"I miss Lake Bemidji and all of my buddies and all of the beer we go through." From "I Miss Lake Bemidji," by Frank Prenevost
One of Minnesota's iconic tourist destination, Bemidji is best known as the home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. These two beloved residents proudly look over Lake Bemidji, a stunning body of water and a great place for stereotypical Minnesota ice fishers to load up on beer and wait for their favorite fish to bite. Although it's a favorite among summer tourists, Bemidji is a lovely place to live all year long, thanks to its abundance of recreational pursuits and friendly residents.
Moving to Bemidji can be both exciting and frustrating, in part because of all the tourist activity that fills this city's summer months
"I miss Lake Bemidji and all of my buddies and all of the beer we go through." From "I Miss Lake Bemidji," by Frank Prenevost
One of Minnesota's iconic tourist destination, Bemidji is best known as the home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. These two beloved residents proudly look over Lake Bemidji, a stunning body of water and a great place for stereotypical Minnesota ice fishers to load up on beer and wait for their favorite fish to bite. Although it's a favorite among summer tourists, Bemidji is a lovely place to live all year long, thanks to its abundance of recreational pursuits and friendly residents.
Moving to Bemidji
Moving to Bemidji can be both exciting and frustrating, in part because of all the tourist activity that fills this city's summer months. If you're hoping to experience a stress-free move, you'd be best off avoiding the months of May and June, as these are packed with visitors transitioning to cabin life. Finding the ideal month-to-month apartment may be easier in September or October, when tourists leave the city and open up space for year-round residents. You'll be able to move in on much shorter notice in the fall than would be possible in the spring or summer.
Bemidji Neighborhoods
Over the years, a number of Twin Cities residents have opted to build summer cabins in and around Bemidji. Thus, the city's neighborhoods are somewhat divided into patches of lakeside cabins and more permanent year-round housing. Whether you're interested in renting an apartment strictly during the summer months or wish to stay in Bemidji through the winter, you'll find plenty of lovely neighborhoods chock full of top-notch serviced apartments.
Mississippi Pines: Named for the nearby Mississippi River, Mississippi Pines is a gorgeous neighborhood that boasts plenty of natural scenery. Its name alone evokes the local beauty, although the area is home to more broadleaf trees than actual pines. Still, the Mississippi portion of the name is clearly accurate, with several homes actually overlooking the river.
Irvine Avenue: Extending from north to south parallel with the shore of Bemidji Lake, Irvine Avenue represents one of the more significant residential areas in Bemidji. It is a short drive from the Paul Bunyan Mall, one of the city's main indoor attractions. Residents living in these Bemidji furnished apartments also enjoy easy access to the stunning Cameron Park, where locals and tourists alike gather to lounge on the beach and swim in Lake Bemidji.
Mississippi River: The Mississippi River departs the vast Lake Bemidji and travels through the city's eastern section, directly to the south of Lake Bemidji State Park. Although it's not actually located within the confines of a state or national forest, this is one of the most tree-filled areas of Bemidji.
Route 71: Route 71 crosses the northwest corner of Bemidji, separating it from the remainder of the city. This area is largely deemed a transportation hub and not just because of the presence of both Route 71 and the Paul Bunyan Expressway. The Bemidji Regional Airport is also found in this part of the city, serving as a point of entry for a number of Bemidji's distinguished visitors.
Lake Irving: Most of Bemidji is made up of bodies of water, which means that if you don't live near Lake Bemidji, there's a good chance your rental apt is located on or near Lake Irving. The area between Lake Irving and Lake Bemidji is home to the gorgeous Nymore Park, as well as the Sanford Center. If you travel up Paul Bunyan Drive, you'll encounter the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, one of Bemidji's best photo opportunities.
Choosing Bemidji
Bemidji may be something of a tourist haven for those hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, but there are plenty of advantages to living here all year long. Perhaps the biggest of these is the presence of so much remarkable scenery. But if that's not enough to grab your interest, the abundance of recreational opportunities should do the trick.
Bemidji is the home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, so, of course, it only makes sense that this famous team is afforded several opportunities for harvesting lumber. Bemidji is surrounded by several glorious forests, although, technically, most of these are protected from the intrusion of the lumber industry. The city borders the beautiful Blackduck State Forest and is also located near the Chippewa National Forest and the aptly named Paul Bunyan State Forest. Even in areas not officially designated as forests, Bemidji is marked by an abundance of trees. Residents love the natural beauty and the summer shade provided by these majestic trees, although, come fall, the abundance of broadleaf trees does prove a bit annoying for those stuck operating rakes and leaf blowers.
Despite its status as an outdoor recreation Mecca, Bemidji also offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities when fishing and swimming simply are not possible. The Sanford Center is one of the city's main meeting spots, offering up an impressive 185,000 square feet for locals and visitors alike. This convention center hosts a variety of events, including concerts. hockey games and even weddings. For smaller gatherings, the Carnegie Library is generally preferable to the Sanford Center. This historic location is no longer Bemidji's official library, but it is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
