Anyone living in North Dakota?

[TedH71]

I may have a job lead in Grand Forks, ND. The company there really needs employees..I wonder why.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by TedH71

I may have a job lead in Grand Forks, ND. The company there really needs employees..I wonder why.

Could have something to do with the indigenous axe wielding sasquatches that roam free in ND

Kidding aside, North Dakota currently has the lowest unemployment rate of the US. A combination of harsh climate, little welfare benefits, low pay, and college aged people leaving the state for better paying opportunities are a few reasons why the unemployment rate.

From what I hear and seen North Dakota is one of those places where you either make your own way or leave. All the complaints I have heard about ND usually deal with the lack of people (a plus in my book), the treeless landscape, cold climate, and the general lack of entertainment that is found in areas with more people.

[upnorthlady]

I don't live in North Dakota, but very close to the North Dakota border here in MN. Grand Forks is a really big town, with just about everything you could need - franchises galore, pretty much any kind of store you are looking for. Great medical facilities both there and in Fargo. Fargo and Grand Forks are not too far away from each other, and there is plenty of culture and activities. On the down side, you do have to put up with harsh winters, plenty of snow, short growing season, annual flooding (depending on where you live, although Grand Forks has their act together regarding flooding better than Fargo). North Dakota is one of those states that people don't know too much about, but when they get to know the state they are pleasantly surprised! North Dakotans are friendly, hard working, have a healthy lifestyle for the most part, and get plenty of fresh air. The state is rapidly expanding, so I would guess that this company is growing quickly, like so many other businesses in the Grand Forks-Fargo area. Really - North Dakota isn't as bad as most folks think! The Great Northern Plains prairies have beauty, too, once you know where to look!

[blooba]

Harsh winters?? you guys make it seem like Florida. -50°+ wind chills in the daytime, 10's of feet of snow, 70 mph winds on a calm day is worse than even a harsh winter. My cousin was up in the NW corner of ND for the past 6 months. She had gear rated for -100° and her company had to go out and get her even better stuff(the same stuff South Pole explorers use)Cost:$4,000.

Most of her time was stuck in the hotel since they have gates around towns to close off the roads since they don't plow the roads outside of town. They felt like a herd of cattle gated into the small town they were in and couldn't get out of. I've been there in the summertime and its pretty, but once you figure out what the gates on all the roads are for you don't want to stay too long.

[LFmenagerie]

North Dakota cannot be compared to Florida, but if you can take a little wind and don't mind a serious lack of trees (unless you happen to be near a river bottom), then it's not bad. There isn't a part of ND that gets tens of feet of snow and there isn't a place on our planet that has 70 mph winds on any kind of regular basis. ND is a prairie state so it has wind, because there isn't much to slow it down. ND is a prairie state, so therefore it has relatively little precipitation (rain or snow). Kansas is a prairie state, the only difference is the latitude. Flat areas of Kansas have the same wind and snow as Grand Forks ND, but the temp will be ten to twenty degrees cooler on most days in ND on the same day. To me, the only difference between Kansas and North Dakota is day length and the number of people. I think that any reasonably tough homesteader would make the move for employment without worry.
Tom

[blooba]

Well it might not be like that ALL the time, but if you look both of these last 2 posters live in Northern MN, which is just as bad. It's very do-able lots of people live there all the time. Its not a bad as being in Nunavut,Canada. but I do have a biased opinion because I hate winter. Northwest ND is a bit more mountainous than Grand Fork too. I would ask yourself how much do you love winter?


Record low temps for Grand Forks ND
Day Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1 -35 -39 -23 -13 14 28 39 42 34 10 0 -27
2 -33 -37 -24 -2 17 32 40 41 34 18 -7 -30
3 -35 -36 -23 -1 18 32 36 38 31 16 0 -33
4 -43 -35 -27 -2 22 34 37 38 32 22 -3 -35
5 -37 -35 -22 0 22 33 40 43 26 18 -6 -18
6 -43 -35 -20 0 21 32 42 42 30 19 -4 -26
7 -39 -32 -22 2 21 32 41 42 31 19 -3 -29
8 -48 -38 -20 6 22 30 44 41 29 16 -10 -21
9 -38 -47 -26 7 20 32 42 40 30 16 -1 -26
10 -34 -29 -34 9 22 36 41 41 27 16 -4 -26
11 -44 -35 -28 7 19 36 45 39 28 20 -4 -21
12 -38 -30 -25 1 17 38 41 40 27 13 -7 -23
13 -37 -30 -28 5 20 37 42 33 27 17 -11 -28
14 -32 -33 -28 12 20 36 42 35 27 16 -9 -32
15 -36 -37 -32 15 26 36 41 43 29 18 -14 -29
16 -35 -34 -16 13 22 38 43 40 26 17 -6 -27
17 -32 -30 -17 9 22 39 43 33 25 13 -9 -25
18 -42 -31 -19 12 25 40 42 41 23 10 -13 -29
19 -37 -29 -14 11 29 37 45 39 27 12 -17 -32
20 -42 -31 -12 11 25 30 40 34 22 13 -16 -28
21 -41 -26 -12 20 25 36 41 40 24 11 -14 -31
22 -37 -30 -17 19 21 37 42 36 23 10 -20 -28
23 -36 -35 -16 14 31 36 45 34 23 5 -15 -31
24 -36 -28 -20 19 26 39 44 38 25 7 -20 -27
25 -34 -30 -11 14 30 40 46 32 22 6 -22 -31
26 -32 -30 -12 17 29 40 45 36 19 -4 -18 -32
27 -31 -28 -7 12 29 42 46 33 21 6 -24 -34
28 -33 -35 -9 16 26 38 44 36 20 -3 -24 -30
29 -36 -26 -15 14 32 42 44 39 22 3 -26 -36
30 -36 - -14 20 29 42 39 36 17 10 -27 -29
31 -34 - 0 - 29 - 44 32 - 5 - -32


Info from http://www.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=fgf

[simplepeace]

I lived for a few years in Minot (USAF) much flatter and boonieville that GF. We lived off base & then on base. I have moved around a lot, and it is still one of the best places I have lived. The people were amazing, from the farmers who still only spoke Norwegian to little kids.
The winters were long to be sure, and the guys had to have gear rated for at least - 90 windchill on the flight line. But good gear makes life tolerable. Lots of people ice fished & hunted even in winter - they had derbies all the time.
The summers were gorgeous, and as far as wind goes.... I am from WY so I felt no considerable wind in Minot When we were snowed in they plowed right away, they were SO prepared.
I think one of the prettiest sights I used to see would be the FIELDS upon FIELDS of sunflowers..... Tractors drivers woul pull over to let you pass, that just does not happen in every rural area I have lived. The people really were wonderful. I had friends from out of state who went to school in Grand Forks, and they loved it too - all of us were in our 20s at the time and still loved it. They only left to find jobs, or they would have stayed too.
Do go visit though.
Oops - Erin's post reminded me - Forgot this part: At most places wit parking lots (grocery stores/ university / hospital etc...) they had plug-ins at each parking space - we only had to ask what they were for once - ) You plug in so that your car starts again when you get leave. We kept out car plugged in all winter even in the garage).
K

[lonelytree]

I lived in Grand Forks for 3 1/2 years. Some people do well in the cold, some don't. Not a good place to run out of fuel or wear the wrong shoes to the market. What I really hated was the people. I don't know if it is the alcohol, the weather or the small town state, but too many of the peope are weird.... to say the least.

[ErinP]

North Dakota has long had the problem of "brain-drain" as well as more basic de-population.
The state as a whole is shrinking and has been for some time.

That's probably the simple answer to why that company is in dire need of employees...

To me, the only difference between Kansas and North Dakota is day length and the number of people.

Having lived in both places, I would disagree with this. lol
A North Dakota winter is nothing to (pardon the pun) sneeze at. It can get bitterly cold and stay that way for weeks on end. Kansas, by comparison, is down right tropical. (We hit mid 40s today. Should be 50s tomorrow)

The first winter we were in the Dakotas, DH drove his diesel pickup to town and it over heated. He was baffled. Until he pulled the radiator cap and the anti-freeze boiled over, and plopped on the concrete where it froze solid in a shape similar to a cow pie.
Yeah... anti-freeze is only freeze proof to about -30. lol

However, we were in southern ND for about three years and I really liked it there. Given the right opportunities, I'd happily move back up.

[Carolyn]

Yes the state has low population -- , better for us! People think they have cold bitter winters, until they live here. My son works in the oil field and guys come here to work, saying that they are used to bitter cold, but can't take the 24 hr shifts in our cold. HE worked in -37 with a 30 mph with gusts up to 40. Look up ND, you might be surprised at what you find out--we are in a big oil boom right now, lots of jobs available. There are fun things to do, but not as big or elaborate as in the big cities and obviously with only hometown people. Eastern part of the state has the "big cities" or towns. But I am happy to be here, my grandparents homestaded here as some of my grandpa's family. The families have a close bond--my children could get up at my uncles and my aunts family funerals and tell stories about their personal experiences with them--this would be my childrens great aunts and uncles. I know that by living in ND, I can survive a lot and am prepared to do so. Best place to be. Can't be to bad considering I still have 50 first cousins and families and many of my parents (on both sides) cousins and families still living in this area. OHH lots of jobs in my area

[debmac]

Actually the population has been relatively stable for years. We moved to central North Dakota 2 and 1/2 years ago and love it. The people are great, the summers wonderful. We have 160 acres- all tillable, gentle rolling hills. Yes the winds blows, yes we have lots of snow, and yes it is cold- But then it keeps the Riff Raff out! Seriously I would never go back to Maryland and the traffic and rude people.

[upnorthlady]

So Blooba thinks Minnesota is "just as bad" as North Dakota??? Well, like Debmac said: "The cold keeps the riff-raff out"! Ya know - you can actually get used to the cold. It's refreshing. And also, I have seen articles about how MN and ND are two of the healthiest states in the union. We don't have to worry about termites either. All that cold air is good for something, ya?? You know what the definition of a MN summer is? "2 weeks of bad ice fishing"................hee hee. Yep, we really love it up here, ya sure, you bet'cha.

[blooba]

I'm sorry, I don't want to worry about my tomato plants freezing on July 31st with a record low of 32. They say Ohio has 3 seasons Almost Winter,Winter, and Road construction but When do you guys get your road construction done with only 2 seasons?.....lol

Shivering all year long and never able to get to town to buy food through all the snow will keep the bodyfat count low though.

But yea I do admit the cold is good for somethings just doesnt need to be 11 months outta the year

[debmac]

It's amazing how warm 30 degrees can feel on a bright sunny day. I've had the best garden ever since moving here, I think it has something to do with the long days. I can ride my horses for miles and never see a soul. My closest neighbor is 1 1/2 mile away, but as close as a phone call if I am in need. My husband was recently deployed to Afghanistan, everyone here has gone out of their way to check on me and make sure I'm ok. ND is not for everyone, but if you are willing to work hard, are tolerant of weather changes,don't need lots of people around it's a great place. Jobs are plentiful because we are not in a decline like the rest of the country. Grand Forks is the big city to me now- too many people, too much traffic! Uff da!

[rustychevy]

Hey now, we have lots of trees. They just happen to lack branches and hold up electric lines. Living in the red river valley, it's awesome to look around and see miles in any direction. The cold isn't so bad, it's the wind that can make things miserable. If you are into outdoors activities the state is full of opportunities and we definitely do have an oil boom going on out west. Yes our unemployment is low, but some say the wages are also. They say North Dakota ranks #1 for people with multiple employment. The wife and I both work 2 jobs, but, we're trying to pay off the homestead and get debt free. But Grand Forks isn't a bad place, it's a large city by north dakota standards and you aren't too far from Fargo, Winnepeg, or the Twin Cities.

[TedH71]

The company's name is Cirrus Aircraft. Know anything about them?

[upnorthlady]

Originally Posted by blooba

I'm sorry, I don't want to worry about my tomato plants freezing on July 31st with a record low of 32. They say Ohio has 3 seasons Almost Winter,Winter, and Road construction but When do you guys get your road construction done with only 2 seasons?.....lol

Shivering all year long and never able to get to town to buy food through all the snow will keep the bodyfat count low though.

But yea I do admit the cold is good for somethings just doesnt need to be 11 months outta the year

We don't shiver! And our snowplows keep the roads open all the time, so going to town is never an issue - well, maybe once during the winter. My pantry is well stocked, so I could stay home for 3 weeks! We get road construction done from late April to early Oct. I have relatives who live in Ohio. They wonder how anybody can stand living in MN. I tell them never to feel sorry for Minnesotans.............we live here by choice and love it!

[blooba]

dunno where u see any openings http://cirrusaircraft.com/contact/em...df/gfkjobs.pdf
but if you can get in they seem like a stable legit company. I would think the plane business would be doing worse than the car business but the high income buyers of planes aren't as affected by the recession. Do your research before picking up shop and moving though. Living expenses and needs are different in each part of the country.

[tatanka]

North Dakota is a great place to live and raise a family. It is safe and quiet. The schools are great with small class sizes. Most of the small communities are happy to have new people move into the area. Debmac is actually my neighbor and friend. We have lived here for nine years now. We moved from Alabama. I was warned before we moved to NoDak that it is like stepping back in time 50 years. In many ways that is a very true statement because the people genuinely care about their neighbor. It is like living in an episode of Andy Griffith except with modern technology and advances. What else could you ask for. If you don't like the weather wait ten minutes because it will change again.

[paintlady]

I live 50 miles east of Grand Forks and go there weekly. It is a really nice town. Both Grand Forks and Fargo, which is about an hour south of Grand Forks, are booming. The recession doesn't seem to have hurt it much. The college there has the highest enrollment this year than ever in the past. There is an air force base not far from there.
The Alerus Center in GF offers many concerts and other entertainment options throughout the year as does the Chester Fritz Auditorium. You can see shows that vary in range from the Russian Ballet, to the Royal Lippizanner Stallions, to monster truck shows, to rock bands and much more. There is also the Empire Arts Center that offers a variety of art shows and plays. You can fish, hunt, bike, run, eat- tons of restaurants too.
There is the Altru hospital there that is one of a handful of hospitals in the nation that offers a special form of cancer treatment. The University of NOrth Dakota has a state of the art aerospace program, medical school and much more.
The weather can get cold but for the most part the winters are very tolerable. We get a blizzard once or twice a year but you just have to dress for it and it is not like it last for weeks, only a day or two.
The summers here are very nice and can get quite hot. There is an airport and Amtrack in Grand Forks.
In all I would say that Grand Forks is a great place to live. My son moved there from Wisconsin last year and really likes it there.
I have seen quite a bit of construction going on in Grand Forks the past two years while other areas of the country are at a standstill.
I think it is a great place to live.