Are you seriously considering moving from the Twin Cities to the Brainerd Lakes area and are curious what it’s all about? In this episode of Brainerd Redefined, I’m going to show the major differences you’ll experience when you live in Brainerd. We’ll look at everything from traffic to food options so you get a good idea of what to expect.
Traffic And Shopping
The first major difference you’re going to experience is the lifestyle. You’ll love the fact that there’s no bumper-to-bumper traffic to get to work. You’re also going to enjoy that you don’t have all the people in the heavy, dense population in one saturated area.
The second biggest difference you’re going to love about the Brainerd Lakes area is the fact that we don’t have all the big box stores. Brainerd boasts plenty of mom-and-pop shops that are locally owned and operated. This means you can actually get to deal with the owner directly.
Housing Options And Lake Life
The third thing you’re going to love about the Brainerd Lakes area over the Twin Cities market is the lot size of the homes. You’re no longer going to see houses right on top of each other; in many cases, you’ll have an acre or two of land to call your very own. What’s neat about the Great Lakes area is that sometimes you’re going to see your neighbors out on their four-wheelers or ATVs as they drive around their property.
The other thing I really love about the Brainerd Lakes area is all the lakes in our community. You can hop in your boat and, whether you want to visit Gull Lake or Round Lake, or Mille Lacs Lake, you’re able to fish. You can also jetski, water ski, wakeboard, and more. There are so many lakes to choose from, and every lake has its own characteristics and enjoyment.
One of the main reasons people love Brainerd over the Twin Cities is you don’t have to look at the concrete jungle. When you look out the window of your home in Brainerd, you’re going to see trees, grass, birds, and plenty of wildlife—which is a major difference from the city.
Things You Might Miss
While Brainerd Lakes is a great place to live, there might be some things you miss about the Twin Cities when you move here. While Brainerd is just a short two-and-a-half-hour drive to the Twin Cities, you’re going to miss the ability to go to a Timberwolves or Twins game whenever you want. Now, if you’re planning on going to a Timberwolves, Vikings, or Twins game, you actually have to plan it.
The other thing you might miss is all the big stores. The availability of shopping for whatever you want in Brainerd is a little bit more limited. If you want to take a day trip to the Mall of America or one of the shopping centers in the Twin Cities, you can still do that. But again, you have to plan accordingly.
The last thing you might miss is all the fabulous restaurants and variety of foods available in the Twin Cities. Here in Brainerd, we have a handful of great restaurants to choose from, not hundreds.
A Slower Pace Of Life
I hope this gave you an overview of some of the things you’re going to love about the Brainerd Lakes area and some of the things you might miss about the Twin Cities. If you have any questions about moving to the Brainerd Lakes area, please don’t hesitate to call anytime. I was born and raised here in the Brainerd Lakes area, and I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode of Brainerd Redefined, our show all about living in the Brainerd Lakes area. Stay tuned to see what we feature next!
