Moving to Duluth in May (Breckenridge, Rice: apartments, leases, lofts)

[Armyvet13]

Hello Duluthians, I have gone through most of the conversations up here in the forum and I wanted your opinions on moving here in May! I am a single army veteran with an engineering job offer in Duluth and am willing to spend about 800 bucks on an apartment (studio or a 1 bed). I would prefer being close to the nicer restaurants and a neighborhood that is not depressing and safe (to go around alone for a run after work at like 1900). I would really appreciate if you could give me like the top 5 apartment places with the above preferences so I can put in a lil more research and decide on one. I really liked Bluestone lofts but they are not ready until like August.

Thanks and regards!

[aluminumpork]

There are a number of interesting options, although they don't necessarily meet all of your requirements. I'll list some ideas below:

Summit Ridge
Website
Summit Ridge is located in the Duluth Heights area on Rice Lake Rd. You are near Central Entrance and its fast food/gas/liquor amenities. It's about a 10 minute drive to the mall area. These apartments are right next to another development (Boulder Ridge) which is geared towards college students. Both are built in a relatively "woodsy" area between two quiet neighborhoods. I consider the area safe and spent most of my teenage years on Willow St (right by).

Harbor Highlands
Website
The village of Harbor Highlands is a brand new neighborhood style development. They literally razed an entire, downtrodden neighborhood and build fresh single and multi-family homes. The development is designed to be mixed income, so you'll find families of all types. Since they built a neighborhood, there are multiple streets and avenues that you could take your run on without ever leaving the development. The neighborhood features playgrounds and a central amphitheater.

Firehouse Flats
Website
The Firehouse Flats is a brand new complex in downtown Duluth on 4th street. The area could be considered "depressing" by many, but the price is right and the units are very nice. Two bedrooms can be had for only $619 with underground secure parking. You're right next to the 4th street marketplace and (being downtown) close to many great restaurants. Most notably, easy walking distance to Hanabi (japanese/sushi). You would also be very close to the YMCA (newly redone and gorgeous) on 1st street.

We have a number of property management companies. Most notably Sherman-Associates (previously Bowman Properties) and Shiprock Management and Summit Managment.

Sherman-Associates Property Search
Shiprock Management Property Search

Summit Managment doesn't seem to have a central website, but rather a website for each individual property.

Hopefully this helps a little!

[Armyvet13]

Thanks a lot aluminumpork! Summit Ridge seems like a nice place to me and what do you think about Highland Village or Chester Wood Apartments. Also, there is this St Marys apartments on 3rd street/3rd avenue managed by Townline Realty St Marys Apartments and the pictures are pretty cool but I am not sure about the area!

[tvdxer]

I would highly recommend Firestone Flats. YES, the Central Hillside (neighborhood) may not be in the most "socioeconomically" attractive neighborhood, but it has some of the most stunning views in Duluth (of Downtown, Lake Superior, and Park Point) and would be a gentrified yuppie / DINK / gay enclave in any other city.

There's no neighborhood in Duluth I feel unsafe walking in as a 26 year old male at 7:00 pm.

[Armyvet13]

"There's no neighborhood in Duluth I feel unsafe walking in as a 26 year old male at 7:00 pm"

That gives me a better idea of what Duluth's like...thanks! Correct me if I am wrong but there seems to be an upper income limit of $40K for the firehouse flats?

[HuskyGrad]

Originally Posted by Armyvet13

Hello Duluthians, I have gone through most of the conversations up here in the forum and I wanted your opinions on moving here in May! I am a single army veteran with an engineering job offer in Duluth and am willing to spend about 800 bucks on an apartment (studio or a 1 bed). I would prefer being close to the nicer restaurants and a neighborhood that is not depressing and safe (to go around alone for a run after work at like 1900). I would really appreciate if you could give me like the top 5 apartment places with the above preferences so I can put in a lil more research and decide on one. I really liked Bluestone lofts but they are not ready until like August.

Thanks and regards!

I'm moving out of my apartment in the Summit Square-Breckenridge at the beginning of May. The landlords are great, quick service, and it's $625/month with heat and cable included. Immediately at the bottom of the hill is the bridge to the lakewalk. I've been extremely satisfied living there since I got my first engineering job out of college. They even gave all the residents holiday gift boxes.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by Armyvet13

"There's no neighborhood in Duluth I feel unsafe walking in as a 26 year old male at 7:00 pm"

That gives me a better idea of what Duluth's like...thanks! Correct me if I am wrong but there seems to be an upper income limit of $40K for the firehouse flats?

No, they provide lower income housing as well as normal leases.

[AbqTeacher]

Originally Posted by Armyvet13

"There's no neighborhood in Duluth I feel unsafe walking in as a 26 year old male at 7:00 pm"

That gives me a better idea of what Duluth's like...thanks! Correct me if I am wrong but there seems to be an upper income limit of $40K for the firehouse flats?

I'd say that Duluth feels fairly safe in most areas. However, there are rowdier, louder neighborhoods that I'd still suggest avoiding, just to preserve your sanity. Try and dodge the college ghettos, unless you like drunks wandering past your window at all hours of the night.

[arabianhorselover]

I don't consider certain area of Duluth to be all that safe.

[AbqTeacher]

Originally Posted by arabianhorselover

I don't consider certain area of Duluth to be all that safe.

There was a guy tossing molotov cocktails into 4th street last week. That was interesting.