How Two Couples Found Balance in the Brainerd Lakes Area
Nestled in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country, the Brainerd Lakes Area is the perfect place for professionals craving a blend of career opportunities and quality of life. From our beautiful natural resources and outdoor recreation to our connected communities and strong businesses, “work-life balance” isn’t a buzzword—it’s a lifestyle you can feel.
Don’t just take our word for it. We caught up with two couples who have the best of both worlds: rewarding and thriving careers and living where people come to vacation and unwind.
If this is your dream, it could become your reality, too!
Adam & Abby
Where are you both from, and what do you do for a living?
Adam is from Cold Spring, MN, and I’m from Lakeville, MN. I work at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) in orthopedics specializing in shoulder and elbow injuries and conditions. Adam works remotely for Marsh McLennan Agency as an insurance risk consultant with some travel throughout the state.
Why did you choose to move to the Brainerd Lakes Area?
My job at CRMC was the catalyst that moved us here. We moved here while I was finishing graduate school, and I reached out to Todd Bymark, Director of Physician Recruitment at CRMC, to inquire about career opportunities. CRMC’s orthopedic specialty care is growing, and I was hired to practice fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon Jeffrey Klassen, M.D.
We knew we wanted to live away from the Twin Cities, and we have family that also live here, and my grandpa had a cabin in the area when I was young. The Brainerd Lakes had all we were looking for in career opportunities, community, and hobbies.
Life in the Lakes
What do you find rewarding and exciting about working here?
Adam’s goal is to work full-time with clients in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Being a member of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and seeing how close businesses are up here and their commitment to each other makes him excited to grow his career here.
I’m proud to be an advanced practice provider at CRMC, which has been a long-time staple and pillar in the community. I love that I can provide personalized, quality care and in a small-town-hospital feel with the same capabilities as a larger hospital system.
Why do you like living here?
We love it here! We live near a large trail system in Baxter and enjoy the trails in the summer. We play sand volleyball and go boating. We love being outside whether it’s summer or winter, and we are happy to live in an area that supports outdoor activities for all four seasons.
Being integrated in the community is also important to us. We have a 9-month-old son, Rudy, and we want our kids to learn the value of supporting the community where you live. We attend a local church and plan to be involved in youth sports—things that are rewarding and help to meet new people.
How do you balance your careers and personal life?
It’s amazing how many people will travel here as a getaway and tell us stories of golfing at a local resort’s course, dining at a local restaurant, or snowmobiling an area trail system. To us, these are activities and things we can do any night of the week. It’s such an easy place to enjoy, and we’re happy that we don’t have to travel or make a special weekend to do so.
What would you tell other families considering moving here?
You won’t regret it! We are amazed at the number of young couples and families that share similar values and a love for the outdoors or just being together watching football or hosting dinners. We have found that everyone is happy to spend time together and help each other.
Josh & Halie
Where did you both grow up and go to college?
Josh grew up in Worthington, MN and earned his associate’s degree in electrical construction and maintenance from Mitchell Tech, SD. I am originally from Elk River, MN and graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in business economics and a minor in marketing.
Why did you choose to call the Brainerd Lakes home?
We moved to the Brainerd Lakes in 2022. We knew we wanted to live in northern MN with its lakes, trails, and year-round outdoor adventure. After looking at different areas within Crow Wing County, we found that the perfect home in Brainerd. I often get asked, “You live and work in Brainerd?” I always reply, “YES! I get to live and work where people come for vacation!”
Did your careers influence your decision to move here?
Josh works as a journeyman electrician, and I’m a REALTOR® with Woods to Water Real Estate. While our careers didn’t dictate where we moved, we chose the Brainerd Lakes offered strong job opportunities, a supportive business community, and allowed us to live the lifestyle we want to live—being active outdoors and part of a connected community.
How did you meet new people in the community?
When we first moved here, we didn’t know anyone, but we both social and active people, and we were intentional about building connections. Josh found a running community through Cuyuna and Crosby trail systems, which helped him build friendships with other distance runners. Josh also has a solid group of electrician coworkers around his age that he enjoys spending time with. I joined a neighborhood girls group, began coaching soccer at the Brainerd YMCA, joined the Brainerd Lakes Chamber WAVE Young Professionals Network Anchor Board, and attended as many local events as possible. Over the last few years our circle has grown, and Brainerd truly feels like home.
Work-Life Balance
How have you found a work-life balance?
We love how easy it is to enjoy the outdoors here. After work, we can go running or biking on the Paul Bunyan Trail in a half-mile from our house. Within a 10-minute drive, we have access to more than a dozen lakes to boat, kayak, and fish. Summer weekends often include golfing on a lakefront patio, and in the winter, we can ice fish with our Ice Castle right after work. It takes almost no planning. This simplicity gives us the balanced lifestyle we couldn’t find elsewhere—a place where work is fulfilling and life outside of work feels like a mini vacation.
Opportunities for Young Professionals
Can you tell us more about the networking opportunities as a young professional?
Being a young professional here has been incredibly rewarding. It was easier than I anticipated to meet other like-minded couples and professionals—largely thanks to the WAVE Young Professionals Network. The WAVE Young Professionals Network is a networking and professional development program for individuals ages 18 to 39 in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The group represents all industries and it focuses on building relationships, elevating skills, and helping advance careers.
You’ll also find networking events and a supportive business community. The area is full of people who genuinely want to help each other grow professionally. As a REALTOR®, I have felt encouraged, connected, and supported by both fellow young professionals and long-established leaders in our community. It’s a place where you can build a meaningful career while having the time and access to enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer. And if you see us out and about in the community, don’t hesitate to say “Hi!”
Brainerd Newcomers’ Club
Join the Brainerd Newcomers’ Club, meet new people, and feel welcome in a new community. The Newcomers’ Club provides programs, social events, and encourages community involvement. The Club meets once a month at different venues. You can find more information at brainerdnewcomers.org.
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