10 Things to Know Before Moving to Fargo, ND

Established on the fertile plains of the north-central United States, Fargo boasts a low cost of living, a robust economy with a wide range of industries, and a robust job market. Those three features of this metropolitan area have a significant impact on the region’s culture, making them particularly noteworthy for a city of its size. Theater, ballet, opera, art galleries, museums, and restaurants with a creative flair, as well as local brewers, vineyards, and distilleries, are all part of the culture scene here.

Thinking of moving to Fargo? Here are 10 things you need to know before moving to Fargo, ND!

1. A low cost of living

The cost of living in Fargo is 89.5, which is lower than the national average of 100. According to Family Budget calculator, a four-person household in the Fargo metro area would require an annual income of about $88,560 to maintain a reasonable standard of living. This is indeed below what the cost would be in many other cities around the country.

Housing in particular is affordable here. The median home price is $285,717, and the average rent for a studio apartment is $718. This is good news for people looking for a cost-effective city to live in.

2. The city experiences four seasons

In Fargo, you get to enjoy each of the four distinct seasons. The winters are among the coldest in the continental US. The winter months are not only some of the coldest, but they also seem to last forever. In terms of cold weather, January is undoubtedly the worst month. The typical high temperature is a chilly 18°F, and the typical low temperature is an even chillier 0. Typically, snowfall begins in October and continues through early to mid-April. Every year, on average, the city gets roughly 50 inches worth of snow.

The snow melts away in the spring and is replaced by rain, and the rest of the year is cloudy but rainy. Each spring brings new beauty as flowers bloom and the landscape turns green. It rains an average of 23 inches each year. Temperatures peak in July and August but they are still mild and lovely. Highs in July average 83°F, with lows around 60°F, while temperatures in August typically reach highs of 81°F and drop to lows of 57. 

3. There are many fun things to do outdoors

Have you ever thought about Yoga in the snow? Yup, that is a thing here in Fargo. This is just one example of how Fargo residents embrace outdoor recreation all year long.

Fargo is home to various fun outdoor activities, such as biking along paved bike paths and swimming in ponds after a short stroll. There’s always something fun to do outside, whether it’s a round of golf, a day on the water with a paddleboard, a mountain bike ride, a skate on the rink, or just walking the dog around the dog park downtown.

A number of the city’s six golf courses double as cross-country ski centers, ensuring year-round fun for residents. Over a dozen parks can be found in Fargo, several of which are located along the beautiful Red River. There is a vast walkway system that links several of the parks together, and some of them feature dog parks, entertainment centers, and even hockey ponds.

Moorhead Sports Center, Lindenwood Park, Red River Zoo, Edgewood Municipal Golf Course, Rose Creek Golf Course, El Zagal Golf Course, and Heritage Hills Conservation Area are just some of the few outdoor spots in the city.

4. Arts is a big deal in Fargo

The arts play a major role in Fargo’s culture. There are numerous museums and galleries to visit in Fargo, North Dakota, such as the Plains Art Museum, Rourke Art Gallery and Museum, The Children’s Museum, Roger Maris Museum, Fargo Air Museum, and more. 

A few of the best-known celebrations in the city are the Fargo Winter Blues Festival, Frostival, Fiber Arts Festival, Fargo Art & Crafts Festival, and Christkindlmarkt, although there are many more.

5. Sports lovers would love this city

Sports seasons bring forth a lot of community spirit, and the central location of North Dakota State University in the middle of the town further adds to the excitement. Fans from all around show up to cheer on the North Dakota State Bison football team. 

There’s baseball with Fargo Post 2 of the North Dakota American Legion, hockey with the Fargo Force, roller derby with the Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls, and of course  the minor-league Red Hawks which is kind of a big deal here. The Fargodome is never quiet with all the NDSU football games and other events.

6. There are enough educational options

The Fargo area has many school districts including Fargo Public Schools, Kindred Public School District, and West Fargo Public Schools. This gives parents many options to choose from when it comes to selecting a school for their kids. Among all of North Dakota’s cities, Fargo has the best public school system, as rated by greatschools.org.

The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area is home to many universities all within commuting distance: You have North Dakota State University and the Minnesota State University Moorhead. Both are public, four-year universities that offer a wide range of classes and specialties. 

There is also the University of Mary, which is widely recognized as providing one of the most reasonably priced private educations in the United States, which has a satellite campus in Fargo, as does the two-year private Rasmussen College, the two-year residential North Dakota State College of Science, and the University of Jamestown.

7. Crime is a little on the high side

The crime rates in Fargo, both property and violent, are higher than the national average. The United States has a national property crime rate of 35.4. This rate is 43 in Fargo, which is more than the national average. 

As a whole, the United States has a violent crime rate of 22.7, while Fargo has a violent crime rate of 26.5 per 100,000 people. Before settling on a certain area in Fargo, check out the crime statistics on Crime Map to get a better picture of the safety there.

8. There’s a market for everything you need

In the city, you can always find a market that has what you’re looking for. The Dike East Park location of the Fargo Farmers Market is where you will find the most locally grown and freshly prepared foods in the surrounding area. Then make your way to the Eco Chic Boutique’s Junk Market, where you can either become a vendor or a consumer of some of the most incredible things the city’s residents have to offer.

9. A brewing beer culture

If you’re looking for a nice local beer, you won’t have any trouble finding one in Fargo. Bottled and served fresh from the tap, the craft beers at Fargo Brewing Company are some of the best in the area. 

The city’s newest event, Kegs & Canvas, is a hit with those who want to see what all the buzz is about in thethriving downtown while also enjoying beer and art. The Fargo Bacon & Beer Festival combines two popular activities that locals and visitors alike enjoy. Not to mention, there’s always Oktoberfest.

10. It offers a unique, small-town feel

Even though Fargo is in North Dakota, having half of the metropolitan area located within the neighboring Minnesota also comes with its benefits. The people of Fargo are the quintessential example of “Minnesota nice,” and the city offers all the conveniences, attractions, and culture of a city without sacrificing the sense of community you’d expect from a town of its size.

The downtown is walkable for pedestrians, and the city offers enough variety that everyone can find something they love about living here. Neither too large nor too small, lovely Fargo has just the right amount of everything to make everyone feel at home. 

Final Thoughts

If you choose to live in Fargo, you’ll certainly enjoy a lot of things about the city, such as the outdoor recreational opportunities, the low cost of living, and enough educational options. The crime rate might be a problem, but if you remain security conscious and steer clear of dangerous spots in the city, you’ll be fine.