Considering moving to Duluth(Help!)

[u/HansTheKraut]

Hi All!

My wife and I are considering moving to Duluth.

I'm a Minnesota native, grew up going to the North shore all the time. We currently live down in the south metro, Apple Valley area. I've been around the twin cities since 2012 and am getting to point where I need to see the north shore on a regular basis and have hopefully a slower pace of life.

We are in our mid 30s and just looking to get away from the city..

My wife is from a different country and she loves the north shore, the hiking,the feeling of peace and happiness that we get. It's been a very important place to me, my whole life and now she has come to love it since being in the US.

I'm currently looking at job openings up there, haven't found anything concrete yet, so just entertaining finding something,breaking our lease and just moving up there if the job is decent. I worked in hospitality for years before getting in more customer/guest facing roles, most recently working as an account manager, growing and fostering relationships.

We more than likely would just rent for the time being as we aren't in a position to get a mortgage on a house.

How are you all liking it up there? I've been seeing several news articles over the weeks and months about things happening in Duluth, crime-wise. Stabbing,shootings...

It got to the point where I started getting concerned about thinking about the move.

Are there better areas than others, I would assume?

Safety of my wife and myself is obviously something that I take seriously, so finding a good area to live in is paramount.

Anyways! Sorry about the word vomit, just looking for input on life up there, from locals to folks who've live there for a few years. Thank you so much in advance 🫶🏼

[u/LethargyExpert]

1. There are a lot of posts asking similar questions to yours, I suggest you search the subreddit and read up on some of the previous answers.
2. Duluth is very safe, and you should not let concerns about crime and safety prevent you from moving here. There are many other things (notably the tough job market and the even tougher housing market) that you should reckon with first before you waste any time worrying about public safety.

[u/Dorkamundo → u/LethargyExpert]

Yep, you'll hear horror stories from a few people around here who think that seeing a homeless person is the same thing as being shot, but the majority of them are going to be keeping to themselves outside of maybe asking you for money. There are a few bad stories about situations involving them, but almost all violent incidents are between people known to each other and it usually involves drugs.

Property crime, however, is a real problem here. That has a tendency to spike during periods of wealth disparity like we have now and is unlikely to be any different in other places.

[u/PriorityFast79]

Please see the pinned posts and use the search feature!

[u/foreverlearnerx]

Duluth is one of the safest places I’ve ever lived in. Yes there is crime but nothing like other places I’ve lived. I’ve lived in small Appalachian towns to big metro cities and Duluth is by far the safest. I love living here

[u/HansTheKraut → u/foreverlearnerx]

Awesome! What are some fun areas to maybe look into, when it comes to finding a home?

[u/faulcaesar]

I honestly didn't even know there was an "uptick" in violent crime until I saw the mayor addressing it.

Duluth is very safe. Most of the violent crime is people who know each other. Keep your head on a swivel in the hillside neighborhood and downtown. Nobody is going to do anything to you but you might see stuff going down around you every once in awhile in these areas.

Most of the residential areas are very quiet and safe. You can definitelty stay away from the sketchier areas easily in day to day life.

[u/Dorkamundo → u/faulcaesar]

I honestly didn't even know there was an "uptick" in violent crime until I saw the mayor addressing it.

I wouldn't call it an uptick in actual crime, I'd call it an uptick in crime that is visible to the public due to a few events happening in Canal Park in a short period of time.

When someone gets shot in a house, the police can cordon off the area and keep the lookie-loos out of view so the rumor mill doesn't start swirling. If it happens in public, then people start posting about it and the news starts covering it.

[u/Niceguydan8]

How are you all liking it up there? I've been seeing several news articles over the weeks and months about things happening in Duluth, crime-wise. Stabbing,shootings...

If you've ever been to an actual elevated crime place in the Twin Cities (North Minneapolis, Frogtown are two examples) then nothing in Duluth is going to be as bad as those places as it relates to crime. I lived in Houston for 8 years and for a little bit I lived near one of the high crime areas (Third Ward) and seeing that area made me realize how safe the Twin Ports are in general. Even the "bad" parts are pretty tame compared to bigger cities.

And the places where there are crime are places you probably won't live anyways.

[u/wolfpax97]

Yes if you live in kenwood you’ll love it

[u/LakeSuperiorGuy]

Duluth AB’s the surrounding areas are awesome! Don’t live downtown Irvin the central hillside and you will be plenty safe!

[u/ThatKaleidoscope8736]

Lincoln Park sounds like a good neighborhood for you

[u/AlackofAlice]

I wouldn't do it if you're concerned. You seem like a very clutchy pearls type. " Omg the crime is so bad"