Audrey
Many people are looking for a new place to call home, and the small state of North Dakota often comes up as a suitable option. With large areas of tundra and prairies, abundant wildlife, and a relatively low cost of living, it’s no wonder why so many people are considering a move to this part of the country.
With the right preparation and research, however, it’s not necessarily easy to live in North Dakota. Like many other states in the American Midwest, summers are hot and humid and winters are long and cold. While the state’s economy has boomed in recent years, reaching the highest level of employment in the country in 2016, many people may still be finding it difficult to cope with the extreme weather conditions. The high heating costs further erode the savings of homeowners who are struggling to pay their energy bills.
If you’re thinking of relocating to North Dakota, or if you’re just considering visiting the state, here’s a quick overview of life in this amazing place.
Economy
The economy of North Dakota does indeed stand out among the rest of the country. Although it is a fairly small state, with just over 300 miles of roadways, it has the 4th highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the country. This figure is measured in billions of dollars and indicates the strength of the state’s economy.
The tourism industry largely contributes to this economic growth, with the state receiving over 1.3 million visitors each year. Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts can visit the state’s famous Theodore Roosevelt National Elk Refuge, along with its other national parks, which are all run by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Style Of Living
When it comes to the style of living in North Dakota, it’s hard not to be impressed. The city of Bismarck, the state’s other capital, was even named after a 19th-century German prince and his nephew, who were both architects. Much of the city was built according to their plans, built using blocks of stone from the nearby Harz Mountains. This resulted in a unique form of brick that can still be found in some of the buildings, over a century later.
The city is also home to the Dakota Museum of Art and the Bismarck Memorial Center, with the latter housing the Otto Teichmann Collection, named after its Swiss founder.
Temperature
The temperature in North Dakota can vary a great deal, depending on where you are located and what time of year it is. For example, the average temperature in winter is around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the summer, it can reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit. During the day, the temperature can rise or fall by 10 or 20 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on how far north or south you are.
Holidays
Although the temperature in North Dakota can vary a great deal, the state runs on a standard schedule concerning holidays and festivals. The main ones that you will encounter are:
Martin Luther King Day: January 21st Mardi Gras: February 7th (in the northern part of the state); March 19th (in the southern part) Good Friday: March / April Easter: April / May Memorial Day: May 29th 4th of July: July 4th Labor Day: September 1st Thanksgiving: November 28th Christmas: December 25th
Climate
The climate in North Dakota is harsh but beautiful. Much of the state is in the Great Plains region, a semi-arid climate characterized by sandy soil, extreme temperatures, and thunderstorms. These conditions are suitable for agriculture and ranching, two of the state’s most important industries. The other is mining, particularly oil and gas drilling. The economy of North Dakota largely depends on these three sectors.
The summers in the Great Plains are hot and dry, with frequent thunderstorms and dust storms. These storms can produce floods and erosive soil conditions, especially in the basin of the Missouri River. The winters are cold and harsh, with heavy snow blanketing the area. The temperature can vary between -40 degrees Fahrenheit and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with the wind chill adding several more degrees to that.
