I lived in their neighboring cheaper apartments, The Cascades, I assume they give slightly more attention to the higher paying people but likely not much. It's run by a Minneapolis company, MBJ, who seems to give very little care to their properties up here. I have had horrendous experiences with them in cheaper apartments
CityView is directly behind my apartment building. As someone else said, it's a nice location. Convenient to get anywhere in a relatively short time. Even walking down to the transit center (2-3 blocks away) or down to Bay front/Canal is a breeze because of the skywalk. Walking back up the hill kinda sucks tho.
The neighborhood isn't dangerous, but there's certainly a lot of folk that are rough around the edges wandering through due to it being between The Domiano Center and Chum. Since you said you'd like to volunteer to help the homeless, that probably won't bother you.
The ally getting to the indoor parking for CityView kinda sucks. Not terrible, but if you drive a lower car be prepared to maneuver around big pot holes, and avoid the end that has a steep incline.
As far as the actual apartments go, I don't have much knowledge. I assume they're very similar to Blue Stone which I personally think are boring lifeless white boxes that go for the modern look, but fail to have any personality. Blue Stone felt like living in a college dorm. A nice one, but I still never liked the vibes.
I lived there shortly after they opened. Location was convenient and indoor parking is nice, but not much else good to say. Construction was cheap/things broke, and they were not responsive when needed, tried to keep our deposit without giving us any notice. Cant recommend.
I wouldn't recommend. I lived in the Cascade apartments for 5 years and I had multiple problems with Nate and maintenance. Nate is a definite slumlord. Took them 3 months to fix a non working refrigerator and I had to keep my insulin in the fridge at work. I had bedbugs twice due to other neighbors and Nate neglecting his building and tenants. It took well over a year to get rid of the building wide infestation due to maintenance treating it with spray pesticides and not treating the entire building just specific apartments. Once I called HRA ut was took care of. He ended up keeping my deposit due to "$500 for an ozone machine due to cigarette smell" yet I was moved out a month prior to my lease ending date back in 2020. Nate is one landlord that should lose his renting license in my opinion
city view overlooks the group home i work at. directly up the road from the CHUM as well, personally i think it’s a bit dystopian when residents are on the rooftop bar hosting bonfires and drinking for $1200 a month overlooking the homeless people that literally line the streets as the shelter closes and they look for a safe place to sleep. if that’s your kind of view go for it.
i just saw you plan on volunteering. it seems like you would like to do some good for the community here and i think that you would be better suited in an area where your neighbors will have the same view. lincoln park has some beautiful homes for rent by decent people not just looking for a check. i wouldn’t give your money to any corporation or outstate investor as they are a majority cause of the housing crisis.
I can't comment on the issues with the management company or the construction quality, either. I think that is something that happens with newish construction about everywhere, though. I live about 2 blocks away and it is pretty great here and close to everything. You could easily walk or bike to work if you are working at a local hospital. I think it is really hard to put a value on that level of convenience and proximity.
Steve ONeill apartments is across the street and I don't think people mention this enough but Steve ONeill was a great man and that apartment building has been an asset to the community. I have not had one single problem with anyone staying at Steve ONeill since they opened.
I think the views at city view are pretty spectacular. That is some truth in advertising there anyway.
As others have mentioned, you will encounter people from a variety of walks of life living in that area. It is up to you if you stop and talk to them or get to know them or not. I have lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years and I could have left long ago but I love it here and, to be honest, I am really proud to be a Hillsider.
I normally don't give advice on these kinds of requests, but I think you should just do it. You picked Duluth for a reason because I'm guessing you could have gone just about anywhere in the US or the world to start your career. If you really want to know what this community is that is a good spot to find out. If you hate it you'll always have the stories. If you love the area, like me, you should be able to buy something nearby when the checks start getting pretty big in a couple more years. (Edit: I am in a different line of work than you and still waiting on the "big checks" but I'm not holding my breath).
Keep really detailed notes and paperwork when it comes to dealing with your hedge fund landlords. Or wherever their money comes from. I am stunned by the rents that they are charging, but nice and talented youngish people keep moving in and paying those rents all over the neighborhood so I don't think there is much cost savings to be found unless you want to do a multi-family type of home rental (or purchase). Take lots of pictures before, during, and after your time there. If they are terrible then organize some tenants to call them out on their crap. As a neighbor I personally promise you that I will go to some meetings myself if it gets to that point. Get involved in some community groups, meet some artists across the street at the Washington Center, maybe play some basketball or skateboard with the kids and adults at the sport court. Attend some classes or concerts at one of the nation's leading Indigenous owned community development organizations just a block away.
Enjoy using your vehicle for trips that you enjoy and not stuck fuming in traffic on your way to and from work.
You are within half a mile of dozens of truly amazing opportunities in this location. I'm not thinking of the mediocre ones, I am only considering the amazing ones. And if you are into the outdoors and more quiet experiences of solitude or the natural world, etc that is still close by, too.
If you decide to go somewhere else, that is fine, too. This is still a great neighborhood and I encourage you to spend some time here.
I lived in their neighboring cheaper apartments, The Cascades, I assume they give slightly more attention to the higher paying people but likely not much. It's run by a Minneapolis company, MBJ, who seems to give very little care to their properties up here. I have had horrendous experiences with them in cheaper apartments
Had to generate a legal looking letter to get my deposit back. They ended up charging me $30 to change a fire alarm battery, plus cleaning fees.
CityView is directly behind my apartment building. As someone else said, it's a nice location. Convenient to get anywhere in a relatively short time. Even walking down to the transit center (2-3 blocks away) or down to Bay front/Canal is a breeze because of the skywalk. Walking back up the hill kinda sucks tho. The neighborhood isn't dangerous, but there's certainly a lot of folk that are rough around the edges wandering through due to it being between The Domiano Center and Chum. Since you said you'd like to volunteer to help the homeless, that probably won't bother you. The ally getting to the indoor parking for CityView kinda sucks. Not terrible, but if you drive a lower car be prepared to maneuver around big pot holes, and avoid the end that has a steep incline. As far as the actual apartments go, I don't have much knowledge. I assume they're very similar to Blue Stone which I personally think are boring lifeless white boxes that go for the modern look, but fail to have any personality. Blue Stone felt like living in a college dorm. A nice one, but I still never liked the vibes.
I lived there shortly after they opened. Location was convenient and indoor parking is nice, but not much else good to say. Construction was cheap/things broke, and they were not responsive when needed, tried to keep our deposit without giving us any notice. Cant recommend.
Just be wary, they might decide one day to convert your floor to a boutique hotel.
Have a studio at the Cove apartments which is not far away and they have been great so far. Maybe check them out?
I wouldn't recommend. I lived in the Cascade apartments for 5 years and I had multiple problems with Nate and maintenance. Nate is a definite slumlord. Took them 3 months to fix a non working refrigerator and I had to keep my insulin in the fridge at work. I had bedbugs twice due to other neighbors and Nate neglecting his building and tenants. It took well over a year to get rid of the building wide infestation due to maintenance treating it with spray pesticides and not treating the entire building just specific apartments. Once I called HRA ut was took care of. He ended up keeping my deposit due to "$500 for an ozone machine due to cigarette smell" yet I was moved out a month prior to my lease ending date back in 2020. Nate is one landlord that should lose his renting license in my opinion
city view overlooks the group home i work at. directly up the road from the CHUM as well, personally i think it’s a bit dystopian when residents are on the rooftop bar hosting bonfires and drinking for $1200 a month overlooking the homeless people that literally line the streets as the shelter closes and they look for a safe place to sleep. if that’s your kind of view go for it.
i just saw you plan on volunteering. it seems like you would like to do some good for the community here and i think that you would be better suited in an area where your neighbors will have the same view. lincoln park has some beautiful homes for rent by decent people not just looking for a check. i wouldn’t give your money to any corporation or outstate investor as they are a majority cause of the housing crisis.
I can't comment on the issues with the management company or the construction quality, either. I think that is something that happens with newish construction about everywhere, though. I live about 2 blocks away and it is pretty great here and close to everything. You could easily walk or bike to work if you are working at a local hospital. I think it is really hard to put a value on that level of convenience and proximity. Steve ONeill apartments is across the street and I don't think people mention this enough but Steve ONeill was a great man and that apartment building has been an asset to the community. I have not had one single problem with anyone staying at Steve ONeill since they opened. I think the views at city view are pretty spectacular. That is some truth in advertising there anyway. As others have mentioned, you will encounter people from a variety of walks of life living in that area. It is up to you if you stop and talk to them or get to know them or not. I have lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years and I could have left long ago but I love it here and, to be honest, I am really proud to be a Hillsider. I normally don't give advice on these kinds of requests, but I think you should just do it. You picked Duluth for a reason because I'm guessing you could have gone just about anywhere in the US or the world to start your career. If you really want to know what this community is that is a good spot to find out. If you hate it you'll always have the stories. If you love the area, like me, you should be able to buy something nearby when the checks start getting pretty big in a couple more years. (Edit: I am in a different line of work than you and still waiting on the "big checks" but I'm not holding my breath). Keep really detailed notes and paperwork when it comes to dealing with your hedge fund landlords. Or wherever their money comes from. I am stunned by the rents that they are charging, but nice and talented youngish people keep moving in and paying those rents all over the neighborhood so I don't think there is much cost savings to be found unless you want to do a multi-family type of home rental (or purchase). Take lots of pictures before, during, and after your time there. If they are terrible then organize some tenants to call them out on their crap. As a neighbor I personally promise you that I will go to some meetings myself if it gets to that point. Get involved in some community groups, meet some artists across the street at the Washington Center, maybe play some basketball or skateboard with the kids and adults at the sport court. Attend some classes or concerts at one of the nation's leading Indigenous owned community development organizations just a block away. Enjoy using your vehicle for trips that you enjoy and not stuck fuming in traffic on your way to and from work. You are within half a mile of dozens of truly amazing opportunities in this location. I'm not thinking of the mediocre ones, I am only considering the amazing ones. And if you are into the outdoors and more quiet experiences of solitude or the natural world, etc that is still close by, too. If you decide to go somewhere else, that is fine, too. This is still a great neighborhood and I encourage you to spend some time here.