- Public SchoolsA
- Crime & SafetyC+
- HousingB
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesA-
- DiversityB
- JobsB+
- WeatherB-
- Cost of LivingB+
- Health & FitnessB
- Outdoor ActivitiesB
- CommuteA
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$163,800
National
$178,600Median Rent
$761
National
$928Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
C+
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Diversity
B
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$46,149
National
$53,889Children
16%
Grand Forks Reviews
116 reviews
All Categories
Grand Forks has numerous stores that provide a variety of different shopping options for people ranging from chain stores to boutiques. People are also able to access a variety of different restaurants which can make dinner an interesting venture. Grand Forks has an active night live however it seems to mostly target the younger college generation. One event that everyone should check out is a UND men’s hockey game. One thing that I wish would change Grand Forks is the housing market. I am a student and finding affordable college housing is hard. Currently I live by downtown Grand Forks with my girlfriend and together we pay $1,000 for rent not including any utilities. Our neighborhood is a lower income neighborhood, so renting anywhere else in town would cost quite a bit more.
We moved here 6 months ago after my husband was stationed here for the Air Force. I had NEVER heard about ND or anyone who moved here prior. After finally getting here, sight unseen, I will say it is much nicer than I predicted. It's a very clean and quiet town. Great place for families or to raise kids. The schools are nice and well kept. The down side is there's not much to do. There's restaurants and bars, so lots of drinking. It's mostly college students and military that live here. It's also very close to the Canadian borderline, so you're able to drive there. There's long winters that are very bad and mosquitoes in the summer that are the size of flies.
Though Grand Forks is the coldest city in the continental United States, it is by no means dull or isolated. Compared to the rest of the country, it is a very safe and family oriented town, with many festivals and a variety of local hangouts. The cost of living is a bit steep compared to the average wages, however there is no shortage of job opportunities and the social services available are some of the best I have ever encountered. Currently I have been here for 4 1/2 years and have no plans to leave any time soon.