Photo of Grand Forks, ND
( 19 Ratings )

Living in Grand Forks, ND

Grand Forks Area Facts

  • Grand Forks has a Livability Score of 79/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Grand Forks crime rates are 27% higher than the North Dakota average
  • Cost of living in Grand Forks is 5% higher than the North Dakota average
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Grand Forks Reviews

Write a review about Grand Forks Tell people what you like or don't like about Grand Forks…
Really not good... User Rating 1 rating By Anonymous ( May 28, 2024) As one other review said.. Grand Forks on the surface is a great town but once they learn you're from another state or even from another town in North Dakota they will treat you like complete garbage, and people in this town also don't know manners so expect to be stared at if yo ...Read More u just so happen to be in someone's way if you're shopping. The only thing Grand Forks is really good for is shopping btw everything else is horrible Read Less
Not a good place to live in User Rating 1 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 02, 2019) As a person who came here with a positive attitude, my daily interactions with the people and area quickly shut that down.
There isn't anything to do or see. Attractions would get a zero but it wasn't an option.
Community for white North Dakotans is high they seem to watch each
...Read More others backs. However, it's pretty low for a minority or someone not from North Dakota. Very small minded people who treat outsiders poorly. The people aren't rude to your face but they are behind your back. They have this unwarranted sense of a superiority complex which threw me off guard as I expected humble and welcoming people. It really baffled me since North Dakota isn't on anyone's radar nor have they accomplished anything of importance. I've been to and lived in small cities in the South where the locals were much more welcoming and friendly despite the bad reputation they get.
In the workplace they will isolate you if you're not a local and will abuse and belittle you. If you stand up for yourself they will act the victim. It's okay for them to abuse you but if you defend yourself it's a problem. HR is on their side so it doesn't matter if you complain about it. They are closeted racists and they dislike the people from the Air force base despite the fact that a good chunk of the money their economy receives comes from the base hiring locals. This experience I've had not only happened to myself but others I've met and talked to.
Nightlife consists of people buying alcohol and getting drunk, that's it. No clubbing or a significant downtown area.
Dinning is decent but only sports bar food and pizza. Fast food restaurants here seem to always get your order wrong. Their ethnic restaurants are garbage especially the "Mexican" restaurants. There isn't even a Chinese take out place here.
Shopping is average there are several chain stores you can go to. I'm not a shopper so it doesn't matter to me however I don't imagine it'd be very impressive to a shopper. The mall is very basic and has no food court. Well it does but the only place there is always closed.
Finally, the weather here is atrocious. Winters are colder than Antarctica and the switch to spring is non existant as it will immediately go from 20 to 90 in a day. The summer here is nothing to write home about. There are mosquitos, it's humid, and the sun is unforgiving. Now add the summer, winter, and everything I've mentioned above, and you have a miserable experience. Read Less
Grand Forks, ND - Great Community on the Northern Plains User Rating 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 26, 2012) I have lived in Grand Forks, ND, for nearly two years. One of the first things that will impress visitors to the city is its remote location. One almost has to want to go to Grand Forks to get here. That being said, Grand Forks is a great community. Those with families will appre ...Read More ciate the wonderful atmosphere that is low on crime and high on old-fashioned friendliness and family values.

The city has many modern amenities in spite of its seeming like residents are living about thirty years in the past. Grand Forks boasts the largest university along the northern tier of the United States between Minneapolis and Seattle. There are many outdoor parks, including a spray park for young children that will cool them off. A local hotel has an indoor water park that can break the monotony of the seemingly endless winters. There are many restaurants in town that cater to locals and Canadians who come to shop on the weekend. Among the better local restaurants are the Blue Moose in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and Space Aliens, which in some ways resembles a Chuck E. Cheese's with games for the kids.

There are four golf courses within city limits, and two are owned by the city. One is an Arnold Palmer design named King's Walk that resembles a Scottish links course, complete with frequent winds. The town has an adequate shopping mall, a historical society with a museum and highly-rated schools. The crime rate in North Dakota is the lowest in the country, so families with children should feel very safe. In spite of having a university, my friends who are into nightlife complain about the relative lack of a nightlife in town. The main negatives to Grand Forks are the remote location and very long winters. The closest large city is in another country--Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also, while the months of April to October can have great weather, the winters really are as cold as advertised. Those who live in Grand Forks for quite a while tend to get somewhat used to the cold, however. Read Less
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Grand Forks, ND - Great Community on the Northern Plains User Rating 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 26, 2012) I have lived in Grand Forks, ND, for nearly two years. One of the first things that will impress visitors to the city is its remote location. One almost has to want to go to Grand Forks to get here. That being said, Grand Forks is a great community. Those with families will appre ...Read More ciate the wonderful atmosphere that is low on crime and high on old-fashioned friendliness and family values.

The city has many modern amenities in spite of its seeming like residents are living about thirty years in the past. Grand Forks boasts the largest university along the northern tier of the United States between Minneapolis and Seattle. There are many outdoor parks, including a spray park for young children that will cool them off. A local hotel has an indoor water park that can break the monotony of the seemingly endless winters. There are many restaurants in town that cater to locals and Canadians who come to shop on the weekend. Among the better local restaurants are the Blue Moose in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and Space Aliens, which in some ways resembles a Chuck E. Cheese's with games for the kids.

There are four golf courses within city limits, and two are owned by the city. One is an Arnold Palmer design named King's Walk that resembles a Scottish links course, complete with frequent winds. The town has an adequate shopping mall, a historical society with a museum and highly-rated schools. The crime rate in North Dakota is the lowest in the country, so families with children should feel very safe. In spite of having a university, my friends who are into nightlife complain about the relative lack of a nightlife in town. The main negatives to Grand Forks are the remote location and very long winters. The closest large city is in another country--Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also, while the months of April to October can have great weather, the winters really are as cold as advertised. Those who live in Grand Forks for quite a while tend to get somewhat used to the cold, however. Read Less

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      B Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Grand Forks? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Grand Forks Water Wheel Park
      Grand Forks Greenway
      Mystic Swiss Triangle Park
      Red River State Recreation Area
      Phoenix Elementary Play Area
      Hill Street park
      LaFave Park
      Sherlock Park

      Entertainment

      Firehall Theater
      Empire Theatre
      River Cinema 15
      Memorial Stadium
      Heritage Village
      NORTHERN LIGHTS RAILROAD MUSEUM
      Leonard Hall Geology Museum
      Ralph Engelstad Arena

      Food & Drink

      The Loft
      Bonzers Pub
      Joe Black's
      Sledster’s
      Dog Mahal
      Pop's Liquor
      Burger King
      Dairy Queen

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Grand Forks? Of all people who commute, 1.3% take public transportation in Grand Forks.
      Drive to Work
      82%

      5% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      5%

      2% higher than the US average

      C- Health & Safety

      Is Grand Forks a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Altru Hospital

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy

      Doctors