Car-free in Fargo/Moorhead. Will it work? (Dakota: apartment, house)

[ogre]

Hi everyone. Currently living in MA, looking at grad schools, prepared to relocate to just about anywhere in the U.S. (not much choice, as there aren't many good graduate programs in my field in MA). I'm considering Moorhead State (Minnesota State at Moorhead?), among others, and need to know whether living in Fargo/Moorhead will work for me. Money's tight, so I won't have a car at first, maybe not the whole time I'm in school. Is it possible to find a place to live in this area that's affordable on a student budget, and is within walking distance of campus, shopping, entertainment, etc.?

I'm older than the typical student, and would prefer living where there wouldn't be so much of a heavy student party scene nearby. Not having to share an apartment would be preferable as well. Doesn't have to be a big place--a studio would be fine. Is there on-campus housing that might work? If not, I don't mind a bit of a walk, but would prefer being no more than about a mile from campus, so I wouldn't spend all day getting places.

Speaking of transportation, how late do the local transit busses run?

Hey, and anything else a newcomer would need to know? Thanks.

[Jaxx99]

Can it be done? Absolutely.
Would it be ideal or fun? Probably not.

I can tell you that the area around MSU has plenty of budget housing, access to grocery and drug stores, all on foot. I think from campus to a good grocery store is probably a 3-4 block walk. Find a house in that area too, and you'd be all set.

The problem is that it wouldn't exactly be your nice, walkable, downtown area. You won't have cafes or shops lined up along the streets. but you would have access to your most basic of services.

Also, there will be some cold walks in the winters, but big deal. You already live in MA. I spent some time going to school in the Moorhead area, and walked 3 blocks to campus every single day of the year. Just bundled up when I had to.

[ogre]

Well, actually it's colder in Fargo and vicinity than in MA. Still, I'm quite familiar with cold weather. I don't really see weather as an issue. How long a walk is it to the nearest businesses that go beyond the basic services? Coffee shops, bars, restaurants, etc.? Does the local transit system run at night?

[jwmn]

MSUM is within walking distance of downtown Moorhead, where you can find those types of places. You could walk to downtown Fargo as well, though that would be a bit of a trek. The main main shopping and entertainment area of Fargo-Moorhead, however, is on the western side of Fargo along 13th Ave S.

There are some buses that run until about 9-10pm, others run 'til about 6-7pm. See here: Metro Area Transit: Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota

[ogre]

Jwmn, I checked the transit website. Looks as if they have things pretty well covered.

Thanks again for the realistic assessment Jaxx. It looks workable, though. I truly don't mind a walk, or being outside in all kinds of weather. I just don't want to get stuck in a situation where I'd have long walks all day, every time I had to take care of everyday chores and commitments, so much that I'd use up half the day just getting from here to there.

Thanks again for the info.

[puck71]

Old thread I know, but I just wanted to add some bus details for anyone else consulting this thread. First off, MSUM students ride all buses for free using their student ID (same for Concordia and NDSU students) so if you are a student the bus is a very economical choice for you. The last evening bus gets to the MSUM campus at 10:13pm, so you can definitely get back to campus after dinner or shopping, but not after a movie or night out drinking. Taxis are pretty reasonable if you are out late.