How is life in Dickinson these days? (Bismarck, Hope: sales, crime)

[soundforlanguage81]

Ok, a buddy of mine way back in NC is looking to relocate at the beginning of next year. I suggested Dickinson and told him about the area he hasn't shut up about it since. It's been nearly 4 years since I lived there, so I ask...anything new in town? How is the job market? Housing? I remember both being quite plentiful when I was there, but these days that can change at the drop of a hat.

Any sort of info I can relay (to someone who is unfortunately sans internet connection) would be much 'preciated.

[Roloff1976]

huh??? no responses from Dickinson? maybe no one lives there anymore...or maybe they are all just busy... lol
I do know Dickinson is doing just fine. I know there is quite a bit of new home construction going on there, and a couple new hotels have been built. But other than that, have not been there for a while. But no news can be good news.

[soundforlanguage81]

Originally Posted by Roloff1976

huh??? no responses from Dickinson? maybe no one lives there anymore...or maybe they are all just busy... lol
I do know Dickinson is doing just fine. I know there is quite a bit of new home construction going on there, and a couple new hotels have been built. But other than that, have not been there for a while. But no news can be good news.

I guess not. Out of the 16,000 people in Dickinson I figure I would've gotten a response or two. So it goes.....

[davednorris]

Well,

I've not checked this website for quite a long time. I live in Dickinson. Has your buddy moveed here?

Kind Regards,

Dave N.
<><

[leroyleroux]

I have been to Dickinson only once. Our band played a week long job at the (something like) Queen City. It was a pretty big bar on the west side of town, near some stockyards if my memory is correct. We stayed in a little motel kind of in the center of town. If I remember right, there are a lot of little oil wells around, but they weren't operating. I guess I thought it was a nice enough town.

[soundforlanguage81]

Originally Posted by davednorris

Well,

I've not checked this website for quite a long time. I live in Dickinson. Has your buddy moveed here?

Kind Regards,

Dave N.
<><

As of yet, nope. I'm still in the process of collecting info for him. He likely won't be moving until years end.

[wolfman1]

I grew up in Dickinson and now live in Mankato, MN.

Dickinson is a great place to raise a family...almost NO crime to speak of. I probably shouldn't say this, but we never locked our doors. People are very friendly and helpful.

Downsides? Not the nightlife that you'd find in a larger city. Winters CAN be harsh, but Dickinson does get some Chinook winds from the Rockies that keep it warmer than the eastern part of the state. It does get windy.

Work can be found reasonably well, but the oil industry can fluctuate, so it will depend on what type of work you're looking for. Growth is steady but not as brisk as what you'd see in larger cities...I view that as a plus since it also means that it's quite manageable.

Lots of agriculture in the area. You will find TONS of outdoor activities, so if you like to hunt/fish, you're in for a treat. There is world class pheasant hunting in the area, and lots of grouse and deer as well.

Get ready to meet people, because they're friendly and will be very helpful.

[Lefty Lucy]

Dickinson is changing...there have been two murders in just the last couple of months...one just last weekend. Is it still safe? I think so...but it was quite unnerving. The two outdoor pools have been closed down leaving only the indoor pool. Jobs? Look at the job service website...there are tons of jobs. Downtown sucks. Nothing to speak of for shopping...a couple of bars and a couple of restaurants. One organic restaurant is in the process of opening. Shopping in general sucks...we usually go to Bismarck. They want you to buy local but then jack up the prices so it is cheaper including gas to go to Menards or Lowes for building supplies...We just had a severe tornado a couple of weeks ago that destroyed much of the very south side of town and there was a lot of damage along the river. Good place to live but if you are a liberal it is a tough place. Religion is predominately Catholic the balance is mixed. Hope this helps. Do I like it here? Yes, we have raised our family here for 15 years. Do I want out? Yes...there is little racial diversion and few cultural activities. There are a few plays and other evens of culture like plays and small concerts that go on at the college but as soon as my last one graduates I want to go somewhere that provides diversity...in race, culture, and social activity. I would love to see a ballet, go to a concert any time I want to and not have to drive 300-700 miles to get there. Would I do it over again? Yes. It has been a good place to raise a family.

[Roloff1976]

I think the murders that took place were pretty much isolated incidents. The people involved knew each other, so it's not like the rest of the populous is in any danger of random killings. One nice thing that is new in Dickinson is the new Rec center. Beautiful facility with indoor pool, excercise room, climbing walls, walking tracks, etc... which might explain the closing of 2 outdoor pools. I heard no one was using the outdoor pools, and one needed so many repairs, it would cost more to repair than rebuild. You have a nice little mall in Dickinson, with the basic shopping like K-mart, Herbergers, Super Wal-mart across the street, plenty of national chain fast foods. Your University is in the process of a major upgrade with the new stadium. The tornado was devastating, but the one positive...there will be plenty of new construction going on in south Dickinson.

[Lefty Lucy]

I agree they (the killings) were random incidents but even random acts of violence where little violence occurs can be unnerving. The outdoor pools were being used. They were closed half the time because of staffing problems. The south pool closed a couple of years ago. It was in bad shape but still being used.

The next summer every time you tried to go to the north pool it was closed (mostly during family time) because the parks and rec was having problems finding help. The north pool was in need of repairs and new drains because of the new federal law. I would have been in favor of fixing it ( hind sight 2020 because this summer has been so cold there probably would have been little use). We need an outdoor pool Period. It sucks to go to an indoor pool when it is 80 degrees out. I did just join the community center so I can use the pool...mostly to exercise and swim laps. Cheaper to join than to pay each time.

I do feel bad for the kids. They shut down the pools and tore down the skate park. It was suppose to be rebuilt in a more visible location but that has not happened yet. They are getting prepared to do a fish kill at Patterson because of a winter kill that left only carp and bullheads behind. Before they restock they want to kill off those so they don't eat the fingerlings that Fish and Game will stock. So, no swimming there either...Not that I would swim there, especially in August, but a lot of kids so. I am not certain that it is safe but have not read that it is or isn't. We are reluctant take the dogs for a swim out there once the chemical is applied.

As far as the stadium is concerned I would have been happier with my sales tax dollars going to tax relief rather than a fancy stadium that I will never use. Lots of people are happy about it and construction is going well from what I can see by just driving by on the way to exercise.

Like I said, Dickinson is a good place to raise kids...it could be better if they actually had something to do. No dances, no skatepark, kids get in trouble. Have mine? I will be truthful...yes. They have. Not big trouble and nothing most of us haven't done. Problem is times are different now than they were when we were kids.

Would I move here again? Yes, as I said before. Do I lock my doors? Depends on if I remember or not.

The tornado displaced a lot of families...hope they are all finding places to live and they are not getting gouged by the slumlords. Yes, like everywhere, we have slumlords.

The thing about the tornado was that no one got killed or even badly injured. That was an amazing thing. Seeing the damage first hand it is unbelievable that no one was killed or badly injured. My son lives in the area that was hit and cell service was out so my husband went down there to make sure he was alright and it was a war zone. We drove down through there Saturday night and it looks much better with the ongoing clean up.

To those thinking of moving here...welcome.