| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Prairie Gypsy |
Posted - Jun 08 2011 : 7:20:44 PM
I was wondering if we have any sisters in North Dakota? My fiance and I are considering relocating to North Dakota from Michigan due to the bad economy and job picture here. The Captain that I work for was telling me North Dakota is having a boom and we could both get jobs there easily. I would just like to know from someone that actually lives there if this is being exagerated or if the job market is that good. I'm an administrative assistant for the Army with medical and legal background and my fiance is a machinist/mechanic specializing in high performance engines. From what I've checked online so far the state would suit us well. We are both outdoor people. If I continue to get positive feedback we will probably do an exploretory trip this fall to check it out. I'm sure like most states there are better areas and areas you don't want to move to that would be helpful to know about. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
|
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Prairie Gypsy |
Posted - Jul 18 2011 : 8:40:07 PM
Alee - I know it's crazy and that's why we're trying to get out of here.
Winona - I think it's just hot and humid everywhere right now. The temps are definately cooler then we're experiencing here but humidity does play significantly in how hot it feels. I'd forgotten about homes being like that. In Maine they had the same thing, raised ranches were really popular so you could get out the doors all winter.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
|
| goneriding |
Posted - Jul 18 2011 : 3:32:25 PM
I drove thru ND yesterday and periodically before that. I'd say watch out for flooding. In 2 places, water was almost over the interstate. I think the state is pretty in its' own way. As are all states. A lot of homes are two storeys for the deep snow.
The thing that struck me yesterday, it was so bloomin' hot and humid, my glasses fogged up when I stepped out of my rig while in Fargo. Strange, it felt hotter in ND than in TX!! You'd think that far north it'd be cooler. Noooo! That was the reason we took the load, was so tired of the heat in the south!
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
|
| mindy_marie |
Posted - Jul 17 2011 : 7:06:06 PM
I know nothing's been posted here for almost a month, but I just have to say I grew up in Minnesota and have lived in Colorado and Wisconsin. I've lived in Fargo, ND for two years now and I will never think about moving somewhere outside the prairie again. Winters aren't as bad as you think. Just watch the flood plain maps if you're going to buy a house. If there's one thing you learn out here it's never trust the river. But I'd take high water over high crime any day of the year. |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 05:39:06 AM
Tammy- That is crazy! I honestly can't imagine living in an area where there is so much danger! Here in Montana I can open the back door and let my four year old play in the back yard while I do chore or whatever in the house. I keep and ear out in case she needs me, but she is safe. My dog gets out of the fence every once and a while and takes herself on a walk. One time I couldn't find her and the police told me a stray had been reported. When I got to the address they had taken her inside and a whole passel of kids was loving on her. I would be devestated if my sweet Sky-dog got stolen for fighting. :( I am ever more thankful that I grew up in Wyoming and live in Montana! If you do decide to move out this way maybe we could get together someday!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
|
| Prairie Gypsy |
Posted - Jun 19 2011 : 11:35:53 AM
It's just not the employment possibilities there that are drawing us although that is a huge part of it. Part of it is the population - We live on the border of Detroit and the whole state of ND has fewer people then Detroit or Warren (second largest city in the state and where I live). The crime rate is another huge draw. Alee - I can't leave my dogs outside for fear they'll be stolen and used for dog fighting. There are so many pitbulls in our area that people who walk their dogs have a piece of pipe or a large stick they carry in case they get attacked. We commuted my son 30 minutes one way to another school district because the neighborhood school is so bad. People around here refer to it as the prison training school. He's graduated now thankfully as I heard his high school will no longer take outside enrollment next year due to the budget cuts. When df bought this house this was a solid middle class neighborhood and was never like this until the economy went.
I lived in Maine for 10 years prior to moving to Michigan and would imagine that the winters are more like Maine's were then Michigan's. DF is promising me a snowmobile if we move out there so we can play in the winter months lol. I was a SAHM back when we lived in Maine and enjoyed those winter months and the hibernation we were able to do for a couple months. It was a great time to get crafting done.
We're looking to make a trip out in September to get a first hand look at it and make a decision. We are being drawn to the Fargo area at this point. We thought we'd fly out to save time and stay in B&B's to try and get a feel for the different areas. As much as my df teases me about being so excited about possibly moving, he's just as excited himself.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
|
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 08:55:48 AM
Inge- I live in Montana which isn't too far away from North Dakota and I have to agree- the low crime rates and the fresh air are totally worth a few cold months in the winter!! :) I honestly can't imagine living in an area where I would have to worry about letting my dog outside or havng my daughter play in the backyard!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
|
| adnama |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 08:49:09 AM
It is true that housing is at a premium, but many of the companies are trying to provide housing now, this oil boom is expected to last for a very long time, the bracken oil fields are projected to provide more oil than the middle east for many years. This is shale oil, which when the first boom occured in the 70's the technology was not available to extract. If you have a travel trailer, you can cut the cost of housing, though it still is expensive to park in the sites, but the money you make in the fields is very much an offset. Have a study vehicle to make big shopping trips worth the time and energy to stock up on groceries. If your coming through Fargo, check out craigslist to see if you can pick up a trailer cheaper then out west. I have lived here my whole life, and the weather can be tough, but it's beautiful here, clean air, people that care, and our crime rate is nothing compared to other parts of the country. In this state, you can let you child play outside without you being there, afraid that they will be taken, your pets can be outside and are safe. Our police are still polite, helpful and truely believe that they are here to protect and serve. As far as areas that you wouldn't want to live due to crime, over crowding, or just all the other uuk factors that doesn't seem to be the case. I have suggested to both of my sons to get jobs out there, save the money and when they feel they are done, come back and retire to something else. |
| treelady |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 08:24:51 AM
It is not just the oil field that is hurting for employees, open any paper and you will see many listing. Yes the western part of the state is in a huge boom with the oil field. I am originally from there and still have many family members there, so get there often. We do have alot of beauty and trees!! This is not a barren waste land. I live in the central part of the state now, which is well known for its hunting as we are in the central fly zone and get many varieties of waterfowl coming through each year. Housing is hard to find in the west, but it is available, although at a high price, most locals have seen these types of booms several times and know where to go for shopping needs. North Dakota is a very beautiful state (I have traveled many places and the people here by far are the best.) If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them for you. Yes the winters are long as I can imagine they would be in Michigan also, yes the wind does blow alot, you get used to it and adjust, but to me there is no place like home.
Julie
A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.
Max Lucado |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 08:21:45 AM
There is a lot of wind in North Dakota and winters can be hard. My job has a sister site in Fargo and their building often gets shut down due to blizzards/snow storms and sometimes flooding. It might be their location but I would recommend calling the Chamber of Commerace of any town you are looking at and having a local tell you about weather or anything else that might be a concern. Another thing you could do is look at something like this: http://www.bestplaces.net/fybp/quiz.aspx there used to be a better site called Findyourspot.com but they seem to be down. I am not sure if they are just down today or all the time.
Good luck!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
|
| YiberryYadeeKarin |
Posted - Jun 09 2011 : 06:49:28 AM
I've spent some time in and around (and through!) North Dakota. There are a lot of things I really like about it, like the open spaces and a lower population. I like the very western part with the Badlands and the openess. And there are nice areas to the east -- I specifically remember more of the northeastern part of the state.
One thing I've always heard from people who live or have lived there is about the wind! There is a lot of it!!!
I agree with going there for a visit and seeing for yourself.
Best of luck to you!!!
Karin |
| peafarm |
Posted - Jun 08 2011 : 8:11:26 PM
I live south of the North Dakota border - about 2 hours south of Fargo. I have heard the same about the oil boon. I can also say that South Dakota did not have as "deep" of a recession than many other parts of the country. Slower to enter it and recovered somewhat faster. I wouldn't be surprised if ND was similar. That doesn't mean that it was good at my company but I just checked our job board earlier this week and we had 130+ openings (about 130 more than during the recession!)
Sanford Health bought out Mercy Medical (big in Fargo and other areas)awhile back and I think they have agressive plans for growth also. At least they sure do here!
Winters can be long (long bothers me more than cold or snow) but we would have a hard time leaving our "backyard" where good fishing is 2 miles away and a walk in the ditch can yield a limit of pheasants.
Penny
www.444Farm.com |
| Mountain Girl |
Posted - Jun 08 2011 : 7:35:45 PM
Tammy, I don't live in North Dakota but went through that area on the train in April. On the train I overheard and talk to people about the boom in North Dakota maily the Williston area. They are hurting for people (here's the catch) in the oil fields. People are getting on the train from the Whitefish Montana area and going to work for a week on and then a week off. The other catch is that housing well there's none. People are living in old campers etc. Also the ammenties groceries etc have not been able to keep up. One guy was going on that Haliberton (I think) was buying land all around and going to put in inferstructions, stores etc. The landscape is pretty barren and mostly treeless but as the guy on the train said the money is good. They also get a pretty harsh winter.I'm sure eventually they would need your expertise but I'm not sure if it's up and running. One kid said he emailed them about a job in the oil fields and he got it the next day. I think going and visitng the area is essential. Please google Williston North Dakota oil field boom. JoAnn |
