Are More People Buying 2nd Homes In Duluth Due To Climate Changes? (Minneapolis: condo)

[tijlover]

If I had the resources to do so, to escape the desert heat in summer, my top choice for a 2nd home, a cool getaway would be Duluth!

And how many others in the SW or Deep South or FL, if they had the resources, would do likewise?

Has Duluth made any attempts to attract, what would you call them, Southbirds/Heatbirds (Snow birds go to FL or AZ for 3-4 months in the winter) to summer up there? Or, are there too many Nimby's up there, who don't want to clutter their lake front with high rise condo's for this crowd?

Anyone know people who are, increasingly, doing this, any records of this?

[AmorphicDN]

Duluth is cooler in summer than Phoenix or Orlando or Biloxi, yes. But I'm curious if you've been to Duluth or just picked it off the map because it is so far north and known for it's Siberian cold winters?

Do you know about how such winters brutally compromise unoccupied home condition?
And you do know about the bugs, right? If you thought you'd be escaping those southern mosquitoes you're in for a bloodletting anyway.
And if you are thinking of the pleasures of swimming in Lake Superior, because it's so refreshingly cool compared to the bathwater of the Gulf, you should know that Lake Superior has one of the coldest temperatures even in summer of any lake anywhere. Dangerously cold. ""If you're planning to go swimming in Lake Superior this summer, you should probably stay close to shore," said Peter Blanken, a co-investigator from the University of Colorado." http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/222...ter-since-1979

[Arne Bjornson]

I doubt anyone not originally from up there "summers" in Duluth.

[tijlover]

I was born and raised in MN, 21 years in Rochester, 22 years in Minneapolis, 3 years Phoenix, and 19 years here in Las Vegas. And I was last in Duluth (is it still referred to as poor-man's San Francisco?) 5 years ago, when the thought struck me. Heaven! To be able to afford a 2nd home in Duluth! Spend May through September up there!

Yes, the potential problem, what to do with it the other months of the year, sure don't want the pipes to freeze! Less of a problem, if it were a condo in a high rise, and keep the temperature where the pipes wouldn't freeze?

Many a snowbird, lots of Canadians, have winter homes in AZ, where you can walk away from them for the summer months, leave them unattended, and no problems!

And who knows, these summer birds might decide one year, to stick it out year round, and? Just like the snowbirds who try that, may come to realize it wasn't as painful as they predicted.

I've met too many people, over the years, in the SW, who are clueless about Duluth, have never been there, but when I tell them it's one of my favorite cities in the country, and reasons why, then the curiosities begin! Especially when I tell them about that long beach on MN Point, where you can all but imagine you're along the ocean somewhere!

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by AmorphicDN

Do you know about how such winters brutally compromise unoccupied home condition?

On this note, there ways to ensure that your home is safe during the winter. I'd recommend an Internet enabled thermostat like the Nest. You could remotely monitor your home's temperature right on your smart phone to ensure your pipes don't freeze. You could also install some basic wireless cameras that integrate with your Nest that would allow you to monitor key locations in your home remotely.

As far as the human touch, you could certainly hire someone on the cheap to come clear your side walks and around your vents/meters after snow storms. They would also be able to do a basic exterior inspection, looking for obvious problems. If your roof needs clearing, there are companies who do that work.

The point is, if you really want to keep a home in a cold climate unoccupied, you can easily do so by utilizing some smart technology and local resources. Of course, there is some cost associated with this, but tis' the price of having two homes.

[tijlover]

I'm betting that if Duluth did a big advertising campaign, throughout the South, touting the assets of the city and the North Shore, addressing those that don't even know Duluth exists, they'd be surprised at the results!

But I'm sure many people in Duluth like their city just the way it is!

Way back in the early 1980's, looking for a summer getaway from Minneapolis, I had a tough choice to make: buy some land near the St. Croix/Snake river junction, and build a cabin, or buy a fixer upper house on a hill in Duluth. I've kicked myself, eversince, for not choosing Duluth!

[jasper1372]

Originally Posted by Arne Bjornson

I doubt anyone not originally from up there "summers" in Duluth.

I've always tried to make that point as well.

Minnesota has lots of retired/semi-retired folks that travel South to escape the brutal Minnesota Winter weather. Virtually all of these people were born and raised in Minnesota in the first place. They spend Summers here (3,4, 5) months here, and the balance somewhere warmer.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is that once someone leaves Minnesota for a month or two for a warmer place during the Winter, it's not long until 2 months becomes 3, and then 4 and then 5 and then 6 and then 7 months and generally tops out around 8 months give or take. I've seen that happen dozens of times with friends, neighbors, former co-workers etc... One of our neighbors announced two years ago that they weren't even going to come back North until early/mid June since we had such a crappy Spring two years ago. They leave when they feel it's getting to cool/cold for their taste which ends up being early October usually.

Trouble is, if we have such a wonderful set up here in the Summer, why can't we find more Arizonians, or Floridians etc...., coming up here to escape their "brutal" Summers ? I personally have never become aware of such a thing happening, unless they were born/raised in Minnesota and have come back for one reason or another, typically involving family ties etc...

Points South may have brutally hot Summers, but if they do choose to escape, it's not to Minnesota, regardless of our personal high opinions of our fair state during Summer. We're more or less off the radar of most of the country....for good or bad.

[PeachSalsa]

Originally Posted by tijlover

I was born and raised in MN, 21 years in Rochester, 22 years in Minneapolis, 3 years Phoenix, and 19 years here in Las Vegas.



Many a snowbird, lots of Canadians, have winter homes in AZ, where you can walk away from them for the summer months, leave them unattended, and no problems!

And who knows, these summer birds might decide one year, to stick it out year round, and? Just like the snowbirds who try that, may come to realize it wasn't as painful as they predicted.

Have you ever been in Duluth during a MN winter?

Duluth gets more snow and is colder than the Twin Cities area. Seniors generally go AWAY from cold and snow because they do not want to deal with it!

I've been to Duluth....it's a nice place to visit for a day or a weekend, but I'd not want to live there.