16 Pros and Cons of Living in Duluth, MN

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Is a move to Duluth, MN potentially in your future and you’re wondering what you’re getting into?

Or maybe you visited, loved it, and are now considering making it a permanent vacation.

In either case, it’s important that you know what you have to look forward to – and what you should be prepared for.

This guide shares the pros, cons, and some important tips for living in Duluth to help.

Pros of Living in Duluth, MN

Duluth, MN does provide residents with a lot to love and brag about – the following being just a few.

1. It Has Some of the Most Livable Communities

Livability is often ranked according to things like weather, available housing, the condition of that housing, and available amenities for residents.

With such factors in mind, some communities in Duluth, MN have actually been ranked as some of the most livable in the entire country.

2. You Can Enjoy All Four Seasons

Most people think of really cold weather when they think about Minnesota – and yes, there is some really cold weather.

In fact, temperatures often get as low as just two degrees, but that’s in the winter and typically comes with snow.

However, there are also three other seasons to enjoy, with high temperatures reaching up to 75 and even 80 degrees on occasion.

So, if you want to live somewhere that allows you to experience all four seasons in all their glory, Duluth is a great place to live.

3. You’ve Got Food Variety At Your Fingertips

Duluth offers various types of delectable dishes for your taste buds.

You’ll find some nice local restaurants, classier restaurants, and everything in between.

And residents tend to brag about the quality of the restaurants, coffee shops, and small diners as having all the flavors they need.

4. And Plenty of Activities to Enjoy

Outside of all the food there is to explore, Duluth offers plenty of recreation.

If you love the outdoors, you have over 80 trails to bike, hike, or walk.

There are also more than 100 parks, aquariums, the Aerial Lift Bridge, and the Lake Superior Zoo to enjoy.

And don’t overlook skiing, snowboarding, fishing, kayaking, exhibitions, cultural events, and boating.

There are also some really great concerts, like the Bayfront Blues Festival.

5. Education Is Pretty Good

If you have children, their education is a priority, so you want to be sure that you move somewhere where they’ll get the best.

Duluth public school district has been given an overall grade of B, which is pretty high.

This grade includes assessments of everything from the teachers and provided academics to the food, available clubs and activities, college prep, test scores, diversity, facilities, and more.

6. Your Commute Shouldn’t Be Too Bad – Most of the Time

One of the good things about Duluth is that you have pretty much everything you need in close proximity.

The average commute is just about 15 minutes, give or take a minute or two.

This can go up some during the winter, though, due to weather impacting the road conditions.

In any event, most of the time, you won’t have to endure a long commute to get where you want to go.

7. Cost of Living Can Be Low

Living in Duluth can be more budget-friendly for some, but it really depends on what you’re comparing it to.

Duluth is definitely cheaper than most other cities in Minnesota.

So if you’re dead set on moving to the state, Duluth is probably the best option for your bank account.

It’s also cheaper than many other US cities and the national average.

8. The Workforce Is Open and Diverse

You shouldn’t have trouble finding work in Duluth, which is a definite positive.

Health care tends to employ the highest number of workers, but opportunities don’t stop there.

There are plenty of paper mills, oil refineries, manufacturing plants, retail stores, banks, restaurants, hotels, bars, and more.

Additionally, with millions of tourists visiting each year, there are plenty of tourism employment opportunities.

Cons of Living in Duluth, MN

As with anything else, living in Duluth does have some downsides.

The following are some of the biggest to consider.

1. Crime Is a Bit of An Issue

One of the biggest disadvantages of living in Duluth is that it’s not really the safest place to live – though it’s definitely not the most dangerous.

Still, with an overall crime grade of D, it’s an important factor to consider.

Most of this rating is related to property crime, but violent crime is a factor.

Statistically speaking, some form of crime occurs approximately every two hours in Duluth.

2. Winter Can Be Very Uncomfortable

The idea of Duluth being freezing cold is true – just not all year.

However, winter is definitely very, very cold. In fact, you can expect at least 100 days of freezing and below-freezing temperatures.

Now, this is great if you really love the cold – and have a good way to stay warm.

Truthfully, though, living a third of the year in freezing temperatures can be rough on anyone.

3. Winter Can Also Be Boring

There is one thing that residents of Duluth tend to recommend to anyone thinking of moving: find at least one winter activity to keep you busy.

Winters can be long and miserable – especially if you’re stuck inside all of the time.

Who doesn’t go a little stir-crazy?

Be prepared for downtime, get involved with some winter sports, or take up another hobby you can enjoy during those seemingly endless winters.

4. The Roads Are Rough

The harsh winter conditions actually wreak havoc on the condition of the roads.

And unfortunately, those roads do not get the best upkeep.

All of this leads to potholes, cracks, and other issues with the roads, which can make it really hard to drive – especially without damaging your vehicle.

5. Not Everyone Knows How to Navigate the Rough Roads

People who have grown up in Duluth have become very adapted to the road conditions and know how to manage driving safely.

They also tend to have vehicles equipped for snow and ice.

However, there are many travelers, transplants, and college students who aren’t accustomed to the conditions – and neither are their vehicles.

This can lead to accidents and being stuck behind slow drivers, which is a fairly common complaint among residents.

6. You’ll Want to Be Equipped for the Weather

Preparing for the winter weather requires a reasonable financial investment – starting with some really good tires that can manage the ice and snow.

Snowmobiles and bikes are commonly used – both for recreation and to navigate the weather.

And, of course, you’ll want plenty of warm winter wear.

The point is that you’ll need to pour some money into equipment and preparations to be comfortable in Duluth and deal with some of the biggest challenges.

7. Summer Doesn’t Get That Warm

While it definitely warms up in the summer, don’t expect really warm temperatures.

It generally won’t rise higher than 75 degrees, which is a pleasant temperature.

However, if you love the idea of really warm weather and cooling off in a pool or lake, this probably isn’t a good place for you.

Or you’ll need to travel for some real summer fun.

8. New Homes Can Be a Bit High

While the overall cost of living is typically low, that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to new houses.

The population is increasing and, therefore, the demand for housing and materials is increasing.

Unfortunately, this leads to new houses costing much more than the median home price across the country.

If you want to move there, renting or buying a home that’s already built is typically the best option.

Pros and Cons of Living in Duluth, MN – Summary Table

Duluth Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Duluth Safety Review

Safety Index:

78

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM