Looking for Housing in Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids, or surrounding communities

[Teak]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Does anyone have any new input or information on Fergus Falls at all?

I have a couple of colleagues who work out of the Fergus Falls office, and I have been through there several times. It had an awesome downtown cafe (Cafe 116, if I remember correctly), but I am not sure if it survived the economic shutdown forced on restaurants.

As stated earlier in this 7-year-old thread, FF is on the border between the western prairies and the eastern lake region. I can recommend it for a nice small town feeling but large enough in the area to be an economic hub. Interstate 94 runs by the city so one is only an hour from Fargo ND or around 3 hours from Minneapolis.

Pelican Rapids is nice also, but possibly too small for year-round living.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by Teak

I have a couple of colleagues who work out of the Fergus Falls office, and I have been through there several times. It had an awesome downtown cafe (Cafe 116, if I remember correctly), but I am not sure if it survived the economic shutdown forced on restaurants.

As stated earlier in this 7-year-old thread, FF is on the border between the western prairies and the eastern lake region. I can recommend it for a nice small town feeling but large enough in the area to be an economic hub. Interstate 94 runs by the city so one is only an hour from Fargo ND or around 3 hours from Minneapolis.

Pelican Rapids is nice also, but possibly too small for year-round living.

Why is Pelican Rapids too small for year round living?

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Teak

I have a couple of colleagues who work out of the Fergus Falls office, and I have been through there several times. It had an awesome downtown cafe (Cafe 116, if I remember correctly), but I am not sure if it survived the economic shutdown forced on restaurants.

As stated earlier in this 7-year-old thread, FF is on the border between the western prairies and the eastern lake region. I can recommend it for a nice small town feeling but large enough in the area to be an economic hub. Interstate 94 runs by the city so one is only an hour from Fargo ND or around 3 hours from Minneapolis.

Pelican Rapids is nice also, but possibly too small for year-round living.

Thanks for the information, I've lived in similar sized cities before, but like the proximity of Fergus Falls to other cities as well within easy driving distance, and of course the access to lakes nearby. I will be in the area the first week of June for an interview, and will post an update of my overall impressions of the area.

[Teak]

Originally Posted by demtion35

Why is Pelican Rapids too small for year round living?

My opinion. Outstate, the towns in the 10,000-20,000 population range typically serve as the shopping and entertainment hubs for the surrounding areas, which are full of towns less than 3,000 population.

People in Pelican Rapids likely drive down to Fergus Falls or up to Detroit Lakes for much of their shopping, especially in the winter. Pelican Rapids is a nice-looking place, been there myself, but I couldn't imagine living in a small tourist town in the winter when those cute boutiques and cafes likely close due to slow business.

Pelican Rapids is less than 2,500; Fergus Falls is over 13,000.

[GraniteStater]

So, my overall impressions of Fergus Falls, having been there the first week of June:

1) Location is interesting, bordering agricultural areas off to the west in the Red River Valley, plenty of lakes northeast of town, and some nice state parks. However, it lacks the Northwoods feel that areas to the east have like Brainerd Lakes or Park Rapids.
2) Downtown seemed nice for what it is, somewhat underwhelming, but to be expected for a town of 10-15K residents. I did notice a relative lack of modernization and energy efficiency with older doors on the Downtown businesses, can't be good for business costs and lacks common sense.
3) Neighborhoods seemed nicer on the north side of town, south side seemed to be a mixed bag with probably 25% rundown properties at least.
4) Areas near Downtown appeared to have more lower cost rental properties, although nothing seemed overly horrible from my walks around.
5) Lots of abandoned commercial buildings on the west side of the city, and of course an abanoned mall (everywhere) these days..
6) Residents seemed friendly enough, typical reserved Minnesota nice, I'm used to it as I've lived in the Upper Midwest previously.

Overall, it was hard for me to get a really good gauge of the city. I would say my impression is somewhat mixed to good. It does have some good future growth potential, and the location is not overly isolated with five exits off Interstate 94.

[Teak]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

So, my overall impressions of Fergus Falls, having been there the first week of June:

1) Location is interesting, bordering agricultural areas off to the west in the Red River Valley, plenty of lakes northeast of town, and some nice state parks. However, it lacks the Northwoods feel that areas to the east have like Brainerd Lakes or Park Rapids.

A fair assessment of Fergus Falls, I would say.

This past weekend I drove through Park Rapids on the way to and from Itasca State Park. Park Rapids reminds me of other tourist towns: very busy in the summer, but what about the winter? At least PR has agriculture in the area (potatoes for McDonald's!) so that helps diversify away from an economy solely based upon tourism.

Itasca was -meh- for me. Having spent quite a few years tromping around Alaska for work, I take northern Minnesota to be Alaska Lite. There was a yearling black bear rummaging through some campsites and that was the most exciting thing, I suppose, for the trip.

[slamont61]

I spend a great deal of time in Park Rapids as my 'Up North' home is near there. While it's obviously a more touristy destination in the summer, not a whole lot changes in the off-season. Sure a few of the shops on the main street close up, those aren't really missed. The rest of the year it's like any other 2K+ small town. Part of it's charm is the fact that it is not near any larger cities and it's not in much danger of changing.

Itasca is a beautiful State Park, not sure what you expect from it. They don't get much better.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by slamont61

I spend a great deal of time in Park Rapids as my 'Up North' home is near there. While it's obviously a more touristy destination in the summer, not a whole lot changes in the off-season. Sure a few of the shops on the main street close up, those aren't really missed. The rest of the year it's like any other 2K+ small town. Part of it's charm is the fact that it is not near any larger cities and it's not in much danger of changing.

Itasca is a beautiful State Park, not sure what you expect from it. They don't get much better.

Itasca State Park a really nice park; and exciting.