The Best City on Lake Superior (Duluth, Two Harbors: landscaping, jobs, homes)

[saykinriseo]

I currently live in Superior, WI (clearly NOT the best city on Lake Superior) and I'm curious as to what opinions are regarding the best city on the Lake. Clearly, best could mean a lot to different people (most picturesque, most jobs, best nightlife, etc.)

Overall, what is the best city based on all criteria?

My vote goes to Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Though technically not on the Lake (it's on the St. Mary's River), it's within a mile or two. Er...several kilos for all you Canadians out there.

SSM as a great public transit system for a city of its size, it has a fairly nice skyline and has a lot of stuff to do. Plus, the locks are pretty cool.

[aluminumpork]

Duluth! haha ;-) Nah, I don't really know. I haven't been to too many other "cities" on Lake Superior. Most of my experience with Lake Superior is on the north shore and the deep UP.

[saykinriseo]

Yeah, I wasn't necessarily talking about a big city or anything (not that there really are any big cities...outside of Duluth, Thunder Bay, and SSM...on Lake Superior). ANY city could be the best. Even like Castle Danger...which I know nothing about other than that that name rocks!

[nick is rulz]

Superior, WI

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by saykinriseo

I currently live in Superior, WI (clearly NOT the best city on Lake Superior) and I'm curious as to what opinions are regarding the best city on the Lake. Clearly, best could mean a lot to different people (most picturesque, most jobs, best nightlife, etc.)

Overall, what is the best city based on all criteria?

My vote goes to Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Though technically not on the Lake (it's on the St. Mary's River), cool.

Since this is the U.S. forums, I'm not sure a vote for the Ontario Canada side of the Sault will fly. But granted, the US side is a little seedy. Sort of like Niagara Falls Canada versus US side.
So many towns are so small, with so little to offer except maybe solitude and scenery. For living, I'd have to say Duluth and Marquette. Let's be honest, none of the L.S. towns are paradises that are gonna attract tons of people. At least not to live.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by mrkool

Since this is the U.S. forums, I'm not sure a vote for the Ontario Canada side of the Sault will fly. But granted, the US side is a little seedy. Sort of like Niagara Falls Canada versus US side.
So many towns are so small, with so little to offer except maybe solitude and scenery. For living, I'd have to say Duluth and Marquette. Let's be honest, none of the L.S. towns are paradises that are gonna attract tons of people. At least not to live.

I never been to SSM before, but think Thunder Bay could use some major improvement by the water front. There were some newer low rise towers near the mall area. Otherwise, I think TB is more isolated than Duluth is from any other major city in Canda or the US.

I like Marquette, MI from what I remember from visiting there years ago.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by mrkool

Let's be honest, none of the L.S. towns are paradises that are gonna attract tons of people. At least not to live.

I disagree. I think several locations on Lake Superior are almost ideal places to live and raise a family. Duluth and Marquette in particular, but even Two Harbors and Ashland, WI.

[ozzie679]

I really like Duluth. What is Superior, WI like?

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by ozzie679

I really like Duluth. What is Superior, WI like?

You could drive over the bridge and find out

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by ozzie679

I really like Duluth. What is Superior, WI like?

Have you ever been to East St. Louis? It is just a step above that place.

Superior does have some nice areas near Barker's Island. They are working hard to redevelop huge sections fo their downrown and attract new businesses. The new government center is modern and attractive. The old one has been converted into office space and holds a new french bistro. An old middle school was revamped into a an all glass low rise building.

Overall, the bay and lake are industrial and the port takes up huge sections of land. Superior does not have a place (other than barker's) devoted to the waterfront. Wisconsin Point is all protected land (beautiful) and therefore undeveloped.

The town itself is not very attractive with century old homes that are run down. There is little landscaping or modern buildings and the old buildings have not been kept up well or have been turned into nasty clubs or bars. The town is spread out with the mall in an out of the way strip which explains why it is dead, and the rest of the city seems close to dead.

Yet, UWS is beginning a major expansion including a new student center. Frasier shipyards are doing well and have had very positive recent reports. Enbridge energy is adding staff and Murphy Oil is considering a huge expansion. The city could do well and boom if the expansion happens. It is still a very industrial town.