possible move to Grand Forks, ND from the south (Mandan: crime, new home)

[vlrougon]

There is a possibility that my husband and I could be moving to Grand Forks, ND – A huge change in weather conditions, as we are both originally from the costal south! We are eager for a change in location, however we feel we know nothing about the state.

We are both artists and art professors at Universities in MS and could possibly be changing schools. We'd like to know how receptive the people are to artists and do the people support local artists – are there galleries, etc… Also, what are the school systems are like? We don't currently have any children, but we are thinking about it. As educators, we are open-minded individuals, although I would not consider ourselves radical (however, often we feel that way in Mississippi).

Any insight about the city, the University, or even the state would be greatly appreciated. I've found a few things online, but would like to hear from a local.

Thank you!

[Gdawgs]

I am a North Dakota native and have lived here all my life. I grew up in Mandan and am currently in Wahpeton(about two hours south of GF).

Grand Forks is a very nice community. I have never actually lived there, but I attended UND from 98-02, while we lived about an hour north of there. The cities(including East Grand Forks in MN) were devistated by the flood of 97. The downtown area was pretty much destroyed and many people left the area. They went through several years of intense rebuilding and which I believe has paid off.

You will find that people are extrememly friendly and hard working in this area. People up here have some of the highest work ethics in the country. I don't know much about art, but there are many local art and craft shows throughout the state as well as MN. I'm sure there isn't as much opportunity here as you would find in a big city, but that may not be what you are looking for.

The university is also very nice. I enjoyed my time there. Pretty good sized about 11,000 undergraduates if I remember correctly. I don't know anything about the art department other than it shares a building with the music department.

As far as the weather goes, the winters do get quite cold, but you get used to it. You will probably enjoy the seasonal changes if you have never lived in an area that experiences this. Summers are beautiful here, it gets hot, but there is little humidity. The only problem with summer is that it is too short.

I'm not real familiar with the shool system in GF, but for the most part, schools in ND are quite good, and students typically score well above average on standardized tests.

I was recently laid off, and am currently searching for work. We really want to stay in the state if at all possible. We have done a fair amount of traveling, and the more we see, the more we feel that ND is where we want to stay to raise our kids. Crime is very low, the cost of living is low to average, and the people are great. Give us a try, you'll enjoy it here.

[JGS]

Originally Posted by vlrougon

There is a possibility that my husband and I could be moving to Grand Forks, ND – A huge change in weather conditions, as we are both originally from the costal south! We are eager for a change in location, however we feel we know nothing about the state.

We are both artists and art professors at Universities in MS and could possibly be changing schools. We'd like to know how receptive the people are to artists and do the people support local artists – are there galleries, etc… Also, what are the school systems are like? We don't currently have any children, but we are thinking about it. As educators, we are open-minded individuals, although I would not consider ourselves radical (however, often we feel that way in Mississippi).

Any insight about the city, the University, or even the state would be greatly appreciated. I've found a few things online, but would like to hear from a local.

Thank you!

Hello, Vlrougon!

I have lived in Grand Forks my whole life so far, and it's a great city! I don't think I could move away. As Gdawgs mentioned, we were hit by a devistating flood back in 1997. The whole downtown was completely destroyed with water and fire damage. It was truly a sad event, but our city came together and rebuilt and we have been growing faster after the flood now. If you do move to Grand Forks, I hope that you enjoy your stay here. Grand Forks has very friendly people, you will rarely come across someone who isn't.

UND is one of the best colleges in the country, has one of the best D1 hockey team. Im not 100% sure about UND's art department, but we just had a new art gallery open up in downtown called ( Third Street Gallery) http://www.thethirdstreetgallery.com...87572938693713 Im not to sure, but there might be another gallery downtown as well.

We also have some Grand Forks locals that have started up a blog. It's a blog full of new things coming to Grand Forks and updates all across Grand Forks. It probably has more information and secrets then our news papper and news stations. If you would love to check it out, link here: http://grandforkslife.blogspot.com

If you got anymore questions, go ahead and ask!

**Take the (broken link) off and paste the rest of the link in the address bar**

[fourwinds]

Possible Articles/links of interest+


New York Times Travel on Grand Forks:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/02/1...xKyWLbBEqkTfCg


Garrison Keillor on Grand Forks:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...inionfront-hed


New Orleans Times-Picayune on Grand Forks' recovery from 1997 flood

http://www.nola.com/speced/ruinandre...es/rising.html

http://www.cfa.und.edu/calendar/Calc...&Date=2006/3/1
http://www.empireartscenter.com/
http://www.novac.org/files/visual.htm
http://www.grandforksgov.com/gfgov/h...es/Attractions

[Rachel]

Hello! I'm a ND native who has traveled all around the world w/my job and have recently married and settle down near Atlanta w/my GA native husband. ND is a great place, allbeit painfully cold in the winter months. It's got lots of positives. I've always thought people in ND are very open minded and kind, and for the most part they haven't experienced enough of the crime that you might find in big cities to be hardened racially. (I know that doesn't sound very politically correct, but unfortunately it's pretty accurate). Anyway, the summers are beautiful, the people are hard working & kind, and it's a great place to raise a family. I hope this has given you a bit more insight.

[GingerL]

I lived in Larimore, ND and Granks AFB for 10 years and hd friends in both I have lived in Mississippi for 34 years and still miss ND. It was a wonderful place to grow up. The people are wonderful!

[undertheironsea]

Originally Posted by vlrougon

There is a possibility that my husband and I could be moving to Grand Forks, ND – A huge change in weather conditions, as we are both originally from the costal south! We are eager for a change in location, however we feel we know nothing about the state.

We are both artists and art professors at Universities in MS and could possibly be changing schools. We'd like to know how receptive the people are to artists and do the people support local artists – are there galleries, etc… Also, what are the school systems are like? We don't currently have any children, but we are thinking about it. As educators, we are open-minded individuals, although I would not consider ourselves radical (however, often we feel that way in Mississippi).

Any insight about the city, the University, or even the state would be greatly appreciated. I've found a few things online, but would like to hear from a local.

Thank you!

I'm originally from Mississippi and thinking about North Dakota too.

Small world.

[Sharpeye]

I moved up here from Florida last year. The amount of time I had to stay indoors because it was too cold was less than the amount of time I spent indoors in the AC in florida when the heat was oppressive. A lot less bugs here, but still mosquitos, and there are no snakes here, or alligators.

The people really make a difference here. I havent met anyone here with a bad attitude. Crime is nearly nonexistant compared to large cities, and this town is clean.

I personally enjoy the Greenway right in town along the river, for biking or just hiking. I think you'll like it here. The four or five cold months are just that, but folks here have plenty of things to do indoors. Another thing I enjoy is going to the Empire theatre downtown.

Lastly, the schools are terrific. My daughter just finished the ninth grade here, and it was by far the best school she ever attended. (We were a military family)

[DaninEGF]

I dont know if you are still viewing responses....but I moved up to the Grand Forks ND-East Grand Forks MN area in 1998 for job related move. I love it up here....granted I also like cold weather and dislike heat and humidity. But even if you are not a big fan of cold weather, you can always crank up the heat inside and bundle up outside. Easier to get warm than cool off. But the area, like any area in the U.S., is what you make of it. If you sit inside and complain about the cold or that it is too windy, rainy, etc then you will not like a place. People up here are very nice, but also kind of stubborn and independent minded so often being a newcomer you have to make the first move to meet people. But once you do, they are very welcoming and willing to help out. Crime is low, but there are bad apples everywhere so always use some caution. But there are certainly no "bad" areas of any ND community, at least from my vantage point. Of course like any city, there are areas of older less well kept homes versus brand new homes....but certainly no gang type neighborhoods (yet at least). I know quite a bit about what to expect weather and home price wise....so let me know if more info is needed.

[chester]

I would go to the official state site www.discovernd.com and it has links to every nook and cranny of ND.