Would I like Minnesota? (Duluth, Willmar: neighborhoods, college, tax)

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by knke0402

I would like to say this:

I have lived in Central Hillside, Duluth since August and have not once locked my front door. heck, i dont even have a key.

Okay, that's kinda nuts. I don't recommend anyone do that anywhere!

[Aylalou]

Originally Posted by knke0402

Duluth is nice in the sense that it is a large regional hub and is a metro area, but the geography makes it kind of rural. With the hill and ravines, there are some pretty rural areas of the city. I find it great how you can live in a rural home and still be within the limits of a 80,000+ city.

The views are remarkable, and the people are friendly. and youre right, thre isnt much of a differnece between 0 and -20. its the wind thatll get ya.

Always wondered: How is driving up and down those hills in winter?

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by Aylalou

Always wondered: How is driving up and down those hills in winter?

Fine until it snows.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by Aylalou

Always wondered: How is driving up and down those hills in winter?

Sometimes it's really scary. Only time I get super scared is nearing an intersection. Can you say Lake Ave? Oh. My. God. Does my heart race. I've only had to do that a couple times in my 3 years of driving. I hope to never have to do that again. I am speaking of course if there is snow or ice, and it hasn't been dealt with (plowed, salted, and sanded).

Usually, you should stick to the main roads, and do as many zig zags as you can if you NEED to get down to a certain location. Play it safe, leave early. Better to make it there at a later time than never.

[GoWild]

Hey

[GoWild]

K, sorry checking how this worked,,, First of all if you wana try out being Minnesotan, you MUST get to understand Hockey at any level really. Pro's is a good start, then of course the Gophers, then when u get really turned on, the high school hockey tourney's are second to non. Oh and if anyone whispers into your ear that the Dallas Stars are really still Minnesota's team,, give them a disgusted kinda crazy look and think "backstaber",,(might even consider slapping them for real),, lol.
I was raised in the Plymouth/Wayzata area and went to HS in Wayzata. I have lived out of state for 17+ years now and I get into arguments with people from the east coast about hockey,,, geeze, whata they know really, lol. We bred the Carlson Bro's (Hanson Bro's-slapshot) for gods sake. Must see movie if your gonna start being Minnesotan. Ya, basketball's cool and so is football, but the die-hard Minnesotans are lost in space without their hockey. So this is one of the quickest ways to get freindly conversation in passing in your community while waiting to pay for your gas I think. People will smile in relief that their is another good Minnesotan cause he/she knows hockey. If they do not respond kindly, screw them cause their the real weirdo's any way and are there just living in Minnesota cause of work,,,,, which is fine too.

Yep you got your snowmobeelers(sp?), ice fisherman's and etc. Oh ya, regular old junkyard dogs too. All of which I have known and been proud to say are fine Minnesotans as well.

Ya, I think you got the weather under control. Minnesota winters are bitter at times but you just stay inside like MANY other Minnesotan's do and wait till you can handle it. Ya, buy a nice jacket, hat, and gloves,,, oh and some Sorrel boots. You will again fit right in. You can wear all that with an appeal that says your smart and sexy,,, lol. Ya, get the normal stuff to stay warm,, very easy.

Taxes- too young to have paid attention back then, and im sure now it's probably a little stiffer now,, maybe?

Houses- emm, probably kinda stiff,, maybe?,,, just look up a realtor in the area online and you may get an Idea of prices. I dont think there really is an alternative to contacting a Realtor in the area your considering to live and acually have them get you "real" prices. Maybe there accurate online. I think they tend to be a little inflated so as to just throw a price out there and see what happens. Bottom line, im not sure,, sorry. Rentals of all types are available im sure. You get what you pay for (cliche).

Jobs- I think you can find a job in the Twin-Cities and all suburbs no prob. Just depends on what your willing to do. I did lawn service when i lived their out of highschool and that really was the thing to do for a young man. Traveled ALL over the Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka and even downtown areas for lawn mowing,,,100+ lawns/week. I NEVER reallized how many places and really normal nice neighborhoods their were in my area alone. Downtown Lake of the Isles, is just almost unimanigeable. Beutifull houses (k, 17yrs ago,,lol). I can just imagine all the suburbs surrounding the Twin Cities. Many jobs of those sorts. Sure everyone wants to work in the hospital, or at 3M or the Pillsbury building(if it's still there). But Target had quality workers and environment. Not bad at all while your networking for better jobs. Really are tons of normal shmoe jobs around.

Education- Ok, so if youre not interested or unwilling to do similar types of jobs as above,, there are two of the most well known community colleges around that I am aware of- Normandale Community college, and North Hennepin Community College. Oh ya, my buddy went to Dunwoody college there too and became a machinist and was WELL off before any of us understood fully what college could do for you,,, highly recommend or at least look into. Ok, you have the U of M and the rest of the normal colleges also, of course. All over the state as a matter of fact.

Ive been in the Army now for 17+ yrs and am coming up on retirement soon and am really not sweating moving back to NEAR my old stomping grounds, maybe. I am sure many things have changed, but by and large, I expect to be able to find a place to stay, get a job, go to college, and have PLENTY to do. Tons to do as a matter of fact. If not all, most rock bands roll through the Twin Cities. Strangest thing was country music. I always found it weird that Minnesotans liked country music but one of my best friends was like a closet country music lover. So Im sure country bands come through there as well. As I said, you have most of what all other city's have. Nope, no oceans, but there are PLENTY of beaches/lakes to go to as well.

I know that my 2 young boys will be motivated for a lack of a better word, by the school system and the general population there in the suburbs. Just like in 3rd world countries young girls are brainwashed/forced into being a stay at homemom-barefoot-do not educate yourself sort of way,,, the suburbs breed there kids to excell and go to college and get a good job. Almost to much sometimes it seemed. ANY kid can do well there and go to the U.

Of course there are opportunities for kids to derail themselves from success. TC's are no different from other normal cities. The normal "bad" stuff is out there. Most of the BAD BAD things happen in the most obvious areas that you could think of. Just watch any show and its the same as in the Twin Cities and suburbs. Rich get murdered by jealous cheating someone's, or financial whatever's; and hanging around bad ends of down town really should be no surprise as to what can happen their. I never remember the area bieng quite as crime'ly as like Miami or the such, but the Twin Cities have there probs too. I had to look for the probles though,,, it never really found me on its own. Ya, there is a pretty good police system in place too by the way,, lol.

Overall though,,, MUCH MUCH MUCH more Pro's than cons. 8 Pro's to 2 Cons the way I would scale it.

Bottom line,, If your coming to the twin cities and living anywhere in the suburbs, be prepared to put your best foot forward. Not many people are going to give you a free lunch their unless they know you. You WILL be left behind if you do not want to seriously try. If you're trying very hard and arent rich,, I gaurantee that you will be at least be secretly happy because you will have turned into an honest to goodness good ol Minnesotan now,,, pullin there weight. Like the movie grumpy old men,, lol. Some people just get sour cause they had to bust their arrs to just live like normal. Might suck at times, but roll up your cuffs and do it.

Country living, im just not THAT familiar with that. Buffallo is about as far out as I know. Beautifull people out there. Im considering up in Bemidji, Brainerd or even Grand Rapids from what im hearing if there is a slightly bigger than a small, small town type place.

Sorry bout the long reply.. Maybe out of date and fantasizing, but it's what i remember and am prepared to do. Been back more than a few times since begining the Military, and I am not surprised by what i see every time. The place keeps growing and growing ant traffic is tough, but thats what you agree to by living in the suburbs. You get over it,,, noo, not true sorry,, ya it does suck and it gets frustrating, but oh well.

Good luck, and welcome to MN if you come.

[tbraunreiter]

I grew up in Minnesota, but have been out west on and off for quite a while, but am always drawn back to the midwest. So, now that I'm nearing retirement age I have been investigating all the places in Minnesota that I would consider living at. I, too, like medium small towns and have been an outdoorsman all of my life. I have chosen the Brainerd/Baxter area for several reasons. Pop. appr combined about 20000. Good hospital, quick hour and a half drive to Minneapolis for airport use. Beginning of the lake country without the extreme cold of the far north. 60 miles to Interstate 94 for car trips. Heavily wooded to keep the wind down. North of the farm country and it's black dirt to keep the humidity a little lower. Not too far to public land.

[knke0402]

Originally Posted by tbraunreiter

I grew up in Minnesota, but have been out west on and off for quite a while, but am always drawn back to the midwest. So, now that I'm nearing retirement age I have been investigating all the places in Minnesota that I would consider living at. I, too, like medium small towns and have been an outdoorsman all of my life. I have chosen the Brainerd/Baxter area for several reasons. Pop. appr combined about 20000. Good hospital, quick hour and a half drive to Minneapolis for airport use. Beginning of the lake country without the extreme cold of the far north. 60 miles to Interstate 94 for car trips. Heavily wooded to keep the wind down. North of the farm country and it's black dirt to keep the humidity a little lower. Not too far to public land.

My parents are retiring there soon.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by Aylalou

Always wondered: How is driving up and down those hills in winter?

The last few days have been pretty scary. I think an old lady at my grandma's nursing home put a curse on me last week! She looked straight at me, raised her arms above her head and said, "Have a happy holiday" while swinging her arms straight down, continued saying "because tomorrow you die!"

It snowed. I was on driving down Piedmont toward Hwy 53 intersection. Lady pulls out in front of me. Bam! Airbag in my face, a few bruises, and bad neck pain all week.

[filmsniffer]

I must like hockey? Oh, bother.... I hate these kind of sports.

It looks like Minnesota wins. Now I need to find a good job there then I can put my roots down. I was originally intending on relocating to NY, but after the tax hikes...

Anyone knows what's hiring? Any places to check out wanted ads? Thanks!