Ely advice (Minneapolis, Grand Marais, Tower: home, college, camping)

[kbaknife]

I spent the early part of my childhood and many, many of those family vacations on the beautiful lakes of Minnesota. Also, my father spent the last 20 years of his life as a photographer in I'Falls.
Once again, the wander lust bug has bit me! I may be 50 years old, but I LOVE adventure!
The Northeastern portion of Mn has always called to me.
Any advice on the Ely area?
Yes, no?
I have no personal baggage, such as family. Am a custom knife maker by trade, so am not afected by weather.
All I need is an internet connection!
Thanks for any HELPFUL advice.

[kuan]

Originally Posted by kbaknife

I Am a custom knife maker by trade, so am not afected by weather.

Is that the trick? Custom knife makers are impervious to -50F?

No good advice to give, but I'm a sucker for small artisan trades. I think it'll be a great thing for Minnesota to have another small business move in and set up shop.

[kbaknife]

Let me re-phrase that:
My livelihood is not affected by the weather.

[BorderGirl]

I haven't been to Ely in years but my aunt goes down there (from the Falls) several times a year for one festival or another. The Blueberry Festival is in Ely, right? So you might have a market for your knives there. Just a thought anyways.

[Auntie Bob]

I visited Ely for the first time a couple of years ago while I was working on the Census and was very impressed.
It's a really cute little town with a lot of boutique type shops that should match very well with your trade.
If you are outdoorsy...you should love it up there.

This might answer any questions you have.
Ely, MN Chamber Of Commerce - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Outfitting, Lodging, Shopping, and Dining

[sonicman25]

Well I'm the guy to go to if you want Ely info. I was born and raised there. I've spent the last 3 years in Minneapolis for college but other than that I lived in Ely my whole life. It's a unique little town with a lot to offer. I didn't like it growing up just because that's where I was born and I wanted to move to the city. But it's a very nice little town. Lakes everywhere surrounding it. Great for camping,fishing, and other outdoor activities if you're into that. I think there's a lot of small minded locals that live there but you will get that in any small town. I hated the winters there but I'm not a cold weather person at all. Winters are brutal in Ely. It doesn't get any colder than NE Minnesota in the US. But it all depends on what you prefer for weather and what you can handle. If the cold weather isn't too much of an issue for you I would recommend Ely.

[sushigirlie]

I have been to Ely on a couple of occasions. The most amazing beautfil scenery in Minnesota. It's very close to the Lake Ely, has some absolutely gorgeous nature that I have ever seen in the world.

I think it's worth while moving for someone who like it calm, close to nature, it's a nice small nice community. Thumbs up.

Also, Ely is sort of a hunting/fishing land, so your knife business may become a popular place, who knows.!

[Jaxx99]

Ely is fabulous. But if you are looking at Ely, you may want to take a day or two to swing through Grand Marais. I think both places are great for artisans, and each has its own advantage (Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters with incredible inland lakes, and Grand Marais of course sits on Lake Superior -- could be a town on the coast in Maine).

If you want lakeshore living, you'll have high prices based on all of the summer home competition from people. If all you are looking for is a lot or piece of land near town, I bet you can find something pretty reasonable.

[nightphoenix]

I've lived in both Ely and Grand Marais, and am trying to figure out how to move back to one of those towns.....as others have said, if you can handle the winters, which are most definitely the coldest and snowiest in the whole U.S. (with the exception of interior/Fairbanks Alaska) then I'd say go for it. Remember the coldest temp. ever recorded in the lower 48 occured in Tower MN, 20 miles from Ely, and that was the official temp. Other non weather service designated sites were as cold as 72 below that year. But if you can tolerate it, or even better, love the cold and winter....go for it. I mean, if you've got a job/career, or are retired, Ely is a great town.

Grand Marais is a nice town too, but I think with you're work with knives etc, Ely would be a better choice!

[pirate_lafitte]

Hey, it's Jessica Biel's hometown.