Why I Feel Good About Raising My Family in North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Commerce

North Dakota is known for its low cost of living, affordable housing, relaxed way of life, strong sense of community and thriving job market. Add in gems like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, vibrant arts scenes in cities like Fargo and Bismarck, and plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the state, and it’s no surprise people choose to start and grow their families in North Dakota. Ahead, hear from two North Dakota moms, Kathy Schommer, owner of parenting website Fargo Mom and a mother of four, and Jocci Rice, president of nonprofit Olive Motherhood and a mother of three, about why they love raising their families in North Dakota.

Tell us about yourself.

I live with my husband and children in West Fargo. We have lived here for almost seven years, but my husband and I grew up in the state. I own and operate a media website that shares things to do with kids in and around Fargo as well as parenting perspectives from moms in the area. I grew up in North Dakota and have always enjoyed living here, so when we were deciding where to move after living out of state for five years, we chose to come back to North Dakota to be closer to our parents. We know how important family relationships are, and we wanted our children to be closer to their grandparents and cousins. In addition, we knew the cost of living, job opportunities and family activities were great, having lived in West Fargo, North Dakota, briefly before. There are so many ways to get involved in our community, and there is never a shortage of things to do with the kids.

What do you enjoy most about raising your family in North Dakota?

While our winters can be harsh, we love having four seasons. We actively participate in fun activities, like ice fishing, sledding and skiing in the winter, visiting lakes and local pools and camping in the summer, and hiking and enjoying the foliage in the fall. We live in a neighborhood where our kids feel safe and know all our neighbors. From sports and the arts to service clubs and STEM, many extracurriculars are available. It’s also affordable in terms of housing, daily living expenses and dining out. We feel our dollar can go further here, especially when it comes to housing and “fun” spending.

How has your experience been with K-12 education in the area?

Our children attend a public school through West Fargo Public Schools, and they have enjoyed the experience. They have had excellent teachers, and the school administration is supportive and values our feedback. There are also many private education options, as well. 

What are some hidden gems or weekend getaways in North Dakota that your family loves?

We love to get up to Grand Forks and attend a University of North Dakota hockey game when we can, and Canad Inns’ water park in Grand Forks is fun for kids. The zoos in Bismarck and Wahpeton are always fun to visit, and Magic City Discovery Center in Minot is a great spot to visit for a weekend. The food scene in Fargo, North Dakota, is great, and some fun gems our family loves are Brewhalla, Sweet Dreams Confections, Sandy’s Donuts, Plaza Azteca and Kingpinz Social.

Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in Williston most of my life. I was born here. We moved to Minot when I was in seventh grade. I lived in Grand Forks as a young adult, where I met my husband, who is also from Williston. It made sense for us to move back home to Williston. I have been a stay-at-home mom since our oldest daughter was born. I found I couldn’t just be a stay-at-home mom, so I opened a from-home children’s boutique. Currently, most of my time that is not spent with my children is spent working at the nonprofit I created to support moms in the area.

What do you enjoy most about raising your family in North Dakota?

The thing I enjoy most about raising my family in North Dakota is the sense of community. Williston has an enormous number of nonprofits and community events that work to bring people together and make living here a better place. We are a small enough community that you will recognize someone every time you go anywhere, but we are big enough and transient enough that you can also meet and engage with someone new wherever you go.

What kinds of all-ages activities does your family enjoy in North Dakota?

We enjoy fishing, camping, hunting, shed hunting, going on walks, visiting the playgrounds, etc. I feel very blessed to live in an area where there is so much to do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and encourages us to spend time together.

What are some hidden gems or weekend getaways in North Dakota that your family loves?

We love Magic City Discovery Center in Minot, Raging Rivers Waterpark in Mandan and Kingpinz Social and Skate City in Fargo. The hidden gem is the food. In Minot, we love Ebeneezers Eatery & Irish Pub and The Starving Rooster. In Bismarck, we love The Tavern, Big Boy, and Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews. In Watford, we love Stonehome Brewing Co. In Grand Forks, we love Speedway 805 Grill and Bar and – technically in Minnesota – The Blue Moose Bar & Grill. In Fargo, we love Blarney Stone.

Your family is sure to love living in North Dakota, too. From its affordability and fun activities to its relaxing lifestyle and great schools, this state has everything you and your fam need to thrive.

This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.