A few opinions on Grand Forks

After living here for 5.5+ years, I'm leaving for the warmer confines of Maryland. Here are some opinions I have about the city...

1) History passed you by... I think Grand Forks COULD have been a "grand destination city". When founded along the meeting of two rivers, the shipping industry could have led to manufacturers setting up shop here. Also, when the railroad came through town and with the big switching yard here, you would think that perhaps numerous businesses would come set up shop. Grand Forks did grow nicely back in those days, but it never came close to Minneapolis. Grand Forks didn't get any favors from the glacial period either... geography put the city in a wide flat valley with no lakes or hills, limited trees.

2) The weather... You can dress it up however you like. Sure, towns thrive in Sweden, Norway, and Winnipeg is thriving to our north in COLDER weather. Maybe blame it on the river flooding every year or the long winters or the mosquitos. I don't know how to get around it, but face the music... why would a major corporation want to move to Grand Forks when they could operate out of say, Des Moines? Unless, of course, they are a wind turbine manufacturer... but good luck to LM Glasfiber finding 500 skilled people who want to live here.

3) Neighborly and helpful? Yes. Friendly? Not exactly. Don't get me wrong, my neigbors have been nice. Folks on my block take their snowblowers and clear the entire sidewalk and occasionally other people's driveways. If your car breaks down even in the middle of nowhere, a passing farmer will go get you some water for your radiator. But when it came to developing a social network here, it was hard for me. As an outsider, I got involved in many different things and met a lot of nice people along the way. But, I only made friends with a few people. Where are the married couples in their 30s?