Considering moving to N.Dakota

[fourwinds]

Originally Posted by Christine Joan

There appears to be a lot of homes available in the Northwest section of the state, Crosby and Noonan, right now. Is anyone aware of any changing conditions that might be causing this or is this just being caused by the elderly moving to retirement homes and the emigration of the young?

The extreme northwest part of ND, particularly Divide, Burke, Renville, and parts of Mountraill counties have seen the worst of depopulation. (20% loss for decade after decade - both young familes and youth have been moving out). The majority of people living in those counties are over 50, and a very high fraction are > 65. They are far enough off the oil patch that no jobs are generated from that, a huge fraction of the farmland has been put in reserve, and few other alternative employment options are available.

The southwest and south central areas have also experienced severe depopulation, although many homes in the smaller towns in these areas are bought by out-of-state pheasant hunters as a lodge.

Be careful certain towns, as the economic circumstances can be particularly dire. Crosby probably has enough people to maintain viability, but Noonan and much of Divide/Burke County have little in the way of services to offer, and it will likely only get worse.

You would be better off locating in a small town that has access to a more a diversified economy. (Examples: within 20 minutes of Beulah/Hazen, Dickinson, Williston, Jamestown, or within an hour of Fargo, Bismarck, GF, Minot.)

[Christine Joan]

Zeeya, I'm looking for some of the same things as you. From what you wrote, you might want to check out Rugby, North Dakota. I see a lot of rural properties advertised there that are very affordable and the city appears to have all the necessities according to their website. They have a hospital there and other medical services like dental, etc. However, I have never been there. I'm searching online, like you.

The North Dakota city that I have fallen in love with most recently is Bottinueu. It is beautiful and has a lot of trees, but I haven't seen any small farms there. That doesn't mean there aren't any though.

Good luck and God Bless.

Fourwinds, thank you very much for the explanation. I didn't see your response before I sent my message to Zeeya. I can maintain my present employment as long as I have access to high-speed internet service (DSL), so I'm not very worrried about the local economy as far as finding employment there. However, your warning about a lack of basic services does concern me. Do the smaller cities stop providing water, sewer, trash removal, etc. when they lose their tax base?

What do you think of Bottineau?

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by Christine Joan

Fourwinds, thank you very much for the explanation. I didn't see your response before I sent my message to Zeeya. I can maintain my present employment as long as I have access to high-speed internet service (DSL), so I'm not very worrried about the local economy as far as finding employment there. However, your warning about a lack of basic services does concern me. Do the smaller cities stop providing water, sewer, trash removal, etc. when they lose their tax base?

What do you think of Bottineau?

Christine...

My wife's brother and his family of 5 live in Bottineau and have lived there for about 2 years after moving from north of Minot. He is a firefighter for the city of Minot while his wife works at the hospital in Bottineau. Bottineau is a nice town...they are getting a superwalmart which is big news for them. Otherwise typical small town/city North Dakota....enough residents and businesses to keep it alive and at least stable if not growing a bit so no sign of it falling by the wayside. School system is good...the only real fast food is a Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut and some mom/pop stores. The thing that makes Bottineau attractive is that it is just southwest of the Turtle Mountains (you can see to the north and northeast of town). Granted not like the Sierra's or anything, but decent for North Dakota. There is a popular lake in the Turtle Mountains called Lake Metagoshie where people have cabins and go for summer activities and there is a small ski area in the mountains too. Lots of pine trees and its also very close to the International Peace Garden located in the Turtle Mountains along the Canadian border. Otherwise Bottineau is quite the distance from major cities....i.e. Minot is about 1 1/2 hr southwest for the nearest city. Land around Bottineau itself is flat farmland...you have to drive about 10-15 miles north into the hills to get pine trees, etc. Land is farming...especially west toward Lansford in western Bottineau county. Might check there for any avbl land/homes. East of Bottineau toward Dunseith you enter the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and there is a casino in the area on their reservation.

Also....Rugby is not a bad town to live in too as it also has a small hospital and is along Highway 2 (4-lane road thru northern ND) and 3 hours east to Grand Forks and 1 1/2 west to Minot. Rugby too has a DQ and Pizza Hut and a few other smaller businesses. Rugby is the geographical center of North America and there is a tower there proclaiming it. Rugby and the area west to Towner in McHenry county is farm country...Towner's claim to fame is the cattle capital of North Dakota.

Dan

[fourwinds]

Originally Posted by Christine Joan

Zeeya, I'm looking for some of the same things as you. From what you wrote, you might want to check out Rugby, North Dakota. I see a lot of rural properties advertised there that are very affordable and the city appears to have all the necessities according to their website. They have a hospital there and other medical services like dental, etc. However, I have never been there. I'm searching online, like you.

The North Dakota city that I have fallen in love with most recently is Bottinueu. It is beautiful and has a lot of trees, but I haven't seen any small farms there. That doesn't mean there aren't any though.

Good luck and God Bless.

Rugby seems to have very progressive leadership and, with it being on Highway 2, is in a much better position than many smaller towns. I have found the area south of Rugby, with its prairie lakes and potholes and rolling topography to be particulary attractive and underappreciated.

If I was to retire in ND (I currently live outstate), the Bottineau area would definitely some where I would look. The Turtle Mountains, Lake Metigoshe, Peace Gardens, and the farming areas south and west give Bottineau a uniqueness that can't be duplicated in ND.

Towns in ND that I've always considered intriquing are Beach (beautiful setting, IMO and close to the Badlands), Killdeer (near Badlands and Killdeer Mountains), Walhalla / Cavalier (near Pembina Gourge), Kathryn/Fort Ransom/Lisbon (in Sheyenne Valley Scenic Byway), and west of Park River (in the Pembina escarpment area). For towns that have fantastic community spirit, check out Oakes/Edgeley, Makoti/Ryder (tiny communities with huge hearts), Hatton/Northwood, Hettinger.

[Christine Joan]

Fourwinds and Dan, thank you both so much. I will definitely visit Bottineau later this year. I'll also try to drive through some of the smaller towns you mentioned, Fourwinds. I'm intrigued by the natural beauty of Beach, and as someone who has lived near the beach for 30 years, I might feel at home there. I can't wait to visit North Dakota and hopefully, select my new home.

[DaninEGF]

Christine...

Dont forget to see Tommy the Turtle in Bottineau...here is a link to it. Snowmobiling is a big time sport there as that area usually has the most snow and coldest temps in the state. Also I posted a link to the turtle mountains tourist assn for info on the immediate area. There is even a Tommy the Turtle bowling alley.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/NDBOTturtle.html

http://www.turtlemountains.org/activities.html

Dan

[Christine Joan]

Thanks again, Dan. I always loved turtles. I can't wait to visit. However, until my body adjusts to the colder climate, I'll limit my vacations to summer, spring or fall. I intend to see as much of the area surrounding Bottinuea as possible. It is going to be a fantastic vacation. Now I have to go back to work and try to save some money.