the "BIG 4 BATTLE ROYAL": Fargo v Bis v GF v Minot (Bismarck: home, technology jobs)

[ebitdadada]

I feel like this forum is too nice & possiblty too rational. I think we need some competition. Hence, the BIG 4 BATTLE ROYAL (caps added for emphesis & general yelling affect).

To participate, simply rank the big 4 (Bismarck-Mandan, Fargo-Moorehead, Grand Forks - East Grand Forks, Minot & Surrounding) in order of "General Goodnessity". Explanation appreciated but not required.

Unless someone thinks of a better one, the Scoring System will be as follows:

4 Points for being someone's first choice (Most Goodnessity)
2 Points for being someone's second choice (2nd Most)
1 Point for being someone's third choice (3rd Most)
0 Points for being someone's fourth choice (Least Goodnessity - but still much more Goodnessity than most cities in most other states - Yes Mississippi, I'm talking about you )

I'll try to update the score every now & then. Though you may comment and / or trash-talk as much as desired, your ranking will only count once. You may change your ranking @ any time - just indicate it in the post.

In the interest of fairness, I will not rank for at least a week.

Let the "BATTLE ROYAL" begin.

[snowblind9]

I've never spent much time in Grand Forks. I visit Minot weekly and lived in Fargo and Bismarck. Since this is based on Goodnessity. My rankings are different than if It was ranking my favorite overall city. But based on Goodnessity I would rank it as such.

1. Minot
2. Bismarck
3. Fargo
4. Grand Forks (by default because of my lack of exposure)

[WindDancer]

Oh this post is so cool! I think this is just what all of
"us out-of-town ND can't-wait-to-bes" need.
I cannot wait to hear a lot of the comments. Even though my husband and I have decide on the Western part of ND, I do still love to read all the posts about the other areas of ND. We are still planning on moving in the Spring of next year. I do have one question though. How soon is too soon to make a move to Northwestern ND? In other words, when is the earliest time to consider bring up a 40' travel trailer? Travelwise I mean. We used to be truck drivers and have pulled 53' trailers in all kinds of weather but that is a little bit different than pulling your home on wheels. LOL!!!
Looking forward to any comments.
Hey, I think I am finally breaking out of my shyness shell.

[magiccity]

Originally Posted by snowblind9

I've never spent much time in Grand Forks. I visit Minot weekly and lived in Fargo and Bismarck. Since this is based on Goodnessity. My rankings are different than if It was ranking my favorite overall city. But based on Goodnessity I would rank it as such.

1. Minot
2. Bismarck
3. Fargo
4. Grand Forks (by default because of my lack of exposure)

I agree with Snowblind about the order. Minot may not have the quantity of businesses, but it does have the quality. ct

[Old Surrender]

1. Fargo
2. GF
3. Bismarck
4. Minot

I've never been to Minot, but I'm yet to meet a person who has lived there give me a glowing review of that metropolis.

[fourwinds]

Economy
1 Fargo
2. Bismarck
3. GF
4. Minot

Outdoors
1. Bismarck
2. Minot
3. GF
4. Fargo

Culture opportunities
1. GF (UND related)
2. Fargo
3. Bismarck
4. Minot

Friendliness
1. Minot
2. GF
3. Bismarck
4. Fargo

Weather
1. Bismarck
2. Minot
3. (tie) Fargo /GF

Education
All are very good through HS and all offer very good undergrad options.

Restaurants/Nightlife
1. Fargo
2. Bismarck
3. GF
4. Minot

City Planning/Neighborhood appeal
1. GF (97 flood changed its face, new infrastructure, Greenway changing dynamics)
2. Bismarck
3. Minot
4. Fargo (suburban sprawl, but new developments in SW changing that)

Defined by sport / recreation playground / hunting/fishing:
Fargo - football / Detroit Lakes / fishing
Bismarck - wrestling culture (FB #1 though) / Missouri River / pheasant
Minot - basketball / Lake Sakawea, Metigoshe / duck hunting
GF - hockey / Maple Lake/LOW/Red River / goose hunting

[Cain]

1. Bismarck
2. Fargo
TIE: Minot / Grand Forks

Best feature of #1:

Growth in Residences and Businesses with Room to actually grow unlike Fargo that seems as if it can only go so far. No flooding issues and climate is one of the best.

Worst feature of #1: Lack of technology jobs compared to Fargo. (but getting closer)

[Old Surrender]

For me, night life and entertainment options put Fargo and G.F. on top of Bismark. Bismark reminds me of Topeka, a bland, Midwestern capital city with nothing to do.

[FargoBison]

1.Fargo
2.Bismarck
3.GF
4.Minot

[txedomoon]

#1 - Fargo - Access to good music stores (Sorry Bismarck, no more Music Syndicate. All you have is Wal-Mart music to chose from) The F-M Symphony and Opera Company. The Plains Art Museum and three hours from Minneapolis for additional Arts and Cultural Events.

#2 - Grand Forks - Hockey. The Greater Grand Forks Symphony, North Dakota Museum of Art and just a short drive from LAKES/camping great outdoor fun. The downside -- a bit gritty when it comes to the nightlife.

#3 - Been many years since I was there, but the people were FRIENDLY!!! Clean looking town. And pleasant concert hall on the MSU Campus.

#4 Bismarck - The Walrus, the view from State Avenue and U-of Mary and a coffee shop in the public library. Downsides - 3 hours from ANYWHERE - no good record stores.