I’m 31, single, no pets. Looking to move near the Gunflint Trail (thinking Grand Marais or even on the Gunflint Trail potentially). I’ve never been in trouble and have worked consistently since graduating from Murray State in 2016.

Without getting too deep here, does anyone have any recommendations on where to move that’s within an hour or two of the Gunflint Trail? I haven’t searched much for housing or employment yet. I’d love any feedback you guys are willing to give.

Thank you all, I appreciate this online community so much.

One thing to consider as an option is working at an outfitter. If you look just to the right of your post, you will see an orange button that says RESORT AND OUTFITTING JOBS. Not sure of your timing, but even now it looks like there are some openings, and some places up there go year around. Getting with an outfitter, which often comes with a place to stay, would get you in the area allowing you to scout other opportunities.

"If you look just to the right of your post, you will see an orange button that says RESORT AND OUTFITTING JOBS."

FYI not on a pda.

Start with seagull outfitters….that could work into a lifetime job.
you don’t mention your degree or interests.
it is expensive to live as a single person in Grand Marais, gunflint trail, Lutyens areas.
Any available housing has been bought up by people who turn them into vacation rentals or vrbo situation.

There is a small b&b business for sale mid-trail. It’s a lovely place and has a place for you to live. I guess you’ll need to cook breakfast…

Do you have handyman skills?

Tell us more about you

I have a friend who works for MDOT - mows grass in the summer, plows snow in the winter. He lived in Grand Marais for a while and as housing got too tight and more expensive, he moved to Two Harbors and bought a fixer upper that's still being fixed up. But it was affordable and Two Harbors turned out to be a nice change for him.

Worth a thought.

Duluth is a great outdoor town. Great year-round mountain biking, world class cross-country skiing, the big lake - all in town along with a vibrant outdoor community. You can go on day trips to the BWCA any time you want, on a day permit. It's about an hour and a half drive to the nearest BWCA entry point on the Sawbill Trail. Lots of canoeing on very wild lakes nearby with no permit ever needed. Even for overnight trips there tend to be many cancelation in high season and living in Duluth gives you many options being so close to the BWCA. Also great food and coffee. There is even a local surfing club. and often free air conditioning when the wind is off the lake.

I will echo what others have said and say that the best route would be to start with an outfitter job that includes housing because finding affordable housing up there up there doesn’t seem to exist. A lot of them are seasonal, but there are some that have year round. Also, a lot of the seasonal workers are college kids that leave in August so they need people for the fall.

If I was single and was moving up there I would start with an outfitter that includes housing. Over the last few years there have been some teaching jobs open in GM, but the lack of affordable housing for our family of 5 is one of the main reasons that I haven’t applied.

Do you ever listen to the Tumblehome podcast? I just listened to an older episode the other day where they talk about the pros and cons of making the move up there. It also talks about their path of making the move up there and both of them started with seasonal outfitting jobs that turned into year round seasonal jobs that that turned into other jobs and after many years up there owning a home. I think it’s a very good episode for anyone thinking about making the move to listen to. I’ll look through the episodes when I get a chance and let you know specifically which episode it is.

It’s episode 074: Living in the Great Northwoods from Tumblehome: A Boundary Waters Podcast.

jsmithxc: "Duluth is a great outdoor town. Great year-round mountain biking, world class cross-country skiing, the big lake - all in town along with a vibrant outdoor community. You can go on day trips to the BWCA any time you want, on a day permit. It's about an hour and a half drive to the nearest BWCA entry point on the Sawbill Trail. Lots of canoeing on very wild lakes nearby with no permit ever needed. Even for overnight trips there tend to be many cancelation in high season and living in Duluth gives you many options being so close to the BWCA. Also great food and coffee. There is even a local surfing club. and often free air conditioning when the wind is off the lake. "

As someone who has lived close to Duluth my entire life I would say pass on this. Duluth has one of the worst crime rates in the county. The homelessness has gotten out of control. Put Duluth on the list of MN cities being run into the ground by it's leaders.

I appreciate all the feedback! I know all of you have premise on what you say and why you say it and I value every piece of information. My degree is in business administration. I’ve worked (and coached) for various school districts and have also bartended (don’t drink personally) and personal trained. Not so much a handyman but more than willing to learn new jobs and you can bet I’ll work my ass off at whatever I’m asked to do. I’ve always thought I’d do well in a cafe setting (love coffee, socializing and rising early).

Ducks - please do leave that podcast link for me. That sounds like a pertinent resource and I would definitely give it a listen. I should add that I’m not opposed to rural or urban living. I’ve done both and I understand there are pros and cons of both. I certainly wouldn’t rule out any type of setting - so long as I have the potential to catch trout within an hour or two and access to some hiking.

Please feel free to ask more questions and provide contacts if you know someone.

MidwestMan: "I appreciate all the feedback! I know all of you have premise on what you say and why you say it and I value every piece of information. My degree is in business administration. I’ve worked (and coached) for various school districts and have also bartended (don’t drink personally) and personal trained. Not so much a handyman but more than willing to learn new jobs and you can bet I’ll work my ass off at whatever I’m asked to do. I’ve always thought I’d do well in a cafe setting (love coffee, socializing and rising early). Ducks - please do leave that podcast link for me. That sounds like a pertinent resource and I would definitely give it a listen. I should add that I’m not opposed to rural or urban living. I’ve done both and I understand there are pros and cons of both. I certainly wouldn’t rule out any type of setting - so long as I have the potential to catch trout within an hour or two and access to some hiking. Please feel free to ask more questions and provide contacts if you know someone. "

Hopefully this works for you. I listen to their podcast on Spotify.

Tumblehome Podcast Episode 074. Living in the Great Northwoods.

Remember that, since the pandemic, there are a lot of companies that allow telecommuting (work from home). You can literally work from anywhere there is a strong enough internet service. There are lots of internet service options now that didn't exist even 5-10 years ago. Most cell providers have some internet service available. Starlink Satellite service is available worldwide.

The largest employer in the town where I live has employees that literally live all over the US. Many moved away from here after the work from home started and have never moved back. They may have to visit town for a week once or twice a year, but, that is usually not a hardship.

Might want to look at towns like Siver Bay or Tofte area. Or go inland a little to Finland or Isabella. Cheaper places to live, finding a "good" job another story. The tourist service type jobs don't pay a living wage and are seasonal. If you can get a construction job or help maintaining and remodeling the homes of the tourist, you might do okay.

Sure, Duluth has "changed" but so have a lot of mid-size towns in Minnesota. St. Cloud, Hibbing, Virigina, etc.....Not making excuses it is sad, but still happening.

We moved up there for two years and taught
Housing is the hard part. Do that first.
There is plenty of work.

My son is 27 and has a nursing degree. He works three days/week on his regular job and picks up shifts when he wants to. Then in the fall he takes off from working his travel nurse gig for six weeks and just hunts.

When we go to the BWCA, he has no problem getting off from work. If I were young and unattached I would consider doing something like that.

We just back from a week long camping trip in Grand Marais. Beautiful town. There are many jobs available so finding work should not be hard. As someone else pointed out, housing will be the biggest issue. This tends to be a big issue in most resort towns. I have a cabin near Minocqua, WI and finding help for workers and housing is an issue. So, look for housing asap and consider different towns and locations near the Gunflint. By the way, while trout fishing can be good in this area at times of the year, I do not consider the Gunflint or Grand Marais, MN trout meccas. I do trout fish. Trout are available but they could be hard to find and get at during times of the year. Good luck in your quest. Hope you find what you seek.

By the way, this reinforces the benefits (housing) of working for an outfitter.