What are the cons of living in North Dakota?

"Close to family"
"Lots of parks, friendly people, safe neighborhoods"
"Low cost of living, relatively safe"
"Cost of housing is affordable, decent amenities"

"Bad weather, lack of outdoor recreation, sprawling, low density, too much drinking"
"Poor weather"
"The snow, the lack of sunshine, the oldness of everything"
"Conservative political climate, American Healthcare System"

Table of Contents Show

Living In North Dakota
Is moving to North Dakota a good idea?
What should I know before moving to North Dakota?
Are people moving out of North Dakota?
Is North Dakota livable?

Posted in North Dakota February 07, 2020

North Dakota is the “legendary” state according to the signs, and it may be legendary for a lot of reasons. We’re one of the lesser populated states, and maybe there’s a reason for that. Living in North Dakota isn’t for everyone and yet we’re still here, and many of us actually enjoy it. Everything this state throws at us seems worthwhile when compared to the perks of living in a relatively quiet, large, and beautiful state. That’s not to say everyone would be able to do it, our toughness just makes it seem easy when we have to. You might want to consider the following if you plan on moving here…

1. It really does get cold in winter.

Who is ready for the sub-zero temperatures? You better be - because they're pretty common during the wintertime on the prairie! This is one of the North Dakota stereotypes that is very much true, except it isn't year-round. We do have spring, summer, and fall, here, as a matter of fact.

2. So much wind!

The wind makes winter driving even more fun with the added bonus of blowing snow and drifts. Not to mention the chilliest windchill ever.

3. We've got lots of wild animals here.

And they seem to have a perfect sense of when the worst possible time to cross the road is.

4. And yes, sometimes that actually does include bison.

Don't mess with these guys, seriously. Just let them pass or else risk getting a nice big dent in your car.

5. There's too much good regional food here, it's hard to stop eating.

Dieting? Does that include eating North Dakota's massive, amazingly delicious caramel rolls? Because if not, I think I'll pass...

6. When it's summer, the humidity and bugs are out to get you.

As previously mentioned, we experience all the seasons here and hot, humid summers are one of them. Maybe not quite southern states humid, but some days it does get up in the high percentages plus above 90 degrees. The mosquitoes, ticks, and other creepy crawlers that come with that are not fun either, but are just a part of the characteristics of North Dakota.

7. Speaking of bugs, be prepared to see a lot of these trying to find some warmth in your home every fall.

Luckily these guys are mostly harmless. There are other beetles that enjoy cozying up in your window frames, too.

8. Oh, and let's not forget the summer storms.

A lot of us like to sit out and watch the summer storms roll in, myself included. However, sometimes those storms spawn tornados, and that's definitely when it's time to head inside.

9. Outsiders rarely understand you when you say you're from North Dakota.

No, Mount Rushmore is not here, you're thinking South Dakota, and no, the movie "Fargo" is not very accurate. Seriously, some people out there think this state doesn't exist and is just part of some weird conspiracy theory.

10. People might look at you funny when you talk about what North Dakotans do for fun.

I swear, it really is fun sitting around a hole in the ice on a lake during the frigid winter. Seriously! Why are you looking at me like I'm crazy?

11. There are a lot of lonely stretches of roads.

On the bright side, traffic is pretty low! Except when...

12. During certain times of the year, tractors have to share the road, too.

Farmers, I love and respect you, but sometimes I just have places to be and no way to pass you.

13. We have to borrow professional sports teams from other states.

You're either a Vikings fan or a Packers fan, no other options. When it comes to college sports teams, however, we're covered on our own with the best college football and hockey teams. Go Bison and Fighting Hawks!

14. It's a place where you don't have to look up to see the sky.

I personally consider this a perk, especially for sunrises and sunsets. Not to mention the absolutely incredible stargazing you'll get out here.

15. The outside world seems oblivious to the beauty the state has.

It's hard to show off when people think you don't exist or only associate you with a weird movie or the oil fields. There's so much here they are missing out on, and they don't even know it.

If you liked these, you should check out our list of extremely weird things only North Dakotans do. We’re certainly a one-of-a-kind state and that’s just one reason we love living in North Dakota.

Address: North Dakota, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Living In North Dakota

February 21, 2020

Leah

Is North Dakota a great place to live?

While we can poke fun and make light of some of the inconveniences of living in North Dakota, it is actually a really wonderful place to live. With tons of space, generally low cost of living, ample job opportunities, low crime rates, and plenty to see and do, it is perfect for people just starting a family or people trying to decide where to settle down permanently. North Dakota consistently ranks among the top states for livability and happiness and the statistics certainly don’t lie. If you are looking for a more quiet life or a place to set some roots, the Peace Garden State might be perfect for you.

What stereotypes are there about North Dakota?

North Dakota stereotypes range from the absurdly incorrect to the strange but true. When you tell people who aren’t from the area that you live there, they often say something along the lines of, “the state with the mountain that has heads of presidents on it, right?” North Dakotans are also often stereotyped to go with the famous Coen Brothers movie, Fargo, including the thick “ya, you betcha” accents, despite that being a more Minnesotan thing and extremely exaggerated at that. People also love to joke that the landscape is completely flat and boring, despite this being entirely untrue. There are tons of beautiful rolling prairie hills, buttes, and the rugged terrain of the west easily disproves that. Being a place where the buffalo roam, however, is true – whether you mean the animal or the dedicated college sports fans.

How has North Dakota changed over the years?

The characteristics of North Dakota have remained relatively the same, with small towns still thriving and the big cities of the past still being the urban centers of today. There are still acres upon acres of farmland, strong moral values, and plenty of history kept alive. However, North Dakota has had changes over the years. The population has been on the rise, and big cities like Fargo and Bismarck continue to grow and expand. There are new businesses started in North Dakota all the time – in fact, it’s considered one of the best states to start a business. Oil booms like the one that happened in the 2010s bring in thousands of temporary residents that completely change towns like Williston and then leave just as quickly. Still, despite all of this, much of the Peace Garden State has remained quiet over the decades, and people like it that way.

Address: North Dakota, USA

Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.

Is moving to North Dakota a good idea?

North Dakota tops the list of happy states. The studies prove that low crime rates, good employment rates, low sales tax, better air quality, and low cost of living help North Dakota rank ahead of the rest of the US states.

What should I know before moving to North Dakota?

Things to Consider Before Moving to ND. Top Places to Live in the Great Plains State..

Property Tax: 1.01%. The effective real-estate tax rate is #28 in the US..

Sales Tax: North Dakota's base state sales tax rate is currently 5%..

Income Tax: There are five brackets: 1.1%, 2.04%, 2.27%, 2.64%, and 2.9%..

Are people moving out of North Dakota?

North Dakota The Peace Garden State has long been scrutinized for its sparse population and — much like in other years — in 2021, more people chose to exit the state than enter it.

Is North Dakota livable?

Living In North Dakota North Dakota consistently ranks among the top states for livability and happiness and the statistics certainly don't lie. If you are looking for a more quiet life or a place to set some roots, the Peace Garden State might be perfect for you.