6 Reasons Minot, North Dakota, is a Great Place to Live
This city has everything you need to build your perfect life.
When it comes to places to live, Minot (pronounced my-not) is pretty magical – it’s called the Magic City, after all. Located in north central North Dakota, this community is full of gorgeous murals, friendly, welcoming residents and fun, year-round outdoor recreation. It’s a place where you can peruse local boutiques, enjoy delicious, handcrafted cocktails and cuisine, and walk hand-in-hand with your special someone through downtown. Ahead, discover more about what makes this city a great place to live.
In This Article
1. Minot, North Dakota, is just the right size.
With a population of approximately 48,000, this city “truly is the right size,” says Stephanie Schoenrock, executive director of Visit Minot. It takes just 15 minutes to drive across town, but the city is large enough to draw big names like country music star Jelly Roll to the North Dakota State Fair. The fair, held every July, is the state’s largest annual event, welcoming more than 300,000 people over its nine-day run.
2. Outdoor adventures abound in and around Minot, North Dakota.
From camping, biking and hiking to water activities like fishing and kayaking, Minot and its surrounding region offers plenty of ways to have fun outside. Spend an evening under the stars at Valley View RV Park or Mellow Moose Campground or lace up your sneakers and go hiking or biking along Bison Plant Trail or Oak Park Loop. For water lovers looking to drop a line, visit Roosevelt Park, which boasts two fishing piers, the North Dakota State Fair pond and Souris (Mouse) River. About 30 minutes outside of the city is Rice Lake, where residents can fish, boat, kayak and canoe. And during the winter, outdoor activities don’t slow down – they just change. When the weather turns chilly, residents can bundle up for snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
3. Minot, North Dakota, offers plenty of things to do.
No matter your interests or age, you’re sure to find an activity you’ll love in Minot. The city hosts Norsk Høstfest, a fall festival celebrating the area’s Scandinavian heritage that includes everything from food and cultural displays to shopping and a parade. As for venues, kids of all ages (and adults) love Roosevelt Park Zoo – the oldest zoo in the state – and its 68 species of animals. Scandinavian Heritage Park is decorated with remembrances and replicas of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and Magic City Discovery Center is a popular children’s museum with tons of activities. Other must-have experiences include a visit to the Dakota Territory Air Museum to learn about aviation history and an evening enjoying the sounds of the Minot Symphony Orchestra.
4. Minot, North Dakota, is welcoming and diverse.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time in Minot to figure out that the community’s residents are warm, friendly and inviting.
“I love Minot’s vibe,” says Schoenrock, adding that with Minot Air Force Base nearby, Minot is a “diverse melting pot. We get people from all over the country and the world visiting and choosing to live in Minot.”
Schoenrock further notes that residents are supportive of one another, and the community comes together, especially in times of need. One example is when the community worked to restore Minot and help one another when a massive flood occurred in 2011. The combination of heavy rain and snowmelt caused the Souris River’s banks to overflow. Minot’s ability to bounce back shows the community’s resiliency.
“This region is the true soul of North Dakota … the great heartland,” Schoenrock says.
5. Minot, North Dakota, is a great place to live, work and play.
Unlike many communities, Minot provides the whole package. It’s a place where you can find a great job and build a rewarding life – all while having plenty of fun.
Jessica Ackerman, co-owner of Aksal Group, which supports entrepreneurs and organizations, grew up in Minot, attended North Dakota State University in Fargo and planned to live in Denver for about five years post-graduation. Her plans quickly changed, however, and she and her husband moved back to Minot after living in the Denver area for just seven months.
“It wasn’t long before we realized the great job opportunities back home,” she says. “We missed our family, and we missed the area … We were kind of caught up in the hustle and bustle of the big city and wanted more of the pace of life that we knew in North Dakota.”
6. It’s easy to get involved in Minot, North Dakota.
If you’re looking to make a difference, Minot offers more than enough opportunities. The area is home to several nonprofits, such as Companions For Children, which focuses on youth mentoring, Souris Valley United Way and Second Story, which enhances quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities.
Ackerman describes Minot as a place that embraces “difference makers,” whether they want to start a business, nonprofit or event or join an organization’s board of directors.
“Because of our size, we have this sweet spot that really would allow people to say, ‘I’m the kind of person who wants to do X, Y, Z, and I can actually make it happen here.’”
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.