Aerial view of Jamestown, North Dakota

7 Charming North Dakota Communities To Retire Around Fargo

Picture this: living in a beautiful small town with gorgeous landscapes, low housing prices, and a tight-knit community in proximity to the state's biggest city. From Jamestown to Oakes, soak up the benefits of small-town living in North Dakota, where expansive beauty meets endless opportunities for adventures. Discover legendary landmarks, access quality healthcare facilities, and enjoy exciting cultural events as you explore these seven charming North Dakota communities to retire in around Fargo.

Jamestown

Street view in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Street view in Jamestown, North Dakota. Editorial credit: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

Conveniently located between Fargo and Bismarck, you can experience a peaceful pace of life in a quaint town amidst two of North Dakota's biggest cities. Jamestown is also home to fascinating attractions, from the 26-foot-tall and 46-foot-long World's Largest Buffalo Monument to the extraordinary North American Bison Discovery Center, where exhibits and educational programs are held. With Frontier Village, a magnificent site known for its shops, historical displays, and 1880 Northern Pacific Railroad Depot set in town, you will find plenty of intellectually stimulating activities to enjoy.

Elmer Peterson built this statue, Dakota Thunder, in 1959.
Elmer Peterson built this statue, Dakota Thunder, in 1959. Photo by Ayman Haykal

The Jamestown Country Club is a wonderful place to practice your aim, with its 18-hole stunning golf course set in the breathtaking James River Valley. If you would like to expand your options, drive to the bigger cities for busy day trips or exciting weekend getaways. Plus, considering the median sold home price was $177,500 USD in December 2024, as per realtor.com, Jamestown is one of the most affordable places to live in North Dakota.

Lisbon

Main Street in Lisbon, North Dakota
Main Street in Lisbon, North Dakota. Image credit: Jimmy Emerson DVM via Flickr.com

While the Portuguese capital is breathtaking, this small American town offers its own charm. Named the third safest city in North Dakota by SafeWise in 2024, Lisbon reported zero violent crime rates. You will feel very secure living in this small city of approximately 2,200 residents, about 26% of which are 65 and older.

The Lisbon Opera House in Lisbon, North Dakota
The Lisbon Opera House in Lisbon, North Dakota. By Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In the Sheyenne River Valley, Lisbon is also incredibly beautiful. Soak up the scenery driving up the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, a 63-mile route stretching from Baldhill Dam to Lisbon. Explore the events or take a tour of the Lisbon Opera House, an extraordinary historic site dating back to 1889. Prairiewood Winery is a marvelous spot to sit back and relax or go to a small boutique winery renowned for its raspberry wine. Regarding medical care, CHI Lisbon Health, with a 24/7 emergency department and Senior Life Solutions program (helping adults 65 and older manage life changes), is in town.

Valley City

Bridge over the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota.
Bridge over the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota.

If you are a fan of picturesque parks and historical bridges, Valley City is your city. Also, in the Sheyenne River Valley, you can expect to see gorgeous sites like Lake Ashtabula, which has 5,174 acres and 73 miles of shoreline, in one of the most charming North Dakota communities to retire in around Fargo. Enjoy a wide range of activities here, from fishing for walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch to camping, boating, swimming, drinking, and dining. For nature lovers, the North Country National Scenic Trail, an extraordinary path stretching over 4,800 miles across eight states (accessible from Valley City), is a superb hiking spot.

Street view of Valley City, North Dakota
Street view of Valley City, North Dakota. By In memoriam afiler - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Explore the city's landmarks, including the historically significant Hi-Line Railroad Bridge, which was heavily used for moving soldiers and suppliers during the World Wars. CHI Mercy Health is in town, with a 24/7 emergency department and several services, including assisted living and long-term care options and screenings. For ongoing health conditions, Sanford Medical Center Fargo, voted the Best Hospital in North Dakota by U.S. News & World Report for 2024 to 2025, is about an hour away, as well. The facility was ranked high-performing in as many as 11 procedures and conditions.

Wahpeton

Dakota Avenue in Wahpeton, North Dakota
Dakota Avenue in Wahpeton, North Dakota. By Jane priebe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

By the North Dakota-Minnesota border, you will find Wahpeton, a stunning city of about 8,000 residents. The two states are separated by the Red River of the North, the meeting point of the Otter Tail and Bois de Sioux rivers. Kidder Recreation Area is a lovely place to go fishing, boating, camping, or exploring the trails by the water. You will see one-of-a-kind attractions here, including the "World's Largest Catfish," a 40-foot long, 12-feet tall fish named Wahpper, weighing more than 5,000 pounds.

Aerial view of downtown Wahpeton, North Dakota, in Summer.
Aerial view of downtown Wahpeton, North Dakota, in Summer.

Home to over 200 animals, Chahinkapa Zoo features safe exhibits with quality animal care to promote healthy habitats for wildlife. Discover over 70 species, attend a special event, or sponsor an animal. Considering Wahpeton's close proximity to Breckenridge, its Minnesota sister city, residents can easily access CHI St. Francis Health within 10 minutes. The hospital offers a wide range of services for both towns, including 24/7 Emergency Care, General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Swing Bed, 24-hour Skilled Nursing Care, and more.

Grafton

Downtown Grafton, North Dakota
Downtown Grafton, North Dakota. Image credit Biff Beltsander via Flickr.com

With a median listing home price of $197,500 USD as of December 2024 (according to realtor.com), Grafton is one of the best affordable cities to live in North Dakota. Experience its small-town magic in the heart of the Red River Valley. This is the perfect place to enjoy a slower pace of life as one of the most charming North Dakota communities to retire in. Spend some time in Leistikow Park, a wonderful spot for tennis, disc golf, birding, basketball, or swimming. You can dive further into nature with kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boating opportunities, hiking trails, and camping amenities.

Hill Avenue in downtown Grafton, North Dakota
Hill Avenue in downtown Grafton, North Dakota. By Jcardusek, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Visit the exquisite 1895 Historic Elmwood House, a Victorian-era home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. See what treasures you can find at Carnegie Regional Library, with its free public library and reading room established in 1896. Unity Medical Center has a 24/7 emergency department, plus a Specialty Clinic Schedule offering Orthopedic, Cardiology, Audiology, and a wide range of other services.

West Fargo

A street lined with rustic buildings in the town of West Fargo, North Dakota.
A street lined with rustic buildings in the town of West Fargo, North Dakota. Editorial credit: Kirkam / Shutterstock.com

How would you like to live in a peaceful, picturesque community within 15 minutes of North Dakota’s biggest city? Aside from its perfect location and beautiful parks, such as Rendezvous Park, which has disc golf courses and scenic biking paths, West Fargo is also extremely safe. With a crime rate of 14.27 per 1,000 residents (according to CrimeGrade.org), West Fargo is safer than 96% of cities. That means you can comfortably explore the city’s notable attractions, including Bonanzaville, a fascinating pioneer village and museum that will transport you to the 1800s and 1900s.

The City Hall in West Fargo, North Dakota
The City Hall in West Fargo, North Dakota. By Carrie Scarr - Flickr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

This remarkable site features over 400,000 artifacts and is a great place to learn about the area’s history. From there, take your spouse or friends to the Fargo Escape Room for a fun day of puzzles that will mentally stimulate you. Take your pick from the range of themes with varying success rates. If you are concerned about health issues, Sanford Medical Center Fargo, the best hospital in North Dakota, as per the US News & World Report, is approximately 10 minutes away.

Oakes

Klein and Sutmar Block in Oakes, North Dakota, a historic brick commercial building with decorative cornices and large storefront windows, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Klein and Sutmar Block in Oakes, North Dakota. By Andrew Filer, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

If you would like to experience a true sense of community in your golden years, Oakes is a wonderful place to call home. This captivating city has a population of less than 1,800, so you can really get to know your neighbors and make closer connections with those around you. Plus, with an average home value of $151,438 USD (updated by Zillow in December 2024), this is one of the most affordable North Dakota communities to retire around Fargo.

Watch a movie with surround sound in The Grand Theatre, an Art Deco-style on Main Street, playing the latest productions. Spend some time practicing your aim in Oakes Golf Club, with its gorgeous hilly terrains, lovely clubhouse, and beautiful Bear Creek. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in The Angry Beaver Lodge, trying tasty American dishes in a cozy environment. CHI Oakes Hospital is in town as well, offering many services, including swing bed care, pain management, emergency care, and more.

The Best Communities To Retire In Around Fargo

Your golden years are the perfect time to try new hobbies and build closer connections with those around you. Spending them in a destination you love will make these years all the more enjoyable. Between stunning landscapes, unique landscapes, and affordable housing prices, the Peace Garden State is filled with beauty around every corner. From the historic operas and boutique wineries of Lisbon to the picturesque parks and Victorian houses of Grafton, take your pick from these charming North Dakota communities to retire in around Fargo.

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