What is there to do in North Dakota? (Grand Forks, Minot: to live in, assess)

[LordBalfor]

Well, I spent a year and a half (TWO winters) in ND as a teen living in very small towns (Finley and Hatton) and I have to admit I've no desire to move back there as the winters are just too darn hard. As far as I'm concerned cold and snow are "been there, done that" kind of things for me.

However, having said that I do have to admit that I enjoyed my time in ND very much indeed. Summers were spent swimming and fishing and watching in awe as the squall lines slowly crept across the sky all day before bringing thundering rain and dazzling lightning shows in the evening. While some may find the plains to be rather boring visually, I've always found the empty vastness to be the kind of place that makes me feel so very small and full of wonder at the enormity of the earth and sky. If I were a religous person I would say it somehow made me feel closer to God - but since I'm not, I'll just say that the plains can be a strangly spiritual experience and leave it at that. There is certainly a unique beauty to it that many folks just don't seem to see (sadly).

As I said, I would not want to move there at this stage in my life, but I certainly do not regret the time I spent there. There is a certain old-fashioned hominess to living in such a small farming community and the people are wonderful - even if they do seem to know ALL your business even before you do.

Not the type of place for everyone certainly, but there is still beauty and enjoyment to be found there. You just need to stop, look and listen - both with your ears and your soul.

Ken

[newyorkborn&raised]

I think people from this region are in denial. I only have 15 days left until I move back home to Upstate NY and I'm ecstatic. People from ND/MN will always say well we have nice hunting/fishing outdoors activities...New York State has by far better outdoor experiences to explore. The whole state of ND is only 650,000...NY is 20,000,000. I have no idea why any one in their right mind would live in ND by choice. The scenic, outdoors excuse doesn't work for me.

[Corbay]

The whole state of ND is only 650,000...NY is 20,000,000

One more reason to stay in North Dakota.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

I think people from this region are in denial. I only have 15 days left until I move back home to Upstate NY and I'm ecstatic.

I'll bet there are some people in ND who are pleased about that, as well.

[MikeyToo]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

I think people from this region are in denial. I only have 15 days left until I move back home to Upstate NY and I'm ecstatic. People from ND/MN will always say well we have nice hunting/fishing outdoors activities...New York State has by far better outdoor experiences to explore. The whole state of ND is only 650,000...NY is 20,000,000. I have no idea why any one in their right mind would live in ND by choice. The scenic, outdoors excuse doesn't work for me.

Good luck on your return to Upstate New York. North Dakota population will now be 649,999. Don't think anyone will notice...

As they say, "Different Strokes for Different Fokes"..

[newyorkborn&raised]

The simple fact is ND will never evade the shadow of mediocre it has linguring over it's name, no matter how "snobbish" you may think outsiders are for giving you this no bull**** assessment.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Well, I spent a year and a half (TWO winters) in ND as a teen living in very small towns (Finley and Hatton) and I have to admit I've no desire to move back there as the winters are just too darn hard. As far as I'm concerned cold and snow are "been there, done that" kind of things for me.

However, having said that I do have to admit that I enjoyed my time in ND very much indeed. Summers were spent swimming and fishing and watching in awe as the squall lines slowly crept across the sky all day before bringing thundering rain and dazzling lightning shows in the evening. While some may find the plains to be rather boring visually, I've always found the empty vastness to be the kind of place that makes me feel so very small and full of wonder at the enormity of the earth and sky. If I were a religous person I would say it somehow made me feel closer to God - but since I'm not, I'll just say that the plains can be a strangly spiritual experience and leave it at that. There is certainly a unique beauty to it that many folks just don't seem to see (sadly).

As I said, I would not want to move there at this stage in my life, but I certainly do not regret the time I spent there. There is a certain old-fashioned hominess to living in such a small farming community and the people are wonderful - even if they do seem to know ALL your business even before you do.

Not the type of place for everyone certainly, but there is still beauty and enjoyment to be found there. You just need to stop, look and listen - both with your ears and your soul.

Ken

Thanks, I agree totally. People who do not know what you mean are not stopping to smell the roses. I do not plan on going back but I am glad I grew up there.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

The simple fact is ND will never evade the shadow of mediocre it has linguring over it's name, no matter how "snobbish" you may think outsiders are for giving you this no bull**** assessment.

It is a free country and you have a right to your opinion. I am glad you are able to return to some thing you are more comfortable in. I am sorry you have missed what North Dakota has to offer. Each state has some thing different if we let our selves experience it. The closeness to nature and the people are pretty special but then I grew up there and did not appreciate it until I left. I do not plan on returning but I still carry the good things in my heart. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

The simple fact is ND will never evade the shadow of mediocre it has linguring over it's name, no matter how "snobbish" you may think outsiders are for giving you this no bull**** assessment.

Paying three times what it's worth to live in a tiny apartment with pigeon droppings on the window sill, winos on the sidewalk, wading thru gray snow (where it isn't yellow), weaving your way past panhandlers, and fighting for a place on a dilapidated subway car to go to a job that pays very well but not nearly enough for you to be able to enjoy the amenities your city offers to those who are truly rich. That's what I call a mediocre life.

[newyorkborn&raised]

irvm,
It sounds like you are confusing "Upstate" with "NYC". Go back and read my posts, I am going back to Upstate NY...not the city.