30 mile commute to Grand Forks or Fargo (Mayville, Hillsboro: mortgage, how much)

[parrotheadmomma]

So we are realizing the housing is cheaper outside of these cities. We've been looking as far as a 45 min. commute around either one. Really how bad is that in the winter time when you have to drive slower with the snow? Just trying to figure out if the longer commute with a lower mortgage is something we can handle. Right now his commute is 25 min. so 45 is significant jump. Any insight is appreciated.

[TravisW]

Hillsboro, North Dakota is about 40 miles from both Grand Forks and Fargo.

[DaninEGF]

We have a worker at NWS Grand Forks that lives outside of Mayville (2-3 miles east) and he has commuted to Grand Forks for work for over 10 years and his wife used to work in Fargo. He is a native of the area....but he most times doesnt have any problems. Now...there are times when the visiblity is too bad and they do shut down the interstate or if there is heavy snowfall then he can be stuck home as his rural road is not plowed out til later. I would say in most winters...he would miss 2-3 days because of the weather.

Now...there would be other times when he had to leave early because of icy roads...lower vsby....etc (not bad enough to shut down but bad enough to go slower) and that would be more significant....I would only guess that would be 30-45 days in an average winter season (Nov 15-Mar 30).

There are many many people who live outside of both cities who commute in. Most of the time it is just slower driving with actually missing work as I said above much more infrequent. So many others do this and suppose you could too. You would get used to the winter driving the first few months. I would recommend that you have at least one vehicle that handles the snow good...such as some 4x4 or AWD vehicle.

So in other words...if you find a good home you like...go for it. My co-workers commute to Mayville to west side of Grand Forks is 35 minutes....Hillsboro is roughly 50-50 between the two cities and would be about 40 minutes each way plus/minus.

Dan

[parrotheadmomma]

Thank you very much for that information. It's just such a different way of life over there in ND and I'm trying to wrap my brain around as much info as I can. It doesn't snow here that often and when it snows 2" or more people freak out! So I guess commuting is pretty common cause where else do all these people in these tiny little towns work and make money if they don't work in Grand Forks or Fargo?

We drive Subaru's so we don't need to worry

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by parrotheadmomma

Thank you very much for that information. It's just such a different way of life over there in ND and I'm trying to wrap my brain around as much info as I can. It doesn't snow here that often and when it snows 2" or more people freak out! So I guess commuting is pretty common cause where else do all these people in these tiny little towns work and make money if they don't work in Grand Forks or Fargo?

We drive Subaru's so we don't need to worry

Farms of course are big....that is where the money can be made (depending on how much land and weather/crop prices). In the valley sugar beets are grown along with wheat...soybeans....some corn and potatoes.

Dan

[heli_man]

We just moved here from Baltimore (Glad to be out of that cesspool!) and are living about 25 miles from my girlfriends work. The drive isnt bad at all. Speed limit on 2 is 70mph. We are out by Larimore. It is the perfect location in my opinion. Larimore has a grocery store, 2 gas stations a couple of bars and some really good places to eat.

What part of MD you from?

[parrotheadmomma]

OMG Baltimore! Let me know after you've been there in ND for the winter, then tell me how you like it since you and I are used to the same weather! I'm in Bowie, MD south of Baltimore and east of D.C.