Hawley MN info please (Fargo, Hope: cul-de-sac, rent, new home)

[snowlandcook]

Yes, I know this is the North Dakota site, but I think there are more people here who have an answer to this than there are on the MN site.

We are moving to the Fargo/Moorhead area next month (new job). We have been looking at homes (to buy) but have not found what we want. We are now thinking about renting for a year or so and then building our dream home. (My spouse is in the building industry and we've built before--never quite our "dream home" though.)

We just started looking at property (at homeshq.com) and have seen some gorgeous lots with rolling hills and trees in Hawley. Looks like a new development going in. Lots were in the $35,000 range.

Can someone tell me how the local Hawley folks feel about new developments? I don't want to be treated like an "intruder," if you know what I mean.

Also, what is the commute like from Hawley to Moorhead? How bad is it in the winter? Are there carpools going into Moorhead?

What else is in Hawley (besides UBC)? Any grocery stores? Parks?

Thanks!

[FargoBison]

I drive by Hawely quite a bit on the way home from the lakes and from what I can tell its a nice little town. There is a nice little 18 hole golf course that I have played a few times and right next to the course there is a decent sized park. There is a brand new grocery store, a subway, dairy queen, a bank, car dealership, and a few other things. There are also some really nice lots just outside of town, great view from what I can tell. Definately something you couldn't get in Fargo. The commute isn't bad, it's a four lane highway all the way to the Moorhead. You can also turn just before Dilworth and get to I-94 in minutes. In the winter the drive could get a bit dicey at times but if you take your time it should never be a major problem.

I have also never lived in Hawley so I don't know anything about car pools but I think the town is close enough to Fargo that they won't treat a new person like an intruder. I don't think I have ever had a bad encounter with any of the locals while in Hawley.

[jwmn]

I drive by Hawley every day. I live in Lake Park, which is about 10 miles east of Hawley, and commute to Fargo. It takes me about 45 minutes to get to work, and after 4 years of living there, I'm getting a little tired of it. I think you said you will be working at MSUM. The commute from Hawley to MSUM would probably not be more than 25 minutes, which isn't too bad.

Like the previous poster said, Highway 10 is a good 4-lane highway. Most days in winter the commute is fine. Some days will definitely take you longer, but you'll be fine if you take your time. There may be a day or two each winter when you just can't make it. My job allows me to work at home from occasion, so if the weather is really bad, I'm likely to just stay at home or take the bus. There is a commuter bus that runs from Detroit Lakes to Fargo every day and makes stops along the way. Here's a link: Clay County Rural Transit The bus would be a little inconvenient, though, since you would have to take it all the way to the bus station in downtown Fargo and then transfer to another bus to take you to MSUM.

Hawley has close to 2,000 people. It's a fine town, but not particularly great or impressive. The highway goes through the southern end of town, and the previous poster named many of the businesses along the highway. There's also a couple gas station/c-stores, a new BBQ restaurant, and a supper club. There's been some new construction recently along the highway, including an odd-looking Subway and a new grocery store (Tony's Supervalue). I've been inside the grocery store a couple times. It's small compared to grocery stores in Fargo-Moorhead, but it's a good-size store for a town that size (twice as big as the old store), and it's nice.

There's also businesses downtown, but I can't tell you what's all there since I haven't spent much time there. I know there's a library and there at least used to be a bowling alley (I think it's still there). I don't think the downtown looks terribly impressive (of course the town I live in is smaller and has less downtown, but I'm comparing Hawley to towns of similar size). It seems businesses are wanting to locate along the highway rather than downtown. The new grocery store moved from its downtown location to the highway. In comparison, I think Pelican Rapids, which is just a little bigger than Hawley, is a really nice town and a place I would rather live, but it's 45 miles from Moorhead. Barnesville, which is about 25 miles from Moorhead on I-94, is another town of similar size you could look at.

There are some new developments in and around Hawley, and I would agree that there are definitely some nice places to build a house. Even though I don't think the town itself is one the greatest town in the world, it's a fine town (it's nicer than Glyndon) with some nice lots for building, and I wouldn't hesitate to move there if I could build a house on one of these lots as long as I was okay with the commute. My wife and I have decided that we would just rather live in Moorhead so that we don't have to spend as much time driving places (though a 25-minute commute might not be too bad). I actually have a cousin who lives and works in Fargo and is currently building a house just outside of Hawley. I don't know anyone who lives in Hawley, but I don't think I would worry about being treated like an intruder.

Here's a couple links you could check out if you haven't seen them already:
Hawleywood
Hawley, Minnesota -- Welcome to the City of Hawley!

[snowlandcook]

Originally Posted by jwmn

I drive by Hawley every day. I live in Lake Park, which is about 10 miles east of Hawley, and commute to Fargo. It takes me about 45 minutes to get to work, and after 4 years of living there, I'm getting a little tired of it. I think you said you will be working at MSUM. The commute from Hawley to MSUM would probably not be more than 25 minutes, which isn't too bad.

Lake Park looks prettier--and so does Pelican Rapids! I'd consider either of these, but I do worry that I'd get sick of the commute. It's just wasted time--and a pollutant.

...There is a commuter bus that runs from Detroit Lakes to Fargo every day and makes stops along the way.

That's good news--it addresses the pollution issue, at least.

I think Pelican Rapids, which is just a little bigger than Hawley, is a really nice town and a place I would rather live, but it's 45 miles from Moorhead. Barnesville, which is about 25 miles from Moorhead on I-94, is another town of similar size you could look at.

I'll look into Barnesville. Is it friendly? Do people commute from there to F/M?

Here's a couple links you could check out if you haven't seen them already:
Hawleywood
Hawley, Minnesota -- Welcome to the City of Hawley!

Thanks!

[jwmn]

Originally Posted by snowlandcook

I'll look into Barnesville. Is it friendly? Do people commute from there to F/M?

Yeah, people do commute from Barnesville. There's also a Clay County Rural Transit commuter bus that goes from Barnesville to Fargo. I haven't spent much time in Barnesville, so I can't say too much about it.

[tls1995]

have lived in many different places all across the country while growing up including Hawley. My family lived in Hawley in the early 80's for approximately 2 years. Of all the places we lived Hawley was by far the worst. The majority of the people (adults and children) did not like "outsiders" and were not shy about telling you so.

I realize that this was over 20 years ago and things may have changed since then and for your sake (and your childrens) I hope things have changed. No one should be treated as badley as we were treated while we lived there.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Hawley_Newbie]

[quote=jwmn;1046630] I actually have a cousin who lives and works in Fargo and is currently building a house just outside of Hawley.

I believe I am the cousin listed above. We currently rent a house in Moorhead and my wife and I are building a house near Hawley. We both have mixed feelings about the town but the area we are in is spectacular. There are two subdivisions in the country east of Hawley. One is called "River View Estates". It has rolling hills and a great view of the Buffalo river. The other is "Highland Acres". This is the location we are building. The lots range from 2.3acres to 5 and have a stunning view of the river as well. These lots are much nicer to build on than the Riverview lots. These lots range from 32k up to 42k and are well worth it. The houses going in are fairly high end as well. The other nice feature is that the sub-division is on a cul-de-sac so the traffic is ZERO. Commute to Fargo is relaxing, with a couple towns along the way to break it up. I believe there is also a "Park and Ride" within a mile of our lot. As for Hawley itself, it is your standard small town with a couple large town flares (subway, large grocery store, golf course etc). There is also a new exercise gym going in. I would recommend Hawley over Barnesville. We have a couple friends that live there now and are currently working on selling there house to move back to Fargo. I am not sure their real reason whether it was the commute or not but I know the town appeal was some of it. As for Pelican Rapids. That is town on the downswing. Almost all restaurants have closed except DQ and a pizza shop that is open only a few days a weeks. Schools in Hawley are rated very high so that weighed in to our decision, since we have two little girls. Hopefully this helps. If you need anymore information on Hawley or lots we are building on let me know and I will help as I can

Good Luck

[imaposse]

We moved to Hawley a little over a year ago because my wife heard that the schools were really good, but we shop and work and do everything else in Fargo. I was just wondering if the schools in Fargo are comparable to Hawleys at all, because I'd rather live in Fargo. All this back and forth stuff everyday is really getting old.

[kimmersue7]

Originally Posted by snowlandcook

Yes, I know this is the North Dakota site, but I think there are more people here who have an answer to this than there are on the MN site.

We are moving to the Fargo/Moorhead area next month (new job). We have been looking at homes (to buy) but have not found what we want. We are now thinking about renting for a year or so and then building our dream home. (My spouse is in the building industry and we've built before--never quite our "dream home" though.)

We just started looking at property (at homeshq.com) and have seen some gorgeous lots with rolling hills and trees in Hawley. Looks like a new development going in. Lots were in the $35,000 range.

Can someone tell me how the local Hawley folks feel about new developments? I don't want to be treated like an "intruder," if you know what I mean.

Also, what is the commute like from Hawley to Moorhead? How bad is it in the winter? Are there carpools going into Moorhead?

What else is in Hawley (besides UBC)? Any grocery stores? Parks?

Thanks!

Hello, I am also new to Hawley, I moved from Detroit Lakes. I now own Jimmys Pizza in Hawley. I believe there are all kinds of new homes and lots in Hawley. The drive from here to Fargo isn't too long, about 30 minutes. There are carpooling and busses that go to Fargo, Moorhead. There are several rest. and parks, a great school. Visit HawleyWould.com.