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Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Westhope, North Dakota? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Westhope?
Shelby reports in this review:
| Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? | | Like everything else, you get used to it!! Your first winter in Minot is always memorable when you see temps like -30 and -60 with wind-chill. Most people just stay inside when the temps are that bad and you will need an engine block heater for your car. Most everywhere will have outlets to plug in your car so it doesn't freeze. Lots of sweaters and a good winter coat are a must. I would suggest waiting until you get here to buy a coat since most things in Texas won't be warm enough. We don't get tons of snow (although now that I say that, we'll get feet) usually because it's too cold and dry to snow many days. We'll get dumped on a few times each winter and that snow will stay around and accumulate but generally once the roads are clear, they are ok to drive on. Try to get some experience on slick roads so you don't kill yourself (or others) the first time you get on snow covered roads. Good Luck! | | Jobs, money, and people. The state now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 3 percent. Its oil industry employs almost 41,000 people, plus 18,000 jobs in peripheral industries. For those working in the "Oil Patch'' in the western part of the state, the average annual salary is $112,462. The only requirements to find work are a government-issued ID and a clean criminal record. This modern gold rush has lured people from all over America to North Dakota, once one of the country's most sparsely populated states. Terry Ayers drove to Williston in 2011 from Spokane and got an oil job within hours of arriving, earning around three times what he had been making before. "It's a zoo," he said then. "It's crazy what's going on around here." | | County legislatures are clamoring for the state to spend some of its budget surplus on new hospitals, infrastructure, and affordable housing. But many state lawmakers remember how quickly oil fortunes can come and go; the state's oil industry tanked after oil prices collapsed in the 1990s, leaving many western counties still paying off debts run up during the 1980s boom. If the current boom ends for some unforeseen reason, state officials fear, they'll wind up with empty medical centers, unused freeways, and empty housing developments. "When Mr. Bakken comes to town, no one can prepare," said Brad Bekkedahl, vice president of the Bismarck City Commission. "It's a good challenge to have, and there's a lot of people that wish they had it. But it's a challenge."
If you're looking for the best parts of Westhope- you just keep on going'. This is a small town with family values and everyone is related. You're best bet would be to check out the scenery of surrounding areas- the valleys and beautiful are incomparable to anywhere else in the country. | | Nine out of 10 workers lured by North Dakota's boom are men. But there is one peripheral industry attracting women to the Oil Patch: exotic dancing. Strippers can bank over $2,000 a night in oil boomtowns. "It's all but guaranteed money," said Susan Shepard, a dancer who worked in Williston for six years. Prostitution is also on the rise, according to law enforcement authorities. Hospitals note that rates of chlamydia doubled between 2010 and 2011. Local women have also complained that the roving bands of unattached, restless young men have created a culture of constant sexual harassment. Williston tattoo artist Christina Knapp, 22, recalled being offered $3,000 to strip naked and serve beer to a group of men. When she refused, the men upped the offer to $7,000. "I said I make more money doing my job than degrading myself to do that," she said. | | Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life | | Not that great actually. Being such a small town- there aren't many options for food, clothes, and entertainment. Your best option is to plan ahead and see what is happening in the events section of the local newspapers or hub site that shows that information. ND is known for not being easy to live in- you also need to be prepared to make your own fun. | | There are a few small diners and gas stations, otherwise you better learn to do some 'down home cookin' or get in a vehicle and cruise over to Bottineau for Subway, Pizza Inn, or Dairy Queen. Otherwise theres a few sandwich trucks you'll find crowing work camps and areas. | | Westhope is home to a very small public school for the kids that grew up there, but as soon as they graduate High School it's off to Bottineau for Dakota college, a junior college. To Minot for Minot State University, or another of the many schools loacted in our wonderful state! | | Not a snowballs' chance in hell. This is a very small town and unless you look like you should be hanging off a cowboys arm- keep cruisin! Or maybe you have a soft spot in your heart for elderly widows? Maybe- just maybe you'll get by. Otherwise try Bottineau- it's a college town and chances are you be luckier there. | | Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions | | The only unusual noise source would be the city-wide bells that sound every night at 10 PM to make sure the kids know when they are to be home. Something that all ND cities do except for those with no kids and ones that are to big to have it make a difference. | | People are friendly, but at the same time a little wary of newcomers. Be yourself, be courteous, engage in conversation (especially about weather, lol), and you'll be accepted. You'll NEVER be passed by if you are broken down at the side of the road -- people up here help each other out.
It's flat, but out west the badlands break it up in parts. Rolling hills around Minot along the Souris. There is lots to do here if you like the outdoors. Not so much if you don't. But that doesn't stop people from finding things to do! | | There is no large hospital available in Westhope. If it is a TRUE EMERGENCY- please head straight for bottineau, but if you can hold off for an extra half hour- your best bet is to book it to Minot and sign in at Trinity Hospital. If it's a medical emergency- you don't wan't to lose time by stopping in and having them send you on your way. | | No where really in this town- the best places to visit/see/experience are the valleys surrounding is. Make sure to stare long and hard at that gorgeous sky- and if you're lucky enough to see the Northern Lights- get a camera because you'll NEVER forget that! | | General comments | | | | | | | It gets cold. And it is almost always windy. Today the windchill temperature went to -56. Without the wind, the temp was still -26. Snow comes around late September/ mid October, leaves in April. Buy warm winter clothes, you'll need lots of layers. (A tip, if you don't want to get a lot of crap from the people you going to work with, never complain about the temperature unless it is 10 degrees or colder. If it is 25 and you complain about it being cold, you'll never hear the end of it.)
The summers are usually hot, hovering in the mid 80s and occasionally up to 95 in July. Over 100 is rare (unless you go to South Dakota) Going to the lake is popular during the summer.
Depends where you are about the terrain. Most places are flat, but when you go southwest and hit the badlands, it's a different world.
Do not try to find winter-wear anywhere BUT in ND. You won't find anything warm enough. Buy it here, good brands are Thinsulate, Arctic Cat, and Columbia.
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