Anyone on here from International Falls, Minnesota?

[Winter-40c]

Everybody says International Falls is cold which is true, but that area is southern Canada, just goes to show you how cold Canada can get. Proud to be a Canadian.

[whatnow]

Originally Posted by Slig

I recently visited a friend in International Falls and here are my thoughts...

-Rainy Lake area is beautiful. We hung out at a bar right off of it called Sha Sha or something like that. It was one of the cooler bars I've been to with the log cabin look and peninsula location with ample outdoor patio seating.
-The whole town reaks as a result of the paper mill. My buddy's house is a few miles away and all it took was a slight breeze and my nose was instantly burning with the horrible scent. It is one of the worst smells possible and something I know I could never get accustomed to.
-I was disappointed with my dining experience at the Chocolate Moose. I ordered a Chimichanga with tropical salad meal. The Chimichanga was soaked in gas station style fake nacho cheese and the tropical salad was straight out of a can. I guess I didn't expect the food to be same day fresh but that was a little extreme, it may have been the worst casual dining restaurant meal I've ever had.
-On our way to Canada I went to buy Canadian currency and the lady working at one of the convenience stores a block from the border told me not to bother because "everybody in Canada accepts visa and they all accept US dollars and that they were all avoiding Canadian dollars like the plague." I asked her if that was the case even in Winnipeg and she said yes. Well, that was a flat out lie and I had a few uneccesary issues with purchases in Canada as a result. I would love to go correct that lady if I'm ever there again.
-The town itself is unimpressive. The neighborhoods I saw had sub par housing stock, overall poorly maintained homes and yards and there were alot of intersections without stop signs....how there aren't more traffic accidents there is beyond me.

Overall it wasn't a bad place to hang out for a day or two but the odor from the paper mill is reason enough to not want to live there.

Good post. Ahh, the Chocolate Moose - the place that made me sick with the runs, after what I thought was a celebration meal. Once was enough for me - NEVER AGAIN will I eat there. What cracks me up is that people around here think it is a good place to eat. I'd rather go to a Bridgeman's anyday - I've never gotten a food bourne illness from Bridgeman's and I happen to like their food when that is what I'm looking for. Anyway, you have I.Falls figured out after just a short visit. Neighborhoods are as you described, also. One thing I always wondered is why are the "nicer" homes right there in front of the mill? (I know the really nicer homes are not in IFalls!) I guess they like the smell!! Can you say CANCER?!

[Eagle17]

The little secret here that nobody is mentioning is the fact International Falls is primarily a union town, and when a business shows interest in moving there that is non-union (like Walmart), well, they aren't welcome. Boise is union, and the wages they pay are so much higher than what should be realistic, they've been automating as many jobs away as possible. As a result, the population of Internatiuonal Falls, and the county in general, has been falling.

A couple years ago, a recent graduate from the high school wrote an editorial in the paper. Among other things, she said she was the only person from her class who was still there-- everyone else had to move away to find work.

Also, from what I've seen, the general work ethic isn't the strongest, either. There's something the locals call "Laketime", which means, if it's nice weather in the summer, showing up for work is basically optional. And of course hunting season, like right now..... forget it. Just about everyone, especially government employees, are out in the woods.

It's a very nice little town, and it's destined to stay little. There are a dozen or so very successful businessmen whom everybody knows, but aside from that, finding genuine ambition seems pretty hard to do. Houses in town often sell for $30,000 to $40,000.

So, if you like honest, fun people and terrific scenery, it's a good place to be. If you plan to live there, bring your own job with you.

[monte385]

As far as union vs. non would you rather work for $10 an hr. without health & retirement benefits or would you like to double that + benefits?

And this Laketime you refer to you don't just call in & say I'm going to the lake cause it's nice. Do it 3 times in a year & you'll be looking for another job even at UNION Boise.

There is this thing called vacation that you earn with years of service & yes the UNION might have help that some too. That's what some people do is save vacation for summer LAKETIME & fall HUNTING.

[Eagle17]

Sounds like you work at Boise. Well, good for you, life is good.

I'm talking about the boat everyone else in International Falls is stuck in.

[BorderGirl]

Originally Posted by Eagle17

The little secret here that nobody is mentioning is the fact International Falls is primarily a union town, and when a business shows interest in moving there that is non-union (like Walmart), well, they aren't welcome. Boise is union, and the wages they pay are so much higher than what should be realistic, they've been automating as many jobs away as possible. As a result, the population of Internatiuonal Falls, and the county in general, has been falling.

A couple years ago, a recent graduate from the high school wrote an editorial in the paper. Among other things, she said she was the only person from her class who was still there-- everyone else had to move away to find work.

Also, from what I've seen, the general work ethic isn't the strongest, either. There's something the locals call "Laketime", which means, if it's nice weather in the summer, showing up for work is basically optional. And of course hunting season, like right now..... forget it. Just about everyone, especially government employees, are out in the woods.

It's a very nice little town, and it's destined to stay little. There are a dozen or so very successful businessmen whom everybody knows, but aside from that, finding genuine ambition seems pretty hard to do. Houses in town often sell for $30,000 to $40,000.

So, if you like honest, fun people and terrific scenery, it's a good place to be. If you plan to live there, bring your own job with you.

Do you know who wrote the article you are referring to? Or what year they graduated in? I'd say that over half of my classmates are still living in town doing whatever they do for work. I'm in a small group that have actually left the state in search of other opportunities.

I also disagree with you on this so called Laketime idea you have. I've never heard the term before and nobody just runs off on a nice day to get out on the lake. People do use their paid time off or whatever other arrangement that they have with their place of employment to be able to leave early. Yes, during the hunting season many people clear out for the first weekend but people are still at work, even government officials.