General Info for anyone interested in moving to ND (Bismarck: homes, colleges)

[MikeyToo]

Relocation in North Dakota


It's easy to think that North Dakota is one of America's more boring states. North Dakotans certainly don't go out of their way to make themselves seem exciting. North Dakota's official state beverage is milk. And every year, Turtle Lake, North Dakota hosts the U.S. Turtle Racing Championship. But before you start to nod off, there is more to North Dakota than meets the eye. Holed up in a part of the country that doesn't get much attention, North Dakota is a heaven for anyone who's ever whistled along to "Don't Fence Me In." North Dakota is a single wide, open space that covers flat farmland, forests and lakes (with some of best bass, perch and walleye fishing in the world) all the way to the lunar landscapes of the North Dakota badlands.

Outside North Dakota's big cities (big being a highly subjective term), North Dakota's residents are spread out pretty thin, but their diversity matches their isolation. Almost 5% of North Dakotans are Native Americans. North Dakota has one of the largest Native American populations of any state. Educational excellence is another of North Dakota's pleasant surprises. North Dakota has one of best primary and secondary education systems in the country; even given the state's small population, North Dakota maintains 11 public colleges.

Now that you're moving(or considering) to North Dakota there are a couple facts you'll want to keep in mind:

North Dakota's population is 642,200. North Dakota's state capital is Bismarck.
In 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota were slated to become states on the same day. But given the intense rivalry between the two territories, President Benjamin Harrison couldn't decide which one to formally admit first. So he had his Secretary of State shuffle the admission papers so he wouldn't know which one he was signing.
North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state in America.
Several attempts have been made in North Dakota's legislature to drop the North and rename the state Dakota. All have been defeated.
In North Dakota, it's illegal for bar owners to serve beer and pretzels at the same time.

So, if this sounds appealing, then North Dakota is within you. Welcome!!

[irvm]

Originally Posted by MikeyToo

In North Dakota, it's illegal for bar owners to serve beer and pretzels at the same time.

WHAT!?!
Well, I'm not moving to N. Dakota, then.

[Jammie]

That's fascinating and thanks for the info. I didn't realize the Dakotas were rivals in the past. Wonder what that was about.

[magiccity]

I have to agree with MikeyToo. For me orignially, I thought of North Dakota as a boring and uninteresting state. But the longer I stayed, the more beauty that I saw and the way people help each other. The sign over the Minot AFB gate says, "Only The Best Come North," and that is so right. For those who whine how cold it is instead of enjoying what God has given you, then stay where you are. ct

[Cain]

My father's initial impression of North Dakota was the land of polar bears (I am not making this up) and that we had snow pretty much on the ground year round. He was pleasantly suprised when he came and visited.

Another thing that I like about North Dakota is that the people in general here are very tolerant of other people of various backgrounds, etc. I have been more welcome in the homes of people here than I ever was living in my home state of North Carolina.

I also get a kick out of the quirks the people have, especially how nuts they go for indian tacos / Frybread. considering I grew up making the stuff (we called them tortillas in the panamanian / jamaican household) as no biggy, I always find it funny how my wife and others go crazy for the stuff.

Knoephla also rocks, though what she calls saurekrautnip is my favorite of her ND foods.

[ebitdadada]

Originally Posted by Cain

I also get a kick out of the quirks the people have, especially how nuts they go for indian tacos / Frybread. considering I grew up making the stuff (we called them tortillas in the panamanian / jamaican household) as no biggy, I always find it funny how my wife and others go crazy for the stuff.

Hmmm, I've had the same impression (mostly from myself, I LOVE Indian Tacos) - I think ND's next Millionare will be the one who starts an Indian Taco chain. Did you know you can put ice cream in frybread too! I'll bet you could even make an Indian Indian Taco too! - Curry Chicken with tomatoes on frybread Mmmmmm.

[bismanpokerclub]

Originally Posted by Jammie

That's fascinating and thanks for the info. I didn't realize the Dakotas were rivals in the past. Wonder what that was about.

North & South Dakota used to be one when they were Dakota Territory and there was competition within the territory for all kinds of things like which town would be the capitol, where would the territorial prison be, etc. When they were split, many people (Gen Custer was one of them) always thought if they were split there should be an East/West split vs. the North/South split that was finally chosen.

[MikeyToo]

I thought I would throw out another bit of maybe useless information, but found it mildly interesting, so here. North Dakota has more daylight days than Florida. So, I guess maybe North Dakota should be the sunshine state???
It really boils down to longitude.

[Cruikshl]

I'm moving there then

[MikeyToo]

Originally Posted by MikeyToo

I thought I would throw out another bit of maybe useless information, but found it mildly interesting, so here. North Dakota has more daylight days than Florida. So, I guess maybe North Dakota should be the sunshine state???
It really boils down to longitude.

Sorry, ment latitude...