DFW TX to Fargo (Grand Forks, West Fargo: apartments, rentals, condo)

[SophieAnn86]

Hi there. Well, my husband is looking at a potential job offer in Fargo and we live in DFW. This is a long move for us so naturally we have concerns. Some are addressed on other threads, so basically, I am just seeking general advice. My husband will be working in West Fargo and I am searching for a job. (I have a Bachelors degree) We do not care where we live as long as it is not ghetto or super far away from his job. We do have two dogs (one lab and one dachshund) and would like to find a duplex or condo with a small yard if we cannot find a house. Sounds silly, but we would like to bring our fridge and range with us. (brand new- hate to part with them) I dont really know of a general budget for renting but from what I have researched, budgeting for a rental isnt that bad compared to what we pay in the DFW area. We are concerned with the weather, although we do enjoy snow and i have spent a few winters in below freezing temps. We have heard people are very friendly, and thats all i can really thing of right now. One more thing - we are in our late 20s with no kids but will be starting a family soon.

ANY advice at all as to good companies for rentals, good/bad areas, weather tips, cost of living tips, I mean... really just anything. What would you tell someone who is brand new or considering your area?

thanks so much!

[dutchinnd]

If your husband is working in West Fargo, you may want to look at areas in Fargo around Kennedy elementary, the Osgood subdivision, or in West Fargo in the Aurora school neighborhood or in the Eagle Run subdivision. All of those areas have been developed within the last 10 years or so and are full of young families. Looking on a map, they are all southwest of the intersection of I29 and I94. The apartments and townhouses are fairly new, and probably have more amenities than the older properties in the center of West Fargo or closer to downtown Fargo or NDSU.

Some of the rental companies to try:
www.valleyrental.net
www.fmrealestate.com (Coldwell Banker agency in town; also does rental property management)
www.propertyresourcesgroup.com (housing & townhouse construction, also rental management)
As mentioned in other threads, you probably want to avoid Goldmark.

I do know one family that had a townhouse through Valley Rental with a fenced yard that allowed a dog, but I don't know how many of their properties allow that.
Perhaps the one thing to keep in mind that may be similar to some areas of TX, but perhaps not the central parts of DFW, the neighborhoods I mentioned are almost completely treeless. The land was just recently farmland or prairie. ND is often known for its wind. And in those neighborhoods, there is nothing to block the wind. Not to be alarmist, but be prepared for deep, deep snowdrifts if we get a large amount of snow coming down w/ wind.

[SophieAnn86]

THANK YOU!!! I appreciate your honesty. I will keep all of your info. in mind.

[Kamsack]

Originally Posted by SophieAnn86

Hi there. Well, my husband is looking at a potential job offer in Fargo and we live in DFW. This is a long move for us so naturally we have concerns. Some are addressed on other threads, so basically, I am just seeking general advice. My husband will be working in West Fargo and I am searching for a job. (I have a Bachelors degree) We do not care where we live as long as it is not ghetto or super far away from his job. We do have two dogs (one lab and one dachshund) and would like to find a duplex or condo with a small yard if we cannot find a house. Sounds silly, but we would like to bring our fridge and range with us. (brand new- hate to part with them) I dont really know of a general budget for renting but from what I have researched, budgeting for a rental isnt that bad compared to what we pay in the DFW area. We are concerned with the weather, although we do enjoy snow and i have spent a few winters in below freezing temps. We have heard people are very friendly, and thats all i can really thing of right now. One more thing - we are in our late 20s with no kids but will be starting a family soon.

ANY advice at all as to good companies for rentals, good/bad areas, weather tips, cost of living tips, I mean... really just anything. What would you tell someone who is brand new or considering your area?

thanks so much!

Hi there

I live in the Grand Forks ND area....but go to Fargo frequently. But dont live there... West Fargo south of I-94, esp the section south of 32nd Ave S, has been growing very rapidly. A new high school is going in in that area as well. West Fargo school district also covers much of southwest Fargo....and I would make a pitch for the Osgood neighborhood area for a place to look at. There is a golf course there as well and a mix of newer homes, rental townhomes, and apartments. That area is all new since 2004. That section of Fargo south along 45th S and Veterans Blvd is growing very rapidly. Sanford Health just announced a large new medical complex to be built in that area as well south of I-94 and between 45th St S and Veterans Blvd. Also Urban Plains arena is there as well, the main hockey place in town. West Fargo until the oil boom out west has been the fastest growing city in ND and is very surbuban, esp the south end. More old town West Fargo is north of I-94. They are dealing with over crowding in some schools, but they are building newer ones as well. There is an Osgood Kindergarten center too.

So overall if you want a surbuban feel but in an area of rapid growth that area of southwest Fargo into southern West Fargo is a great area. Fargo schools are very good too, with a new high school opening up last year (Davies)...so I wouldnt worry what school district you are in if you want to start a family and stay there.

I am a meteorologist at NWS Grand Forks ND office. Last winter was pretty mild, so not all winters are extremely cold and snowy. But yes our mildest winters will be cold by DFW standards. That said, they arent as bad as probably you think. The area is quite flat, so wind, like in DFW, can be an issue in creating low wind chills and can also pick up the snow on the ground and cause blowing and drifting snow. True blizzards in town dont happen terribly often....maybe 1-2 times a year. Cities plow good so it isnt like you will be stuck for days on end....

But for our winters....typicallly you can expect snowfall and snow on the ground from late Nov to mid March. We have have early snowfalls in late Oct into early Nov but usually dont stay on the ground for a long time. A more typical winter day temps would be highs 10 to 15 or 10 to 20 and highs 5 to 15 below. You can have very cold days with highs around zero or a bit below and lows 20 to 25 below. 30 below or colder in Fargo is quite rare. Springs are short....and summers will be much more pleasant than DFW, though we can certainly get hot and humid for a few periods. Fargo has seen just over 15 90+ days this summer, which is higher than normal. Most summer days will see highs in the lower to mid 80s and lows at night in the low-mid 60s. It can be humid at times. Mosquitos can be bad at times during wet summers, but the cities spray frequently. I read about the controversy down there regarding mosquito spraying. Up here, there is no controversy and it is done as needed.

Hope this helps some. Fargo area is the least expensive place in ND in rental, food and gas costs. Bigger city and more competition.

Dan

[SophieAnn86]

again, thank you! I appreciate all of your advice. 15 days over 90? Im moving tomorrow! just kidding. Your advice about winter really helped calm my nerves a bit and thanks for the advice on good area... we will check it out!