moving to duluth, could use some advice (Hermantown, Proctor: fit in, neighborhoods)

[shimmerhawk]

In April I'll be moving from Washington, DC to Duluth. I'm originally from Minnesota, so I know what to expect for winter. I'm not worried about neighborhoods either, since the worst area in Duluth is probably better than where I live now. Finding a job could be a problem, but I'll deal with that when I get there. I do have a few other concerns though.

1. How gay friendly is the city? Will I be able to find a gay friendly church there? What about attitudes towards people who don't fit traditional gender roles? I'm not the type who wants to get married and have a bunch of kids either, so I'm worried I won't fit in.

2. What's the public transportation like? I was looking at the bus schedules and it looked like there were long waits between buses sometimes, and limited hours on weekends. I won't have a car initially, so I need to be able to get around, and not only on weekdays.

3. One of the main reasons I'm moving to Duluth is for the outdoors. Are there any good hiking or outdoors clubs? I'm not overly athletic but would like to find a group of down to earth people who also like outdoor activities.

4. How on earth do you guys drive on those hills in winter when it's icy? I hated winter driving in Fargo where it was flat, so I can't imagine trying to get up and down those steep streets.

Thanks! I've been to Duluth many times for vacation, and it seems like a great little city. I'm looking forward to staying there more permanently.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by shimmerhawk

In April I'll be moving from Washington, DC to Duluth. I'm originally from Minnesota, so I know what to expect for winter. I'm not worried about neighborhoods either, since the worst area in Duluth is probably better than where I live now. Finding a job could be a problem, but I'll deal with that when I get there. I do have a few other concerns though.

1. How gay friendly is the city? Will I be able to find a gay friendly church there? What about attitudes towards people who don't fit traditional gender roles? I'm not the type who wants to get married and have a bunch of kids either, so I'm worried I won't fit in.

2. What's the public transportation like? I was looking at the bus schedules and it looked like there were long waits between buses sometimes, and limited hours on weekends. I won't have a car initially, so I need to be able to get around, and not only on weekdays.

3. One of the main reasons I'm moving to Duluth is for the outdoors. Are there any good hiking or outdoors clubs? I'm not overly athletic but would like to find a group of down to earth people who also like outdoor activities.

4. How on earth do you guys drive on those hills in winter when it's icy? I hated winter driving in Fargo where it was flat, so I can't imagine trying to get up and down those steep streets.

Thanks! I've been to Duluth many times for vacation, and it seems like a great little city. I'm looking forward to staying there more permanently.

1. As far as I know, I don't know of much outright discrimination towards gays. I'm not gay, so I don't roll with that crowd, so I can't comment on attitudes of other people. I have nothing against them. Live and let live (in peace) is what I believe.

2. It really depends where in Duluth you'll be living, but usually, the DTA is a great choice. It's reliable and goes to many places in the Duluth area (including Proctor, Hermantown, and Superior.)

3. I'm not sure about outdoor clubs, but there's a lot of outdoor opportunities if you're one for cold weather outdoor activities. Endless opportunities.

4. It's a challenge at times. But the city is really good about cleaning up main streets. It's not really that big of an issue. The only time it's a problem at times is if you're driving while it's snowing hard. Otherwise, just slow down.
Main thing would be, if you're really that scared of the hills: Live either up the hill, or down the hill, depending where you work. You'll be fine. Just don't be in a rush, and leave a bit earlier while it's snowing, and you'll be okay.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by shimmerhawk

In April I'll be moving from Washington, DC to Duluth. I'm originally from Minnesota, so I know what to expect for winter. I'm not worried about neighborhoods either, since the worst area in Duluth is probably better than where I live now. Finding a job could be a problem, but I'll deal with that when I get there. I do have a few other concerns though.

1. How gay friendly is the city? Will I be able to find a gay friendly church there? What about attitudes towards people who don't fit traditional gender roles? I'm not the type who wants to get married and have a bunch of kids either, so I'm worried I won't fit in.

2. What's the public transportation like? I was looking at the bus schedules and it looked like there were long waits between buses sometimes, and limited hours on weekends. I won't have a car initially, so I need to be able to get around, and not only on weekdays.

3. One of the main reasons I'm moving to Duluth is for the outdoors. Are there any good hiking or outdoors clubs? I'm not overly athletic but would like to find a group of down to earth people who also like outdoor activities.

4. How on earth do you guys drive on those hills in winter when it's icy? I hated winter driving in Fargo where it was flat, so I can't imagine trying to get up and down those steep streets.

Thanks! I've been to Duluth many times for vacation, and it seems like a great little city. I'm looking forward to staying there more permanently.

1. The city is more and more open toward gay people. There is an annual gay pride parade now and a few clubs in Superior. You should be able to find a gay friendly church pretty easily. The United Methodist Church is more liberal and gay friendly along with the Congregationalist Church too.

2. DTA Questions has been answered already, but the places most people want to go to (Colleges, downtown, and mall) have a fairly low wait times.

3. Plenty of hiking, biking, skiing, camping, ice climbing, canoeing and rental, fishing (ice), hockey clubs, curling clubs, and any other outdoor thing you want to do here in Duluth. The Superior Hiking trail starts in town and runs north to Canada. The Western Waterfront trail, Willard Munger Trail along with 23 city parks and man in-city biking and hiking opportunities abound.

4. Plenty of salt, sand, and grit on the roads. There are certain roads you avoid when it is too icey and you just go around to another more gentler sloped road and take your time getting places. It's really not a big deal.

[knke0204]

Sounds like you wouldnt have a problem.

Duluth is pretty laid back and liberal. People in MN and Midwest might seem a little weary towards other ethnicities/culutures/lifestyles, but I think for the most part people are accepting. I know a few gay people I have met in the 15 months I have lived here.

Many fun things to do outdoors, and there are endless opportunities like someone had mentioned.

[shimmerhawk]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I can do all the research in the world, but it's better to hear it coming from people who are actually there.

Does anyone have a general idea of what the bus wait times are? Here I never wait more than 20 minutes for a bus, and it's usually 5 or 10.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by shimmerhawk

Thanks, I appreciate it! I can do all the research in the world, but it's better to hear it coming from people who are actually there.

Does anyone have a general idea of what the bus wait times are? Here I never wait more than 20 minutes for a bus, and it's usually 5 or 10.

It really depends on your route. Some routes go once an hour, but that's to the areas that not too many people go. Having a bus come every 5 or 10 minutes would be very inefficient, because we don't have as many people in the Duluth area as DC (a big metro) has.

[newcastle]

Check the Duluth Transit Authority Website. I bet you will find wait times and routes.

[shimmerhawk]

I was worried about longer wait times like that, especially when it's cold outside and I don't want to stand around waiting for a bus. I'll check out the website and maybe aim for living near a bus that runs more frequently.

[knke0204]

Your question about winter driving-

Duluth does have some REALLY steep streets that are almost impossible to drive on...But mainly the city is an East to West city (SW-NW along the shore) with the hill running N-S (SE-NW) so it's easy to find a main road if needing to go up or down the hill.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by knke0204

Your question about winter driving-

Duluth does have some REALLY steep streets that are almost impossible to drive on...But mainly the city is an East to West city (SW-NW along the shore) with the hill running N-S (SE-NW) so it's easy to find a main road if needing to go up or down the hill.

Where does the city run NW along the shore?