Comments on: Aspen Colorado vs. Ely Minnesota

By: Tom L

Tom L — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:02:39 +0000

Does Peace Brunsgurger still live up there. I live in Colorado an have grown thoroughly sick and tired of its lifestyle. Ely too can have real estate prices that do not match wages. It is a great way to separate classes. Promote Ely, but do not encourage people to live there without also promoting the need for industry that matches housing prices.

By: Carnival of Real Estate » Pine Needle Lawn

Carnival of Real Estate » Pine Needle Lawn — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:25:50 +0000

[...] One of these days I am going to take some time and attempt to write some really decent stuff.Â It is obvious that when you do take your time to write good stuff (well, maybe it is not that good, but at least I took my time) – great (and fun) conversations are started. [...]

By: Dave G.

Dave G. — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:59:30 +0000

Ed H,

Great Comment!

You are correct – the mines do employ a lot of people in the area (and hopefully will for a long time to come). But…if we take a look at other “mining” towns in the area, you would have to agree, Ely is different.

Unfortunately, towns that relied on mining as the backbone of their economy have lost their local businesses. Most of the downtowns have been reduced to a gas station and drinking establishments…whereas Ely has gone in the opposite direction…for one reason: tourism.

As a person who grew up in Eveleth (and I’m very proud of it), and visits often, it is pretty obvious that mining does not drive the Ely economy – and I have to respectfully disagree about the BWCA – it may not be the rain forest, but in my book, the word “pristine” definately fits the bill.

Thanks again for adding to the conversation!

PS. I love the “city-its” terminology – beats “612ers” (which I am now) by a mile.

I will give you a call when I’m in town for my next pair of mukluks -=)

By: ed h.

ed h. — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:58:29 +0000

Dave,
I would like to remind you that Ely also has mining. There are over 350 people who live in Ely and work in the local mines. I’m sure you are aware that tourism only pays the owner of the business. The majority of us in Ely do not wear mukluks or sandals. We laugh at the city-its that come up to Ely. Let’s not forget to mention how the BWCA is not pristine either. At one time there were resorts and logging.

By: TC

TC — Sun, 27 May 2007 17:33:01 +0000

Wow, Dave! I appreciate both sides of the arguement that you and the Joe dude presented. I come from a little town that is experiencing gentrification and all of the benefits AND negatives that causes. I also love Ely and fondly remember my summers at Widgiwagon. I am coming back in July for my honeymoon in the Boundary Waters.

Your response to Joe was one of the better smackdowns I have ever read on the web, and though I don’t think you wanted to take the gloves off, you sure did shut him down

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:42:38 +0000

To all the rich investors who are thinking of Ely as the next Aspen, BEWARE! Ely is just a few miles from the largest forest blow down in the last 200 years. I would hate to see your investments go up in smoke when the forest eventually burns! Read about the blow down on the Superior National Forest website. As I write this, there is a major fire burning in the blow down area near the Gunflint Trail. Many cabins have burned.

By: The Carnival of Real Estate Edition 8 | Overseas Property Investment Blog

The Carnival of Real Estate Edition 8 | Overseas Property Investment Blog — Tue, 01 May 2007 16:12:38 +0000

[...] Whilst toasting his achievements in the penthouse, Dave Gooden from pineneedlelawn asks Is Ely Minnesota the next Aspen? He gives an excellent explanation of why he thinks this could be a good real estate bet for the future, the signs seem to be there! [...]

By: Minnesota Resident

Minnesota Resident — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:35:58 +0000

I have been to Ely to visit the BWCAW and found it to be a wonderful place. I feel that the development of the area would be a move in the wrong direction but then again you can’t stop progress. People are going to discover it sooner or later. I do find the comments made by Joe B. to be a little hypocritical. It seems to me that Joe B. has his slice of the pie and is making money from the very same people he would like to keep out.

My wife and I are both educators and have thought that a move to Ely would have been a great move early in our careers.

By: Carnival of Real Estate is Underway » Pine Needle Lawn

Carnival of Real Estate is Underway » Pine Needle Lawn — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:15:42 +0000

[...] The 8th edition of the carnival of real estate blogs is up and running at Nubricks.com.Â I am happy to say that Nubricks named the Pine Needle Lawn’s Aspen vs. Ely post as the pick of the week – Thanks guys!Â There are a lot of great posts this week from many of the leadingÂ real estate industryÂ bloggers – if you are thinking about buying, selling, or investing inÂ real estate, and you want to make an informed decision, you should tune in to what theseÂ bloggers are talking about…theyÂ shareÂ some great insight. [...]

By: Pragmatic Finance - Putting my Financial House in Order

Pragmatic Finance - Putting my Financial House in Order — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:27:02 +0000

[...] These days everyone is concerned about real estate prices out of control. Ask Uncle Bill plays devil’s advocate when he talks about When a Bubble isn’t a Bubble – Maybe. The Pine Needle Lawn is busy speculating about Aspen Colorado vs. Ely Minnesota. And Digital Breakfast is busy marketing with postcards to try to snag some foreclosures. [...]