitions headquarters. And furthermore; if you recall, Duluth's news station's made a big story out of student's leaving Duluth after graduation. And secondly, why did the news make a big story out of gangs and drugs in Duluth. Like I said, you want to potrait Duluth as this great city to live in, but Duluth is far from an all american city. I only investigate and report the truth. It's just unfortunate that my topic this week is Duluth.. Just because you live there and you see your city crumbling before your eyes, does not mean that as a national reporter, i will feel compasion for deciet. Think about it...

[cmilburn]

Originally Posted by roneb

Newcastle and Auntie Bob, thank you for your well stated rebuttals. You've saved me a lot of time Seeing your posts is part of the reason I'm willing to believe that Duluth is, despite its financial management concerns, starting to turn things around and move forward! I wish I could be there to help out in that regard!

Ok roneb, is it? Why don't you ask newcastle or auntie bob to put you up for a week or two to see for your self...

[cmilburn]

Originally Posted by Auntie Bob

Well, I don't believe Duluth is much different from most cities. It's better than some and worse than some. I don't by any means think it's hopeless. They do have the potential of turning it around financially. I think the resident basher has either actually never lived in Duluth or, never lived anywhere else. The retirement fund fiasco is obviously going to take some time to straighten out, since it's been a long time in the making.

Actually, you need to take it up with city data. com because predjudice and racism fall under this topic.. So educate yourself...

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by cmilburn

Ok, well with a name like auntie bob i hate to even imagine. And as far as DUH.. that's exactly my point, why would you want to live in a city that is generally predjudice against men. Especially when this is the coalitions headquarters. And furthermore; if you recall, Duluth's news station's made a big story out of student's leaving Duluth after graduation. And secondly, why did the news make a big story out of gangs and drugs in Duluth. Like I said, you want to potrait Duluth as this great city to live in, but Duluth is far from an all american city. I only investigate and report the truth. It's just unfortunate that my topic this week is Duluth.. Just because you live there and you see your city crumbling before your eyes, does not mean that as a national reporter, i will feel compasion for deciet. Think about it...

It's rather funny. You accuse Duluth of being prejudice against men and being run by women and then someone else says Duluth is run by the Unions...which more often than not means men.

News always makes a big deal out of bad things going on. When's the last time you saw a news report about something good happening?

Actually, I don't live in Duluth. I did at one point in my life but, I haven't in over 20 years. I do have family there and I visit there quite regularly.

Oh, and don't try. You couldn't in your wildest imagination figure out why my name is auntie Bob. It's really very innocent and actually kind of funny but, too long to explain.

So what you are saying is, you have no real/actual, first hand knowledge of Duluth at all, only what you read?

[roneb]

cmilburn writes:

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.

and

Why don't you ask newcastle or auntie bob to put you up for a week or two to see for your self...

Actually, I spent over a week in Duluth in May, '06 and it didn't seem eerie or gloomy at all. On my two trips to Duluth I've had very positive interactions with virtually everyone I've met - save one drunk who made racist remarks in a bar; and in that instance I was not the only or first person to confront him on what he said.

and

Don't get me wrong, I am not here to slander, but what I am here to do is report facts. There are cursed cities, and Duluth is one.

and

Evidently you don't bellieve in crime and cursed? Is there such a thing as the explained and the unexplained and haunted??

and

the fait that awaits Duluth for its wrong doing, corruption and predjudice...

I am very much a believer in the fact that crime exists. I just also happen to believe in keeping things in perspective. And, no, I do not believe in curses or fate; unless it is to say that we make or own individual fate.

and finally...

I only investigate and report the truth. It's just unfortunate that my topic this week is Duluth.. Just because you live there and you see your city crumbling before your eyes, does not mean that as a national reporter, i will feel compasion for deciet.

Ok, well with a name like auntie bob i hate to even imagine.

I would expect a national reporter to: a) stick to the facts (not superstition), b) not resort to personal attacks, and c) display a much better grasp of spelling and proper grammar.

[MidniteBreeze]

I guess I can be the "middle of the road" voice on Duluth. I grew up there but have lived elsewhere for the past 8 years. I now live about 75 miles away and visit reguraly as I still have family and friends there.

Duluth was a great place to grow up when I was a kid, but I have to agree there is definitely more crime as well as more "undesirables" now, which is unfortunate. Of course I think crime has gotten worse pretty much EVERYWHERE since I was a kid, so Duluth certainly isn't unique in that regard.

I don't know that Duluth is particularly racist. I'm not a person of color, so I can't speak from experience, but overall people seemed pretty tolerant of each other and tended to take on a "live and let live" attitude...meaning as long as you're not bothering me, you're OK. Sure, there are ignorant rednecks everywhere you go--and Duluth has its fair share just like anywhere else--but I think most people in the community see them for what they are and those kinds of attitudes are not accepted by the majority. I had several friends growing up who were in interracial relationships and no one really made a big deal of it. Maybe it was just the people I chose to surround myself with, but I have definitely been to places where there are many more openly racist people than Duluth.

Since I don't live there anymore, I'm not sure if racist attitudes are on the rise...but if so, I would imagine that's due at least in part to the increase in the number of "gangsta" types moving in from elswhere. Is it right to judge an entire race based on a few bad apples? No...but it's human nature to form our opinions based on our experiences (you have to remember there are a lot of people in Duluth who just never had much experience with "minorities" prior to the recent increase in diversity in Duluth.)

I don't know a whole lot about the women's coalition, but I do know that Duluth was a pioneer in setting up laws to protect domestic abuse victims. I'm NOT a "femi-nazi" by any means, but I think most reasonable people would agree that domestic abuse is a bad thing. Can laws be misinterpreted, twisted and manipulated by local politics? Sure. I can't speak to whether or not this is happening in Duluth to the extent that cmilburn implies, but I would imagine the women's coalition is doing SOME people SOME good.

The economy? No, it's not the greatest and I think everyone has to agree with that. Duluth has high housing costs relative to the average wage and it's hard for many working people to get by. Sadly, I think we ARE seeing an increase in the "entitlement" (welfare) mentality in Duluth due in part to the decline of our once strong Midwestern work ethic as well as the simple frustration felt by people who work their butts off at some low paying job while they see their neighbor rewarded with food stamps, free healthcare and section 8 rent for doing nothing but popping out kids and watching TV all day (I actually have a friend in this exact situation...her upstairs neighbor sleeps until 2 or 3 in the afternoon every day while my friend slaves away at a hotel and can't afford her company's health insurance premiums because she's just squeaking by trying to pay for food, rent and gas.)

I think Duluth has the potential to get out of its current rut, but it's going to take some strong leadership and a lot of work to get there. And in spite of the bad things, there are many good things that make Duluth special.

[newcastle]

I think Duluth has the potential to get out of its current rut, but it's going to take some strong leadership and a lot of work to get there. And in spite of the bad things, there are many good things that make Duluth special.

I agree, Duluth really does have the potential to get out of its current rut. The economy the greates, no, I agree but it certainly has been worse. Growing up here, I remeber my parents out of work, so were everyone elses, and unemployment was 18% or higher. Unemployment is now around 4% which is at or below the national average. Duluth does have a lower percentage of income and lower wages than the rest of the state, and lower overall job growth. However, that does not mean that it is a "mini Detroit" hardly. If you "educate yourself" Detroit has lost nearly 1/2 of its population in the last 30 years. This mirrors the rest of the "rust belt" cities that are reliant on one type of industry. Duluth actually stabalized its population by 2000. I think it may have dipped again recently, but that is because the city tore down 50 year old section 8 housing in the central hillside and deaths have outpaced births.

Duluth does have the foundation for creating and attracting new jobs because it is better positioned than many cities to capture the young people who are enrolled at its colleges and universities. The building of a school of business and economics at UMD, a strong management program at CSS, and the funding of venture capitalist firms like D.S. area Community Foundation, Duluth 1200 Fund, and the support of strong Chamber are all important factors in the building of a desirable place to live. ALong with an active port, excellent transportaion in rail and roads, and an airport driector who has attracted two new carriers increasinng passanger traffic to an all time high at the airport. Also, securing nearly 75 million for a new terminal at the airport.

Should I go on? You can look at the redevlopment along Superior street as another example of a revitalized city. The tech center (which is full by the way) a brand new Sheraton hotel with 36 condos on the top 6 fllors, new loft style condos in Canal Park, old water and gas building, town homes along the Lakewalk, the old ghetto style buildings along the lake side of Superior street are now in the process of of being renovated. I don't care of people in Duluth can't afford them. I am happy to have new people move into the city. The Bridgeman Russle building is alos completely renovated and all units are rented.

By the way, the police force isn't hiring. The paper reported that the number of cops on the payroll is the same as it was 30 years ago. That may be why crime is up.

[JameeLynn25]

Originally Posted by newcastle

I think Duluth has the potential to get out of its current rut, but it's going to take some strong leadership and a lot of work to get there. And in spite of the bad things, there are many good things that make Duluth special.

I agree, Duluth really does have the potential to get out of its current rut. The economy the greates, no, I agree but it certainly has been worse. Growing up here, I remeber my parents out of work, so were everyone elses, and unemployment was 18% or higher. Unemployment is now around 4% which is at or below the national average. Duluth does have a lower percentage of income and lower wages than the rest of the state, and lower overall job growth. However, that does not mean that it is a "mini Detroit" hardly. If you "educate yourself" Detroit has lost nearly 1/2 of its population in the last 30 years. This mirrors the rest of the "rust belt" cities that are reliant on one type of industry. Duluth actually stabalized its population by 2000. I think it may have dipped again recently, but that is because the city tore down 50 year old section 8 housing in the central hillside and deaths have outpaced births.

Duluth does have the foundation for creating and attracting new jobs because it is better positioned than many cities to capture the young people who are enrolled at its colleges and universities. The building of a school of business and economics at UMD, a strong management program at CSS, and the funding of venture capitalist firms like D.S. area Community Foundation, Duluth 1200 Fund, and the support of strong Chamber are all important factors in the building of a desirable place to live. ALong with an active port, excellent transportaion in rail and roads, and an airport driector who has attracted two new carriers increasinng passanger traffic to an all time high at the airport. Also, securing nearly 75 million for a new terminal at the airport.

Should I go on? You can look at the redevlopment along Superior street as another example of a revitalized city. The tech center (which is full by the way) a brand new Sheraton hotel with 36 condos on the top 6 fllors, new loft style condos in Canal Park, old water and gas building, town homes along the Lakewalk, the old ghetto style buildings along the lake side of Superior street are now in the process of of being renovated. I don't care of people in Duluth can't afford them. I am happy to have new people move into the city. The Bridgeman Russle building is alos completely renovated and all units are rented.

By the way, the police force isn't hiring. The paper reported that the number of cops on the payroll is the same as it was 30 years ago. That may be why crime is up.

With all do respect, Duluths population has decreased dramatically the past 30 years as well. Maybe not half its population, but it sure is getting there! The reason I say "mini Detroit" is cause of all the gang activity, crime and low wages. Think about it, we have all the bums from Chicago and elsewhere flock to the state and maybe not Duluth in particular, however my point is, they hand out welfare here to non natives of Mn like candy! That is why the town is in trouble ,not to mention the millions of $ in debt it already has.

Being a Native from the area, I am concerned for the town and wish the best for it. I have family and friends there and as much as they want to stay, it isnt looking so great for them. They have been laid off from jobs and are unable to find work in the area due to the extremely tight job market. If they are offered a job its for $8/hr. Thats hard to live off of when you have a family to support.

Imo, the cities area has more jobs to offer, but I like Duluth better. Duluth isnt so overcrowded and Minneapolis gets just as cold and its so expensive. Why, I am not sure. I am just dissapointed in this state. If I were to pick anywhere to live in Mn, it would be Duluth. Too bad I am stuck in the cities in a small apt. for $800/mnth for another 6 months atleast