Considering relocating to Williston ND (Bismarck, Minot: real estate, for sale, apartment)

[labrown09]

I currently live in the suburbs of Chicago, but I grew up in a small town in Michigan. My husband is getting ready to graduate college and was offered a job in Williston. I am trying to find out as much information about the town as possible. Is it a nice town to live in, and how are the apartment/housing prices. Any information would be very helpful!! Thank you,Ashley

[mrkool]

It is small, but the biggest town in a fairly large radius. Very cold and pretty isolated. Strong Norwegian heritage in those parts. Area is fairly dependent on oil/energy industries. Good place if you can deal with small size, cold, and isolation.

[DaninEGF]

Hi

I live on the east end of North Dakota along the Red River with Minnesota...and have been here for almost 8 years. I know people who have lived in Williston and loved it there. Previous poster was correct, it is the largest town for many miles around and does act as a service center. It does have a Walmart, which is a big draw as the nearest one is in Minot about 80-100 miles east. The area is the center of natural gas and oil in ND and when that industry is going good (like now) Williston is booming and housing can be tough to find. When it is in a downturn, its another story as happened in the 80s. Lots of fishing and hunting in the area and boating opportunites about on nearby Lakes and Dams between Williston and Bismarck.

For housing and rentals, I suggest doing a search for dakota realty for Williston. I did so and came up with a handful of listings in the area....the tops being for a new not yet completed twinhome with 3 car garage, unfinished basement about 1500 sq ft for 175,000, which is quite high for this area. It was the highest listing in the mls.

Otherwise, the area is nice but a long way from anywhere so be prepared to travel to Minot or Bismarck for larger city shopping/restaurants. It can be quite cold there in the Missouri Basin where Williston is, with -35 common for a few nights in the winter, but the cold is not as constant as where I live in northeast ND.

Dan

[mrkool]

You're welcome. Not a problem.

[afo]

We are also considering moving to Williston for an oil-related job.

As I have done some real estate searches - I see very little. Can someone provide some better links?

We would be interested in something of at least 2000 sq feet, 4 bed rooms. Is this possible? Is there more real estate available in the surrounding area or would Williston have the most?

Thanks!

[labrown09]

So far this is the only link that I have been able to find: http://www.willistonchamber.net/memdir.asp

[afo]

Thanks - that is one of the same links I found and they don't list much. It's kind of scary.

We are not sure if we will be transferred just yet. I was just trying to see what was out there.

Thanks again.

[DaninEGF]

Hi

See post I wrote above. There is a web site from dakota realty (just google it) and it does show the mls listing of homes for sale in williston. There aren't that many as the oil/gas boom of the last few years has made housing there scarce. But there are places, just not a lot to choose from.

Best bet might be to call these folks once you are sure to see what they think.

Dan

[afo]

Thanks Dan!

I'll check it out.

[chester]

I would go to www.willistonherald.com ; this is the free on-line version of the local town paper. On the right hand column, you will find I think 4-5 realtor links for Williston and they list available listings, though not many. They suggest you call the realtor, because they say houses move so fast in that town, it is hard to keep the web sites updated. Williston is a nice town of 14,000-15,000 people it is suggested since the oil boom began the last couple of years.