When people start thinking about where to retire, North Dakota probably is not one of the first places to come to mind. The state has earned the reputation of a barren wasteland in the mind of many Americans and is often forgotten or overlooked when considering places to settle down. However, North Dakota does have some great things to offer retirees. Here are a just a few reasons why North Dakota should definitely be on your list of potential retirement destinations.
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- Frequent Member of Best Places List -
North Dakota has had a constant presence on various lists of the best places to retire in the United States. Although often overlooked when talking about ideal destinations, North Dakota has actually had a robust presence on lists detailing the best retirement locations for years. For example, it was ranked as the fourth-best state in the nation for retirement by Bankrate for 2014. Additionally, Fargo, North Dakota has enjoyed a spot on Forbes magazine's list of the 25 best places to retire for several years in a row.
- Post-retirement Employment Options - It's a great spot for retirees who hope to pick up a bit of work during their golden years. Thanks to the oil boom in North Dakota in recent years, all sorts of jobs are available to those who might want them. In fact, MarketWatch recommended North Dakota specifically for retirees who were looking for a post-retirement job. Of course, retirees do not have to work in the oil fields if they want to work in North Dakota. The influx of people coming to work those fields has created openings in many other industries.
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- It's Perfect for Outdoorsy Retirees - Because North Dakota is not a huge population center, there are many places that are great for hiking, hunting, or simply enjoying the outdoors. Retirees who want more seclusion in their golden years or who want to be closer to nature while still being part of a close-knit community would enjoy many of the towns of 100 or fewer people in the state.
- You Can Expect to Pay a Bit More for Housing - One of the biggest effects of the oil boom in North Dakota has been a spike in housing prices. Sperling's Best Places reports that the cost of housing in North Dakota is about 17 percent higher than the national average.
- You Can Expect to Pay a Bit Less for Utilities and Transportation - Luckily, despite the spike in housing prices, costs for utilities and transportation have remained relatively low. According to Sperling's Best Places, utilities in North Dakota cost about 17 percent less than the national average and transportation costs 5 percent less than the national average.
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