I was reading a recent DNT article about the Twin Ports credit debt. Mainly, how it’s one of the highest in the country. Just nutty, but got me to thinking about my personal debt and why I have it. What do I have to put on a credit card? Well the creditor changes, but it is always that — a creditor. Cellphone, electric, Charter … they have all had the plastic treatment.
Why does this happen though? I work 60 hours a week, make a living wage … perplexing.
Rent in Duluth is too high. Median income is $38,392, HOUSEHOLD! Why am I paying $500 for a studio in a converted house with a shared bathroom? This can most likely be attributed to a high student population whose parents just write a check. But why will anyone stay after they finish school? They won’t find a job and if they do they won’t make enough to pay their school loans.
There needs to be some landlord control. There must be some sort of equation that can be applied, that takes property value and tax as well as income of the renting majority when calculating rent. Something! I love Duluth, but I could live in Minneapolis for cheaper.
And P.S. the apartments suck. I will go out on a limb and say that a lot of them are not in compliance with code, but get away with it because Duluth has no money to enforce its ordinance. They also have no character; from what I can tell anything with historic significance is covered in aluminum siding and carpet. Well done.
Does anyone have thoughts on this?
