Alexandria, MN: what's it like to live there? (double)

[skytap]

I moved from MA to MN in 2000 and have lived in ALexandria for that time, the good pionts are, nice people and alot of lakes, Bad points are, 4 months of summer if it lasts that long,and you Have to travel at least 65 miles one way (St Cloud mn)and 100 miles the other way (fargo ND) to the next big city, and the winters are hell to deal with, I worked outside for the last nine years and you will never get used to the cold, Ever! you can expect it to start getting cool in Oct and lasting to the middle of june (this year it was in the 50s till the end of june) every jan and feb sometimes into march you can expect temps in the minus -10 to 60 below with windchill,some places get minus -80 below with windchill,( see 2009 cold temps here: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/cold0901.htm) I know this because I lived it, As long as you consider this and can live with outragous heating costs $3500 last year for a 2000sf house on LP gas) and lots of layers of clothing and vehicle not starting unless you have a garage and block heater then I think you should be ok, Don't get me wrong it is nice in the summer but winter will always be there to bite you with it's long extreme cold and depressing weather, People are nice some silent prejudice but never to your face, Minnesota nice,

[LaceyEx]

We moved from NJ to Alex a little over 4 years ago and it is a fantastic town. It is growing by leaps and bounds and has been voted #1 shopping destination in MN. So many wonderful, unique shops, good and plentiful places to eat, great people-very warm and friendly. Hospital, doctors and entire staffs are beyond helpful and wonderful.

Yes winter is long as it is anywhere in MN but we have never had a time we couldn't get out.

Heating our home (2200 sqft) is very, very inexpensive ($63 mo gas budget and we keep it at 70). Our monthly elec bill is average $90, sewer $18.

We are in a great lake community (not on a lake-that's down the block). Taxes are fair.

We have Target,Super WM, rumor has it a Kohls coming, mall has been purchased and being renovated. In our community there's a summer stock theatre plus a theatre downtown.

St. Cloud to me is too overcrowded altho great for a day of shopping.

We absolutely love it and the only thing for us is our kids and grands are out east and we have contemplated moving back closer.

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by LaceyEx

Heating our home (2200 sqft) is very, very inexpensive ($63 mo gas budget and we keep it at 70). Our monthly elec bill is average $90, sewer $18.

I agree that Alex is a nice place. Your costs for gas and electric shocked me. We have a 2003 ranch home with excellent insulation and windows with concrete/foam insulated walls in the basement. 1750 each level and each level finished. We keep the house at 68-69 in the winter and during the main winter months of dec-jan-feb our gas bill (Xcel) for heat is usually in the 175-220 range. Of course other months are very very low.. Upon further thought do you have average cost billing....we dont so our gas bill in the summer is 8 dollars then it swings the other way in the winter. We use a lot of electricity fans, humidifiers, etc and usually in the 150-200 month range.

I wish we had your bills....

[LaceyEx]

Hi Danin-funny thing is we just got our CenterPoint bill yesterday and was shocked as our budget dropped to $46 a mo.

Our home is a 2200' ranch/rambler, 3 BR, 3 baths, full 2200' basement (not heated)-it was built in 2003-04 and we bought it in '05 and it is apparently very, very well insulated and energy efficient.

Will be listing in the spring!!!!

[KregAXN]

Mesabi, I'm at the point of soloing (student pilot) but I'm not quite old enough yet.

And the Kohls rumor...that's been around forever it seems like.

[knke0204]

Brock Lesnar lives here.

[mrkncooper]

I have lived 22 years in Alex and yes since I moved it seems like Alex is really growing. It seems there is a good amount of employment oppourtunites, and even though we are in a tough economy it seems that Alexandria continues to grow. One thing to look out for is the price of houses. It is true that the average price of a house in Alexandria is low, but I have heard from the years those houses are in downtown Alex (and many of those houses are run down). The better houses are located out-side down town Alex are much more expensive (especially Lake houses). Per capita income is quite low as well (it should be higher when compaired with Cities like Brainerd, Fergus Falls, and Marshall).

[vkboorla]

Hi! to all Alexandria people..

[vkboorla]

Hello to all Alexander, MN people. I am moving to Alexandria, MN by the end of this month because I got job from one of the company. Initially, I wanted to share apartment with Indian guys. Please help me out if you know any Indians living in Alexandria, MN or surrounding areas.

[ozzie679]

Alexandria is in my top 5 places I'd want to live in MN. I love that area! The Brainerd lakes area blows compared to Alex.