Reviews & Comments
Stillwater, MN
Big-City Amenities; Small-Town Feeling -
8/23/2015Stillwater is one of the most beautiful towns in the upper midwest. The view of the St. Croix River and the hills are reminiscent of the Rhine River Valley in Germany (minus the castles). This city has excellent medical facilities, arts and entertainment, many churches, and beautiful scenic drives in every direction. Cost of living can be expensive, but affordable places exist if you're willing to look hard. The town is beautiful in all seasons, and the people are friendly and everyone seems happy here.
Wahpeton, ND
Be Careful What You Pray For -
8/23/2015After living in a large city with a high-crime rate, I prayed to find a location that was safe, affordable, and child-friendly. We chose North Dakota because we'd heard so much about the good economy, job market, and safe communities. We first moved to a very small town a couple of hours from Fargo. We were not happy there, and so we moved to Wahpeton, which really wasn't any better than where we were before. If you are an outsider in North Dakota, people are suspicious of you. They prefer to be with their own kind. North Dakota leads the nation in drunk-driving arrests and mental-health/depression issues. It's easy to see why. After living here for several years and TRYING to make good, we are disappointed. My daughter recently told me that she feels she has nothing to look forward to here. The job market is fine if you are involved in agriculture, oil, or health care. Beyond that, there are few opportunities. Although Wahpeton is a "college town," it does not offer the usual amenities that other college towns do. All in all, our experience of North Dakota has been a disappointment, and we are looking forward to moving.