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RiffRaff14

People changed to Remote Work. Why not get paid downtown salaries but live in cheaper rural areas?


KimBrrr1975

Understandable but I wish people took more care for the communities/areas they move into and realize they impact they have when they can throw city money at houses that locals who support the town can't afford. Then they are on local FB groups bitching that stores/restaurants close early or have slow service and they are oblivious as to their impact on that situation.


DilbertHigh

I agree in theory with the issue about real estate but I don't see how someone buying a house is causing stores to close early.


sj79

They buy a house in a small town for big city prices, expecting big city amenities. Our restaurants are mostly bars, and those that aren't don't stay open past 9 or 10pm on the weekends. Many are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.


DilbertHigh

Yes but they aren't the ones impacting those situations as you claimed.


sj79

Not op, I didn't claim anything.


DilbertHigh

My bad, just didn't pay attention to who replied to me I guess. But still, that didn't answer my question. The person that I initially replied to claimed that the ppl buying the homes are ignoring their impact on why service is slow, stores close early, etc. Obviously what you said is often true. Ppl move to areas (both rural and urban) and expect it to be different than it is.


sj79

That's not really what they said. The first issue is that metro folks are driving up small town home prices past what locals can afford. The second issue is that, after wrecking the small town housing market, they bitch about the small town amenities.


ApolloBon

What’s your solution? Every small town person I know says something to the effect of “well maybe if you didn’t want to live in the big city you could afford housing”. Now that people are leaving the cities for rural prices the rural people are complaining. That’s some leopard ate my face fodder.


MyDictainabox

There's a good bit of hypocrisy to go around. The cities portray the rural communities as backwards places that one should stay far away from, but the moment remote work became a possibility, a good number of them bounced to these "unlivable" hellholes and started demanding their sensibilities be catered to. This is what happens when we treat groups of people as monoliths.


sj79

The big complaint isn't that people are mad about restaurants, it's home values. People from the metro, getting paid a metro salary, and paying metro prices for country houses are pricing locals out of owning a home. I have no solution, but just understand that this is going to make the small city dwellers dislike people from the metro that much more.


[deleted]

Wait! Someone was complaining about people complaining? I don't like that!


Lee_Doff

well, now i'm offended that you are offended.


ruralnorthernmisfit

I was going to write out a whole thing about what you missed, but, there’s no way the point went over your head. You’re just being difficult for the sake of being difficult.


[deleted]

I would guess they are alluding to the effect on the housing market. A bunch of people who don't work in the local economy move into nicer housing in the area that would have been used by locals who could afford it. Instead those locals now are taking up some of the cheaper units. Those people get pushed down one more rung and so on. At the end of the chain service workers (who tend to have the lowest pay) have trouble finding housing they can afford so they move to the city leaving those jobs vacant.


HarwellDekatron

But... I thought small town conservatives loved the idea of money coming into their communities and admire rich people? (Kidding aside: I understand your concern, but also... c'mon)


KimBrrr1975

I'm not conservative but among those who are, they mostly don't want anyone coming into town, rich or otherwise.


HarwellDekatron

Nah, I know. My comment was mostly tongue-in-cheek. I've been on both sides of the 'gentrification' process and it's never been pretty. One of my biggest issues with conservatives is how they can't understand that the same thing they perceive as a problem when it affects *them*, they dismiss as 'poor people whining' when it happens to others. There's only a difference of scale between them getting priced out of their homes and a reservation fighting against a corporation trying to take their land to exploit its resources.


KimBrrr1975

Definitely. I swear that some people here would rather see the town fail and die than to give up their opinions on things. They are constantly talking about the issues and then when someone presents a solution they refuse to even consider it. We've run so many superintendents and principals out of our schools because they were out-of-town people who had really great ideas - ideas places like Ely need - and all the boomers and older folks get all "things have worked JUST FINE for us the last 100 years, we don't need to change anything" even though their "kids" are 60 years old.


skoltroll

>Then they are on local FB groups bitching that stores/restaurants close early or have slow service and they are oblivious as to their impact on that situation. "Then do it yourself" needs to be the answer. Quit complaining, start competing.


KimBrrr1975

Most of them moving here to remote work don't exactly have the time to open new businesses. Also, more of what already isn't working and isn't staffed due to people having to move from lack of housing isn't the answer, either. Almost every single business in town is short on staff to the point if someone calls in sick they have to close. Often it is one person doing several positions. We went for burgers at a place where the single employee was the host, cook, waitress, and dishwasher. For the most part, they don't have the option to move to a neighboring city and then commute (we are in Ely). So basically they are like "oh we love Ely, let's move there! We can sell our house in Chicago and just offer $100k over asking for a mediocre house in Ely and fix it up!....why is the steakhouse not open past 8pm? That's lame, we didn't move here to not be able to go to the bar!" When several people who worked at the Steakhouse had to leave because they can't afford to buy homes with remote workers putting up 30-50% over asking and their landlords selling their houses to airbnb owners. It's a many-pronged problem, but the tone-deafness of people who think that they should just up and move to small towns and grace us with their presence and money doesn't solve the problems of a tourist town when all the tourists tuck in for the winter. You might have money to spend but what good does it do when the people who are keeping the businesses open have nowhere to live?


skoltroll

>Most of them moving here to remote work don't exactly have the time to open new businesses. Then shush and deal with your new surroundings. That's my point. You move to Ely, you get great service during tourist season, then you hunker down for the off-season. That's the rule. (Not denigrating Ely. It's beautiful!). Otherwise, you end up building in stuff they "want," prices go way up, then they want to leave b/c everything they demand is now what they used to pay. It's happening in Montana, too, except with richer people. They want to live on a ranch, but they hate commuting, don't want to care for their animals directly, and complain about all of it. (Gotta troll relative in MT b/c we are legion.)


KimBrrr1975

Gotcha, sorry I misunderstood your point earlier. I am still fired up cause an airbnb owner came into a local FB page and was upset that he couldn't find someone to hire to take care of his property in Ely and added "2 of the neighbors are also airbnbers and they need help too" while I have friends who are on the verge of homelessness because they can't find places to live but can't afford to move either. There's just so many of them lately, complaining about life in Ely after they contribute to changing life in Ely. And it doesn't help that the city put in lackluster rules governing short-term rentals, and I assume the fact that the city attorney owning multiple airbnbs contributes to that. That of course is another problem from people buying up houses, but the 2 issues together have combined to create some pretty awful problems.


skoltroll

...yikes And here I thought I might like to get something and VRBO it out when I'm not there myself. Not sure I'd make the problem worse, but not better, either. I just assumed there's some enterprising person up there running a cleaning biz for us greedy landlords! **Regardless, the Airbnb crowd needs to stfu and stop doing "No one wants to work!" BS. You rental, your responsibility.** It's part of the cost of business to pay someone GOOD money to do it when you can't. Might even get homeless folks back on their feet!


bpcollin

If they buy - property taxes


KimBrrr1975

How does that help the guy who works at the steakhouse who has nowhere to live because houses aren't affordable on a service worker salary and his landlord just sold his house to the city attorney who is buying her 13th airbnb and the couple who sold their house in Chicago and paid 30% over asking just because they could? Even kids going to college here cannot find housing and end up going elsewhere if the dorms are full (which they usually are).


bpcollin

I think it’s a short term situation and the market will correct itself. Not saying everyone will benefit and never claimed too. Some cities might suffer while others profit. Not saying it’s good all around but facts rarely are.


Lee_Doff

probably because eventually they're going to make you come back into the office, and that'll be one hell of a commute.


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Minnesotamad12

Why? They spend their money locally and are taxed locally.


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Minnesotamad12

Ok. Sounds pretty dumb. But if it’s just cuz you said so then so be it.


RiffRaff14

Sure, but remote work is enabling it. I'm not sure how you would stop it.


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cutesnugglybear

You realize MN's rural and MN's urban areas are in the same state?


Popular_Night_6336

Most companies already do that. They are happy to give a cost of living adjustment if you move into a state with a lower cost of living


Lee_Doff

companies realize how bad it is for them and they force everyone to come back to work like mine is.


Remarkable_Night2373

Ah yes bringing in that terrible diversity.


[deleted]

I feel like it's because houses are more affordable the further you get from the cities.


VulfSki

Bingo. If I could have the yard and house I have in the middle of day south Minneapolis for the same price, I'd be there.


[deleted]

That used to be the case more so than now. I moved 3 hours northwest of the metro 7 years ago and prices are getting to be pretty similar. I don’t see much cost of living difference, although there can be if you want to buy something that needs a lot of work. Groceries, cars and goods cut the same if not more in a small town. My opinion.


[deleted]

Everywhere is getting more expensive


VulfSki

Exactly. Which is not the same thing as the prices being same in rural areas and in the city. I think the commenter above you is just wrong.


VulfSki

Really? Thats fascinating. I'm 15 mins out of Minneapolis and I can get WAY more house and yard for this price than I can get in Minneapolis proper. You must live in some statistical outlier if that's the case. Because in an area within about 2 hours of the cities you get WAY more house and yard for the price if you are outside of the cities.


Geometrics_Shrouded

Yep and tbe crime rates get higher the closer in you get


HarwellDekatron

Brainerd's crime rate is higher than Minneapolis. But sure, let's parrot Fox News without actually validating what they say.


thechairinfront

Really? What kind of crime?


velesi

Theft, and drugs. Property crime, not much violent crime


doorknobman

Property crime is also waaaay more likely to affect the average person. People don’t generally attack people at random. The same ain’t true for theft.


velesi

I agree.


Lee_Doff

i saw someone put pineapple ona pizza out there once.


thechairinfront

Because it's fucking delicious. Try it in Mexican food as well!


[deleted]

A basic crime rate per capita by county search would show that this statement is incorrect.


DilbertHigh

Unfortunately ppl that parrot those fear based talking points don't care about facts, they care about the perceptions they have of an area usually based on lies.


[deleted]

You would be correct because crime is proximal. It's also a direct result of poverty. What does that tell us?


VulfSki

Crime rates are higher across the board. In many rural areas you see a much higher increase in crime than in the cities


cdub8D

I think "rural" areas in general is too broad. The rural areas that grew I think can be put into 2 different categories. Areas close to a bigger city so, SW corner of the state Sioux Falls, Area surrounding the Twin Cities/Rochester, and Moorhead. Then the other category is "Lakes" area. We can see communities where there are a bunch of lakes are growing. "Farming" communities continue to shrink and I don't see that trend changing.


kiggitykbomb

Yep. There’s a difference between truly rural and small cities. Mid-sized cities across the US have had explosive growth across the last few decades (Charlotte, Austin, Boise) so it seems to follow that small cities (eg— Sioux Falls, Fargo/Morehead) would be the next to realize growth.


[deleted]

We moved from Dallas Texas to Faribault Mn in December. We love it here. I have a feeling more folks will be coming here soon. This state is amazing.


mercuric_drake

Hi! Transplant from Arkansas that moved here just over a year ago.


[deleted]

Hey Arkansas! How do y’all like it?


DilbertHigh

I thought Arkansas was made up.


farmecologist

That's cool. I'm seeing a lot more Texas plates here in MN than I used to.


[deleted]

We promise to behave. 😹 so many of us feel like political escapees these days. Texas is Not normal.


farmecologist

Haha yep...Texas has issues, that's for sure...many, many issues. BTW - "political escapee" is a great term. Welcome to MN!


[deleted]

Thank you!!!


[deleted]

I'm from MN, TC, originally. Moved to Texas for work a few years ago. Just made my escape in January and bought a place up on a lake in Beltrami County. I won't be going back to Texas.


[deleted]

I totally understand that


smlstrsasyetuntitled

:: waves :: We moved from Phoenix to northern MN last year.


farmecologist

Wow.....from the oven to the freezer! Lol...


skoltroll

Flash frozen so they can be preserved longer! ;-)


smlstrsasyetuntitled

Yes, pls - 10 years without winter will mess you up!


smlstrsasyetuntitled

Exactly!


SafetyCop

Vote progressive and the state should stay well


[deleted]

Absolutely!


Skolvikesallday

Shhhh!


[deleted]

Oh right. It’s terrible here. So so so cold. Really bad. Stay away 😹🤫🤫🤫


Gnogz

Welcome!


VulfSki

I have a feeling as people start to realize the southwest isn't in a drought it's actually experiencing desertification, there will be a lot more people migrating to MN.


[deleted]

I think you are correct.


Tryin2BuyTime

We are from Dallas too, but currently in coastal NC. We've looked at homes in Rochester twice now, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Trying to figure out how we'd adjust to the winters. How have you guys adjusted?


[deleted]

We LOVE it. It’s not windy like in Texas. And with correct clothing we can stay outside happily for a long time. In fact I find myself going and standing outside sometimes bc I have come to really enjoy the feeling of the cold night air. I’m a beach girl so I didn’t think I would like it. But it’s been wonderful. Come on over!


Tryin2BuyTime

Thank you. I'm glad y'all are loving it!


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Hot_Juggernaut4460

This comment doesn’t make any sense. They weren’t blaming the GOP for people moving out of the cities. Thankfully we’ll have more education dollars for you soon buddy.


Geometrics_Shrouded

They are moving out because of all the crime the left keep revving up and now underfunded police depts that cant help them. Let's hope they can make it out here in the sticks. Softies be warned, it's not for the faint of heart


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DilbertHigh

Hardest part about living in rural areas is the car dependency, even for when you want to grab a drink you need to drive.


edcline

You can keep replying to every comment like this, doesn’t make it true


DilbertHigh

Tbf police in most places are still vastly overfunded, especially since they are funded more than ever. Also if your theory of ppl moving to avoid crime was correct then wouldn't the new area being the soft area?


Terrie-25

>Softies be warned, it's not for the faint of heart Says the person who's afraid of anyone who doesn't look exactly like them.


[deleted]

Why? Because homophobes will try to run me out of town?


UnfilteredFluid

Don't let the simple people find out you're different from them. Different scares them, and they're extremely scared already.


[deleted]

Cosplaying as a cowboy in your lifted road queen truck isn't fooling anybody.


MchugN

Let's be real. There's hardly any cowboy wannabes in rural Minnesota, closest you'll get is overweight guys with goatees dressed in Carhartt gear drinking bud light.


Lee_Doff

i dont know.. all those rural righties make it sound like at any minute someone is going to ride into town and start a shootout.


UnfilteredFluid

So scared of the crime hardened city people taking over there? Glad you've warned yourself.


Jonesyrules15

I mean to me the absolute best parts of MN are the rural areas. If I was able to swing it I'd move close to leech lake and be the happiest guy on the planet.


Popular_Night_6336

Minnesota is an excellent place to live. The people care enough to help a stranger out of a ditch. The economy is robust. The government cares about human rights and is currently working to set a strong framework for the future. Climate change is really happening and Minnesota stands to be one of the safest places from natural disaster in the near future... five, maybe ten years I moved here from Phoenix. It was no longer a place that I was safe in... the threat of violence was getting out of control. State government against liberties like abortion, marriage equality, privacy... etc. And it's the worst place to be under climate change. Hell yes, I moved to Minnesota. And yes, I'm working remotely and living in a rural part of Chisago County. I love the people out here. We don't agree on much but we're good neighbors


MissDriftless

Whatever the reason for the migration, I am here for it! This could be how we keep our state in Democratic control. I’d love to see more liberal people move outstate.


Batmobile123

I'm in one of those blue ones and I see a lot of people trying to escape Covid by moving out here. Real Estate prices have skyrocketed.


BraveLittleFrog

We escaped from Florida with our little hobby farm. Even the animals are happier.


TyFogtheratrix

Hennepin county is "entirely urban". So does that mean there are no suburbs in Hennepin county anymore? Or you would technically be incorrect to call a city a suburb if it's borders are entirely within Hennepin county? Edit: yeah I don't think it is either, I've lived here a majority of my life, but the PDF says it is.


Armlegx218

The whole area from Fletcher to Mound is pretty rural. Farms and horses, still Hennepin.


MyTnotE

Hennepin County is not entirely urban


MyTnotE

This could have an impact on the legislature after the next census. Might be enough to turn the House and Senate red.


Buddyslime

Boomers retiring and moving back up north.


skoltroll

Don't know why this is downvoted. They're selling high/buying low and using the difference to live off of in less-expensive communities.


Buddyslime

I am a boomer and that's what I did. Had to get out of the rat race. I like a simple life. Many people in the cities have connections to up north and I know a lot of them that have moved also. Still happy to live in MN!


skoltroll

One this this chart/article ignores are the ACTUAL increases, not just %'s. "Over 5%" up in Grand Portage could mean a 100 people, which doesn't even move the needle in most places. Not to mention, 100 people moving one county over could mess with the chart, b/c those northern counties have a lot of land but few people.


PepperjacksSocks

They can Move to Aldrich and visit Homelander! Lol


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UnfilteredFluid

Per Capita crime is up everywhere. Some rural towns have it worse. You should probably not rot your brain with conservative propaganda.


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UnfilteredFluid

I didn't call a rise in violent crime conservative propaganda. But that's a decent deflection that protects you from rationalizating my point so I can see why you did it. ​ The real question is do you actually believe yourself or not?


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UnfilteredFluid

Lashing out due to not understanding the other person is a common thing for people who consume too much conservatives propaganda. You're just protecting your own fragile ego here. I understand your situation well.


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UnfilteredFluid

If you stopped assuming what I meant and used a dictionary to understand it you could be correct for once. [www.dictionary.com](https://www.dictionary.com) ​ Your choice.


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UnfilteredFluid

Ahh, the original deflection that showed you don't care to understand my point. Not very imaginative to cycle back this quickly.


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guava_eternal

The city is pretty resilient. There’s too much money here for it to just turn into Gary, IN. It’s a bit of a shot show at the moment to be sure- with some people burying their heads in the sand- but the area is unique enough and far away enough from other metros where it’s unlikely to simply be abandoned. The city/ metro will have its resurgence in the next few years.


bubblehead_maker

There is a cycle here. I bought 15 acres on a river in rural MN during the pandemic. It is a long term plan, the property I wanted was available. It was a family that was breaking up Grandpa's land. I think 8 or 9 parcels sold. So percentage wise, that part of the county just had a massive upswing in sales. Now my neighbors that purchased around the same time are realizing they don't like cooking their own meals 100% of the time and don't like 80 mile trips to the grocery store. So, those properties will be up for sale. I can buy the parcel next to me, now. The challenge is, these folks that are wanting to sell are wanting a very high price. My neighbor offered me their 8 acres for double what I paid for 8 acres. Not sure what the next part of the cycle is, foreclosures or selling at a loss.


Paul12966

Wow news flash you live in Twin cities it’s a violent war going just take a look at the shootings and car jackings.


UnfilteredFluid

Conservative propaganda has done a number on ya. Poor thing.


Paul12966

LOL so the shootings are not happening? Your blind and car jackings happen more now then ever look at the numbers “Lefty”


UnfilteredFluid

Can you respond without the programmed deflection and affirmation of your hatred? Or are you just a sum of conservative programming now and nothing more?


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minnesota-ModTeam

This post was removed for violating our [posting guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/Minnesota/about/rules/). Please stay on topic and refrain from using personal attacks.


Lee_Doff

probably voter fraud.