Towns like Tioga,Bowman and Hettinger (Minot, Williston: real estate, housing, salary)

[pie in ear]

Hi again,

In my research I've seen that these bigger small towns are seemingly economically viable.
Has anyone lived in any of them?
Are they good towns?

Thanks.

[snowblind9]

I grew up in a town around those sizes. Harvey. I loved it. I was just there this last weekend. Very friendly people, has everything you need other than major shopping. Could use a good clothes store though. The population is around 1900 people.

[TravisW]

Wow, I guess it's a long time ago that I was clothes shopping in Harvey. My brother lived in Hettinger for a while, I'll ask him about it.

[kmarie]

I moved to Tioga a few months ago. It is a nice town with most everything we need on a day to day basis. We have to go to Williston or Minot for any real shopping. But I don't mind it. Housing is difficult to find, there are a few places for sale right now. There is a plethora of employment opportunities. Oil field work to grocery clerk. I turn down jobs all the time. I am not sure what you are wanting to know about economically viable, perhaps you could clarify.
K Marie

[Roloff1976]

I understand that Amerada Hess is adding on to the big gas plant in Tioga also, so I'm guessing those are pretty good paying jobs as well, especially if they get some permanent jobs out of the expansion. Also heard Headington Oil is also planning another gas plant between Ray and Tioga...oil industry not good on the consumer pocket books, but VERY good for NW North Dakota! LOL!

[Cain]

Curious by what you are looking for as well. Do you mean economically viable where the town is not dependent on one form of business?

Seems like a lot of growth is happening in smaller towns that are near where the oil is or plants that are being built. Similar I guess to how some towns were growing because of mining industry.

When that dried up however, they went basically under or lost a lot of people. I guess what I am getting at that you are asking is how reliant do you want the town to be on this one form of business?

With the larger towns, there appear to be more diversification of the businesses there, so if a certain type peters out, you can have more opportunity in another area.

I know for myself, that is something I would look keenly at. My in-laws were an example, moved to a town for the mining / heavy machinery work, after building a nice place, mine went under and luckily they got out of the town breaking even on there place. I think later they said the guy who bought there place ended up selling at a big loss a few years later. My in-laws however were quite dynamic and just went into another field in bismarck. Other people however may not be like that or be able to move there whole family easily.

Its something to consider when trying to pick a place to live. Don't get too swept up in the whole scenary etc. of a place. Nice thing about North Dakota to keep in mind, you don't have to drive far to feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, especially around bismarck area.

I do have a relative who was raised in Harvey basically his whole life, and has good amount of family there. If you want more info I can ask him whatever you want to know.

[coca]

Bowman is tops! Very impressive main street and something going on all the time.

[chester]

Watford City to the south of Williston about 35 miles... ranching town with plenty of energy related jobs...also a very nice new aquatic water park(seasonal), new super bank with bar&grill and movie theater included inside, Cross USA (computer programming) has an office there also.

[lori33]

Originally Posted by snowblind9

I grew up in a town around those sizes. Harvey. I loved it. I was just there this last weekend. Very friendly people, has everything you need other than major shopping. Could use a good clothes store though. The population is around 1900 people.

My husband and i are looking in to moving to north dakota we are interested in some land close to Harvey ND. I was interested in some information on the schools?

[MikeyToo]

Originally Posted by lori33

My husband and i are looking in to moving to north dakota we are interested in some land close to Harvey ND. I was interested in some information on the schools?

I can't speak specifically for Harvey schools, but in general North Dakota schools have high ratings nationally. Although teachers salarys are low, the education is great. North Dakota has the highest graduation rate of high school's in the country. As far as property outside of harvey, you might want to check this website:

Properties For Sale

They deal in land/properties throughout the central part of North Dakota. Usually have land in the Harvey/Carrington area. Mostly a lot of large parcels, but also smaller as well, including hobby farms. You also might want to check out around Rugby, ND, just 44 miles north of harvey. Also, a good school system with some hobby farms for sale in the area too. A realtor that may be of help would be:

Brokers 12: Minot's Premiere Real Estate Website

Good luck on your search!