Should I move to North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck: fit in, apartments, renters)

[kiara_angel]

So I live in Fl with my folks, twenty years old, and going out of my mind. I am taking a Customer Service technology class in November so by February I am hoping to move out on my own and start my adult life. I wanted to know if North Dakota was right for me? From the sounds of it, it is mostly farming and construction. Doesn't sound like a place for a customer care specialist or data processor. So in here lies the question, sound I move to North Dakota and hope for the best? All comments are appericated.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by kiara_angel

So I live in Fl with my folks, twenty years old, and going out of my mind. I am taking a Customer Service technology class in November so by February I am hoping to move out on my own and start my adult life. I wanted to know if North Dakota was right for me? From the sounds of it, it is mostly farming and construction. Doesn't sound like a place for a customer care specialist or data processor. So in here lies the question, sound I move to North Dakota and hope for the best? All comments are appericated.

Your search should include the larger cities like Fargo which have a diverse range of employment opportunities. In fact, Fargo has had a higher percentage incrase in non-farm employment of any city in the Upper Midwest since 2000. It is also has more of a younger demographic with the university in town. The cost of living would likely be much lower than Florida so your paycheck will go further. Good luck...

[Prophet815]

As someone who lives in Fargo I tell you, DON'T DO IT!

If you happen to be lower-middle class like the rest of us and you want to move to the midwest I would recommend Minnesota. Plus the outdoors is much more enjoyable. You've got trees and lakes. Know what ND's got? A state full of fields and the worst wind in the country. In the winter it gets just as cold as MN but we have this violent wind that cuts through you like a hot knife on butter.

If your mind is really set on ND I would say move to Fargo (since other than Bismark and Grand Forks you don't have a lot of other options). Or move to Moorhead. You're a stones throw away (literally) and you can still be a Minnesota resident. Otherwise I would recommend someplace like St. Cloud or Duluth. Cities are about the same size (if not a little bigger) but you don't have the madness of Minneapolis.

Oh, and what they say about the cost of living, dead true. If you're paying much more than 500 bucks for a 2 bedroom apartment in a good location, you're either in a really fancy place or you're getting ripped off. I used to live in a gorgeous 3 bedroom townhouse in South Fargo for 740 a month (until I lost my roomates)! Cost of living is even cheaper in Moorhead. They have considerably cheaper apartments but it's much harder to find a nice one. Plus, in MN you can qualify for a renters refund AND there's no tax on groceries or clothing.

And as long as you don't live in one of the small hick towns you should definatly be able to get a decent job. Honest to god, I've lived here for 7 years and I don't know anyone who works on a farm.

[TravisW]

Originally Posted by Prophet815

As someone who lives in Fargo I tell you, DON'T DO IT!

If you happen to be lower-middle class like the rest of us and you want to move to the midwest I would recommend Minnesota. Plus the outdoors is much more enjoyable. You've got trees and lakes. Know what ND's got? A state full of fields and the worst wind in the country. In the winter it gets just as cold as MN but we have this violent wind that cuts through you like a hot knife on butter.

If your mind is really set on ND I would say move to Fargo (since other than Bismark and Grand Forks you don't have a lot of other options). Or move to Moorhead. You're a stones throw away (literally) and you can still be a Minnesota resident. Otherwise I would recommend someplace like St. Cloud or Duluth. Cities are about the same size (if not a little bigger) but you don't have the madness of Minneapolis.

Oh, and what they say about the cost of living, dead true. If you're paying much more than 500 bucks for a 2 bedroom apartment in a good location, you're either in a really fancy place or you're getting ripped off. I used to live in a gorgeous 3 bedroom townhouse in South Fargo for 740 a month (until I lost my roomates)! Cost of living is even cheaper in Moorhead. They have considerably cheaper apartments but it's much harder to find a nice one. Plus, in MN you can qualify for a renters refund AND there's no tax on groceries or clothing.

And as long as you don't live in one of the small hick towns you should definatly be able to get a decent job. Honest to god, I've lived here for 7 years and I don't know anyone who works on a farm.

What's so great about Minnesota? It has the same wind, flatness, etc...that ND has, unless you move further east, and more economic problems. I live in Moorhead which, as a homeowner, makes sense (lower property taxes). If you're going to be renting, live in Fargo where the income taxes are lower.

[woodyburner]

Hi-tech is located in cities like Bismarck (Unix) and Fargo. The state has a good University system.
Only move to ND if you want a more natural way of life and possess some of the old frontier mentality and plan to contribute more than take from the state.

[petitpimant]

I live in Michigan and with the economy at it's worst, I plan on taking my meager savings and moving out. North Dakota (Fargo) seems to be a place of choice from speaking to friends.
Question is, what kind of business can I start in Fargo that's under 20k? To make ends meet in MI, I have a Moonwalk and DJ business. With ND's weather, that is a loosing proposition. How's the entertainment, hospitality, catering sector? How are rents etc etc.
Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,
pp.

[dutchinnd]

I don't know firsthand about those businesses or commercial rents, but here are the people who do:
Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce
Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation
There is a toll-free number for the Greater Fargo-Moorhead EDC on their web site; don't hesitate to call and ask directly. The Chamber doesn't have a toll-free number, but under the "Contact Us" section there is a list of FAQ's w/ email links for their various services. Again, don't hesitate to ask them directly; it's their role to develop and build businesses in our metro. I know people in both organizations and know them to be extremely helpful.
I have unemployed relatives in MI; I keep trying to get the younger ones to give ND a shot, but family is a strong pull to stay in MI.

[Bearsfan85-86]

For the love of god dont do it!!! Im from chicago where there is people and events and things to stimulate the mind. I now live here in fargo where the high on friday is supposed to be 10 below zero with a god only knows how much wind. the people here are nice but can be super close knit so its harder to fit in at first unless you have a super liver in which case the abundant supply of bars should help you break the ice. speaking of ice, you are from florida? Are you insane? I swear if i wasnt married to a local whose family lives here i would be on the first flight out of this god forsaken winter wasteland. we do have a museum here,bless there hearts, but it consists of a big boat and a wooden church. neat the first 10 times you see it but its down hill after that. The scenery here is grand too. We have grass, fields, corn, um corn, soybeans, and in the fall, the entire town stinks because of the sugar beat harvest. on the possitive side the crime rate in the winter is pretty low because at 40 below its just to cold to do bad things. Also, plan on being middle class here your entire life because for 90% of the job market its who you know not what you know. we do have a river about 45 minutes away that all the college kids go to to go tubing down where i myself have "warmed the waters" after several hours. However, if you do decide to move here, bring a ton of blankets, books, movies, and a pile of anti-depressants for yourself because there is nothing like the sun going down at 3:30 in the afternoon in december.

[rich19]

Well, right now in the winter it is god awful, but there are some others I've met from Florida up here in Fargo. However, don't let that get you down. It is not a bad place to live. There actually are a lot of customer service positions available here, a lot actually. We do have a growing technology center, especially with having a Microsoft campus. I've lived eslewhere and I like it and really I've noticed in cities that are over 50,000 everyone still pretty much does the same things on weekends. Your paycheck would go much further here because the cost of living is pretty low.

[paul1972]

Hi all. I am thinking about moving to wilston ND. How are the jobs? i have a CDL? Any oil field jobs? Can i find a apt? I am single with no pets. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.