Moving To North Dakota
North Dakota is often thought of as a land of snow and beauty, but if you are about to embark on long distance moving to North Dakota, you will soon see that this great state in the north of the United States has so much more to see and explore than you might have imagined. Living in the Midwest means having a culture of your own. Known for its friendly people, beautiful sweeping views of mountains and plains, and plenty of winter weather, states like North Dakota have a typical midwestern feel that will make you feel at home right away.
Getting around the state can be tricky in winter if you don’t have the right type of vehicle. Snow tires are important, especially when blizzards and temperatures well below zero hit. In summer, it won’t necessarily be cool just because it is a northern state. Summers can be scorching, and there can even be tornados. That means your car will hopefully be equipped with a great air conditioning system, too!
Traveling in and out of the state can be done by road, but there are also a few airports to get you to another state or another country. The snowy weather in winter might make taking a plane sound daunting, but they are well equipped for this and ensure planes are de-iced before taking off for a safe journey through the freezing conditions.
North Dakota Statistics
With less than a million people (760,000), North Dakota has a lot of land for residents compared to other states of a similar size. The state’s population grew by 100,000 in the last decade, which might not seem like a lot for large metropolitan cities but is quite an accomplishment for the state. Even with that growth, however, there is still plenty of space for families to grow and explore, especially with so much nature all around. North Dakota statistics show that there are 70,000 square miles of diverse landscape that include areas filled with national parks, rivers, lakes and plenty of fresh air.
The public university of North Dakota State University has nearly 12,000 undergraduate students and is located in the capital city of Fargo. The Thundering Herd sports teams at the university are in the NCAA Division I Summit League. The students root for their team while studying for their majors in engineering, accounting, and even agricultural education and economics.
Top Cities in North Dakota
The average American might find it difficult to think of more than one city in North Dakota, and it might not even be the capital that first comes to mind. Fargo is the more popular city in North Dakota, and it is also the most populated in the state with 118,000 people. Fargo is a familiar name for many people thanks to the popular 1996 film, Fargo, made by the Coen brothers. Though the film showcases drama and crime, that shouldn’t put anyone off from long distance moving to North Dakota.
Fargo has an interesting history, and you can learn about Native American culture and fine art in the popular Plains Art Museum. There are also museums devoted to interesting topics such as pioneer history and Viking ships. Another great place to learn more and explore some great exhibits is the Red River Zoo in Fargo, which houses meerkats, gray wolves, and red pandas.
Bismarck is the next biggest city by population in North Dakota. With 71,000 inhabitants, it sounds like this capital city might have one of the smallest populations for a U.S. capital city, but it doesn’t even make it into the top ten of least-populated capitals! Although it’s small, Bismarck has plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. This city has a zoo with Bengal tigers and grizzly bears, and it also has a North Dakota heritage center that focuses on not only the cultural history of North Dakota but also its natural history.
The third-largest city in North Dakota is Grand Forks. You might be surprised to learn that Grand Forks has a fun indoor water park that is great for families all year-round. Grand Forks also has interesting gardens, historical sites and museums to explore, and there’s even an adventure playground. A pleasant and family-friendly city, Grand Forks is worth visiting or considering as a new home base for your long distance move.
Things to Do in North Dakota
North Dakota has a lot to offer, especially when it comes to nature and outdoor activities. Geologists won’t run out of things to do in North Dakota, in part because of interesting terrain found throughout the state, including the badlands. Badlands terrain has soft, special rock and clay that makes up the soil where little vegetation can grow. The reddish and dark colors in badlands terrain is an amazing sight, although it’s difficult to traverse.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has a few areas of badlands, plains, and some nice hiking and canyons with the potential to see bison and prairie dogs. One popular hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park is through the Petrified Forest. Hiking one of the trails through this remote section of the national park takes you past what look like trees made out of rocks. This unique geological wonder does indeed hold tree stumps that are so old that they have now turned into stone, frozen in time for you to explore today.
Besides great geological formations, North Dakota is also rich in the history of both Native Americans and Scandinavians. You can celebrate both at different historic sites and museums. The Knife River Indian Villages is a national historic site where you can learn more about the Northern Plains Indians. You can also visit the Scandinavian Heritage Association and Park in Minot to see remembrances and replicas of churches from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Rich in history with beautiful natural scenery and filled with friendly people, North Dakota is a great place to call home.