Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Bottineau, North Dakota? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Bottineau?
Shelby Rose reports in this review:
Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? | If you know North Dakota, you know that the further north you go- the more extreme weather you get. ND is know for their freezing winters (sept-april) where we can get as low as -60 F, or as high as 115 F during those hot summer months.
ND is a flat state' therefore high strong wind is an almost- constant.
We have 1-5 tornado warnings complete with bistable funnel clouds, however, they rarely touch down.
Back in 1969 and 2011 there were devastating flood waters that came from MN and Canada doing millions of dollars in damage as it ripped through our cities. We have since (almost-) | | The crime ate has gone through the roof in the last couple years due to the expansion of the Bakken and all that oil is brining in out-of-staters trying to make some good money.
Every kind has gone up- shootings, homicides, rape, abductions, theft, assault, drug and alcohol related incidents and reports of domestic violence and child abuse...
However- along with a spike in the population, a spike in crime is sure to follow. Stores and businesses already have team members assigned to walk women to their cars after dark. Police actively urges EVERYONE to not go outside after dark alone. Do not leave ANY doors unlocked- house, cars (especially when pumping gas!), businesses- anything you own, SECURE!
We've had quite a few issues with fights, parties getting out of hand, property theft, drugs and alcohol issues, and quite a few assault and break in charge in the past few years. You have those kind of people everywhere... | | Bottineau is such a small place, you really only have about 15 different streets to choose from. Down Main Street you'll find your shops, boutiques, grocers, diners, a hairstylist, bars, and a theatre.
Parts of town to stay away from? You've got approx a mile of town both ways, if you stay away from the college area at night, you should be just fine.
You want to have some fun? Go to lake Metigoshe. Approx 20min north, this place is wonderful! Restaurants and bars that overlook the Lake. Beautiful cabins line the border. Of course there is a free swim area and a place to rent bots, canoes, tubes, whatever have you. Obviously during the summer. Winter it's less crowded and perfect if you rent the cabin during the off-months. Wink wink- idea for students, it's not a bad price and so worth being able to get away from the dorms. EPIC 4th of July festivities by the way.
| | Most of the citizens from Bottineau are conservative senior citizens. Of course you have your families and such, but the largest part of the population are the students that attend college here. To the east and west- Indian reservations and a few other small towns. VERY close to the Canadian Border.
It doesn't really matter if you fit in here or not because nobody fits in! Senior Citizen Republicans vs. Liberal African American/White college students vs. Red Blooded Farming Man with the stereotypical small quiet wife in a dress and 4 kids vs. the Reservation Kids in their cars literally falling apart on the road vs. well educated college professors and church members vs. the rowdy (usually) drunk hockey boys.... Do you catch my drift? It doesn't matter. Most of the people will be nice if you are | Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life | Small.
There's about 3 blocks of stores, houses, diners, and little odd shops.
Only open weekdays 9-5 and weekends 10-4(ish); just about every one of them. | | A grand total of 4? 5? Subway, a couple diners, a Dairy Queen (only during summer), a Chinese place and a dennys Pizza Inn. NOTE; ALL BUSINESS AND GAS STATIONS CLOSE AT NIGHT with the exception of Walmart.
If you're looking for a good meal- go to Pizza Inn. I also worked there while I went to school and can tell you first hand their food is tasty, priced modestly, and it's a nice atmosphere. Have a beer and watch the game while your kids eat pizza and ice cream and try the arcade games. | | The public schools system is what it is. If you're going to live in Bottineau you probably have already figured out how homeschooling works. I applaud you. Smart choice. Otherwise, it's really not so bad. Small school, less students per teacher is nice. They have and excel in ALL the extra curricular activities, hockey taking priority. And I mean all activities; FFA, 4H, Key Club, Character Counts, Student Council, Honor Society, PTA, Girl/Boy Scouts (often partnering with nearby towns' schools.
(Refer above for college review) | | None.
Unless you want to have a 'no strings attached' relationship- college students age 18-23
Otherwise, yeah not a snowballs chance in hell. Good luck! | Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions | 10 PM city-wide curfew bell for underage kids to head home.
There's a lot of farm machinery and grain bins around, but other than that working noise, nothing else. | | Well, considering Bottineau is smack dab between two Indian reservations, and Canada is directly North. You can have your pick! Haha, just kidding! Honestly- if you're not Native American, stay out of the Rez... The only thing you'll find there is trouble. I'd recommend taking a day trip to Bottineau if you must, then head south to either Minot (pop 50k, 1.7hrs away) Bismarck (pop 100k, 3hrs away) Grand Forks (pop 120k, 3 hrs away) or Fargo (pop 150k, 4hrs away).
Choosing one of the larger cities will ensure you activities like theaters, shopping centers, bowling and darts, arcade, fast food, sit down/fine dining, bars, dance clubs, and just people in general. Be careful to watch that gas gauge while driving through and pay attention to road signs. They'll warn you when there's a 75mi+ bare stretches of highway. Aka- no towns no gas. And there's quite a few of said strips depending where you are. Keep in mind also- we don't have the best signal going through the valleys. Make sure someone knows where you are if you're alone! | | St. Andrew's Health Center
They're good, they know how to take care of all kinds of farm, hockey, and wilderness/outdoors injuries. If they don't have the equipment or doctor you need, they'll transport you via ambulance with up to 2 loved ones to Trinity Hospital in Minot or St Alexius in Bismarck. | | Lake Metigoshe is the best place to go. Absolutely beautiful in the winter and summer. Other than that- and as I said before- GO TO MINOT, BISMARCK, GRAND FORKS, FARGO and have some fun. | General comments | | | | | | | It feels like the cute little town in fictional stories where everyone knows everyone and just about everyone is a friend. Apple pie cooling in the window, kids playing in the sandbox, grandpa in his rocker reading the paper. It's got that kind of feel to it. Bottineau is especially beautiful in the winter. Almost every home is covered in lights and decorations. Carolers. School shows. High school drama. College plays. Bottineau is just a cute little place to be, just a reminder to keep the college kids in the back of your mind and stay safe!
Same with all Ag Ed clubs) plus all sports clubs with the exception of rugby.
Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) is located in the north end of town, very easy to find. Speaking as a DCB Alumni- this is a fantastic place to start. Great programs, great professors, phenomenal students and athletes. | | | | | | |
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