Open Thread #75
Wow...75 open threads. Make this a good one!
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Since October 2005
Grand Forks Life is the first and biggest blog covering life in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. GrandForksGuy shares local news, rumors, and his own opinions.
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NOTE: The views expressed in original posts on "Grand Forks Life" are merely the views and personal opinions of the owner of this blog. No guarantee is given for the accuracy of content. The views expressed in reader comments are the views of those readers. "GrandForksGuy" and "Grand Forks Life" do not endorse the views of readers.
85 comments:
First!
Question- what is the "worst" neighborhood/street/section in Grand Forks? The place you'd LAST choose to live at?
Question- what is the "worst" neighborhood/street/section in Grand Forks? The place you'd LAST choose to live at?
That's actually a tough one. I would have to say the section between N 3rd Street and N 5th Street, then from Gateway to University. That would probably be the last place I would choose to live in Grand Forks.
Not because of safety or the people, but simply because it is not a well maintained area and any investment in a property there seems like it would be a waste.
The new housing areas near South Middle School. What a depressing cookie-cutter housing area.
Anonymous said...
The new housing areas near South Middle School. What a depressing cookie-cutter housing area.
It's those houses that attract the californians!
Why don't we switch this around. Besides the worst areas to live in town, which neighborhood(s) do you consider the nicest places to live?
No, keep this as the "worst area".
I got sick of the "I Love Grand Forks" posts from the weekend...
Any potential Californians moving here have to be aware of their surroundings.
I'd live anywhere where there is some older tree growth. I think it's depressing to live in an actual residential area w/o trees. Unless you're living in the actual country, then it's charmingly prairie.
Best: Where I live now, around 17th adn 20th. Traffic can be a little backed up if you can call it that. It is also close to gas stations, convenience stores, schools, grocery stores, etc etc etc. It takes less then 2 min to get to a movie or the parks in your car. 10 if you have to walk. Less then 15 on a bike to the Elks pool and only one stop light cross Wash.
Worst: Anywhere on the southest Washington (aka Landico Lane) The apartments there are getting sooo run down. No parks :( and you have to get into your car to go anywhere. I also have a child so any convenience and money savers to do anything is important!!
My favorite residential neighborhood in Grand Forks:
The Riverside area where all the houses are fixed up really nice, near the dike.
The only downside about the Riverside neighborhood is that other than the cute houses, everything around it is dumpy, as we've discussed here before...the businesses and buildings along Gateway are run-down and icky, plus there is Simplot and all the associated industrial stuff just to the west of it.
Hey Anon 11:46 AM, April 14, 2008
If you are talking about 17th St S - 20th St S I would totally have to agree. I live in that general area and everything seems so nice and close. Plus I love the mature trees in this area.
Anon 12:24 PM, April 14
Yes!! South 17th St and 20th St S area. It's really quite and people are so active in the summer. Driving from Demers on 20th St all the way south and back (or any of the streets in that part of town)feels like driving thru an ideal American suburb. Very cliche but the smell of grills and the sound of people on bikes and walking their dogs while children play outside...almost perfect!! Gag if you must, I love it!!
I'd say living anywhere in close proximity to railroad tracks is pretty hairy.
To me, driving down Reeves (starting at 4th St and continuing down to 13th), is about as close as you can get to Utopia. The huge old houses on Reeves and the mature Elm trees are amazing.
At times, during nice weather, it can be a pain to drive down Reeves--people like to take lazy, meandering drives and gawk.
Just my opinion, but the 17th to 20th stretch makes me think cookie cutter housing 1950. Not interesting in the least. I'm sure the houses are full of nice people, though.
As far as the suckiest area in town...hands down, it has to be 4th Ave South, east to Cottonwood, south to 6th Ave South, and west to about Oak Street. Read the police blotter regularly and check out the sex offender list and you'll understand why. Sad too, as there are a lot more good people living in that area than bad.
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Today 33.28 down 0.67
Where are the most expensive homes in GF? What has been the highest sale price of a home in GF?
Most expensive general area would be Shadyridge Court, I think. Most expensive house has to be Rydell's. His garage is worth twice as much as my house, and is only about 300 sq. ft. smaller.
So what exactly is the story with the Shadyridge Estates part of town? Are all these houses empty? Also, some of these homes are nothing short of amazing... Who owns them and where in GF do they work to be able to afford some of them?
Dion
Northwest and Delta airlines announced they will merge. Maybe the new airline will cutt out Grand Forks flights, hehe.
Is anyone ready for some 70 degree weather? Warm air advection...yeah!
"Why don't we switch this around. Besides the worst areas to live in town, which neighborhood(s) do you consider the nicest places to live?"
Now that's the attitude I wish I would see more of on this blog!
"As far as the suckiest area in town...hands down, it has to be 4th Ave South, east to Cottonwood, south to 6th Ave South, and west to about Oak Street."
The issue with many of these neighborhoods (in my opinion) is the large number of lower income residents who I *presume* are renting houses. Lots of craptastic rental houses in the downtown area. Just look at the couple of houses on 4th near the senior center. They STILL have inflatable and hard plastic Christmas decorations up. There is still uncovered plywood adorning portions of the house.
We dealt with some "neighbors" across the street that never worked and left a variety of items outside such as matresses, couches, broken down cars, etc. Eventually, it turned into a perpetual rummage sale. Call to the city/health dept. fixed that, and within a few weeks they were gone... apparently for being several months past paying rent. Half the problem rests on the renters... they allow their properties to become run down, and don't keep tabs on tenants who trash their properties.
I forgot to add that rental houses will obviously be plentiful in a college town... although many of them appear to be rented by non college students. When we were looking for housing in the the town in our price range, I'd say 1/2 the properties were run-down rental pieces of crap.
None of the Shadyridge houses are empty, to my knowledge. I see at least one dentist, a doctor, and a couple of lawyers. Looks like a couple of business owners as well. Also, the dean of UND's medical school lives out there. Really, a broad spectrum of really loaded people.
Before some smart ass points out that these houses are a dime a dozen in california, let me just point out that THIS IS NORTH DAKOTA. And around here, we don't give a crap about california. Those of us who do will move there.
My wife and I left GF in the fall of '97, moved to MPLS, not because of the flood just lack of job opportunities. We moved to Sioux Falls in the fall of '99 because the cites were just too much (fun to visit for a weekend but that is about it). Now I like Sioux Falls for the most part, being 300 miles south does make a difference in temperatures but I miss being closer to family. Also having lived in GF for 25 years I really tend to miss it when I visit.
I guess I was wondering if any readers/posters have moved away and then moved back, if so where from and what has their experience been like? We now have a four year old son and are trying to adopt another child and have been considering moving back within the next couple of years.
Hey Justin,
In 2000 after my husband graduated from college we moved to Saint Paul and really enjoyed it. However, once our daughter started elementary school it became a bit too hectic to maintain the lifestyle we had there and it just got to be too much.
So in 2003, we moved back to the area. It is quite possibly the best decision that we have ever made. With the experience that we were able to get in our professional careers in the Cities we were able to come back to the area and find good jobs.
I would suggest if you are thinking about moving back, start looking at the job market now. Opportunities for great employment are here, but it sometimes takes a bit longer to find them. I believe we started looking at job posting about 6 months before either of us sent in a resume. Fortunately, that first resume landed a great job and 3 months later we made the move.
Hope that helps a bit!
Use all your expertise at Arby's
I'd live by the Olive Garden if I could.
Thanks Angie! I work on computers for a living (PC Tech), my wife used to work reception at a clinic but now does home-based daycare. I have been keeping a sleepy eye out for jobs (Monster.com and Career Builder.com) but haven't seen much in my field.
what neighborhood does Coach Hakstol live in?
Is he the biggest wage earner in the city?
Justin,
You might want to add UNDs website to your search. That is one of the best bets for getting a decent computer job in this town.
Angie,
Good tip, I'll have to do that.
Dammit! This sucks.
Grand Forks is going to be warmer than Tampa today.
What the Hell?!
I'm never going to hear the end of this from my family up there! Ha, Ha! ;P
The bikers are out, too, Kelly!
:o)
No, coach Hackstall is by far not the biggest wage earner in town. he makes something on the order of the upper 100,000's once all his bonuses are factored in. There are at least a couple of thousand of business people, medical staff, and other professionals that make considerably more than that in GF.
Hakstol's base salary is $210K a year–and with incentives and bonuses could reach $260K. That probably puts him in the top 1%, but by no means the wealthiest.
I have always loved GF, and always will.
I grew up on the Northside , (which seems to be alot different from the kids that grew up on the Southside).
I have alot of stories that I could share about this, but basically I feel more blue collar than anything.
Having moved away from GF, I can say that I miss Red pepper the most out of anything. Pretty much ever.
AND having been a GF transplant a few times now I can honestly say that it is not special in location, but special in people.
I can't even remember the # of times I skated at University Park or met cool people skating there. Or the Red Pepper, or the Italian Moon.
GF is weird...once you've been a part of it, it's hard to let go (at some level).
WMZ
One thing I can say though, is the lack of job opportunity drove me away.
That's why I'm about to move to Austin, TX from Fargo (& GF). Jobs in my field are far and few between (motion graphics), and there is no need for someone like me in GF, as much as I would like there to be. Especially at the pay level that is currently available in GF. (REA, Alerus).
I can make twice what Mograph designers are making in Austin than what they are making in GF, with a 12% rent inflation (barely higher rents).
It's a good idea.
anyone see that hyundai left Lithia and went to Eides???? Maybe more change is in store for the lithia cult over there. I had the worst time dealing with them. I ended up going to klevin Ford.
Don't confuse the "Company Lithia" with the "employee Lithia." The employees are fine. The company appears to suck and that's why there are very few employees sticking around.
c. y., I personally have not had good experience with the employees of Lithia.
Someone that works there said they must tow the company line and Lithia sends secret customers to make sure they do it the company way. They don't care if the employee smiles or not as long as it is done the company way. I get the feeling the company doesn't even care if the customer is happy as long as it is done the right way. And Lithia gets bigger everyday.
idk about u guys but i really cant stand to go to rydell. Its the dahlstrom difference for me.
As the temps warm up something very annoying will be coming back to our ears. The racing track north of gateway and columbia. F those rumbles.
Aww Man... Did you have to bring up the racing season. We never grill out on Friday nights and generally find ourselves locked up inside because that perpetual noise is just so annoying. I think it is a good thing to offer here, but does it have to be EVERY FRIDAY?
I must admit though, I'd rather put up with that than some of the smells in this town. At least I know when to hide from the raceway noise.
Yeah, the job field is by far the biggest hurdle I think. I still have family and friends in town and I love the "small town" atmosphere.
I grew up on the south end of town (not rich by any means), my parents live off of 25th and Cherry and I love driving down that way especially in the summer when the tree canopies grow together and it is almost like driving in a tunnel down Cottonwood.
I get nostalgic every time I come back to town, I actually miss the yearly flooding of the Red (although not '97), a lot of my best memories happened in GF.
I recently left my wallet at Lithia after paying for an oil change. No one "found" it.
Nice...
Don't pick on River City racing... it's over by 10:30 (usually), and there's nothing better than sitting in the stands on a beautiful summer evening, enjoying a cold beer, getting a gorgeous view of ND sunset, and watching some old school, build your own car racing. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to me it is a highlight for our short summers.
From today's Herald: Groenewold won’t face disciplinary action from UND
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=73721§ion=news
It says in the story: "He was sentenced to the two days he already had spent in jail, a year’s probation, a $250 fine and 30 hours of community service. Under terms of his sentence, the conviction will be struck from his record if he is not charged with another offense within a year."
Okay, fine ... but wasn't his previous conviction for threatening to shoot up the Manvel Fire Dept. under some sort of contingency that he not get into any more trouble within the year? And this wife-beating episode was within that year? So what about further punishment for the fire incident?
Sorry, I know, I should get a life ... but having known Gerald from afar over the years I get the instinctual impression he is not my type of character. Maybe I have something against overpaid people? I don't know. But I guess he's proven himself to be something of a nutty kook this past year and a half, confirming what people have said to me about the guy (lotsa guns, strong opinions).
Yeah, sorry Gerry, not trying to cull up a public bashing on ya, but I'm interested to hear what these blogging locals have to say. We're kinda like the people's jury here!
-GreenGlass5
Who is the richest person/highest income earner in Grand Forks?
I say 5th st, near MnH is a bad run down area, Ick.
"Who is the richest person/highest income earner in Grand Forks?"
Who cares.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it is probably the person with the most expensive house over on the corner of Belmont and 32nd.
Hey, I just heard on the city council meeting (on TV) that there will be a lightbulb trade-in on Saturday at Amazing Grains, or something like that.
Anyone have any more info? I assume this has to do with the fact that incandescent bulbs are being phased out... but, what, do we just bring in any incandescent bulbs and they'll replace them with the much more expensive CFL bulbs for free?
I apologize if this has been discussed earlier and I just skipped over it. I haven't been reading many open threads lately, and don't have time to go through the past three or so to see if this might've been mentioned there.
BTW, Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFL's) are awesome and last years, but you should remember that they need to be re-cycled...they contain mercury. The University recently stopped buying incandescent bulbs (with the exception of outside building lights) and all bulbs as they burn out will be replaced with CFL's. They expect the energy savings to be very large.
Oh, the trade in at Amazing Grains, I thought I heard it was a one for one trade. With a limit of one.
Hmm, didn't know about the Christmas tree thing. Brian Rydell was a couple of years younger than me but I don't remember his brother (Bob ?). I do remember however riding bikes past their old house on the corner of Cherry and either Terrace or Simonview, always looking for the half pipe skateboard ramp I had heard rumors about.
"And, in the "money buys you the right to be eccentric," if you wander by the Rydell house after dark, you'll note a lit Christmas tree up in the living room, year round. Don't know if there's some sort of nostalgic reason for that (like a kid who died on Christmas,) or they just like the holiday, but it's a little odd to see it in June."
Lol, I was wondering what the deal with that was too. Also, I haven't seen either inside, but I think there might be a few Shadyridge houses that could give Rydell's a run for their money.
I always learn something new from the master of understatement: The Herald. Today's front-page headline:
Higher crude means higher pump prices
It is Bob and Simonview Ct.
I also left GF in '97, and returned in 2001. In your case, I'd just send my resume to all the Computer Support places in the region, the thing is, even if they aren't hiring they will probably know who is. Since they'll have to take over the duties in the meantime. That's actually how I got my job, sent a resume to one company and got a call from another.
I read that the CFL bulbs are already on the way out. The new technology is LED bulbs for the home. Why not, we already have LED Christmas lights.
Thanks for the info Barbara!
I love hearing the noise from the races during the summer. We have never gone, but it's a LOUD reminder that summer is finally here.
I seldom agree with greengass but this time he is correct. The EERC director brings millions of dollars into this town and it rewarded him big time. Anyone else would have been given at least a few days off. I wonder if he gets to keep his guns under the Lautenburg law concerning domestic violence and firearms. I know guys in the AF that lost their jobs and careers over very similar incidents. (but they didn't bring as many $$$$ into the community)
and CVIC has been really quiet on this one too. you would think they would be monitoring it or are they getting too political with their money raising to cause any feather rustling in the community??
The check engine light came on in my Ford Taurus last night after I'd been hearing mildly troubling chirps for a few days. Where can I take it, other than Lithia, that won't try to take a poor little girl through the wringer/take care of it cheaply and right the first time?
Lynsey--Becksteads is the greatest.
Lynsey---Becksteads, apparently, is one of the best; or see John Lutheran at 32nd Cenex (formally BP). He's the shop foreman, and they do a good job also.
I personally like Jim over at Champion.
speaking of rentals.... I would like to know what are some of the best apartments in grand forks. I am thinking its time for a change and would love hear where people think the best apartments are in grand forks. There are some great apartments but many of them are expencive for what you get. Any opinions on a great apartment that is reasonably priced???
That's not the real greenglass! The real greenglass writes differently and signs his name differently.
The real greenglass started to tip his identity, imo, when he started going off vehemently about the cvic. He mentioned something about "our initiative" ..... it makes me think he is The Reaper, the spray-painted van guy, the western business-wear politico. I don't remember his real name.
But where is the real greenglass on this one? I was looking for him to be all over the Groenewold conundrum. Lord knows greenglass wouldn't get such a light fannytap as Groenewold got if greenglass roughed up his old lady!
Didn't everyone figure out who greenglass was? Who is he?
greenglass' identity isn't a secret.
You go boy!
-Team Greenglass
Thanks for the suggestions! My plan of action is to take the car to checker for diagnostic after lunch and then go to either of the newly-christened Cenex stores.
anyone who doesn't know greenglass's identity must not be paying very close attention to his posts
I guess you're right it was Faux Greenglass 4 that signed off with a 5 instead of 4.
Where is he on this issue? Thought he would have been all over it like some others should be all over it.
Just proves the point, justice depends on which "side of the tracks" you live on.
WOW ! Nasty comments about Lithia and Rydells ! EERC Director Gerald Groenwold skated free ! UND will not have any disciplinary action for The Power Couple ! Peter Johnson UND Spokesman "it was a private matter", the domestic abuse Gerry plead guilty to in District Court. Did wife Connie have influence over court, CVIC, and UND ? Does Gerry have "UND incidents" at EERC ? greenglass4.
There he is! Ha ha, alright!
Thought maybe you were lost greenass, glad you are back.
Did I just say . . . .?
WOW ! this blog is getting rough, and the language, and many comments have been deleted by the author ! What's up with the censorship ? and it is greenglass4 not .... thanks for the memories, I think ! greenglass4.
I love the morons that pick on racing. That track is one of the better one in the upper midwest.
Also the World of Outlaws are returning again this season.
Rolling on floor laughing, the sioux lost the hockey game. Who do you blame?
greenglass4 = Gary Hangsleben, kook extrordinaire.
that's not who I thought it is.
Oshie. He was probably thinking about a party instead of his game.
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