About The Lure
The story behind the community guide — and why it exists.
Quick Facts
- 56+ years on Long Lake, MN
- 20+ years in real estate investing
- 15 years in fire/EMS
- Licensed in Minnesota & Wisconsin
- Pemberton Realty
Built by a neighbor,
for neighbors.
The Lure started with a simple observation: the information about lake living in the Twin Cities metro area is scattered everywhere and easy to find nowhere. School district boundaries, water quality reports, boat access points, municipal grant programs — it takes hours of searching across dozens of sites, and most of it is outdated or incomplete.
This site is the answer to that problem. A single, reliable, community-focused resource about what it's actually like to live on and around the lakes of Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, and the surrounding Twin Cities communities.
"I've lived on Long Lake for over 56 years. I've watched these communities grow, changed diapers by the water, launched a thousand fishing trips, and helped hundreds of families find their place on the lake. This guide is everything I wish someone had told me — and everything I've learned along the way."
— Melissa A Johnson
My name is Melissa A Johnson, and I'm a lifelong resident of Long Lake in Mahtomedi. I'm also a retired firefighter and EMT with 15 years of service, and a Realtor with Pemberton Realty, licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Over more than 20 years in real estate, I've developed a deep understanding of these lake communities — not just the property values, but the people, the lifestyle, and the rhythm of life on the water.
The Lure isn't about selling houses. It's about sharing the kind of neighborhood knowledge that only comes from decades of living somewhere — the inside scoop on which lakes have the best water quality, where to launch your boat, which school districts serve which neighborhoods, and where to find the best Friday night fish fry within driving distance.
Whether you're thinking about moving to a lake community, already here and want to know more about your area, or just researching what Twin Cities lake life looks like — welcome. This is the resource I wished existed when I started looking.
Looking for a local Realtor?
Work directly with Melissa for buying, selling, or relocating to Twin Cities lake communities.
Areas Served
Mahtomedi, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
Long Lake, MN
Twin Cities Lake Communities