Settled in the northern woods of Minnesota, Bemidji attracts buyers with its lakefront lifestyle and its wood-chopping heritage. Rumored to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan — the giant lumberjack of American folklore — Bemidji embraces this symbol as its own and the city even has an oversized statue of the man and his blue ox at the entrance of their Tourist Information Center. “Our community is surrounded by natural beauty,” says Vanessa Osborn, Realtor with Lake-N-Woods Realty — referring specifically to the 300 lakes that are found within a 20-mile radius. “There is nothing like waking up at the lake to the clean, crisp smell of water and trees.” Established in 1888, Bemidji was first occupied by the Dakota people and its name is derived from the Ojibwe word meaning ‘lake with crossing waters,’ referring to the overlap between the Mississippi River and the Bemidji Lake. The lumber industry began early, with the first local mill opening around 1893, and lasted through the 1920s. Today, Bemidji is home to more than 15,000 residents and its top employers include Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and Bemidji State University. “These institutions provide excellent services, help keep new folks coming to town and add so much to our vibrant community,” adds Osborn. Notable amenities here include the Bemidji Curling Club, which contributes to the city’s recognition as the Curling Capital of the U.S. Community events like the annual Dragon Boat Festival bring locals together through camaraderie and lake-centric activities. With small-town lore, new housing options and year-round recreation, Bemidji takes pride in being the first city established along the Mississippi.
Minnesota's folklore legend Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox welcome visitors to downtown Bemidji.
Bemidji resides on the shores of Lake Bemidji, which offers ample boating and fishing opportunities.
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Affordable land, new construction and shoreline condos
Homes in Bemidji are attractive for their affordable pricing and variety of styles. "The market up north is quite healthy and vibrant,” says Osborn, who is a northern Minnesota native with over 6 years of real estate experience selling in the area. “It's an excellent time to consider putting your house or property on the market.” The housing options here include everything from quarter-acre lots to two-story New Traditional designs, as well as multi-family condo units and some duplexes too. With a median sales price of $285,000, homes cost about $135,000 less than the national median. For example, prices can vary range from as low as $200,000 for a two-bedroom condo to upwards of $1 million for a waterfront estate with private access to Lake Bemidji. New construction is happening on the city’s south side, with luxury condos available on Lake Bemidji's shores, and new single-family homes starting in the mid $300,000s can be found in neighborhoods like Mountain View Meadows.
Elegant waterfront estates surround the shores of Lake Bemidji.
New construction homes with modern designs are prevalent in Bemidji's southern residential developments.
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Olympic curling and paths along the Paul Bunyan State Trail
Bemidji has 18 parks with 13 miles of trails and 250 acres of greenery to explore. Bemidji experiences all four seasons and residents are accustomed to hot summers and freezing winters with an average of 45 inches of snowfall per year. In the winter months, the city also maintains four outdoor ice-skating rinks. Bemidji City Park is centrally located and features a skate park, an outdoor ice hockey rink and four baseball fields. The Bemidji Curling Club is also located here and offers curling lessons and team competitions throughout the year. The facility is also the practice space of Olympic curlers and has been a staple within the community since 1935. Paul Bunyan Park is located along the shore of Bemidji and features a playground, a picnic pavilion, a fishing pier and a canoe launch. There’s an 18-foot sculpture of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox here too that's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Bemidji State Park, to the north, has sandy beaches for sunbathing and a marina for motorized boats, or come winter this spot is also ideal for ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Cyclists can access the Paul Bunyan State Trail from here, which spans 115 miles and is the longest paved rail trail in the country. Bemidji Town and Country Club has a championship 18-hole golf course and the North Shore Grille, a restaurant, for dining between rounds.
Paul Bunyan Park features an expansive playground with scenic views of Lake Bemidji.
The Paul Bunyan State Trail runs through Bemidji, spanning 115 miles in northern Minnesota.
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The annual Dragon Boat Festival
In the summer, residents can attend the annual Dragon Boat Festival at Paul Bunyan Park. This four-day event is hosted at the end of July along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Visitors enjoy live music performances, a 5k fun run, food vendors and the highly anticipated dragon boat races. The race includes a variety of decorative canoes with dragon heads and tails, that team's paddle to the finish line. The event has been a tradition within the community for over 18 years.
Bemidji's annual Dragon Boat Festival is held on the southern shores of Lake Bemidji.
Visitors can congregate at Paul Bunyan Park to partake in Bemidji's annual Dragon Boat Festival every July.
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Education at Bemidji Public Schools
Bemidji is zoned for Bemidji Public Schools, which earns an overall B-plus rating from the review site Niche. The district serves over 4,000 students and is ranked in the top 30 out of 400 for best places to teach in Minnesota. There are six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Most students attend Bemidji Senior High School, which also earns a B-plus rating and is also known for its award-winning curling club. The club has hosted several curling competitions, securing over 50 state and national titles. Those interested in pursuing higher education degrees can look to Bemidji State University, which is known for its indigenous studies program and is ranked 24th out of 100 for the top universities in the Midwest region by U.S. News and World Report.
Most students attend Bemidji Senior High School, which is ranked above average with a 'B+' rating on Niche.
Bemidji State University is ranked in the top 25 universities in the Midwest.
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Local grocers and bites along Great River Road
Most residents shop along Great River Road, which provides access to commercial hubs like the Westridge Shopping Center, the Paul Bunyan Mall and downtown Bemidji. There’s a mix of grocery stores here too, like a Walmart Supercenter and Lueken's Village Foods; and big-box retailers like Menards and The Home Depot are also found along Great River Road. Downtown includes a variety of boutiques like Yellow Umbrella, which offers a curated collection of clothing, and Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post, for beaded butterflies and other handmade Ojibwe artisanal crafts. Dining options here range from fast-food chains to locally owned eateries sprinkled throughout the city. Notable restaurants include the family-owned Fozzie's Smokin Bar BQ, which has served smoked Wagyu beef within the community for over a decade.
Lueken's Village Foods is a local grocery option for Bemidji residents.
Yellow Umbrella is one of many charming boutiques that line Bemidji's historic downtown.
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Nearby healthcare and trips on the Jefferson Lines
Great River Road runs through downtown Bemidji and connects residents to U.S. Routes 2 and 71. Public bus routes are provided by the Jefferson Lines bus system, which operates along Great River Road., or when traveling farther, the Bemidji Regional Airport is located off Moberg Drive. For healthcare, the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center is on the north side of the community.
Crime
According to the Bemidji Police Department, the city’s violent and property crime rates remain well above national figures. Violent crime decreased slightly in 2023, while property crimes rose by 65%, according to FBI statistics.
Linda Warner has been licensed as a Wisconsin Broker since 1976, while a student at University of Wisconsin. She acquired her Minnesota Broker license in 1984, relocating to Saint Paul.
“I was 18 years old and managing an apartment complex across the street from UW, for my rent. A state law was passed requiring Owners of more than 250 rental units have a Corporate Broker. My Owner did not want a license, he was preparing to retire. He paid me $20 to get my real estate license and a $20 bonus if I passed the Broker exam. I became his Corporate Broker at 18 years of age. “
After graduating with a Business & Marketing degree, Linda attended University of Nebraska-Omaha to gain a Masters in Economics. A child of relocation…she attended four high schools. It provided her an excellent experience in real estate. Her parent’s hobby was visiting Sunday Open Houses with all 5 children!! Always anticipating what type of house they would purchase in the next transfer.
Her first 25 career years were spent managing & developing mixed use, high-rise REIT assets for a publicly traded real estate company. Projects varied from Los Angeles, New York City, London, UK, Minneapolis, Washington, DC, Detroit, Atlanta. Linda has been a licensed corporate Broker in 7 states. When the company was purchased by a shopping center REIT, Linda was part of the team who divested the high-rise property inventory. She was bought into her pension at age 47.
Too young to retire and tired of nearly full-time travel, Linda decided to transfer her skills to residential real estate. Act II has been a fulfilling career. It has allowed her to work in partnership with her brother Kevin Warner. A rare sister/brother group. Linda’s database is full of names from across the world. Former colleagues, family, fellow volunteers from NGO Board activities. It has permitted her to seek relocation alliances, help out of town friends locate competent local agents for their needs and work with her local friends and family. It is pure joy to help build or acquire homes that fulfill our clients’ needs! The pride of a successful closing on our listings is unmatched. She couldn't ask for a better job!
Linda and her husband have Old English Sheepdogs that show in Conformation, Herding and yes, despite how it may appear, Obedience. She no longer works Thursdays, as they are spent with her granddaughter, Sydney. They are currently working on a book of "Sydney Thursday’s". As a multiple cancer survivor, Linda has learned the value of each day. It is all we are promised.
Linda is an organized, skilled negotiator with decades of corporate experience. She thrives on win/win negotiations. Working with Linda will provide a professional, savvy experience with no drama. Just results! Our focus is 100% Client Satisfaction.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
