Tracy Ramsey, a longtime real estate agent in Duluth, said recruiters have told her the cold weather is an obstacle to recruiting. But recruiters have recently reported another deterrent: long and frustrating job searches.
Ramsay's idea to address the region's severe housing shortage was to launch a new real estate lifestyle magazine, North, in February. “The only thing I could do was try to help people who are not from here understand and appreciate our city better, and realize that it was worth the wait.”
Ramsey attributes Duluth's outdoorsy, down-to-earth culture to its modest size and proximity to nature. This is the kind of place where people wear Sorels with dresses to show off their houses when the streets aren't plowed, she says with a laugh.
North magazine's large size and sophisticated design give it the weight of a coffee table book. In some ways, the magazine is like a glossy lifestyle magazine, with veteran writers from Outside, Midwest Home, and MPLS.St. Hotels, Glamping in Beaver Bay, and coveted golf courses).
Some articles delve into the serious issues facing the region. Will climate refugees fuel Duluth's population boom? What can be done about its housing shortage? The publication also serves as a marketing vehicle for Mr. Ramsay and includes a section primarily featuring million-dollar homes for sale and recently sold.
Ramsey hopes to produce “North” every year and mail copies to eligible households in northern Minnesota and distribute them to area hotels and resorts. (Copies are available in the Twin Cities at the Minneapolis Land Rover dealership. A digital version is available at northhomeandlife.com)
Ramsey said he has seen an influx of luxury homebuyers moving to Duluth from places like California and Washington for jobs with major employers such as Essentia Health, St. Luke's Hospital and Cirrus Aircraft. Told. Some customers from drier climates say they see Lake Superior as a refuge. “There are people who shop here expecting to run out of water. That's really scary,” she said.
Most of Ramsey's Twin Cities clients recognize Duluth as a frequently traveled destination and are looking for a vacation home. “I feel like there’s a lot of love from the community,” she said.
