My observations after a decade plus as a transplant (Fargo: transplants, apartment)
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I moved to ND in 2012 and have now spent an equal amount of time living in both Fargo and Bismarck.
The cons of living here:
Owner occupied housing is expensive for what you get. The housing stock in the starter end of the market in Bismarck is in pretty bad condition for the money. Aw Basement caving in still want $250k and there's plenty of buyers that will jump at it.
People are very tribal, it's all about where you went to high school and college. This doesn't mean people are not friendly.
I have found Fargo and Bismarck to be very noisy. There no shortage of people running around with loud exhausts or no exhaust.
The amount of red light and stop sign runners is crazy in Bismarck. The people here also fall asleep at stop signs and traffic lights. They also can't merge on to an interstate. I've had people damn near stop at the bottom of the ramp.
The dating scene is awful here. It's really a bring your own partner kind of a state.
The pros of living here:
Apartment rentals are really affordable
It's a great state if you want to work. I've been employed with the same company since I've moved here.
Late spring, summer and early fall are really nice
The storms here are awesome.
The cost of energy, vehicle registration, fuel is cheap.
Fargo or Bismarck who wins
Bismarck hands down, Bismarck has better mountain bike trails, a useable river etc.
The verdict:
I'm planning to move back to the west coast within the next year. The driving factors are the cost and condition of owner occupied housing. I also hate winter, some years it been doable, but it's not for me.
I've achieved my financial goals moving to ND years ago. It's been a very rewarding state in terms of a place to build a career.
Last edited by Fargobound; 01-01-2023 at 11:56 AM..
Why is the housing pricey in Fargo and Bismarck? I can see Williston, Minot, that oil-country area where a lot of money can be made (or could, at least), but what's driving up demand for central and eastern ND compared to other Midwest states?
I think the driving factors of housing market are:
The region is now a healthcare hub for the central part of the state.
The corporate headquarters for MDU Resources a publicly traded company
The corporate headquarters for Basin Electric Energy Coop
The University of Mary
Bismarck State College
The engineering building and one manufacturing plant for Doosan (Bobcat)
I do run into a lot of transplants living here. The housing is cheaper here than California or Texas, but the starter end of the market is pretty much over-priced for what you get.
I'm planning to move back to the west coast within the next year. The driving factors are the cost and condition of owner occupied housing. I also hate winter, some years it been doable, but it's not for me.
Where do you plan to move on the west coast with lower cost for owner-occupied housing in comparable condition?
Thank you for sharing. This pretty much covers the bullet points.
I would like to warn outsiders about sheisty landlords. I rented many a dwelling in my life and the landlords here have been the most vile in terms of dishonesty, rule bending and breaking, and out and out nastiness.
You have been here a very long time. I am also from the West Coast, after moving here back in the 80's.....I honestly do not think I could ever move back to stay....Love to visit. Do you anticipate being home sick for ND?
I think the driving factors of housing market are:
The region is now a healthcare hub for the central part of the state.
The corporate headquarters for MDU Resources a publicly traded company
The corporate headquarters for Basin Electric Energy Coop
The University of Mary
Bismarck State College
The engineering building and one manufacturing plant for Doosan (Bobcat)
I do run into a lot of transplants living here. The housing is cheaper here than California or Texas, but the starter end of the market is pretty much over-priced for what you get.
I don't know about ND, but I do know that a lot of people somehow think the law of supply and demand doesn't apply to housing.
The biggest reason why housing is expensive on the West Coast is because it's extremely expensive or impossible to get new housing built, due to zoning laws and red tape. And people on the West Coast say "It's because it's popular here". That used to be true, but not any more. Population growth in California has been slowing since the 1990s and is now declining.
The biggest factor in high housing costs is the lack of supply.
I don't know about ND, but I do know that a lot of people somehow think the law of supply and demand doesn't apply to housing.
The biggest reason why housing is expensive on the West Coast is because it's extremely expensive or impossible to get new housing built, due to zoning laws and red tape. And people on the West Coast say "It's because it's popular here". That used to be true, but not any more. Population growth in California has been slowing since the 1990s and is now declining.
The biggest factor in high housing costs is the lack of supply.
There is also a NIMBY culture that will show up to any government meeting and try and stop any kind of low cost or subsidized housing. Usually one person will get up there and say that it will lower their property values first thing.
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