Have you ever had a bowl of Cream of Wheat? Tip your cap to Grand Folks and local boy Frank Amidon who, while grinding grain at Diamond Mills in 1893, "invented" the ubiquitous white breakfast porridge. Mothers everywhere have been approving ever since.
Sited at the breakpoint of the Red River and Red Lake River, Grand Forks is a vibrant city with a surprisingly rich and diverse heritage. Originally a fur trading post, the city has evolved into a high-tech, cosmopolitan regional oasis. Throw in the twin city of East Grand Forks that's just over the bridge, and you've got a thriving metro area awash in culture, retail, casinos, college football, and some really big catfish.
Neighborhoods in Grand Forks
Grand Forks has a deserved reputation as a college town, but there's much more diversity behind the campus curtain. Don't be fooled by the smallish populationthe city has plenty of distinct districts. Rents swing pretty wildly, depending largely on the newness of developments and the walking access to businesses, venues and green areas. If you're looking for a place to call home, check out the following top neighborhoods before you call an apartment locator. Also, if you're starting on a home search, make sure you come out prepared. Gather your identification, proof of employment, bank statement, tax returns, landlord references, and enough money for your security deposit. That way, when you find just the right spot in the right neighborhood, you'll be ready to rent.
Belmont Road/47th Avenue South:After the 1997 flood, the newest housing development focused on the southern parts of town. This community features some stately holdovers and a slew of big, modern homes. Get ready to be grandly forked, as rents here are more than double the city averages. $$$$$
Downtown:Over 15 percent of residents of the city center are college students, so the atmosphere's pretty hip. You'll find a mix of small homes and hi rise apartments, most of which were built before the Second World War. Protected by shiny new levees, the riverfront has been converted to a gorgeous green area that hosts festivals, markets, and provides local dogs with a nicely centralized restroom. $$
University Avenue:This hopping neighborhood is home to the University of North Dakota. If you're not invited to any good keggers, you can still check out big time NCAA football or take in a world-class exhibit at the campus' North Dakota Museum of Art. In addition to quality home rentals, you'll also find some of the best smoked salmon this side of Copenhagen. $$$
Belmont Road/Lincoln Drive:If you're lucky enough to find one of the rare rentals in this established community, pounce on it. Practice your swing at the Lincoln Park Golf Course or stroll happily on wide sidewalks down lovely, tree-lined avenues. $$$
Bronson Property:Located to the north of the central UND campus, this 160-acre neighborhood village wends around the newly constructed Ralph Englestad Arena and might just be the most valuable piece of ground in the entire state. Do polish up your rental resume and wear a well-pressed shirt. $$$$$
South Washington:As Grand Forks is located pretty much in the middle of nowhere, locals dont generally commute much. The good thing about this neighborhood is there's no need. Join the throng of Canadians who brave the border crossing for the chance to shop at one of the many retail megaliths like Grand Cites Plaza or the new-fangled Columbia Mall. Homes here are generally smaller and packed together, making the area especially popular with budget-conscious renters. $
Deemers Avenue:Convenient to I-29 and the University, this neighborhood features heaps of upwardly mobile recent grads. Apparently being upwardly mobile gives you a taste for unusual burgers, as the local E.C. Grill churns out patties made from all sorts of non-cow sources. When you aren't sculpting your lawn or writing code, grab a sack and head over to nearby Ben Franklin Park for a picnic and a little sandwich roulette. $$$
Life in Grand Forks
Yes, there's a lot of snow, and occasionally the river fills up a little, but if you get a warm hat and a snug pair of waders, this is a truly great place to live. Grand Forks has been recognized by CNN as one of the top-100 cities in which to live. The short commutes, safe streets, outstanding public schools, and solid economy all lead to an exceptional and relatively stress-free quality of life. According to Labor Department statistics, Grand Forks also enjoys the 4th lowest unemployment rate in the entire nation so there's not much to worry about.
Getting Around Town
While most residents opt for personal cars or bikes, Grand Forks features a nice network of local area transit. The C.A.T. bus system moves residents throughout the city for just $1.50 per ride. If you're feeling a little more uptown, call up one of the area's 17 cab companies for a door-to-door ride. When the winter winds kick up, you can always lash on a pair of skis and hold up your purse as a makeshift sail.
Things to Do in Grand Forks
When is a flood a good thing? Well, probably never, but the great Red River Flood of 1997, which completely inundated Grand Forks, led to a rather remarkable renaissance in this historic northern city. With billions in aid, development positively exploded. New shopping, entertainment, transportation, recreation, and employment opportunities sprang up, and today the city offers its residents far more than most similarly sized towns.
Here's a list of some of the great things to see and do in Grand Forks:
Join the mass of hopeful fishermen all vying for the title of Super Duper Catfish Kingand there is a cash prizeat the city's annual Cats Incredible fishing tournament and festival.
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The Alerus Center was opened in 2001 and is the home for the recently name-deprived University of North Dakota football team. When not filled with pigskin warriors, the venue hosts trade shows, big-time concerts, and scads of meetings and conventions.
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Tour the nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base and check out the flight line and control tower. Home to the 319th Air Base Wing, the base stepped in to help local residents during the Red River Flood.
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Tired of badly performed high school plays? You'll find honest to goodness Broadway musicals at the quaintChester Fritz Auditorium, along with the award-winning North Dakota Ballet Company.
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Take a walk through the Near Southside Historic District for a close look at over 400 turn of the century buildings.
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Impress your date with a trip to see the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra or the Grand Forks Master Chorale.
Go outside and play. The local parks district puts on a fine display with its 14 parks, abundant ball fields, skating rinks and arenas, golf courses, tennis courts, and ski trails. The Greater Grand Forks Greenway is a particular pastoral gem, spanning over 43 miles of Red River coastline.
