semi retirement in North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck: fit in, living in, airplanes)

[Dave99]

What about semi retiring in North Dakota? I'm recently divorced and everything boxed up and looking for change, and no kids. What would it be like to live in for instance, downtown Fargo in an aprtment? Can people over 50 find part time employement? I ask about downtown Fargo because I would assume mass transit and ease of movement. However, open to all suggestions about North Dakota living. For reference, I grew up in the foothills of Mt. Hood in Oregon, golf and computers and sometimes guitars as hobbies. Snowy weather and skiers were a part of my childhood. Thanks.

[MikeyToo]

Dave99

Retireing (semi) next summer to North Dakota myself. Lake Metigoshe, near Bottineau, on the lake. Property values here are still affordable, but I'm not too sure about the Fargo area. I'm originally from Rugby,ND, spent 31 years in the Minneapolis area and the last 10 years on the Central Coast of California (Santa Maria). I will not be missing the ultra-fast pace of either Minneapolis or California. Wife and I are going to try do an internet business to supplement our requirements for surviving, or if worse comes to worse, we could always work at the new WallyMart that is being built in Bottineau.
The cold and jobs are about the two main complaints I ever hear about living in North Dakota, as the people for the most part are very friendly. It may take a little while for people to get to know you, but I've discovered you just need to go out and be friendly and introduce yourself, and you will be just fine. You might want to check out this link: nd.gov: Official Portal for North Dakota State Government and see what North Dakota looks like from behind a camera. As you will see, its not all flat prarie, but lots of beautiful areas as well.
Good luck on your move!

Will be joining ya next summer.

[Dave99]

Thanks Mike. I've looked hard at Bismarck N.D. and Fargo/Moorhead. I have lot's of relatives in N.D. and northern Minn. but have no idea who and where they are. Because my last name is the same as one of the towns in N.D. I started investigating life in N.D. and Minn. as a comparison to my locale.

[magiccity]

Dave99

You should consider my town, Minot, ND. Even though our population is around 35,000, there are a lot of possibilities for starting businesses or even getting a full/part time job. Our town host the State Fair every year along with the Scandinavian Host Fest. The Host Fest is now considered in the top 10 national events. There are lakes to the north and south and hunting areas all around the city. Anyway, this is one more town to consider. ct

[Cain]

I would highly recommend bismarck as an option. There seems to be alot of boom going on right now there and from what I have been told by employers who are friends of the family they are just throwing jobs at people right now.

Fargo isn't bad, I live here, but Bismarck overall would be my top pic, and I have lived in Minot as well.

[Dave99]

Well, I'm scandi/german and grew up next to a snow covered mountain in Oregon so I think I would fit in well in either Bismarck, Fargo or Minot as far as acclimating to cold weather. I don't think I've ever had to use an engine block at night, though. I'd be there now if I absolutely knew I could snag a part timer in an office, or something similar. My goal is to move to one of those 3 locales, get a part-timer, volunteer for emergency response, and kick back. Reasonable goals, I hope.

[TravisW]

What kind of part-time job are you looking for?

[Dave99]

At my age probably inside work would be more appropriate I suppose. Interspersed with being a golf bum I've sidetracked into customer service at the local international airport, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved being around those airplanes. Notice I said airplanes, not customers.