Moving to Grand Forks? Even the geese move back.
My free guide to moving to Grand Forks. Neighborhoods, winter, taxes on both sides of the river, and the 12 spots that make this town home.
The Grand Forks Relocation Guide
Moving to Grand Forks? Here’s the town the way a local sees it.
I moved here when I was seven, left for the Air Force, and came back on purpose. This is what I tell every family moving here: which side of the river, which neighborhood, what winter is really like, and where to eat your first weekend.
Grand Forks in a minute
Big enough to have what you need, small enough that you’ll run into someone you know at Target.
It’s a university town, a hospital town, an Air Force town and a farm town all at once. That mix is why it doesn’t feel like anywhere else.
Back to the topPick your side of the river
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota sit on opposite banks of the Red River. Same metro, two states. My kids went to school on the east side for years, so I’ve made that drive across the bridge a few thousand times.
Grand Forks
- Bigger city feel
- Most of the shopping: Target, Walmart, 32nd Ave
- Way more restaurants
- UND, the Ralph and downtown
East Grand Forks
- Feels like a small Minnesota town
- You’re out in the country in no time
- Fewer places to eat out
- Bernie’s, Blue Moose and the river
Most of it comes down to preference. The one thing people don’t expect is taxes.
The money part
Same metro, very different tax bill
Your income tax follows where you live, not where you work. North Dakota and Minnesota have a reciprocity deal, so if you live in East Grand Forks and work in Grand Forks, you pay Minnesota. ND Tax
- Minnesota (2026): 5.35% up to 9.85%. MN Revenue
- North Dakota (2025, married): 0% on the first $80,975 of taxable income, 1.95% after that, 2.5% over $298,075. ND Tax
- North Dakota homeowners can also get up to $1,600 a year off their property tax with the Primary Residence Credit. You apply online between January 1 and April 1. ND Tax
I’m a REALTOR, not a tax pro. Run your own numbers with one before you pick a side.
Which way are you leaning?
Neighborhoods
The way I’d describe them sitting across the table from you. Save the ones that sound like you, and we’ll start there.
Near North
A few blocks north of downtownI grew up here and I live here now, in a house built in 1894. Old homes mixed with newer ones that replaced what the ’97 flood took, huge trees, and downtown just down the road. All the personality in town lives here.
Riverside
North side, along the riverOne of the best neighborhoods in the city. In the summer there are kids playing everywhere, and the pool and the park are right there.
Reeves Drive
Just south of downtownThe premier historic neighborhood in Grand Forks. If you love old houses with a story, start here.
Belmont
North to south, the whole wayOne of the original roads in town. The north end is full of big homes with a lot of history, and Belmont runs all the way to the south end, where the homes just keep getting bigger.
The south end
South of 32nd Ave and beyondNewer homes, bigger yards and newer schools, and you’re close to the shopping on 32nd Ave. It’s the side of town most people ask me about first.
University
Around UNDWhere the young energy in town lives. Plenty of rentals, and plenty of great starter homes. Some buyers live in one for a few years, then keep it as a rental. Judy’s is down the street, and that’s where you’ll find Hawks players when they’re not on the ice.
Thinking about East Grand Forks, Thompson, Manvel or a place in the country? I work all of it. Just ask.
Back to the topWinter, straight
Winter is real. Whatever you’ve heard, it’s probably worse than what you’re picturing.
Thirty five below happens almost every year, and the snow piles up everywhere. But we don’t stop. This city doesn’t slow down unless there’s a legit, full on blizzard with 50 to 60 mph winds. Expect to get the kids to school and yourself to work no matter how much it snowed the day before. This city is built for it.
Get winter ready
About the river
In 1997 the Red River flooded and took out a lot of this town. We rebuilt with new dikes and the Greenway, 2,200 acres of park and trails on the land between the dikes and the river. When you look at a house, ask me about flood zones and flood insurance. It’s a normal question here, and I’ll pull the map with you.
Back to the topThe staples
Not every restaurant in town. The twelve places that are about as Grand Forks as it gets. Save the ones you want to hit, and mark them off as you go.
Nothing saved yet
Widman’s Candy
Downtown Grand ForksGet the chippers (chocolate covered potato chips). No contest.
Blue Moose
On the river, East Grand ForksThe spinach dip is ridiculous, and you’ll never run out of options for a cold one.
Toasted Frog
Downtown Grand ForksFancy food in a chill bar. Date night staple.
Darcy’s Cafe
Grand ForksThe cinnamon roll pancakes are going to change your life. Do not sleep on this place.
The Olive Ann
Downtown Grand ForksNew to Grand Forks, but it feels like it’s been there forever. It brought a ton of class downtown. Grab a coffee at Sweetwaters inside.
Urban Stampede
Downtown Grand ForksLocally owned, and there’s only one. Fantastic brewed coffee and an amazing atmosphere. This is the spot.
Bernie’s
Downtown East Grand ForksA Food Network chef at the helm, in a building with serious history. The horseshoe bar was built in 1930 as Whitey’s Wonderbar, the first stainless steel horseshoe bar in the country. It survived the ’97 flood and it’s still the heart of the room. Local legend says Capone’s crew kept East Grand Forks supplied during Prohibition.
Hawks hockey at the Ralph
UND campusThis is our temple. The Ralph seats 11,643 for hockey, so a sold out Friday or Saturday night is almost 1 in 5 people in Grand Forks in one building. Nothing compares.
The Greenway
Along the Red River, both sidesThe flood ravaged our city. We came back strong with the Greenway, about 20 miles of trails along the Red River of the North. Unmatched on a sunny summer evening.
Town Square Farmers Market
Downtown Grand Forks, summerLocal food, local artists, local love. Every Saturday in the summer there’s a reason to get up early.
Hollydazzle
Downtown Grand ForksA lighted parade down DeMers, local artists, s’mores in Town Square, cookie decorating, live music. The most magical day of the year in Grand Forks.
Potato Bowl French Fry Feed
University ParkThe world’s largest French fry feed. We eat our weight in fries, then a couple more, then get fired up for the UND football game on Saturday.
Your first weekend
Coming up to look at houses? Pick how you like to spend a weekend and I’ll tell you how I’d spend it.
Pick a vibe
Tap one above.
Saturday
- Town Square Farmers Market first thing (summer Saturdays)
- Walk or bike the Greenway along the river
- Dinner on the patio at Blue Moose
Sunday
- Coffee at Urban Stampede
- Cross the bridge and do the East Grand Forks side of the Greenway
Saturday
- Cinnamon roll pancakes at Darcy’s
- Chippers from Widman’s
- Dinner at Toasted Frog
Sunday
- Bernie’s in East Grand Forks
- Coffee at Sweetwaters in The Olive Ann, then walk downtown
Saturday
- Town Square Farmers Market (summer Saturdays)
- The Greenway, with a stop for chippers at Widman’s
- Spinach dip at Blue Moose
Sunday
- Darcy’s for breakfast
- Drive the neighborhoods you saved
Moving in the fall? Time it for the Fry Feed in September or Hollydazzle in November.
Friday
- Blue Moose on the river
- Walk downtown and grab a drink at Toasted Frog
Saturday
- Darcy’s for breakfast
- Coffee at Urban Stampede
- Fighting Hawks hockey at the Ralph. Get there early
Move checklist
The stuff that’s easy to forget when you’re living out of boxes.
Before you come
Your first weeks
Utility details: City of Grand Forks new residents, East Grand Forks Water and Light. License rules: North Dakota, Minnesota, Minnesota’s 60-day rule.
Back to the topKeep it somewhere besides this browser
Email me my list
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Rather just talk it through? Call or text me at 701.314.2202.
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Not quite what you needed?
The six communities I actually sell in are broken down one by one. If you’ve already picked the town and you’re ready to look, the buyer guide is the next one. And here’s who you’d be working with.