Why I Chose to Live in North Dakota Post Military
Whether you’re a veteran or in the process of transitioning out of the military, finding that perfect place to live post service can seem a little daunting, especially if you’re in the middle of changing careers and have a spouse and kids to consider. Thankfully, North Dakota has everything former military members and their families need to thrive. The state boasts plenty of career opportunities, good schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable living options, outdoor recreation and more, not to mention resources, like VA services and veteran programs and organizations. Ahead, hear from two veterans, Kendra Henry of Grand Forks and Aaron Krenz of Fargo, who chose to plant roots in North Dakota after serving in the military.
Henry, who previously served in the Air Force, now works as a veterans’ employment representative for Job Service North Dakota, where she helps service members find employment post service. She is married and has a 10-year-old daughter.
Krenz, who served 33 years with the Minnesota National Guard, is now the yellow ribbon advance director at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he helps connect veterans on campus with local career opportunities. He has a wife and two daughters.
Kendra Henry
How did you end up in North Dakota?
After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and spending some time in California at the Presidio of Monterrey trying to be a cryptologist, I ended up going to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, where I trained to be a network technician. In 2009, I got my orders to go to Grand Forks Air Force Base, and I’ve been in Grand Forks ever since. I left the Air Force in 2019.
Why did you stay in North Dakota post military?
A lot of it is that small-town feel. I’ve lived all over the U.S. at this point, with my father also having been in the service. Where I’m at in Grand Forks has a lot more of that personal feel to it. Being able to walk to the downtown area and engage in the activity down there is great. I’m only a day trip away from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. I can live my small-town life and not have to worry about traffic jams. If I miss being in the big city, it’s just a weekend trip away.
What resources are there in North Dakota for transitioning military members, and how have they benefited you?
All counties have a veteran service officer dedicated to assisting veterans with getting plugged into their VA benefits. They’re going to know where to refer veterans to, whether it be the VA or other veteran programs. Job Service North Dakota provides resources like helping veterans translate military experience on a résumé, and it did play a big role in my husband and I finding employment.
Why would you recommend other veterans move to North Dakota?
Post service, a lot of folks move to larger populated areas, where it takes longer to access veteran-related resources. Here in North Dakota, since we are a smaller state with a smaller veteran population, each person can get more attention.
How do you spend your downtime in your city?
We have a couple different theaters, like our Empire Arts Center and the local high school’s theater. I got to see Young Frankenstein and Little Shop of Horrors at the high school. We have Shakespeare in the Park, as well. It’s always one of my favorite events. I’m big on the arts, and there are a lot of opportunities to engage here in Grand Forks.
Aaron Krenz
How did you end up in North Dakota?
I grew up in Wheaton, Minnesota, and I went to college at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Right before I was going to head back home to work on my uncle’s farm after graduating in December 1996, I went out with my college buddies one last time. That evening, I ended up meeting my future wife, and she was from north Fargo. I dated her for a couple years, and we ended up getting married. She wanted to stay close to home and her parents, so we ended up settling down in Fargo in 2000.
What do you like about living in Fargo?
Even though Fargo-Moorhead is a fairly large community, it has that small-town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone. At the same time, it has all the amenities of a bigger city that you would want, like entertainment and restaurants. Those types of things were very attractive and kept us here in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
What do you do in your downtime in Fargo and the surrounding region?
There’s a great downtown in Fargo – places to eat, entertainment. In the summertime, there are great shows going on at the Fargodome, an indoor athletic stadium and convention center, or movies to see. They have outdoor shows and live acts at the amphitheater in South Moorhead. We’re less than an hour away from Lakes Country in Minnesota, where we go out to the lake to boat and take our girls waterskiing.
What veteran-related services are available in Fargo?
Fargo has probably one of the most premier Veterans Affairs hospitals in the region. It offers top health care coverage for veterans, and I just absolutely love it. We also have tremendous county veterans service officers at the VA vet centers, which offer free veteran counseling services.
Why would you recommend other veterans move to Fargo/North Dakota post military?
It’s a very veteran-friendly community. There are resources to support veterans, namely the VA hospital and the VA vet centers. There’s seldom a wait. You can usually call and get an appointment within the same week or two. North Dakota is also affordable. There are no state taxes on your military retirement pay, so that’s a positive for military veterans, as well.
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.