Northfield MN (Minneapolis, Lakeville, Faribault: for sale, apartment complex, rent)

[cavewoman]

Good Luck....shopping is limited, some cute places downtown, but expensive.
Housing is high...(MHO) small town in South Dakota....(your coming from)
Shopping is limited to Target and Cubs, unless you go to Lakeville. On the outside, it loos and feels like a wonderful place. However... if you do not fit in, the politics are awful. They are going through many changes right now, new Mayor, administrator and council.
You may be lucky and fit in.... I did not. It has destroyed my life. I spent almost a year there. Still very bruised.
If you are determined and want a great place to live... I a friend who ha been dying to leave.... her house is awesome.'

[Alaskagrl]

If your family in general likes art, music, literature, history--then Northfield is an awesome place for you. There are lots of enrichment programs between the colleges and public schools, especially with music, due to St. Olaf College's amazing music program.

The town is overall very educated and can veer towards snobby, but there are plenty of down home, basic people that live there (my parents for one). Tons of shopping--not only the big stores cavewoman mentioned but neat little bookstores/trinket stores on historic main street, though they may have taken a hit since they big boys moved in.

Lots of beautiful parks (Carleton College's Arboretum is nationally known for it's beauty), trails, bike trails, and playgrounds. Not to mention the bars and restaurants that line the river walk area in the middle of town. Golf course, swimming pool, etc. Really nice town in most ways--can't gainsay cavewoman that it does have an underbelly--right now, as she pointed out, big changes afoot among city leaders and some incoming problems with drugs/gang activity, largely due to an increasing Hispanic population. And someone can (and probably will) blast me on that comment--I don't give a rat's ass. It's the plain simple truth.

PM me if you want--I was born and raised there for 22 years. My parents and brother live there now. Happy to give you some insider info. cavewoman no doubt had some unpleasant experiences there--but that doesn't mean you will.

Originally Posted by bankerwoman

Good Morning - My dh is applying for the deputy chief position in Norhtfield and was wondering if anyone can tell me a little about the town (shopping, family activities, housing and employment). We have a 15 year old daughter that likes the arts and music and a avid softball player. I come from a very small town in south dakota and like the idea of things to do all the time.

[mffritzke]

Originally Posted by cavewoman

I think I was just there the wrong year....
Heroin hits small town USA
Drugs...gangs.,
Mayor sues City Council
Administrator under investigation
Police CHIEF RAN OUT OF TOWN

yep, great Town USA

gotta be kidding

okay i've read your other posts about northfield and you said you've only lived there for a year so why are you even responding to peoples questions about living here. You didn't even know when Jesse James days was so you are obviously not a native because that is kind of a big deal in northfield. Northfield is a beautiful town with friendly people, granted not all of them are friendly but if you make an effort they are not as evil as you make them out to be. And I was a high school student when the heroin thing was an issue and I can GUARANTEE that it was blown way out of proportion and the numbers were waaay off. there is no way that many people did heroin. absolutly no way. so it really pisses me off that people base their opinions about northfield on some stupid made up numbers about heroin. Our police cheif made all of that stuff up. Also I don't know about this "gang" thing you speak of. I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any "gang-related murders" in Northfield recently so i wouldn't worry about that. haha. I would recommend Northfield to anyone who wants to live in Minnesota and raise a family. It is a very safe and wonderful town.

[Alaskagrl]

Hey...do you still live there? I was hoping for an insider scoop on the whole friggin' heroin/gang thing--would you like to PM me and we can chat? My whole family is still there, except for me, and I grew up there/went to HS there. I'd love to talk if you feel like it. Let me know!

Originally Posted by mffritzke

okay i've read your other posts about northfield and you said you've only lived there for a year so why are you even responding to peoples questions about living here. You didn't even know when Jesse James days was so you are obviously not a native because that is kind of a big deal in northfield. Northfield is a beautiful town with friendly people, granted not all of them are friendly but if you make an effort they are not as evil as you make them out to be. And I was a high school student when the heroin thing was an issue and I can GUARANTEE that it was blown way out of proportion and the numbers were waaay off. there is no way that many people did heroin. absolutly no way. so it really pisses me off that people base their opinions about northfield on some stupid made up numbers about heroin. Our police cheif made all of that stuff up. Also I don't know about this "gang" thing you speak of. I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any "gang-related murders" in Northfield recently so i wouldn't worry about that. haha. I would recommend Northfield to anyone who wants to live in Minnesota and raise a family. It is a very safe and wonderful town.

[cavewoman]

I think that I was more than fair and very clear in the time I spent there. Everyone has a right to their own opinion...being Native to a town does not make you God or an expert either.
This year alone 5 young people have DIED... (Heroin) so I am sorry you are among the fans who ran poor Gary Smith out of town,.(who served the community 7 years and tried to help) as far as Gangs go....take a drive down by the apartments.... or just sit in a few parking lots when the weather is nice. The renters use their garage's as a party place, and hang out with gang loooking types"
I cannot say I know for sure if they are in a gang.... but My husband I spent several weekends looking for homes and because we had to look at more or less the cheaper homes.... the neighbors seemed to have a little less than pleasant atmosphere. So perhaps you can consider looking at Northfield News, on the Heroin bust, you call make believe. I do not recall saying anything about "murders'.... and defending a town you grew up in....is fine by me. In fact it is what you SHOULD DO. I was pretty nice and did not beat the place up, To base an opinion over an event of Jessie James Days and me not knowing.... (whatever....) and who cares, this is all fine and your right. I have seen real rodeos and many other places have reinactments or events in their town. To be....not a big deal.

My only concern for anyone "NEW"..... is simply to know the town is somewhat standoffish and that was just my two cents. I agree one year is not a long time....but I met many natives and people who have been there for years. Even the HR Director at City Hall said she has been in town 25 years and has very few friends. It has been "rough" she said.... so you tell me. Living somewhere for 25 years, and having a hard time geting to know people?

I think people should welcome newcomers, no matter where they are from and introduce them. That's all. I don't need to argue or defend my thoughts. Anyone can go to Locally Grown and see what a joke the Northfield News is and listen to how they beat up the Mayor who had served the community for 20 plus years. Why they even beat up a poor old man who is 76 years old. The continued whining and complaining is what gets to me.
So...do you still live in Northfield? and if yes....where are all the other highschool kids who graduated?
If not....why not?

Just a thought.

[cavewoman]

PS.
The homes are overpriced, the goverment is in Choas, the taxes are to high and even the limited places to shop are an arm and a leg.

[mffritzke]

Originally Posted by Alaskagrl

Hey...do you still live there? I was hoping for an insider scoop on the whole friggin' heroin/gang thing--would you like to PM me and we can chat? My whole family is still there, except for me, and I grew up there/went to HS there. I'd love to talk if you feel like it. Let me know!

i dont know what pm means but if you let me know i'd be happy to talk about it.

[cavewoman]

Again, I am not sure where or how to PM you.... let me look. The Heroin continues to unveil ... the truth has been covered up for awhile but the news continues to reveal the sad news. Just alot of sad news and kids under the influence....No I no longer live there.

[Alaskagrl]

Originally Posted by mffritzke

i dont know what pm means but if you let me know i'd be happy to talk about it.

PM= personal message; I'll send one to ya and you should be able to see that you have a "direct message"--click on that and it should send you to my PM. Thanks.

[Alaskagrl]

And yes, it WAS the place Jesse James did his last robbery--and several of his men got shot/killed there as the good people of Northfield didn't take too kindly to the idea. There's a HUGE (and, rather obnoxious) fesitival called "the Defeat of Jesse James Days" in Northfield every year to celebrate the bloody event. It was fun as a kid--parade, re-enactment, etc, but now it seems to have degenerated in the past years--beer garden is now the main attraction for many. Neat old car show and rodeo--but bikers have caused a ruckus at some of the past few events, too. Oh well. Still pretty fun, at least for visitors, I imagine.