Kind of an off - topic post, but here is the condensed version. I live in south central MN, not much for riding area, last few years almost no rideable snow, always traveling to the north or Wisconsin to ride quads or sleds, but now I may have a chance to change that. I am interviewing for a job at Ainsworth ( formally Potlatch) for a job in the plant in the Bemidji / Cass Lake area,and have some questions. How does the cost of living seem there, how do you rank the area as far as access to different stores,entertainment,etc. Also, how would you rate housing and schools in the area ( have a kid to think of). Any one have an opinion on the Ainsworth plant itself? I know wood processing is a little hot and dirty, but good pay and benefits can offset a lot of things,plus the area seems very beautiful, nothing but trees and lakes ( and trails) instead of sloughs and cornfields where I am. If the offer comes,it would be a major decesion for me, been at my current job for 20 years, so you don't just walk away from that without some serious thoughts, but I would value some input from any people from the area that could give me some insight to what I can expect if I were to move up north. I should also mention both my son and I love to fish, hunt and ride both quad and sled, but doing a major uprooting and move should make any one think twice. Sorry for the long post, but as you can see I may have to make a major decision in the near future, and would like to have as much information to base this on as possible. Thank you all in advance for your help !!

 

Wow, a whole month without any replies, I guess no one on the forums lives near Bemidji !!! Just had to bump this to update, today I got a call from Ainsworth, the job is mine after the mandatory pee-pee test and company physical, so barring any unseen problems, looks like I may be moving up to the Bemidji area, once again, anyone have any info on housing, looks like I'm going to have to sell and move fast, so I'm going to have to start looking for a place to stay, either rent or buy, until I can find a place I like. Gonna be hard to find a setup like I have, close to lakes, 11 acres of land, deer hunting on my own property, and be affordable !!! Anybody with any tips or advice, feel free to let me know, I'm going to be a busy boy real soon !!!

 

If you ever head west into North Dakota, there is a great spot to ride called the Sheyenne National Grassland, just north and west of Hankenson, ND. Grass covered sand dunes more than a hundred feet high. ATV's legal there, you just have to stay on the paths. No problem, wherever you want to go there is a path going there, someone else wanted to get there too! The grassland is about 3 mi x 5 mi in area.

http://www.trailsandgrasslands.org/sheyenne.html

Just under 200 mi sw of you, just north of the South Dakota border, south from Fargo.

 

Hey I work at Ainsworth in Grand Rapids. Don't have a snowmobile myself but many co-workers do and love it around here. I ride both sport and utility quads in the area, many logging and mining areas to ride. I ride a 03' Arctic Cat 400i and a 05' Predator. You won't be disappointed by moving North!

 

Got a kick square to the groin on this one, everything was all set to go, then my son's mom's lawyer gets into the picture. He's lived with me since he was 1 1/2, and we've had a few run ins with custody and visitation, but hearing I was about to be over 200 miles away really set her off. Legally, she can't stop me, but she can keep me tied up in court with motions and appeals for quite a while, I'm looking at 9 hours round trip to show up every time, so after a long conversation with my son, and with the HR manager at Ainworth, I ended up turning down the position for now, hopefully, another position will come up in the spring, I should be able to make it work then, the main complaint from my son's mom was the travel involved, even split down the middle, looking at 16-24 hours a month on the road for visits,not including holidays and special events. With her limited income, health problems, and just plain stubborn attitude, that was way too much for her to deal with,but hopefully when my son gets his license next summer, he can handle the driving,and she won't have a basis for her complaints. I'm more than a little upset, I had a lot of hours of driving, money spent on hotels while looking for a house, and such. At least I hadn't quit my current job, or I would have really been screwed. The HR rep was real understanding, and told me to keep in touch, he was sure more openings would be coming up in the near future. Just goes to show you, keep good relations with ex girlfriends / wives / etc., especially where kids are involved, or it could come back to MAJORLY bite you in the a$$ !!!!!

 

95wolv,

I give you a lot of credit for putting your son first, work second. Your rewards will come sooner than later.

 

Thanks, Lep, I guess I was feeling a little screwed over, but in the long run, you're right,my son and his happiness does mean more to me in the long run, he's a good kid who doesn't want any thing to upset either his dad or mom, I didn't like him being caught in the middle,when he has more mobility with his own car, then he'll feel better about being a little farther away. I just hope the job situation up there will be available next spring,that would really make it all worth while.