Moved from Kentucky to Northern Minnesota. We had a plan to do so in the future but after November 2024 we moved it up about 7 years. Best decision ever. We figured everything was going to get fucky, and were able to execute the plan… So we did… It was a super hard year and a shit ton of work, but it turned out so much better than we even expected.
Hopefully you are safe from all the wildfires and smoke in the BWCA. I hear on the radio today that they think it will continue to burn until the snow starts
That would be a pity if they burned that long, but it comes with the area. Right now we are outside the readiness / evac zones. The air is very, very bad. Just watching it unfold. If anything, it has really reinforced our decision to move is how well the state and local agencies handle natural events that impact the residents. They are organized, they have a plan, and they have the funds and equipment to do what is necessary. The opposite of Kentucky. Same goes for the ability to handle the snow in winter. They make it a non-issue really. I’ll pay a few bucks more in taxes to live in a state that invests in itself and its natural areas. (We have done the math and at the end of the year we really did not pay that much more if at all)
I think the long-term burning is for deep in the BWCA wilderness where it’s inaccessible. Which shouldn’t really hurt the wilderness long-term since there’s tons of natives that need fire to germinate.
Minnesota is really well governed as a state. I lived in Illinois for a few years and that state government is a mess. I am glad you have good support to there. The snow clearing makes sense to be top tier. It’s just a necessity and completely expected
Moved from Kentucky to Northern Minnesota. We had a plan to do so in the future but after November 2024 we moved it up about 7 years. Best decision ever. We figured everything was going to get fucky, and were able to execute the plan… So we did… It was a super hard year and a shit ton of work, but it turned out so much better than we even expected.
Hopefully you are safe from all the wildfires and smoke in the BWCA. I hear on the radio today that they think it will continue to burn until the snow starts
That would be a pity if they burned that long, but it comes with the area. Right now we are outside the readiness / evac zones. The air is very, very bad. Just watching it unfold. If anything, it has really reinforced our decision to move is how well the state and local agencies handle natural events that impact the residents. They are organized, they have a plan, and they have the funds and equipment to do what is necessary. The opposite of Kentucky. Same goes for the ability to handle the snow in winter. They make it a non-issue really. I’ll pay a few bucks more in taxes to live in a state that invests in itself and its natural areas. (We have done the math and at the end of the year we really did not pay that much more if at all)
I think the long-term burning is for deep in the BWCA wilderness where it’s inaccessible. Which shouldn’t really hurt the wilderness long-term since there’s tons of natives that need fire to germinate.
Minnesota is really well governed as a state. I lived in Illinois for a few years and that state government is a mess. I am glad you have good support to there. The snow clearing makes sense to be top tier. It’s just a necessity and completely expected
Pro tip: if you see some natives hawking rice on the side of the road buy some! Best rice you’ll ever have.
Minnesota welcomes you. Enjoy your stay.
I’ll be buried here. I am home.