UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
| liv score 660 How We Calculate Our Data |
|
|---|---|
| Civics | 69 |
| Demographics | 45 |
| Economy | 71 |
| Education | 58 |
| Health | 63 |
| Housing | 77 |
| Infrastructure | 71 |
#11. Fargo, ND
Fargo is more than an Oscar-nominated movie and an award-winning TV series. It’s also a surprisingly cool city of 122,000 in southeastern North Dakota, directly across the Red River from Minnesota. Housing in Fargo is affordable and easy to find — for both renters and owners — including some gorgeous historic homes on wide, tree-lined streets.
Fargo’s economy is hale and hearty; there are great career opportunities in a variety of fields and the city’s unemployment rate is below the national average. In fact, Fargo is always actively seeking more workers to fill high-quality job openings. In addition to established companies, the startup scene here is booming.
The bottom line? Fargo is a place that’s bursting with opportunities. So what are you waiting for?
Local Obsession: The active, historic and evolving downtown — it’s gorgeous and a point of pride for locals.
Climate Described in 6 Words Or Less: Windy, hot and cold.
Top Employers: Sanford Health, North Dakota State University, Essentia Health and U.S. Bank
Local Dream Job: Recruiter for NDSU
Quintessential Meal: A bison burger at the Hotel Donaldson. Hotel Donaldson is located in Fargo’s lovely downtown and has been housing guests for over 100 years. The decor is fantastic and so is the food!
Favorite Weekend Activity: See what’s happening at the Fargodome — Icecapades? A touring Broadway show? A rodeo? Pink’s national concert tour?
After-Work Meetup Spot: The Toasted Frog has great food and their happy hour includes $2 off apps, taps and glasses of wine. Who’d want to pass on dishes like fried cheesy pickles, frog legs or pork belly?
Best Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company
Beloved Bookstore: Zandbroz Variety
Free Way to Have Fun: Go to the Fargo visitor’s center and reenact the woodchipper scene from the Coen brothers’ Oscar-nominated movie “Fargo.” Your Instagram followers will thank you.
Truly Hidden Gem: Fargo has a healthy immigrant population and is one of the most welcoming cities in the U.S. The India Palace restaurant is immigrant-owned and their palak paneer is to die for!
– Sarah Von Bargen
Read more:
Can We Talk About How Cool Fargo Is?