What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In North Dakota?

Did you know that the word “Dakota” means “friend?” It’s no wonder finding a friend in North Dakota is not a tall order. And, believe it or not, the people there are friendly.

Switching gears, North Dakota is one of the most sparsely populated states, yet one of the richest places in the United States. In terms of size, it takes position 19 in the country. Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city, while Bismarck is the state’s capital.

Living in North Dakota state has the hallmarks of a good home, including excellent employment opportunities, good education, fantastic economic opportunities, excellent food options, cheaper housing, and a rural approach, among lots of other perks. However, major drawbacks here include harsh weather conditions, low diversity range, and housing shortages.

While the 2008 Great Recession may have hit some of the states in America, North Dakota seems not to have experienced the worst of this economic slumber. Compared to the national average, the unemployment rate in North Dakota is less than half of that.

If you’re a risk-taker, then there is a world of job opportunities in North Dakota that you can take advantage of. You could be a CEO of a company, a petroleum engineer, or a teacher. If healthcare is your thing, then you could be a psychiatrist, surgeon, or dentist.

You must always remember that job qualifications in North Dakota are as important as they are elsewhere in the world. So, don’t expect to be employed as a teacher if you don’t have the qualifications.

And there are other factors to consider too when choosing where to work. For instance, how far is the place of work from where you live? If it’s far, then what’s the available means of transport?

While this has proved to be elusive in many countries worldwide, the situation in the state of North Dakota is entirely different. To begin with, it’s home to the famous agricultural institution, North Dakota State University. While the United States boasts dozens of such institutions, not many of them come close to this particular one.

In plenty, there are small state schools which you can easily access. One good thing with these schools is that the cost of learning here doesn’t call for breaking the bank. Thus, you don’t need to be a high-income earner to pay school fees for your children here.

If you want your little Jeff to fly an airplane when he grows up, then you could enroll him in the so-called University of North Dakota. This is one of the best flight schools in the country.

The state may not provide the cheapest housing in the entire United States, but it does offer affordable housing in most parts. Rarely will you find landlords charging more than what a low-income earner can afford. Of course, the cost of a house depends on which part of the state you’re living in, but housing in North Dakota is generally affordable.

With housing being affordable here, it is understandable why many people relocate to this state. Whether you’re a low-, middle-, or high-income earner, you will always find a house that fits your pocket.

Do you fancy nature? If your answer is in the affirmative, then North Dakota fits you thanks to its open spaces, which are plentiful. Enjoy the fresh air as you stroll around the open fields with your loved ones; there is no significant pollution at all.

But while the state has a rather rural approach, that doesn’t mean you won’t find urban life here. Like any other state, North Dakota has no shortage of good cities. From Fargo and Bismarck to Minot and Lincoln – name them, the state has them all.

Here’s a list of more urban cities:

If you’re the kind of person who loves recreational and cultural diversities, then North Dakota may not be suitable for you. With work seemingly being the main focus of people here (and there are many job opportunities), people don’t have much time for theater, opera, or music entertainment.

Does that mean there are no entertainment joints in the state? No. Of course, there are, but they are not as fancy as in places such as Las Vegas. But then, with finding a job being a problem in most countries around the world (especially third-world nations), why would you not be motivated to work?

As if to make up for that, North Dakota is a well-developed culinary industry from which you can derive enjoyment. The foods here are diverse, and you can choose from a wide range of cuisines, both local and imported. Besides, there are other things such as online gambling, which you can do from the comfort of your home (after work, that is).

Meeting wild animals in North Dakota is not an ordinary phenomenon. Just imagine a bison pouncing on you while taking your stroll in an open field? So, if you’re not ready to come face to face with a wild beast, then you may want to think twice before moving to this state.

That being the case, it is advisable to be vigilant at all times. Limit your strolls and use public transport or a car, if you have one. And again, you must be extra careful not to hit, say, a beer, as this could land you in trouble with the state’s wildlife authorities.

Did you know that bad weather conditions discourage people from living in some of the best places around the world? Yes, the weather is a big factor when choosing where to live. In North Dakota, you should be prepared for some of the harshest weather conditions in the United States.

During winter, snows rise, meaning you may not be able to get out or even get into your car. This is compounded by the fact that the season is typically longer than in most US states. Hence, unless you’re a snow lover, living here, especially in winter, may be difficult.

Don’t forget that North Dakota is a windy state. Here, ice-cold winds are common. If you add this to the cold of the winter, all you should expect is nothing but bothersome snowstorms.

Are you comfortable with cold weather? Be mindful of your little ones. Alternatively, you can install a heat recovery ventilation system in your home.

Let no one deceive you that North Dakota is devoid of housing shortages because of its low population. There are cities in this state where housing is a real problem. With a booming economy, the rate at which immigrants have been coming to the state has never been higher.

Immense job opportunities are also a pulling factor in North Dakota. The good thing, however, is that you can turn that shortage into an investment opportunity. Why can’t you consider investing in real estate?