Duluth feels like a seaside city in some ways, despite being located thousands of miles from the ocean. In truth, it is located on the shores of Lake Superior, although seafaring vessels can reach the city via the series of waterways that connect Lake Superior to the Atlantic. As a result, Duluth and its twin city, Superior Wisconsin, are the busiest port city on the Great Lakes. Duluth's population is around 86,000, but when combined with its twin and the other immediately adjacent communities, the total area has a population of over 279,000. The city is also home to the University of Minnesota Duluth and its affiliated medical school.
Duluth typically has ample apartment availability. If you give yourself between 45 and 60 days to find a place, you shouldn't have any problem on your apartment hunt. If you look in the summer when availability is up, you will probably need even less time than that.
Duluth is one of those cities that often has a lot of rental apartments advertised in means other than on the Internet. You can find plenty of listings posted at the University, for example. A drive around some of your preferred neighborhoods may also yield some "for rent" signs that are posted right in the windows of available suites.
There is a small public transportation service in Duluth that the Duluth Transit Authority provides. These routes are limited though, and driving is more practical solution. If you haven't done a lot of winter driving, prepare yourself with winter tires for the snowy season.
If you wan the best view of the entire city, head to the top of Enger Tower. Leif Erickson Park celebrates the Scandinavian heritage of Minnesota. The most "tourist" friendly district is found at Canal Park, but the dining and shopping are certainly also popular with the locals. Spirit Mountain is a nearby Ski Resort that gets quite busy in the winter. For a local bar that brews their own beer, check out Fitger's Brewhouse.