Grand Marias, MN

[highhertel]

Gonna be empty nesters this year, thinking of relocating to an area that has all I am looking for in terms of outdoor activities, but do not have to drive for hours on end to get to.

Grand Marias, MN looks quite interesting. Never been there, but intend to shortly. Any input on this area (good and bad) and the arrowhead of MN would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
HH

 

[caged_beagle]

Love Grand Marais, MN

I am not sure about living in Grand Marais but can vouch for it's awesome personality just by the vacationing we have done there. My wife and I honeymooned there in 2005 for 10 days and absolutely fell in love with the area. We have camped on numerous inland lakes and stayed in a couple of very nice motels right in town. The downtown area will win you over with it's homey, smalltown atmosphere and friendly people. The marina, bay and Big lake make the feeling of Grand Marais one of tranquility. We have been back twice since then and will more than likely go again. We actually looked at the extreme possibility of sometime moving there by investigating work opportunities, businesses for sale and the prices of real estate. I think now we have settled on maybe purchasing some vacant land for building a vacation home but thats for the future with owning homes in both Michigan and Illinois right now. The real estate market in Northern Minn doesn't seem to have taken such a hit as in more suburban areas. Although IMHO the rural areas that I have first-hand knowledge of have held their values better than most and as much as I have looked into the Grand Marais market I think you can still get a nice piece of property for a fair price. I am sure the winters in Grand Marais are like any other "northern" town in Michigan, Wisconsin or Minnesota.....long and cold. If you like that, as I do you'll be fine i'm sure. Ya just need to have a fireplace and some winter activities that you enjoy. And from your post it sounds like you do.

FYI, Johndee has a camera in his network that points right at the marina. I check it out too frequently.

Grand Marais MN........two thumbs up!

 

[jthedens]

Spent my summers on the Gunflint Trail during college. My wifes family has had property at the end of the trail since 1982-83ish. Spend a lot of time up there. You can't go wrong - area has lots to offer as far as activities, not too well on employment...lots of seasonl type work. The down side - during the winter the town is quite quiet...groceries are more expensive then in Duluth, and other day to day items that you would be used to getting by living in a bigger city. If you head up there - if not living on the Gunflint trail then I would highly recommend the Devil Track lake area..or any where "up the hill". That way in the winter - you would never have to trailer your sled. Even when GM does not have snow, they always do up the hill. Golf course is ok, but Lutsen is approx 15 miles away and it totally awesome! If I won the lottery, I would build my wife her dream home and move up there tomorrow! If you haven't checked it out, try this: www.gunflint-trail.com. Google search the north shore and there are a lot of informational web sites about that area. Good luck!

 

[G]

One thing I have noticed when riding around GM - it is always warmer down by the lake. At least when the lake does not freeze. You can be riding 'on the hill' and it will always be 20 degrees colder the further you get inland. You never get the bone-chillling cold we get over in my neck of the woods. So although you are about as north as you can get it is really not that cold. Also there is not much wind to contend with. As far as the lake is concerned it is like living around any other lake. The climate is hard on structures. It is damp all the time and things like shingles and wood siding take a beating. On the upside the people that populate the area have always impressed me. It is desolate and accessable at the same time. Jobs are a problem but if you go there to retire that would be a non-issue. Make sure you do not pay too much for land. It is all across the board up there.