Considering Minot AFB, Friendly Advice Please (Fargo, Bismarck: home, college, living)

[theenforcer8487]

Greetings!

I am a first-term airman stationed in the Florida panhandle. I was born and raised in Florida, and don't get me wrong I love my mother state, but I really truly want to try something different. I joined the AF under the idea that I would get out into the world, seeing and experiencing something different and unique to what I've always known. Well, I ended up right back in Florida. I've read all about how cold ND is and to me that is a given, the miserable cold, however the cold is not what I am afraid of. I've read some pretty bad reviews on Minot about how isolated it is and that it is boreing and that there is nothing to do in Minot. I'm looking for some info besides the fact that it is freezing cold 8 months of the year. I'm trying to decide if it is right for me. I'm also looking into Grandforks if anyone knows about it. I don't know much about ND or its cities. Are there lots of mountains up there? Anywho, any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Chris19]

There are no major mountains in North Dakota. There are flat areas and some hillier areas and not too many forested areas. Grand Forks is in the flat Red River Valley and Minot is in a little hillier area in NW North Dakota. There are a lot of recreational opportunities along the Missouri River and a number of lakes in ND. If you like the outdoors, North Dakota has a lot to offer.

Although winters can be cold in North Dakota, there are other times of the year that make up for the winter. Spring and fall in the Upper Midwest have times where the weather is pleasant and summers are oftentimes warm. Grand Forks would be more humid in the summertime than Minot. Like my home in South Dakota, North Dakota has a variety of weather. At least, there are no hurricanes up here.

I have been to North Dakota on a couple of occasions and find that people are friendly. Many people there are sincere. The people are one of the state's best assets.

Grand Forks is a city of over 50,000 in the city proper and Minot is a city of 30,000 people in its limits. Both have the basics such as discount stores, supermarkets, eating places, and other stores. In cities in the size of Minot, there are even many local eating places that are worth eating.

[DaninEGF]

My wife is from Minot and we visit relatives in the Minot area frequently and I live and work in the Grand Forks area.

As for Minot...it sure doesnt seem like a 30,000 pop town as I dont think that pop includes people from the AFB. The base is about 10 miles north of town on Highway 83...which turns into Broadway as it travels through Minot. Minot is in a hillier area...mainly due to the Mouse river that flows through it. There is the north hill where the airport is located then you travel down the hill through downtown which is quite large then back up the hill to the south part of town which includes a nice mall and the majority of the chain restaurants. The North Dakota state fair is held in Minot in July and there is a very nice zoo in town in Roosevelt Park. This park hosts a large drive through Christmas light display as well. I know nothing about the base and living conditions there....but I can tell you Minot while it it is a bit isolated (being a little over an hour north of Bismarck) is far from a small town with nothing to do.

One thing I have noticed is that you see and feel the air force base presence much more there than in Grand Forks...where the base has downsizied over the years due to losing the missile wing in the mid 90s. The Grand Forks base has its new mission concentrated on UAV's and hopefully a new tanker division in the future. Grand Forks is closer to Fargo and Minnesota lake country and its woods. Grand Forks is a nice town as well. It is bigger than Minot but Minot seems to have an equal if not more businesses it seems to me because of the large number of folks at the Minot air base. Grand Forks has the Univ of ND which is great for anyone wanting to further their education. Minot has Minot State Univ which is also good. Grand Forks is flat while Minot is a bit hillier.

Overall I think you will be a bit suprised that both towns are not quite as boring as you think. Grand Forks will have more college age crowd than Minot whereas Minot will have a more military crowd.

As for the weather...our winters arent quite 8 months....usually cold Nov thru March with warming up in mid to late April then spring hits in May and summer in June through August. It can get just as muggy here in the summer as it does in Florida....but doesnt last a long time. Our summer nights are quite long with daylight to near 10 pm.

I hope this helps....

Dan

[magiccity]

You will like Minot. A majority of the military people that I know really like this area, especially hunters and fishers. For single people, this is a college town where you can meet a lot of singles at churches, bars, or other activities. Welcome to Minot, the Magic City. ct

[Roloff1976]

I think the city of Minot has around 35,000 people, not including the air base population and the smaller communities within 10-15 miles from Minot...in all the county (which is pretty much Minot) has around 55,000 people.