It’s that time of year again: PCS Season. Every spring, my social media feeds and groups spill over with posts about upcoming moves. Friends are looking to purge items in online yard sale groups, questions about selling a house “by owner,” comments about bases across the globe, and, of course, questions about PCSing to Minot come flooding in as well.

Reading posts from families with orders to Minot AFB is one of my favorite pastimes. I am nearly blinded by my love of Minot and North Dakota as a whole. Hotdish Land has become something of a muse to me. The things others see as annoyances, I see as endearing quirks. The things that deter some from moving here are rebranded as assets when filtered through the proper lens. Because I love living here, and I’m eager to help others thrive too, I enjoy reading the concerns, negative perceptions held by others. Doing so keeps my mind open to a different perspective and guides me to share information that will be most helpful to newcomers.

This is perhaps my favorite part of being human: the ability we have to empathize with a differing opinion, and offer unique encouragement hard-won by our own experiences.

Lately, as I’ve scrolled through my feeds, I came across the same question three different times: Can someone tell me something good about Minot? I’ve only heard negatives.

That got me thinking. Here are eight good things that I love about living in Minot.

1.Summers are fantastic. Never too hot to enjoy being outside, humidity is nearly nonexistent, and the sun stays up so late I typically start yard work at 9 pm. It’s something you have to experience to appreciate.

2.Everything is close. If you live in town, you are likely no more than 15 minutes from anywhere you want to go. These short commutes make it to fit lots of activities into the day without feeling overstretched.

3.There are plenty of no-cost activities to enjoy. Being active and engaged doesn’t require a large budget. There are free concerts, events, story times, kids’ clubs, trivia nights, book clubs, and youth activities that keep us busy year-round.

4.Other events are low-cost. We attend more concerts, theater productions, and sports here than anywhere else because tickets are so reasonable, and the venues are so close. Youth activities can be found for any budget. Minot has allowed me to provide experiences for my family I couldn’t afford in other places. For that, I’m deeply grateful.

5.Minot tries really hard. People in Minot know it has a negative reputation. The community is constantly striving to be more welcoming—and it shows. Minot Parks, Minot Public Library, Visit Minot, the Minot Chamber, and Downtown Minot are constantly finding new ways to support unique businesses and provide a high quality of life for residents.

6.It’s safe. No town is perfect, but Minot is very safe. People watch out for one another. I feel safe being out in town and in the parks; I feel safe at home even when my husband is TDY or deployed. This isn’t often mentioned—but it’s a reason we choose to stay.

7.There are so many playgrounds. My kids and I never get burned out on going to the same places. There are tons playgrounds (even school playgrounds are open for community use), walking trails, and paths. If you want variety, you can find it.

8.Minot moves at its own pace. Some may say Minot is behind the times, but I disagree. This is a town that moves at its own pace. Things move differently here, and you don’t fully understand until you’re living it—it’s slower, and less pressured–but in the best way possible.

There are many more things that make life in Minot appealing, but this is a start. As we head into PCS season, let’s all remember to build one another up. Think about the things you like about living in Minot and be ready to share them with a newcomer. Negative things are easy to find—and they’ll be able to come up with those on their own. So, I challenge you to share your positive observations with someone new.

We can all play a role in helping the influx of new airmen and families feel at home, at ease, and ready to thrive here.
For more on life in Minot and relocating to North Dakota, join me online at amyallender.com, on Instagram @HeyMinot and @amy_allender, and Facebook @amyallenderblog.