Small town ND? (Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot: relocation, housing, vacation)

[astroaries]

I will be an empty nester in a couple of years, and for some reason, have been attracted to North Dakota. I am disabled and will be living on a small income. Would like a small town with medical facilities. Love the snow, and do not want to be in the path of a tornado! Any suggestions?

[jlunski]

I don't live in ND any more but grew up in Grand Forks, I would suggest looking around the Fargo area, maybe Cassleton? Fargo is the largest city in the state but has quite a few small towns within a 20-30 mile radius.

[snowblind9]

I grew up in a small town called Harvey, ND. It has about 1500 people. The hospital system is very good though. The town has almost everything you need. I have never seen a tornado there. The town population is staying steady. You can probably find a very nice house for under $40000. Very friendly people. Perfect small town living.

[MattDen]

Fargo has a small town feel and excellent medical care. Three major hospitals in a city of 90,000 people, thats one hospital for every 30,000 people and also a VA hospital.

If you want a very small town I would recommend Wahpeton or Castleton they are fairly small less then 10,000 people

I would recommend contacting the housing authorities in Cass, Fargo and Grand Forks and Grand Forks County. I know they have places in Fargo and Grand Forks that have very short waiting lists for housing if one is 62 or older or mobility impaired.

I would contact the housing authorities in these cities and ask "whats the wait on limited-income housing?" and see if they can send you information to be put on a waiting list.

Apartment vacancies in Fargo tend to be very high.

North Dakota is not what I would consider a snowy state though, Fargo is very cold in the winter-time and snowfall amounts tend to me limited.
Typically, 1-3" snow every week or 10 days and it just doesnt melt, but as far snowfall amounts North Dakota doesnt get that much snow compared to other places.

[jwmn]

North Dakota isn't exactly in Tornado Alley, but we do get some tornadoes. The southeastern part of the state is where they are most likely to occur, and they become less likely the farther west you go.

[finkster82]

i would say Hampden, ND...bout 60 people

[astroaries]

Thank you for all your input, it was very helpful, and I have some research to do! Best to all! Robin

[kosnebbear]

LaMoure is not a bad place to settle in. The town is less than 1000 people. You are close to three hospitals. The tornado rate is 8% below the national average. Plus the cost of living here is not that high.

My wife comes from this area and this is what I see there. I come from Nebraska and MattDen also lives in Nebraska but he came from Colorado. I don't think he has been in North Dakota. Listen to the ones who live there first, then consider information from the ones who have been there and forget about those who will post you statics about an area much like MattDen will.

Take care and hope that your up coming move turns out great and that you find the right place for you in North Dakota.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by kosnebbear

forget about those who will post you statics about an area much like MattDen will.

Why the unfair jab at MattDen? I just read his reply to the original poster, and it didn't seem to be inaccurate or out-of-line. He stated facts about the city of Fargo's population and its number of hospitals on a per-capita basis. Any outsider, including myself, could have very easily done the same, and I think we would have been just as helpful in doing so as anyone else. Just because MattDen doesn't live in Fargo doesn't negate his helpful information about the housing assistance, medical facilities, etc., does it?

I likewise have an interest in North Dakota (not for relocation, but I want to visit Grand Forks and Fargo someday for a vacation), and I found his information to be helpful. Who cares if he lives in Omaha or Minot? If his information is accurate, then does it really matter? Just be happy that so many people have such a positive overall impression of North Dakota (including myself!) Hell, if people from Grand Forks wanted to start talking about Scranton, I'd be thrilled! LOL!

[MattDen]

I lived in Fargo from 2004 to 2006.

In my profile it says I lived in Fargo, North Dakota

I would recommend Fargo. The people can be insular and a bit cold but the quality of life is very high.