Thief River Falls

[Upper Deck]

I'm considering moving our family to TRF to take a job. We currently live in the Twin Cities but I grew up in Grafton and she grew up in Park Rapids so moving back to a "small town" would be nice. I haven't been to TRF in a long time. Is there much there shopping-wise, schools, entertainment, etc? We're also considering Bemidji and Brainerd area.

Please let me know any thoughts on TRF . . .

[PCM]

I've never been to Thief River Falls and I've only passed through Brainerd, but I've been to Bemidji many times. I really like that area. I think you should seriously consider moving there if you want to get back to small-town living.

[ESPNInsider]

I've been to TRF many times in the past 4-5 years. There is not much as far as shopping/entertainment, although there is a relatively new waterpark/casino/resort just SE of town. I think most of the shoppers make the trek to GF to hit the mall. It has a very small town feeling to me. I officiate basketball up there and the schools seem to be pretty nice. I know a former teacher from there who liked it but was ready to move on.

I've also been to Bemidji many times in the past few years enjoying the lakes. I like this area much more then the TRF area because I'm a lakes person and a golfer, that being said I would probably choose Brainerd as the best of the three. My brother lived there (Brainerd) for three years so I was there a few times. Great area with all the golf and lakes and outdoor stuff, plus you are closer to the cities, St. Cloud.

Bemidji is great though, but I am not real sure about the schools there. I know some people that went to high school there and they seemed to turn out all right

I hoped this helped and if you have any more questions I can help you with feel free to PM me and I can try to help you.

[Upper Deck]

My folks are going to retire to Bemidji and have a place there already. I go up to Bemidji quite a bit and would enjoy living there for the most part (plus they get the SSN ). Brainerd has about everything the TC's has but TRF may be the best fit job-wise.

[jloos]

I'm considering moving our family to TRF to take a job.  We currently live in the Twin Cities but I grew up in Grafton and she grew up in Park Rapids so moving back to a "small town" would be nice.  I haven't been to TRF in a long time.  Is there much there shopping-wise, schools, entertainment, etc?  We're also considering Bemidji and Brainerd area.

Please let me know any thoughts on TRF . . .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm clerking for a Judge who lives in TRF - I know he also lived in the Cities for a while. I can see if he would be willing to answer some of your questions - pm me your name and email if you want me to do that.

[airmail]

If schools are a concern, do not live in Bemidji. Without going into detail, they have issues. TRF, OTOH, has an excellent school system. They don't have much for shopping, etc. but a very nice town overall. Nice housing opportunities, great medical services, great schools, and a friendly atmosphere. Certainly a city on the "growth" end of the spectrum.

(oh yeah... the Black Cat bar and grill is also a plus)

[Upper Deck]

Schools are my concern about Bemidji. One plus about TRF is that it's only an hour to the best college hockey (no, not Bemidji ).

[Let'sGoHawks!]

If you have a chance to get out of the cities and get a decent paying job in a small northern minnesota town, i'd jump on it. I dream of such things. I love northern minnesota. The lakes are awesome. If you ever want to go back to the cities, they are a medium sized drive away, the best part will be that when you are done with your activities, you get to leave and go back to the great north country.