Posted on 08/16/2009 7:20:04 AM PDT by Last Dakotan
GLENFIELD, N.D. – For the first time in five months, Janet Morgan was on her way to work...
Open space and open jobs, which is why Morgan and thousands of others have moved to North Dakota during the past year. The state, once known primarily for its remoteness, is enjoying a new reputation as a haven amid economic collapse. It has the country’s lowest unemployment rate at 4.2 percent, a budget surplus of $1.2 billion and more than 9,000 unfilled jobs.
(Excerpt) Read more at inforum.com ...
The weather will keep a lot of those people out.
Not likely. They do not fare well in the climate, and the scenery isn't like Western Montana or Colorado. Besides, ND is a right-to-work state.
What makes NoDak winter storms very dangerous to the unprepared is that in a bad one you stand ON the drifts. They have to be dug out. Sub-zero, howling winds, hard snow, no visibility a real treat at night. But it does keep riff-raff out, a great state.
According to Wiki, the population declined from 2000 to 2008. But that was before the economy tanked of course.
Well, a few caveats: A bunch of that growth was in the oil and gas sector. The number of drilling rigs in the area has dropped from over 100 to about 40, and the number of drilling-related jobs dropped with it. While that has yet to seriously affect the spin-off sector, it will eventually do so in areas of the state where oil drilling has been a driving economic force.
Some of the work will not slump for a couple of years due to the lag in building production facillities.
The numbers are rosy for last year, but as they say, past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
Some notes for folks considering heading this way:
Get a job before anyone heads up here, many of the positions are fairly specialized.
Be ready for cold (-30F and even colder), wind, and snow. If you can't handle that, (and that includes driving, I have seen kids ride bicycles to school on snow at -20), you won't be happy here. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with an engine heater, run synthetic oil, and number 1 diesel when it gets below zero if you drive a diesel.
Drive on the top half of the tank, the reserve can be a lifesaver in winter, and it cuts down on condensation in a vented fuel tank, which can lead to fuel filter plugging with ice crystals. Make sure your antifreeze is rated for -50.
Big vehicles bust drifts better, mileage is moot if you are stuck.
Carry a winter survival kit and have clothes appropriate for the weather (including snow boots in the vehicle) for every person. Do not count on a cell phone to save you, there are numerous areas where you cannot get a tower, especially in the western part of the state.
On the good side, firearms laws are quite reasonable here, from what I have read of other parts of the country, and hunting is pretty good.
People are our strong point, if you are an arsehole, stay where you are, please.
The three largest population centers (and most liberal areas) are Bismarck/Mandan, Fargo, and Grand Forks.
Reminds me of something I read in a travel magazine about eastern North Dakota. The guide asked a local farmer how he can stand all of the flat prairie without any trees. The farmer replied "so we can better see who's coming down the road." Gotta be on the watch for outsiders coming to ruin the state I guess...
I forgot that one, what part of the state are you from?
My father in law used to drain the oil out of the crankcase of his pickup and take it and the battery inside overnight in winter. He would heat the oil on the (wood)stove before taking it outside and pouring it back in the engine, and reinstall the battery before starting the truck the next day.
The owner's manual for my '41 International pickup has a chart showing how much kerosene to mix in the engine oil to be able to start the truck (no block heater) in subzero weather, depending on how cold it gets.
I spent one winter heating with wood and without indoor plumbing here, and that was plenty.
Compared to those before us, we're not so tough (8^D).
Williams County.
***I bet you don’t see too many people move there in the winter.***
They have a beautiful summer. All two days of it! ;-)
In Dakota the wind keeps blowin,
In Dakota it’s always snowin’
If I’d known where the rails were goin,
I’d never come way out here!
Summer is longer than that! (But I did sleep through Fall one year—woke up and all the leaves were down. All three of them.)
**My father in law used to drain the oil out of the crankcase of his pickup and take it and the battery inside overnight in winter.**
My dad did the same thing in NE New Mexico, 1940s.
North Dakotans are abuot the nicest folks in the USA. It would be a privilege to work amd live with these people. Now, if only they would get 2 new US Senators and get rid of Conrad and Dorgan.
Maybe some freepers could move up there and run for the U.S. Senate as conservatives. This is a very red state otherwise.
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