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Hi, I am 22 and I live and work in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. I just graduated from college in May and got a construction safety job for a large general contractor in Dallas. I really like the company I work for, but eventually I would like to move to a rural state like ND to settle down in. I absolutely hate living in the big city with so many people, traffic, road construction, etc... Where are some good places to move in North Dakota? Where might I find a safety job whether it be in construction or manufacturing? PS I like the extreme cold and snow so that is not a turn off.
OK, so you like the extreme cold and snow? How about both those combined with 30-40mph winds? I suspect you won't like it for long! But you sure are welcome to try!
There is not a lot in ND for manufacturing, so you would be mostly looking in the energy industry. Coal is winding down - I doubt there will be any new plants built and the ones that are established are getting old and some are being shut down. There are a few that might still have openings from time to time, but doubt you could have a 30-40 year career there. Oil is up and down in the NW quarter of the state as the prices go up and down, so there is some potential there too, although again, this could be spotty. There are a few refineries - one in Mandan (Tesoro last I knew), and a new one just opened in Dickinson (not sure what company owns that). Wind energy is starting to grow in ND, so there may be some options in windmill construction for a safety person. Overall, the state is growing, so always new, traditional construction projects going on.
You probably won't be able to pick your location.... You will have to find a job and then live near where that job is. ND is very sparsely populated, so you can't decide - Oh, I am going to move to Linton and find a job there! Fat chance!
Check with Basin Electric Power Cooperative. They are an enormous energy company based in Bismarck that has a lot of different kinds of energy facilities throughout the state (and surrounding states). MDU Resources would be another possibility. The state govt might be another option, as they are doing quite a bit of road construction projects. There are also state departments that have safety people for workplace safety enforcement.
Hmm North Dakota has very little in manufacturing?
Bobcat: Plants in Gwinner, Bismarck (Skid steers and other compact equipment)
Caterpillar: West Fargo (Drivetrain remanufacturing)
Wil-Rich: Wahpeton (Tillage equipment manufacturing)
Amity: Fargo (Beat and potato harvesting equipment)
Summers equipment: Devils Lake and Maddock (Tillage equipment)
John Deere Electronic Solutions: Fargo (Electronic equipment)
Case IH: Fargo (Tractors)
Fargo Assembly: Fargo and Lisbon (Wire harnesses and electric components)
With that said: The weather here pretty much sucks for a good 4-5 months. The dating scene is awful unless you're under 25. The housing situation in Bismarck is a joke, people paying top dollar for starter houses that haven't had a lick of real improvements in 30 years. A typical starter house will start $170k plus and in that price range you'll have to adjust your standards for what's acceptable. The people here can't drive for crap. The real kicker is that while people are friendly you'll always be viewed as an outsider. I'm not joking people made all the friends they'll ever need in high school.
I've been here over 5 years and all I'm doing is piling cash. I have no desire to set down roots here. North Dakota has been very good to me career and money wise, but the housing and dating situation are the driving factor that cause me to look home.
Hmm North Dakota has very little in manufacturing?
Bobcat: Plants in Gwinner, Bismarck (Skid steers and other compact equipment)
Caterpillar: West Fargo (Drivetrain remanufacturing)
Wil-Rich: Wahpeton (Tillage equipment manufacturing)
Amity: Fargo (Beat and potato harvesting equipment)
Summers equipment: Devils Lake and Maddock (Tillage equipment)
John Deere Electronic Solutions: Fargo (Electronic equipment)
Case IH: Fargo (Tractors)
Fargo Assembly: Fargo and Lisbon (Wire harnesses and electric components)
To add...Grand Forks has Cirrus (a company that manufactures small aircraft)..... L&M Wind (which makes wind turbines).... Simplot (french fries) and nearby across the river and up and down the RRV American Crystal Sugar (processes sugar beets year round).
Hi, I am 22 and I live and work in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. I just graduated from college in May and got a construction safety job for a large general contractor in Dallas. I really like the company I work for, but eventually I would like to move to a rural state like ND to settle down in. I absolutely hate living in the big city with so many people, traffic, road construction, etc... Where are some good places to move in North Dakota? Where might I find a safety job whether it be in construction or manufacturing? PS I like the extreme cold and snow so that is not a turn off.
Thanks!
What's the smallest sized town you're willing to move to?
Hi, I am 22 and I live and work in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. I just graduated from college in May and got a construction safety job for a large general contractor in Dallas. I really like the company I work for, but eventually I would like to move to a rural state like ND to settle down in. I absolutely hate living in the big city with so many people, traffic, road construction, etc... Where are some good places to move in North Dakota? Where might I find a safety job whether it be in construction or manufacturing? PS I like the extreme cold and snow so that is not a turn off.
Thanks!
Move to Fargo.
You may not stay, but it is big enough without being too big. It is also the land of tall blond people.
Bismarck has better topography, but I like Fargo better. Also, you may like north west Minnesota.
I would move in late December, nothing worse will happen to you all year. The winters are very cold, but once spring comes and it warms up into the 30's you will be loving life.
I am from Texas, have a nice house in Nacogdoches just down the road from SFA, I would rather live in Fargo or Branard or Bismarck.
I made the move from Texas (Austin) to ND about 10 years ago, but recently moved across the river to MN. So far I have survived and enjoy it. However being retired I have no knowledge of the employment world.
Just writing to let you know it is possible fo a Texan to not only survive in ND, but to like it.
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