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Like AFmamma, we've put in for a controlled tour (5 years) to Grand Forks AFB.
While AFmamma's thread did answer quite a lot of my questions, it barely touched on, or didn't address, some of the questions that I have.
Here's a little background on us to consider when you reply:
My husband is a Staff Sgt and is in network security. I am most of the way through several science degreees and would be transferring to the Uni in Grand Forks (I have already contacted them for their requirements and transfer compatabilities). We have one child (almost 10) who will be in 5th grade. I was born in far north WI and grew up in Germany while my husband gew up in northern Colorado. I lived in Minot through the winter some time ago. We have no issues with the cold, and we very much enjoy winter activities.
What is base housing like? Is it preferable to living off base? (the housing at Minot has full basements and wood floors throughout..very nice!)
If we live off base, we'll probably want to rent (at first), and the big rental websites are not offering anything for Grand Forks that I can see- is the local newspaper a better source? (I also checked for sales.. realtor.com has nothing!)
What are the elementary & middle schools on base like- are they typical DoDDS or are they more like the civilian local schools?
How does Grand Forks compare to Minot?
AFmama asked about activities for children, but I must have missed if anyone responded to her about it- we have interest in swimming, hockey, snowboarding and shooting for a 5th grader/families.
What is base housing like? Is it preferable to living off base? (the housing at Minot has full basements and wood floors throughout..very nice!)
I do know base housing has been upgraded in the last 10 years and despite downsizing after GFAFB lost the missile wing back in the 90s and the tankers more recently....money has been spent at the base to upgrade housing, etc.
But I cannot offer any specific info as I dont know anyone on the base. Hopefully someone else can.
[*]If we live off base, we'll probably want to rent (at first), and the big rental websites are not offering anything for Grand Forks that I can see- is the local newspaper a better source? (I also checked for sales.. realtor.com has nothing!)
This one is a little easier....there are few rental Single family houses in Grand Forks. The ones that are tend to be small and much older stock. Townhouse rentals are more common but still most rentals are apartments. There are several rental companies in town that own apartments, homes, townhouses and you can go through them for any info. Probably the largest one for any single family housing would be Alerus Property Management....I can give you the website in a Private message...or just google Alerus Property Management in Grand Forks for the webpage and you can look at current rental property. The other companies such as IMM Apartments, Goldmark, Marcil and a few others are pretty much strictly apartments.
[*]What are the elementary & middle schools on base like- are they typical DoDDS or are they more like the civilian local schools?
The elementary and middle school on base are part of the GF school system and are civilian ran. Kids are bused to Grand Forks to attend Central High School in town. Currently there are two elementary schools and one middle school at the base. There has been talk of dropping one as the base population decreases. But there may be a possible new tanker division coming in the future and the UAV mission is here now...so the latest decision as of this year is to leave both open.
Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School - Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School (http://www.grand-forks.k12.nd.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=71 - broken link)
Nathan F. Twining Elementary/Middle School - Nathan F. Twining Elementary/Middle School (http://www.grand-forks.k12.nd.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=167 - broken link)
[*]How does Grand Forks compare to Minot?
Grand Forks has more people than Minot itself...but when you comare the Minot base population to Grand Forks base Minot is way bigger....so taking as a whole city plus base pop of the two would be pretty close...with GF a bit larger. Minot has been growing recently more than GF and thus its shopping, restaurant selection in Minot has expanded a lot over the past 5 years. I would say GF is more liberal than Minot due to University of North Dakota in town and would be more college oriented in some aspects...you will notice the air force population much more in Minot than in Grand Forks....but in Grand Forks you do have more Division I sport opportunities to view such as hockey...football and basketball. GF is in a flat area while Minot is hilly. Weather-wise pretty close on average...tends to be a bit warmer in Minot most days.
[*]AFmama asked about activities for children, but I must have missed if anyone responded to her about it- we have interest in swimming, hockey, snowboarding and shooting for a 5th grader/families.
Youth hockey is very big in Grand Forks, and GF is the hockey capital of North Dakota by far. Snowboarding...you have to go to the Pembina Hills in far northeast ND as Frost Fire ski area has it as well as a few spots in Northern Minnesota...especially north of Duluth. Swimming, etc would be about equal...UND has hyslop pool (mostly for college) and the GF YMCA has a pool...as we do have a large water park at the Canad Inn hotel.
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Well how about that?
