Boots on the Ground: 5 Reason Military Life is Cooler in Grand Forks

Grand Forks may not be the first choice on the dream sheet of every U.S. military member. If you’re like me, you didn’t even know that the base existed before you got your orders. If you ask around about North Dakota to people that have never been to North Dakota, you’ll hear the horror stories – it’s cold, it’s far, and it snows… a lot. While these small details may be true, they don’t do this place even close to the justice it deserves. I believe that this assignment is one of the Air Force’s hidden gems, and most people you meet here will agree! Here is a list of five things that makes Grand Forks shine:

One of the coolest things about greater Grand Forks is the area that surrounds it. A ton of open, public land surrounds the area, giving hunters ample room to go chase that trophy buck or banded duck. While deer and duck may not be unique to Grand Forks or North Dakota specifically, there are some awesome plots of public land that allow hunters from outside the region the opportunity to get out and on them. A few hunting and fishing opportunities you can’t do across the rest of the country are pheasant, elk hunting, and ice fishing. These are great bucket list outings for those that aren’t locals. Very few places offer such a wide variety of outdoor options in such a close and public proximity!

I did some asking around when I was brainstorming for this article and the most consistent reason  military members love the greater Grand Forks area is that it is such an incredible place to raise a family. There are so many in-town opportunities for kids to get plugged into and adjusted to the community. Between sports, theater, dance, martial arts, and churches, there are tons of ways for military kids to make friends in town. There are several great schools in the local area, so parents can pick and choose where their children will be educated. If you are looking for a good church to plug into, Grand Forks has a place for most walks of faith, and in my experience, they are all very open and welcoming to newcomers! There is an extremely low crime rate making it safe for children to play outside and more parks than you can count (42 just inside City limits). There truly is an abundance of places for family outings and activities.

While Grand Forks is a “small town” by population standards, there are several big city aspects that change its dynamic. For instance, there is a mall, boutiques, most chain restaurants, a few fine dining options, and a diverse nightlife. Grand Forks offers plenty of shopping options, whether that is department stores or local couture. If you are looking for fashion, there are both high-end options and plenty of mid-range retail. While the Midwest may get a bad rap for cuisine, there is actually pretty decent diversity in Grand Forks. Most cultural favorites are accounted for, and some of the more unique ones, such as Ethiopian, are very authentic and tasty! If you’re looking for fancy dinners, Downtown Grand Forks offers several great places to eat, ranging anywhere from delicious pastas to nice steaks. Also in Downtown Grand Forks is a lively bar scene, consisting of several bars and clubs. The Alerus Center hosts big name concerts for live music lovers, along with comedy shows. While it’s no major city, there is always something going on!

Those who live in Grand Forks understand just how big of a deal the University of North Dakota is. The city ultimately revolves around the school, and you won’t go far without seeing UND green, white, and black. UND is an outstanding place for military members to further their education. The school offers tuition assistance matching for many programs. It is consistently ranked amongst the nation’s top military-friendly universities and offers ample opportunity to continue to grow academically. If you aren’t as interested in taking classes, UND still has a lot to offer. This community is extremely passionate about college hockey, and the Fighting Hawks are one of the best college dynasties in the country. You absolutely have to make it to the Ralph Englestad Arena to check out the hockey atmosphere. It is truly unlike anywhere else in the country!

The last reason that so many people love Grand Forks is not as tangible as the other reasons. You’ll hear the term “North Dakota Nice” thrown around plenty around here. It truly does capture the way that people interact on a daily basis. The kindness that the people of Grand Forks have shown me is hospitality that rivals my upbringing in the South. People make you feel so welcomed and there is a true sense of unity that everyone in Grand Forks shares. People in the street will stop to say hello and ask how you are. If you’re having car trouble, strangers will drop everything to give you a jump. If you need advice about living in the cold, seasoned North Dakotans are more than willing to tell you everything you need to know. The little things are what make this place so awesome to live. It is hard to explain from the inside looking out and hard to understand from the outside looking in, but there is an overwhelming sense of community in Grand Forks. Maybe the cold makes people closer, but Grand Forks is a great place to make life-long friends.

If you find yourself making small talk while you’re out and about, ask someone what brought them to North Dakota. I think you’ll be shocked at just how many people tell you “I was stationed here at one point during my career and I knew this is where I wanted to retire”.