Hoyt Lakes and Aurora (Minneapolis, Biwabik: layoffs, closing, income)

[gimme it]

What do you think of those towns? I've been there visiting, and I can't get over how slow the pace is. Everyone is fairly laidback. Is this a midwestern thing?

[Delaneyland]

Personally I love it there, I think you'll find a lot of that kind of living in rural areas everywhere. I've found its got more to do with the folks that just want to live simply away from hustle and bustle....I've found it in MN, SD, ND, WY, CO, and AK.

[Navelinski]

Originally Posted by gimme it

What do you think of those towns? I've been there visiting, and I can't get over how slow the pace is. Everyone is fairly laidback. Is this a midwestern thing?

Yes, but also a small town thing and a northern Minnesota thing.

Those areas have been hard hit by layoffs and factory closings. The downturn in the steel industry has affected the whole area, although they are starting to bounce back now. One concern I would have is employment. But if you are retired or have other source of income, then you'd be OK.

The cost of housing is low, but the cost of groceries, heating oil, and gasoline is a bit higher than in Minneapolis. That's because they are pretty remote little towns and just about everything is shipped in by truck.

But if you like fishing, skiing, and outdoors fun - and don't mind the cold - those are great places to be. Actually, they aren't as cold as Embarrass because they are on the warm side of the divide (the Laurentian divide). The north side of the divide is colder. The south side is somewhat protected so it is warmer.

Biwabik is also very nice.