Moving up there soon to be in God's country

Bad move. Haven't you seen the car driving around town with the "I Survived Falls Memorial Hospital" bumper sticker? tee hee hee

I highly recommend living in International Falls, I'm a 10 year transplant. There is no "perfect" place to live, there are positives & negatives everywhere. As for surviving the hospital, I've heard people complain about the Mayo Clinic & they are supposed to be the world's best!

As a resident of the area for five years, I can say that the move up north was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It really is God's country! The local economic development organization has set up a website: www.yourtickethome.biz to facilitate a move to the area. Check it out and sign up to recieve info on job opportunites and more. Best of luck and we look forward to having you!

My family and I just moved to I-falls in June, and I have to agree with your feeling. This is home. The people are friendly and happy to see you. The scenery is like something from a Robert Frost poem. I'm not sure how, but the trees and sky change everyday and are always amazing. My wife and I like to sit in our sunroom and look into the woods, we often comment on how we used to have to pay to go on vacation in order to get this kind of view, now it's our own backyard.

I hope you do join us up here.

I am so glad to hear that new people are currently making the "Falls" their home. I grew up there and moved from the area when I was 21. I still have family there and even tho I try to get home every year, sometimes life just does not always make that possible.

International Falls needs new residents because it's new residents that is going to generate new jobs in that area and that is what is so desperatly needed. I have thought many many times about moving back "home", but with the economy the way it is there and the lack of employment for my husband and myself, that puts a thought like that right out of my head instantly.

If you have kids, I hope that they enjoy the schools as much as I did as there are some awesome teachers there and also enjoy the area as yes, it really is God's Country up there.

Happy Holiday's
nrse1231

First of all, moving up here is a step up from Illinois. Just is. But as much as you love God's country, you will feel the effects of two paper mills and the interesting leftovers they leave in the air and water. Want proof? Just head east toward Ranier anytime in the summer or fall, and breathe deep, if you can! Yeah, I agree with the great skies and the beautiful waters and wildlife, after all, it is home to me. I just want you to know that this is not a '50s friendly town. People struggle to live up here. The county population is overwhelming poorer than other neighboring counties and we are very conservative, which mean we don't like new ideas or lifestyles up here. That's not me talking, it is just the way it is. Anyway, it is only a matter of time before we all have jobs at the new casino on the riverbank across from Sorting Gap Marina or are buidling half million homes made out of white pine on the strip of land that is directly across from a a paper mill. Nothing better than sitting on your deck, watching the tranquil Rainy River go by and take in the wonderful sunrise and breathe that odor that has no name. Welcome!

I agree with you icesicle. The reason local government and business will not or can not invest in us is two fold.First, we are not important enough or good enough and secondly, the local economy has dropped to the point where they are just fighting for their survival not our survival. I too just moved " back home" and am happy I have done so. Its my home, the place of roots, but I would not have been able to do so had I not been retired. Others have tried to return but were not able to stay due to the economic conditions. It really is an unfortunate state of affairs when your children cant raise their children here or even stay themselves.

Cindy, there are several ways that I think you might fit in and be popular to boot. Find a "very" good blueberry patch but try not to let anyone else know just exactely where it is. Find a spot where you can "often" get good walleyes but remember to point in a general direction and say "we catch them over there". And leave your deer hanging in the garage with the garage door open for two months so all can see, but never say exactely where you got them. This will effect a large number of locals to visit often, trying cleverly to find out your "secret spots" which you must never reveal, thus causing them to visit often. Keeping the coffee pot full also is a good thing to do in Int'l Falls.

I am really glad I used this blog before we moved. The comments that have been made really opened my eyes. I appreciate all the feedback. I realize now that things aren't always as they appear.I think my family and I will have to find somewhere as to move to. Thank you.

Quality of life does include having enough income to put food on the table, the ability to pay the bills, visit the Doctor when neccessary. The Jobs available in this town that offer a LIVING WAGE
are few and far between.There is a large difference between struggling and surviving.I spoke in my previous comment about MY personal experience since moving "back home". I do also talk with many people I know and work with in this town too,and listen to their experience "living" here. I know far more people who are working part time minimum wage jobs here in I.Falls than I know of who have the chance to work full time jobs with all the perks. Perks meaning a secure job,with Health Insurance and Full time hours they can rely on.The people I know who are in these part time,low paying,non benifitted jobs are all hard workers,with families,who would jump at the opportunity to work full time.It would greatly improve their life. Make no mistake, I include myself in this group of people also! It is my personal opinion that Local Government and Local Business Owners in International Falls do NOT desire more shopping related Businesses in this Community.Why? Fear that their businesses will fold due to lack of patronage if true competetive Business existed here. Industry? The Boise Cascade Mill is King here.
Once in the low paying job(s) that exist in this town,almost no advancement is possible. Dead end jobs.I still make under 10.00 per hour after 5 years of service. My Employer likes to just keep my hours under 40 per week,so I receive no benefits of any kind. No PTO, no Vacation, no Health Insurance, yet I am willing (and do) pick up extra shifts, fill in when neccesary and perform my job to the best of my ability.
Look around town, drive down any Street here in Int'l.Falls. How many "For Sale" signs do you see on each Street? Remember when "The Mill" closed down in the 80's? How many families HAD to leave town then? Wasn't it over 600 that ended up saving themselves by moving elsewhere to find Employment? This town is dying.The Self Serving Interest that Local Businesses and Local Government have displayed get the Local Economy nowhere. As for getting involved in the Local Government...shouldn't the Local Government become involved in the concerns and REAL issues the Citizens of this town have, such as employment for EVERYONE in town? Does Local Government realise that lack of job opportunities contribute to Drug Use, Alcoholism, Higher Crime Rates? How about Local Citizens Quality of Life instead of "The Tourists" quality of life? I am "involved" in this town. I want to live here. I have purchased a Home, I pay my Taxes,I vote in each and every Election, I spend a large portion of my income here, my child attends School here.I just keep hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone does something to HELP the state of things here for ALL in this town.Everyone has their own experience here in town.Everyone's opinions are based on what life they lead. Shouldn't each Citizens quality of life here matter?

We need solutions, not complaints. Posting negative comments about our community causing potential new residents to change their minds about moving here is not the answer.

If a lack of jobs or income is the problem, what can be done? Funny, though, how a lack of income causes an increase in drug use or alcohol consumption ... where does that money come from?

I don't have the answer but I know it's not bashing our town publicly. I have read recently about how the school system is going to be in need of teachers in the coming years. A very noble profession that requires special people as I belive it's a very thankless job. A job, nonetheless, that would probably have benefits.

No, that is what a forum is, not a blog!

I guess Freshface is right. This is a blog, not a complaining site. We do need to find ways to make our fair city better. I am all for that. This web log of mine is help others see the dark before the dawn. I believe in the Falls and this area. I think we deserve the best of everything. Unfortunately, other people that control the purse strings of the world won't put stores to shop in and employ people here, restaurants that are well known won't serve here because a few months of tourism won't justify their costs. This is not the Falls I know and love. This is a poor substitute because as Icesicle has said you need money to live. It is the way of the world. So I thank Freshface for their opinion and Icesicle for his, but a web log of things bad and good might be the impetus to make things better for all of us.

Wow. I can't believe people are complaining about the state of I Falls, and then using this site to drive people away?! You guys are the ones that should move. You don't know how good you have it in that town. But I guess you get what you deserve. It isn't the mill that stinks, it's some of the people who live there.