Retirement area question

[MJBaldwin]

Well I am not near the age of retirement but still nice looking at this thread and seeing what people say. I know that I moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area for school and didn’t mind it one bit. More up north than the twin cities but still a lot to do. This being said I decided to buy a house on the out skirts only 20 miles from Fargo/Moorhead. Not a far drive as I drive their everyday for work but then half way to the lakes. This being said about your retirement home I would suggest Detroit Lakes plenty of lakes near that area but then again it is a somewhat decent size town. And if that’s not big enough your only 45min to Fargo/Moorhead but I could see living even more north than that tucked back in the woods on a nice quit lake!

[titelines]

FWIW - I'll just toss in my $.02 from our experience.

My wife and I decided to build a place to enjoy now and then hopefully retire to in 20 years or so. We did tons of research based on exactly the kinds of things that are being brought up in this post, and ended up just north of Duluth. We purchased a lot in the woods and built our own place. We are secluded and it's very nice and quiet, yet there are a ton of lakes within an hour of us, I can be on Lake Superior in less than 15 minutes and hunting options are boundless. That being said, we're only 15 minutes from Two Harbors, 30 minutes to Duluth and only 1.5 hours to Grand Marais or Ely (great for day trips). It's really a great spot for us, and it's only 3 hours door-to-door most times.

I know that there are a lot of properties for sale up there, as well as lots that you can get decent deals on.

I also have a buddy who's in-laws have a place in the GR area and they love it.

[Whitefishnetter]

Re: Duluth Area, Its cold here by the lake, we are still running our furnace at times after sun down. August is the only good bet for consistent good weather .You will need a larger boat to fish Superior, otherwise it is a 1 1/2 hour drive to Mille Lacs or Vermillion. The hospitals are second to none, possibly the Mayo is better.

[delcecchi]

Well I am not near the age of retirement but still nice looking at this thread and seeing what people say. I know that I moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area for school and didn’t mind it one bit. More up north than the twin cities but still a lot to do. This being said I decided to buy a house on the out skirts only 20 miles from Fargo/Moorhead. Not a far drive as I drive their everyday for work but then half way to the lakes. This being said about your retirement home I would suggest Detroit Lakes plenty of lakes near that area but then again it is a somewhat decent size town. And if that’s not big enough your only 45min to Fargo/Moorhead but I could see living even more north than that tucked back in the woods on a nice quit lake!

Then you might as well go all the way and live in ND. No state income tax, right? That boosts your standard of living by 5 to 10 percent right there.

[curtistodd]

North Dakota has state income tax. South Dakota does not.

[MJBaldwin]

North Dakota has state income tax. South Dakota does not.

Correct ND doeshave income tax! Just couldnt make the move to ND always been a MN resident. Seemed like I could get more for my dollar in MN on the out skirts too I do all my sporting there and just couldnt see paying for a lifetime license right now even though it would be the best investment as rates for license are going up every year!

[Get'n Jiggy]

I agree with Wanderer's inference.....find out how far off the grid SHE is willing to go, and you will find out how far "up north" you should go.

I'm speaking from experiance when I agree totally with this statement. When

mama isn't happy, nobodies happy!

[Steve Foss]

Well, as an Ely resident who also has gone to the family cabin near Bemidji since 1983, lived in Duluth-Superior and traveled a lot all through northern Minnesota, I'm going to second the recommendation for the Grand Rapids area, and for all the reasons already mentioned.

If you want it more remote, get up north of town toward Effie. The closer to get to GR, the more people you'll find living around you.

[MJBaldwin]

Well, as an Ely resident who also has gone to the family cabin near Bemidji since 1983, lived in Duluth-Superior and traveled a lot all through northern Minnesota, I'm going to second the recommendation for the Grand Rapids area, and for all the reasons already mentioned.

If you want it more remote, get up north of town toward Effie. The closer to get to GR, the more people you'll find living around you.

Effie is a town of 91 just drove through it to go on a fishing trip this past weekend. Nice small town living!

[delcecchi]

North Dakota has state income tax. South Dakota does not.

I knew it was one of those dakotas. Although isn't the ND income tax much smaller than Minnesota?

[delcecchi]

Well, as an Ely resident who also has gone to the family cabin near Bemidji since 1983, lived in Duluth-Superior and traveled a lot all through northern Minnesota, I'm going to second the recommendation for the Grand Rapids area, and for all the reasons already mentioned.

If you want it more remote, get up north of town toward Effie. The closer to get to GR, the more people you'll find living around you.

If you want really remote, TOGO TOGO

Or maybe bear river. Lots of really remote stuff along there.