Reviews & Comments
Tofte, MN
Beautiful Area -
5/12/2008I have vacationed in Tofte several times a year since the mid 80's. The area has grown in some ways but retains it's charm. The main industry is tourist. There is a small grocery and liquor store but no hardware store. The closest Target or Walmart is about 2 hours away south in Duluth.
Tofte is right on the shore of Lake Superior off the only interstate in the area. The road is well maintained and snow removal is excellent. Tofte's back is to the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. Moose, bear, and wolves abound and anyone visiting or thinking about moving to the area needs to understand that nature is the ruling force here, not 'man'. If you don't respect this fact you can get yourself into some very serious trouble. There is little to no cell phone reception but cable TV has been available in recent years.
If you love the northwoods this would be a great place to consider.
Sturgeon Lake, MN
No Amenities -
5/12/2008Sturgeon Lake, MN does not have a main street or any stores. It's populace has to travel to run errands as little as 4 miles to Moose Lake if a medium size grocery and medium size Ace hardware store are ok. Otherwise it's a 30 minute drive to a larger town with a Target or Walmart. There is a coffee shop in Moose Lake called Joe Jitters which is friendly. The only fast food restaurants are a Subway and Dairy Queen in Moose Lake. There is really nothing in Sturgeon lake for amenities.
Sturgeon Lake is actually a very swampy area making it quite buggy and extremely humid during the summer. The roads are tree lined with gorgeous evergreens and birch. There is a paved bicycle trail that runs through the area and is well known as it goes straight past Moose Lake and north to Duluth, MN.
Rochester, MN
Really Nice -
5/12/2008Rochester has over 60 miles of milti-use paved paths for bicycling, walking, walking your dog, etc. There are two dog parks and it is very rare to see a dog being walked off lead.
The city is surrounded by wooded hills and many of the houses are backed up against hills with wooded back yards. The first three springs here a doe gave birth in the wooded back yard next to mine even though and I live in a well established area. I've lived here for 5 years and rarely hear a siren and feel safe walking my dogs alone. Public transportation (cab or bus) is accessible. Many people bicycle to work and to run errands, some even year-round.
Snow removal is excellent and people keep their sidewalks clear of snow as well. The air is cool and fresh and often actually sweet smelling, usually with a breeze which keeps you cool in the summer and the insects at bay.
You should know Minnesota is one of the states with higher taxes but you actually get something back from paying them.
I'm very happy to live here.