9 Things I Wish I Knew...
Before Moving to a Small Town
By Michele Moquist
July 17, 2025
I moved to a small, agriculture-based town in Northeast North Dakota with romanticized ideas of friendly neighbors, wide-open spaces, and basically Little House on the Prairie. Some of that turned out to be true. Some didn’t. And most of what I’ve learned came the hard way, the hilarious way, and—occasionally—the humbling way.
If you’re considering planting roots in a rural small town (especially in the windswept prairie corners of ND), here’s what I wish I knew before I showed up with my sandals, salad spinner, and two-day Prime shipping expectations.
1. Community Is Everything—But It Takes Time (and Potlucks)
Yes, people are kind. Yes, they do the one-finger wave when they drive by—even if they don’t know you yet. But no, you won’t become a “local” overnight. Around here, relationships are built over seasons, not social media likes.
Want in? Show up. Go to the church potluck, bring bars to the school fundraiser, volunteer at the thrift store. Attend the Chuckwagon or Bush Race—even if you don’t know what those are yet. Around here, consistency is currency.
Oh, and pro tip: if you’re bringing a “salad” to the potluck, don’t assume lettuce. A proper prairie salad is likely full of Cool Whip, Jell-O, Snickers bars—or all three.
2. It’s Quiet. And That’s the Point.
Pembina County has exactly one stoplight. It might be the most polite intersection in America.
But that quiet? That stillness? That’s the prize. No honking, no rush hour, no light pollution. Just crickets, tractors, and sunsets that look like they were painted by God Himself.
Entertainment is mostly DIY: bonfires, backyard cornhole tournaments, lake weekends, and watching the snowplow finally show up. If you’re lucky, your social calendar might fill up with things like “Smoker Night at the Fire Hall,” “PTO Bingo,” or “The County Fair.” And yes, the next morning, you’ll run into at least three people from the night before at the grocery store or gas station.
3. Main Street Closes at 5:00—and That’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature
The “Closed” sign goes up early here. If you work a typical 8-to-5 job, prepare to feel betrayed at 5:15 p.m. when you realize you forgot to run your errands over your lunch break.
But here’s the thing: business hours reflect a value system. People want to be home for supper. That’s the rhythm of life here. And honestly? That’s kind of beautiful.
4. Front Doors Are for Show—Use the Side
Here’s a quirky one: no one uses the front door. I had dreams of a cozy entryway with a wreath and foot traffic. Turns out everyone comes through the garage or straight into the mudroom.
Why? Because this is a no-shoes-inside culture. The mudroom is sacred ground—home to lined-up boots, clean socks, and one thousand single mittens without their mate.
But I’m still fighting the good fight to bring back the front door welcome. Make front doors great again!
5. Faith and Tradition Run Deep (And That’s a Good Thing)
Churches, Friday night football, and Fourth of July parades aren’t just traditions—they’re the glue. From Lenten Fish Fries to Mother’s Day brunches, these gatherings are where you find laughter, ‘salad’, and the heartbeat of the town.
When someone’s in need—a cancer diagnosis, a house fire, a medical emergency—the community shows up. With food. With funds. With their full selves. That’s the kind of safety net you can’t buy.
6. You Might Feel Like an Outsider—And That’s Okay
If you weren’t born here (and your parents weren’t either), you might feel like an outsider for a while. That’s not personal—it’s prairie caution. This is a land built on long winters and longer memories.
Just be kind. Be helpful. Listen before you talk. Offer your snowblower. Bonus points if you bring banana bread.
And remember: in a town this size, the clerk who checks you out at the grocery store might also coach your kid’s basketball team, organize the Christmas lights, and sit on the city council. One connection often leads to ten more.
7. Shopping Is a Strategy—And So Is Your Deep Freezer
You don’t “run to the store.” You plan for it. Amazon Prime? More like “Amazon Eventually.” Need a new swimsuit or tennis shoes? Better hope you’re headed to Grand Forks soon.
Sam’s Club runs become a sport. Cheese? The five-pound block. Toilet paper? By the bale. And every respectable household has a deep freezer—usually inherited, avocado green, and still chugging since 1972. It’s filled with your uncle’s deer from last year, hotdish, and enough frozen zucchini to bake with for the rest of your life.
8. Your Kids Might Have 20 Classmates—And That’s a Gift
Small schools are not a setback—they’re a secret weapon. In places like Cavalier Public School, preschoolers and seniors share hallways, and older kids become mentors.
Teachers don’t just know your child’s name—they know their quirks, strengths, and snack preferences. With fewer students, kids can try everything: basketball, FFA, band, HOSA, Science Olympiad, Student Council, and more. There’s no boxing in—only building up.
9. People Drive Tanks—and for Good Reason
When I first arrived, I couldn’t believe the number of people driving Suburbans, three-row SUVs, and trucks the size of aircraft carriers. Then winter hit.
Roads here are long and rural. You’re often sharing the lane with farm equipment. In winter, four-wheel drive isn’t a luxury—it’s your lifeline. And let’s not forget the local favorite: the remote car starter. If you don’t have one yet, trust me—you will. It’s the Midwest’s answer to frostbite, and it lets your car thaw out while you finish your coffee.
Also, shout-out to my favorite parking season: winter. Once snow covers the lot lines, parking becomes a freestyle art form where “close enough” counts, and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” becomes a live show at the grocery store.
Bonus: you’ll never parallel park again.
Final Thoughts
Living in a rural North Dakota town isn’t without its quirks. It requires grit, planning, and a sense of humor about things like frozen nostrils and realizing that a “salad” may contain neither greens nor vegetables.
But once you adjust, it’s hard to imagine life any other way. The people are generous, the land is honest, and life here—despite (or maybe because of) its simplicity—feels deeply rooted.
It might not be for everyone. But if you’re lucky enough to land here, you’ll soon realize that the “middle of nowhere” might just be the center of everything that matters.
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8. Your Kids Might Have 20 Classmates—And That’s a Gift
Small schools are not a setback—they’re a secret weapon. In places like Cavalier Public School, preschoolers and seniors share hallways, and older kids become mentors.
Teachers don’t just know your child’s name—they know their quirks, strengths, and snack preferences. With fewer students, kids can try everything: basketball, FFA, band, HOOSA, Science Olympiad, Student Council, and more. There’s no boxing in—only building up.
About the Author
Full-time family manager and caregiver for her busy family of five young kids, Michele Moquist is thriving in growing Cavalier, North Dakota. She keeps her family active outside as well as with small town events and school activities. With an English Education background, Michele finds creative and meaningful ways to read and write still, including participating in two book clubs and writing for the Cavalier Chronicle and a marketing company based in Fargo. Michele is always up for trying a new North Dakota adventure, a cup of good coffee or wine, and savoring small town charm.
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